The Lion's Pen Bi-Weekly Newsletter
August 2026
William P. Bohen, Ph.D.
Principal
Back to School Edition!
Open House/ Supply Drop Off
Greetings from Maple East! I hope that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. We are so excited to welcome our new students, and our returning students back to Maple East for the 2026-2027 school year. Our Open House/Supply Drop Off date is Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and the times are as follows:
New Family (Grades 1-4) 4:00 PM-4:45 PM (in the Gym)
Grade K 4:00 PM-4:45 PM
Grade 1, 2, Ms. Stearns, Mrs. Rockwell, Mrs. Rauth: 4:50 PM-5:35 PM
Grade 3 and 4 5:40 PM-6:25 PM
During Open House, please be sure to stop at our Playground for “Popsicles on the Playground,” sponsored by our PTA. You will be able to meet our PTA officers and volunteers. We will also have a school bus in the main loop for Kindergarten students to practice boarding and exiting. If our lot is full, additional parking is available next door at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
PTA Back to School Night/ Curriculum Information
Our first PTA General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 PM in the Maple East Library. Maple East teachers and I will be presenting about our school curriculum and program.
Class Placement Information
Student schedules and teacher assignments will be available on WITS at the end of the day on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Supply Lists
Supply lists for the 2026-2027 school year are currently posted on WITS and also the District website at the following link: https://mapleeast.williamsvillek12.org/parents-students/school-supply-list
Parent/ Student Handbook
The Maple East Parent Student Handbook contains everything that you need to know about our school logistics, procedures, and communication plan. You can access the Handbook on the District website at the following link: https://mapleeast.williamsvillek12.org/about-us/school-profile/handbook
Welcome New Teachers!
Grade 1 Substitute (for Mrs. Cecchini): Allison McLean
Special Education/ 8-1-1: Madelyn Stearns
Air Conditioning Project
This school year, as part of a continuing District capital project, air conditioning will be installed in our classrooms. The initial phases of the project have already started. When you visit for Open House next week, you will notice hallway ceiling tiles have been removed to allow for the work to proceed. The purpose of this capital project is to improve the classroom environment for student instruction. The rise in temperatures in fall, spring and summer have resulted in heat and humidity levels that were not common to our geographic area ten years ago. The ability for students to focus mentally on their classroom instructional program is compromised when the classroom environment has a heat index above 80 degrees. The rise in temperatures in the Buffalo, New York area is documented by GLISA, a NOAA RISA team. The project will consist of installing air conditioning in about two classrooms at a time. Each classroom will take about 3-5 days to complete. Over the course of this school year, your child's class may be relocated to a multi purpose room for a few days while the work is being done. For more information, please refer to the District website at the following link:
Kristy Giardina, Assistant Principal
Welcome back! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in the coming weeks ahead. Today, I would like to take the opportunity to review with you the procedures of parent drop off/ pick up at dismissal:
Morning Drop Off:
If you will be bringing your child to school in the morning, versus sending them on the bus, please know we have specific procedures in place to make this as smooth and safe as possible.
When you pull into the side parking lot at Maple East, you will see a traffic pattern set up by cones. You will want to pull up as far to the front as possible, and only the students should exit the car on the passenger side. We will have staff members stationed throughout the walkway and inside the building that can help guide your child.
If you prefer to walk your child to the door, or help them out of the car, please park in the parking lot, and we welcome you to do so! All students will walk to the front entrance to enter the building.
You can begin dropping your child off at 7:50am and we will be stationed outside until 8:15am. Thank you for following these procedures as it helps to control the traffic as well as get everyone where they need to be in the morning!
Afternoon Parent Pick Up:
If your child is a parent pick up every day, or on a consistent schedule (i.e Tuesdays and Thursdays) and will not be taking the bus, please ensure that your child’s teacher is aware by sending in a one time note stating this. Please give this note to your teacher at Supply drop off. This will help us to be prepared for the first few days.
Going forward, if your child will be picked up any day during the school year, just on that day, please also be sure you send a note to your child’s teacher on that day with the date of pick up listed.
When picking up your child you will park in the side parking lot and line up at the appropriate door corresponding to your child’s last name.
Cafeteria door #14: New pickup location for student last names ending in A-L
Loading dock door #13: New pickup location for student last names ending in M-Z
If your child is a consistent pick up, you will be given a sign to utilize when picking your child up, and your child will have a corresponding number attached to their backpack (This will come home with your child the first week of school.) While you wait for these to come home, please be prepared to show ID.
