November Principal's Corner

Our first nine weeks of school has come and gone very quickly. We had a great first quarter here at the elementary schools. Our parent/teacher conferences went well and we had 95% of parents/guardians who attended. I would like to thank you all for being involved in your child's education. It is very important that we all work together to provide a top notch education for our students here at Maple Valley. Our weather is beginning to change and we are asking that students begin to bring a heavy jacket, hat, and gloves to school each day. We will continue to go outside for recess and PE daily. We will continue to Strive for EXCELLENCE each and every day. If you have any questions or concerns, please free to give me a call.

In Your Service, Jay Kocka Jay Kocka Elementary Principal Buffalo: 633-5183 / Oriska: 845-2846

Upcoming Events and Highlights:

Monday, November 14th2nd and 3rd grade "Be Smart" program presented by the Department of Transportation from 9:30-10:30 AM -First Day of varsity and JV girls basketball practice in TC

Tuesday, November 15th-Final Fall GUFK in Buffalo at 6:00 PM

Friday, November 18th-K-6 attending the MSUM Children's Theater "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" (depart at 8:30 AM and return around 11:30 AM) -1st, 2nd and 3rd grade Boy Scouts presentation at 2:45 PM

Monday, November 21st-7:00 PM Boy Scouts presentation to parents and students on starting a Boy Scouts chapter in Buffalo elementary school.

Thursday, November 24th-No School

Friday, November 25th-No School

Monday, November 28th-First Day of Varsity and JV Boys Basketball Practice

Thursday, December 1st-Elementary Christmas Program in Tower City

School Bus Safety:

The safety and care of our students while riding on school buses is a priority for all of us. Student behavior data indicates that the bus is the most frequent location of discipline problems in the Maple Valley schools. To help ensure the bus driver can concentrate on the job of transporting students safely, it is necessary for students to adhere to certain expectations and procedures. First and foremost, the bus drivers are in complete charge of the bus and students are expected to comply with their requests at all times. Secondly, the school bus is an extension of the school, and all school rules and regulations that pertain to student conduct in the schools are applicable to student conduct on the school bus. If a student creates a safety hazard or causes a discipline problem on the bus, the following steps will be taken:

First Violation:Verbal warning (bus driver will contact parent/guardian via phone) Second Violation: Building Principal will contact parent/guardian and mail written warning. Third Violation: 1 Day Suspension: Student and parent/guardian must meet with building principal before student is allowed back on bus. Fourth Violation: 3 Day Suspension: Student and parent/guardian must meet with building principal before student is allowed back on bus. Fifth Violation: Student and parent/guardian will meet with Superintendent to determine suspension of bus riding privileges for the rest of the school year. *Please note that certain violations may warrant an immediate suspension. All offenses will be recorded and documented at the student's school.

Sickness Policy and Prevention:

Policy

Students must stay home if they: 1. Have a temperature of 100 degrees or over. 2. Have yellow or green nasal discharge coupled with sneezing, coughing, or both. 3. Have pink eye. Keep students home for the first 24 hours after they have had the medicine. They cannot be expected to keep their fingers/hands out of their eyes and avoid spreading infection. 4. Are in the first 24 hours of their antibiotics. If your child needs to take the medicine during school hours, please contact the school for instructions and the process of how this needs to be done. 5. Have thrown up or has had diarrhea within the past 24 hours.

Prevention

1. Sneeze and cough into your sleeve and not your hands. 2. Wash your hands regularly. While washing hands have your child sing their ABC's while their hands are covered with soap. 3. Get plenty of rest and keep your child home if they are not feeling well. Make sure to notify the school and we will get them caught up on any work when they return or we can send homework home as well.

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Maple Valley School MissionAttendance Matters

Respect for selfMissing school for any amount of

And otherstime can have a negative impact

Ignited byon your student's learning,

Developing characterachievement and grades. When your

Empowered by knowledgechild must be absent, please let us

Responsibility andknow the reason for the absence.

Safety

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