Road Map Region Parent Forum

Save the date for the Road Map Region Parent Forum taking place on Saturday April 20th.  It will take place at Foster High School in Tukwila.  Please see the flyer for more details.

Road Map Region Parent Forum Flyer Link

The State Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction are seeking input

 Please take the time to complete this survey to address these items:

1. What do you value in Washington schools
2.  Help the State Board develop a new tool for evaluating schools

Link to Survey

The State Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction are seeking input from Washington’s principals, building staff, and parents on how to identify successful K-12 public schools. Information will be used to revise the Achievement Index.

The Achievement Index is used to recognize some of the state’s highest-achieving schools. With the March 2012 flexibility waiver from the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA or No Child Left Behind), the Index will now evolve as the primary tool for statewide K-12 accountability.

The survey asks several “value” questions on school success.
For example, would you view these two schools as equally successful?
·         A school with a lot of students passing tests.
·         A school where a lot of students are progressing faster than average (regardless of how they do on tests).

This will have a significant impact on the evaluation of schools. As such, we want to provide ample opportunities for your staff and parents to provide their input.

The survey will close on February 15th. I sincerely appreciate your help in spreading the word. – Aaron Wyatt, SBE Communications

PTSA Membership Update

We currently have 95 PTSA Members. Thank you for your contributions. We have over 450 students at our school!! Our organization wants and needs input and support from Maple families, teachers, and the community. We have scholarships available to pay membership fees for families that would like to take advantage of this option. If you have questions about membership, please contact Chrystal at chrystalbluper@hotmail.com.

PTSA 100% Teacher Membership Award

We are still working on achieving 100% Teacher Membership in the PTSA.  Please encourage your teacher if they have not taken the opportunity to join.

CHANCE: HAPPY HOLIDAYS 100% TEACHER MEMBERSHIP AWARD!
Last month Membership Director Kari Wilkinson announced a second chance for local units to achieve the 100% Teacher Membership Award. Your unit will have until January 25, 2013 to apply for the “Happy Holiday 100% Teacher Membership Award."

Free Tax Preparation

The United Way of King Co is offering free tax filing for individuals or households with an income $57K for 2012. You can find out if you qualify and how to file online for free at myfreetaxes.com/kingcounty .

Maple Weekly Update

Maple here are a few events and items to put on the calendar for this week:

1. Rainier Beach High School PTSA is hosting a listening session for the Road Map Project on Thursday Jan 17th from 6-7:30 in the RBHS library.  Childcare and dinner are provided. Please see earlier blog entry for more information on the Road Map Project for south end King County schools.

2. Mercer middle school is hosting a showing of the First Generation film on Thursday Jan 17th from 6-8pm. The Maple community is invited to attend.  The film is appropriate for 4th-6th graders.  Popcorn and snacks will be provided. 

3. This Friday Jan 18th Ms. Hunter is hosting her Crafts and Conversations series.  Please meet at 9:00-10:00am in the gym with your craft to work on and parenting/kid questions for Ms. Hunter.

Everyone have a great week!

PTSA Membership

Maple Community - We are working to achieve 100% teacher membership to honor the commitment of our staff's involvement in our childrens success.  Ask your student's teacher if they are a PTSA member!  If you have questions about the benefits of membership contact the PTA board and Membership Committee team at mapleptsa@gmail.com"

The Road Map Project

Maple is invited to attend a listening session hosted by the Rainier Beach High School PTSA on behalf of The Road Map Project.  It is taking place on January 17th from 6-7:30pm in the RBHS Library. Dinner is provided.  To find out more visit: roadmapproject.org  or see the link below.

The road map project flier

Schools First Campaign Kick off and Rally

Schools First is holding a Campaign Kick off and Rally to raise awareness for the school levies in the upcoming election on February 12th. The Rally is occurring THIS SATURDAY, Jan 12th, from 10:30-11:30 am at Schools First Campaign Headquarters.  Please see the link for more information.

Schools First Campaign Kick-off and Rally flier

Welcome Back to School

Hopefully everyone had a great winter break.  School is starting tomorrow.  Here are a couple of items to note as the week starts:

1. The first PTSA meeting is this Tuesday January 8th.  The meeting starts at 6:15 with introductions then we get to business at 6:30pm in the Teacher's Lounge in Building B.  All are welcome.  We look forward to seeing you there.

2. Powerful Schools Is Back!!!  Here is the Winter 2013 Catalog.  Registration starts on Tuesday Jan 8th.  There are a lot of exciting options so sign up early before the classes are full.  Here is the link to the catalog.

Powerful Schools Winter 2013 Catalog