Maple Grove Fox Report

Spring is right around the corner! Even though we still have a few chilly days ahead, there is a noticeable change in the air. The days are getting longer, the sun feels a little warmer, and at Maple Grove we are getting ready for one of our favorite traditions — tapping trees for maple syrup season.

Each year, tapping trees is more than just an activity; it’s hands-on learning rooted in who we are. Our learners experience science in action as they explore how temperature changes cause sap to flow, how trees store energy over the winter, and how raw sap transforms into maple syrup. They practice teamwork as they collect sap, problem-solve when buckets spill or lines freeze, and demonstrate stewardship as they care for our woods. This tradition connects our learners to the land, to each other, and to the rich history of maple sugaring in our region.

As the weather warms up, the woods also become muddy. Please continue sending your child with mud boots each day. Collecting sap and exploring outdoors are important parts of our spring learning, and proper footwear helps keep classrooms clean and students comfortable. Extra socks in backpacks are also a great idea this time of year!

We are looking forward to a season full of growth — in our trees and in our learners. Thank you for helping us keep our students prepared and ready for the adventure.

Open Enrollment and applications for NEW families to Maple Grove Charter School will be open February 2 – April 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

Who needs to apply?

• The application is only for NEW learners at any grade level, including incoming kindergarteners.

• If your child already attends Maple Grove and you have a new kindergartener starting, you will need to complete an application for that child only.

Who does NOT need to reapply?

• Families with learners currently attending Maple Grove Charter School.

• Families who live outside the School District of Athens and have already open enrolled in previous years.

DPI Open Enrollment Forms

• DPI Open Enrollment forms (available on the DPI website starting February 2) are only for families new to Maple Grove Charter School who live outside the School District of Athens boundaries.

We’re sharing this information early so you can help spread the word! Word of mouth has been our best marketing tool, and we would love for your friends and neighbors to hear how much you love Maple Grove and the education your child(ren) are receiving.

Encourage interested families to:

• Call the school with questions

• Schedule a tour

• Meet with me

• Learn more about our school

We will also be hosting an Open House March 12th from 4:30-6:30—more details coming soon!

We know Open Enrollment and the application process can feel confusing. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions, and thank you for helping share the amazing things happening at Maple Grove Charter School!

The school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., and students who are dropped off must be in their classrooms by 8:00 a.m. Attendance is taken shortly after the start of the day.

If you are driving your learner(s) to school, please plan for them to arrive with enough time to eat breakfast (if they choose) and settle into their classroom before 8:00 a.m. Arriving after 8:00 a.m. will result in your child being marked tardy.

Our bus arrives at approximately 8:10 a.m. Students who ride the bus will not be marked tardy due to the bus schedule.

We have seen an increase in tardy arrivals for students who are being dropped off. Being on time is essential to a strong start to the day and minimizes disruptions to learning. We appreciate your partnership in making punctuality a priority.

Also, please remember that parent pick-up runs from 3:00–3:15 PM each afternoon. To help our end-of-day routine run smoothly—and to ensure our staff can get to their scheduled meetings—please make sure your learner is picked up no later than 3:15 PM.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep dismissal safe and efficient! 💙

We are Springing into Dr. Suess and celebrating Read Across America Week March 2 - March 5! We will be having dress up days and well as fun activities throughout the week!

THANK YOU to families for your attending conferences! If you are still needing to meet with your learner's teacher please reach out to them directly.

Also we'd like to give a big THANK YOU to the PTO and parent volunteers for the 2 amazing meals for the staff. We are blessed to have giving and thoughtful parents!

We are excited to share that families can now order their 2025–2026 MGCS yearbook! This is a wonderful keepsake filled with special memories from the school year. To order online: Visit: https://shop.memorybook.com School Code: 229830M All users will need to register the first time they access the site. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, an order form will be sent home with your student. Please make checks payable to Athens School District. Don’t miss out on capturing this year’s memories! 😊

The School District of Athens will be implementing new Administrative Guidelines for family lunch accounts with negative balances greater than $200.00. Once an account reaches this threshold the account will be suspended and the parents or guardian will need to provide a meal from home or money daily to cover meals purchased. Please do not let your account get to this point. If you find yourself in this situation, please reach out to the District Office at 715-257-7511 before the account is suspended.