If you are picking your child up and are not on a consistent schedule, you will just come to the corresponding door to pick them up and please be prepared to show ID.
Please remember that we do not begin dismissing students until 2:20.
Thank you so much for your flexibility and cooperation as we safely dismiss all students!
Afternoon Dismissal:
Special After School Transportation to an Alternate Address (Neighbor / Sitter / Grandparent):
If a student is going to a different location after school other than their home, such as a neighbor, sitter or grandparent's home, a Special Transportation Form needs to be completed online and will automatically be sent to the Transportation Department. (Click here for transportation form) *The location of the neighbor, sitter or grandparent's home must be within the Maple East attendance area.
This bus will be your child's only afternoon bus assignment.
Special After School Transportation to an Alternate Address (Licensed Day Care):
If a student is going to a licensed day care after school (not in-house Just For Kids), a Special Transportation Form needs to be completed and sent to the Transportation Department (Click here for transportation form). (exception: Little Red School House)
If the location of the licensed day care is within the Maple East attendance area, the student will not have to take a transfer bus to Mill Middle. A bus from Maple East will take them directly to the licensed day care facility.
If the location of the licensed day care is outside the Maple East attendance area but in the Williamsville School District area, the student will take a transfer bus from Maple East to Mill Middle where they will transfer to the bus that will transport them to the licensed day care facility.
This bus will be your child's only afternoon bus assignment.
Please review your family's situation carefully and advise the school according to the directions above should any special circumstances apply. The main office can also assist you if you have questions. They can be reached at 626-8800.
Last year, New York State passed legislation that prohibits the use of internet enabled devices in schools. Policy #7316 was adopted during the July 1, 2025 Board of Education Meeting and goes into effect on September 1, 2025. What this means at the Elementary Level is Devices (Including Cell Phones and Smart Watches) must be stored in students’ homeroom in a teacher-designated storage system, turned off, from the time they enter the building at the start of the school day until they exit the building at the end of the school day. There are some Methods of Communication for Parents to Contact their Child During the School Day
- Parents may call the main office to leave a message for their child. In addition, students may use the school’s phone in the office (or classroom, when available and appropriate) to call their parent/guardian.
- Where age appropriate, parents may also WITS mail their own child
We appreciate your cooperation as we establish these new rules and routines in the building. For more information on the District policies, please visit the following website.
https://www.williamsvillek12.org/about-us/district-profile/cell-phone-policy
BEGINNING OF YEAR REMINDERS
Reminder for Pick Up
Please remember to always have ID when coming into school as you may be required to provide it when picking up your child.
Visitor Sign In Procedure
Our District utilizes the Raptor System for visitors coming into the building. With this procedure, you will need to provide photo ID that will be scanned into the system for security purposes. Once you are scanned the first time, subsequent visits will only require us to sign you in with your last name. Your name remains in the system from year to year.
Attendance Reminder
If your child will be out sick, please be sure to contact the Attendance Office via WITS Mail or by calling 716-626-8800/option 1.
Dismissal Reminder
If there is any change to your child’s regular dismissal routine, please call the MAIN OFFICE at (716) 626-8801 as teachers may not always get the message in time for dismissal.
Parking Lot Reminders
Just a reminder that cars are NOT allowed in the Bus Loop in the morning to drop off students. Please remember there is no entering the Bus Loop BEFORE 8:30am or AFTER 1:30pm. Cars are also NOT allowed in the Handicapped section of the parking lot unless you have the proper parking tag. When parking there, be sure to have your tag displayed in clear view if you’re using those spots.
Joelle McCormack, RN, School Nurse
Medication drop off for the 2026-2027 school year is:
- August 27th from 8:00am-4:00pm
- September 1st 4:00pm-6:30pm
Julie Schaefer
School Counselor
Coming soon!
Eileen Theuerkauf, Technology Coach
Katie McFarland, Technology Facilitator
Learning Gets an Interactive Upgrade!
We are excited to share that all elementary classrooms are now equipped with ViewSonic interactive boards! These engaging, interactive displays provide teachers and students with new opportunities to collaborate, explore, and bring learning to life in the classroom.
Andrea Armstrong
Wellness Facilitator
Coming soon!
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
Coming soon!
