Welcome back to the 2011-2012 school year!  Maple School, originally built in 1924, has a long and proud tradition of community involvement and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Maple School’s focus is Excellence in Learning, as we incorporate Literacy, Math, Science, Technology and the Visual and Performing Arts to meet the needs of all students, by name.

Maple School was named a Title 1 Academic Achievement Award (AAA) School in 2011 by the California Department of Education.  This program annually recognizes high-poverty schools that are demonstrating success in ensuring that all students are making significant progress toward reaching proficiency on California’s academic content standards.  These standards define the knowledge, concepts, and skills students are expected to acquire at each grade level.  In addition, the awardees provide support and serve as models for other schools, especially other Title 1 schools that have been identified for Program Improvement.

The criteria to qualify for the award is rigorous.  Title 1 schools must demonstrate the achievement level of double the schoolwide Academic Performance Index (API) growth target, or have a schoolwide API at or above 800, for two consecutive years.  In addition, the school must double the API growth target for the socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups, or the subgroup muswt be at or above 800, for two consecutive years.  In addition, all other numerically significant subgroups in the school must meet their API targets for two years.  Finally, schools must have made adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two consecutive years, and at least 40% of the enrolled students in each school must meet the poverty index. 

The AAA recipient schools were honored at a reception held on June 9 by the Orange County Office of Education (OCDE) and Cal State University Fullerton and met with State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Superintendent Tom Torlakson on June 14.

Kindergarden Orientation will be held on August 29 at 8:30 AM in the MPR.  Once again, Maple will be offering a full day kindergarten program to better prepare your child to meet the social and academic programs of school.  Also, you will meet your child’s teacher and visit your child’s classroom.

Class lists will be posted on Friday, August 26, after 5 PM on the front door of the main building. Kindergarten students will receive their class assignment on August 29 during the Kinder Orientation. School begins on Monday, August 29, at 8:00 AM for all grades K-6. The first day of school will be a regular day schedule with dismissal at 2:15 PM for Grades 1-6.  Please remember that Wednesday’s dismissal time is 1:00 PM for K-6, to allow for professional staff development. Please make sure that you pick up your child on time.

STAR test results have been mailed to your home for students who were in grades 2-6 last year. If you have not received your child’s test scores, or have any questions, please contact the office. We will review our test scores at our Title 1 Parent Meeting held before the classroom visitations on September 21 at Back to School Night.

Maple School fully implements the MIND ST Math + Music in Grades K-6.  This researched-based math program has proven to show amazing results with all our students, and in combination with piano lessons, has increased their spacial-temporal reasoning skills.

Maple School received the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Grant through the Orange County of Education in May 2010 and we are in the second year of implementation. We will be working with all students, parents and staff to ensure that students experience success in their social development and behavior, as well as academics.                                                     

The four behavior expectations for Maple School are:

Maple School follows a school wide dress code.  Please refer to the “Maple Look” for clothing requirements.  In addition, the PTA will also be selling Maple School Spirit shirts with the Title 1 Academic Achievement Award Logo.

We look forward to a wonderful year together.  Please speak with your child’s teacher often throughout the year and contact me if I can be of assistance in any way.

Susan A. Mercado                                                                Principal                                                                               “Power Up to 850 Maple Mustangs!”