Families will continue to receive account balance notifications via Infinite Campus Messenger.

Families are always encouraged to fill out a free/reduced meal application to see if you qualify. https://www.athens1.org/page/free-and-reduced

For more details on Administrative Guideline 6152 click here.

Our Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser is coming up soon (April 26th), and as in years past we are excited to include a raffle as part of the event! To make it a success, we are looking for donations to help us create some wonderful raffle offerings for our families.

• Do you have a fun item at home you’d like to donate?
• Know a local business that might be willing to contribute a gift card, swag item, or something special?
• Have an idea for a themed collection of items that would make a great raffle basket?

We would truly appreciate your support!

Some ideas include:
• Gift cards
• Family game night items
• Outdoor or sports gear
• Homemade goodies
• Themed items that go together
• Business donations

Every contribution, large or small, helps us create an exciting and meaningful event for our school community.

Please drop off donations to MGCS by April 10th. If you have a business connection you’d like us to reach out to, feel free to send them our way as well.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and this special event. We are grateful for our generous community! 💛🥞

Enrollment Application is happening now until April 30th. If you are currently NOT enrolled or know someone who is looking to come to Maple Grove please have them fill out the application at this link. This is for new families or new incoming Kindergarteners. If the child does not live in the School District of Athens they will also need to fill out the form on the DPI site that is linked in our application. If you know a family that is thinking about enrolling I am more than happy to talk with them and give them a tour of our amazing school and grounds, just have them contact me or the main office. We are looking forward to another great year in the 2026-2027 school year!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSet20FiLCorXGl1cHMbEXvEPWFVQW82fr-JwYCnsAADfMX1gg/viewform?usp=dialog

On February 10th we celebrated the 100th Day of School! Our learners marked the day by dressing like they were 100 years old or wearing shirts decorated with 100 of something — and they looked amazing!

We’re so proud of how much they’ve grown over the past 100 days — learning new skills, building friendships, and showing their CRISP traits every day. Here’s to the rest of a fantastic year!

Fired Up to Read will continue this month!. Learners from all grades will have the opportunity to read with the Hamburg/Corning volunteers as the year progresses. At the end of the year, learners have the opportunity to win a bike, pizza party, and a ride in the fire truck.

Please help support your child's goal in reading!

Please view the attachment below for specific details on winter clothing expectations.

We continue to support and encourage all students to learn TOGETHER! Every other week learners go to their assigned fox den, which is a culmination of K-5th grade learners intermixed, to create relationships and support each other in teamwork activities.

Just a reminder about after school pickup: Please remain in your vehicle when loading your child. If you are waiting and your car is idling, please turn off your vehicle to reduce emissions entering the environment and our building as part of our environmental focus. If your child needs help opening their door, a supervisor will assist. If your child needs help buckling in, please pull ahead into the playground area around the corner of the building to do so safely and to help keep the pick-up line moving efficiently. 10 minutes of idling equals a gallon of gas.

At Maple Grove, we believe that kids still need to be kids when they go home at night. That’s why we keep homework to a minimum. However, reading is always a priority. We ask that all learners either be read to, read on their own, or read with someone else each night. Seeing you read at home is also one of the best ways to spark and sustain their love of reading.

Each month, learners will meet with their classroom teacher to set a reading goal that is both realistic and challenging. If the goal doesn’t feel like the right fit for your child, please reach out so we can adjust it together.

We ask parents to:

Record the minutes read each day on the reading calendar.

Sign the log weekly.

Return it at the end of the month.

Learners who meet their goals every two months will take part in an all-school reading incentive. Those who do not will use that time in another classroom to catch up on their reading minutes.