SDM (Shared Decision Making) Committees Update:
Coming soon!
PTA Update-
Maple East PTA Book Vending Machine is Here!!
The book vending machine has arrived! We are so excited! Make sure to take a moment to check it out at the open house on September 1st. Located by the entrance to the cafeteria. PTA Popsicles on the Playground, September 1st 4-6:30pm Come and join the PTA on the playground to reconnect with friends, meet new ones and enjoy a popsicle! PTA executive committee members and volunteers will be handing out popsicles throughout the open house. If the weather is not cooperating, popsicles will be served in the cafeteria. Membership Why be a member? We need members to exist as a PTA Why do members have to pay dues? Members pay dues because our PTA must pay dues to the State and National PTA’s in order to exist as a PTA. Member dues also go towards helping to fund our events. Anything else? Being a member gives you voting rights within our PTA association! There is no obligation or expectation to volunteer or attend meetings just because you are a member. But we would love to have you if you want to become more involved! PTA can’t do all the amazing things it does for the Maple East Community if it doesn’t exist! Become a member today! To sign up go to: https://mapleeast.memberhub.com/store PTA membership must be renewed each year. Movie Night at Bassett Park Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, movie night at the Clearfield Recreation Center was still a great time for all who attended. Thank you to Amherst Youth and Recreation Department for letting Maple East students vote for a summer movie! Want to be more involved in our Maple East Community? Volunteering with the PTA is a great way to meet people, and get more involved in the Maple East School Community. We have opportunities big and small. Reach out to Megan at vpvolunteers.mepta@gmail.com Upcoming PTA Events - September 9/1 - Popsicles on the Playground 4-6:30pm (cafeteria if raining) September 5-7th - Chalk the Walk (bring your own chalk) 9/16 - Chairperson Orientation 6pm - Library 9/16 - PTA General Membership Meeting - 6:30-7:30pm - Library budget vote spiritwear store gift card giveaway 9/25 - Ice Cream Social - 6-8pm - Cafeteria 9/25 - Book Fair -4-8pm - Gymnasium Have a great weekend! Maple East PTA
PTA Co Presidents
District News:
Water Safety
Education Law section 926, effective July 1, 2026, requires school districts to provide electronic or written information on water safety to parents/guardians at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, the school district must publish this information on its website. The New York State Department of Health has provided school districts with swim tips regarding drowning prevention, water safety and safe and healthy swimming.
Extracurricular Information
Community Education Programs at Maple East, click on link below:
https://www.williamsvillek12.org/departments/community_education/index.php
Important/Save the Dates - (every Friday is Wear Blue Spirit Day!)
Friday, August 7 PTA Movie Night @ Bassett Park
Tuesday, September 1 Popsicles on the Playground, 3:30-7:30pm
Open Houses, 4:00pm-6:25pm
4:00pm New Family Orientation (Grades 1-4)
4:00pm Kindergarten Open House/Supply Drop-Off
4:50pm Grade 1 Open House/Supply Drop-Off, Grade 2 Open House/Supply Drop-Off, Mrs. Rauth/Ms. Rockwell/Miss Wulkan Open House/Supply Drop-Off
5:40pm Grade 3 Open House/Supply Drop-Off, Grade 4 Open House/Supply Drop-Off
Sat./ Sun./ Mon., Sept. 5, 6, 7 Chalk the Walk
Wednesday, September 16 PTA Chairperson Welcome @ 6:00pm
Wednesday, September 16 PTA General Meeting @ 6:30pm
Wednesday, September 23 Room Parent Orientation @ 6:30pm
Friday, September 25 Ice Cream Social, 6:00-8:00pm
Scholastic Book Fair, 4:00-8:00pm
Main Office:
William P Bohen, PhD, Principal
Kristy Giardina, Assistant Principal
Laura Mietz, Senior Clerk Typist
Cynthia Carlino, Clerk Typist
Kimberly Beck, Part Time Clerk Typist
Phone: 716-626-8800
Fax: 716-626-8808
Attendance:
Lindsay Pecoraro, Attendance/ Health Office Aide
Phone: 716-626-8800
Health Office:
Joelle McCormack, RN, School Nurse
Phone: 716-626-8810
Fax: 716-626-8831
School Website:
https://mapleeast.williamsvillek12.org/
Address:
1500 Maple Road
Williamsville, NY 14221