Together, let’s make reading a joyful and daily habit for all our learners!

If students bring personal toys to school, they may be used only at recess and must stay in their backpack during all other times. Toys are the student’s responsibility, and if they are lost, taken, or damaged, staff will not be able to search for or investigate these situations. Thank you for your understanding.

To avoid take-backs, unfair trades, and situations families may not be aware of, students should not trade items or give “gifts” during the school day. Thank you for your support!

If your learner will be absent, late, or leaving early for an appointment, please contact Mrs. Plisch in the office. You can:

✉️ Send a Seesaw message
📧 Email Mrs. Plisch at bplisch@athens1.org
📱 Or call 715-257-2199 (Option 1) to leave a message on our absent reporting voicemail.

Thank you for helping keep our attendance records accurate!

Please be aware of school requirements related to health and illness. If your student becomes ill during the school day (fever 100.4 or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, worsening of cold symptoms) you will be contacted to pick them up from school. Students may not return to school until they are 24 hours fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and 24 hours without further vomiting or diarrhea. The health office has over the counter medications available (Tylenol, Pepto or Benadryl) for students if a parent has previously given consent for their child to receive the stock medications in the health office. If you are wanting your child to take an over the counter medication that is not available at school, you must sign a School Medication Consent Form with the medication details and your signature. This medication will be kept in the health office and cannot be kept with the student/in the student's locker. If the medication is prescribed by a medical provider, the school must have a signed doctor's order and medication in an original pharmacy container to be able to administer to students. This will also be kept in the health office.

Learners will have off on:

• Friday, March 6
• Thursday & Friday, April 2 - 3
• Monday, April 6

Thank you to the Maple Grove Foundation for making this happen!

Our Kwik Trip Card order is a year long fundraiser to help support our Maple Grove Foundation and our school. If you are in need of another order form, please contact Mrs. Plisch in the office.

Cindy Artus is the contact person for questions 715-551-3808.

The School Store will be open on the following days during your learner’s lunch hour. All items are priced reasonably—just a couple of dollars goes a long way!

You are welcome to send a small amount of money with your child, or place it in an envelope for their teacher to hold until lunch time.

The next PTO meeting will be 3/9/26 at 3:20pm.

The next Governance Board meeting is scheduled for 3/9/26 at 5:30pm.

Mar. 06: No School

Mar. 08: Daylight Savings Time

Mar. 10: Grade 5 Puberty Presentation

Mar. 12: Open House 4:30-6:30

Mar. 13: MGCS School-wide Spelling Bee

Mar. 20: 3rd Quarter Ends

Mar. 25: Birthday Lunches

Mar. 26: School Store

Mar. 27: Popcorn Friday, Fox Dens

Mar. 30: 3rd Quarter Report Cards Available

Apr. 01: Kindergarten School Forest Field Trip

Apr. 02 - 06: No School

Apr. 10: Fox Dens, 3rd Quarter CRISP Assembly

Apr. 13: PTO Meeting 3:20p, Governance Board Meeting 5:30p

Apr. 17: 1st Grade School Forest Field Trip

Apr. 23: School Store

Apr. 24: Fox Dens, Popcorn Friday

Apr. 26: Pancake Breakfast

Apr. 29: Kindergarten Mead Wildlife Center Field Trip

May 06: 2nd Grade School Forest Field Trip

May 08: 1st Grade Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast

May 11: PTO Meeting 3:20pm, Governance Board Meeting 5:30pm

May 15: 3rd Grade Food For America Field Trip

May 21: School Store

May 21: Kindergarten Graduation 5pm, 5th Grade Graduation 6pm

May 22: Fox Dens, Popcorn Friday

May 25: No School- Memorial Day

May 26: 5th Grade School Forest Field Trip

May 27: Birthday Lunches

May 28: Last Day of School

Email: rhanson@athens1.org

Website: www.athens1.org/o/mgcs
Location: 135594 County Road L Hamburg, WI 54411
Phone: (715) 257-2199
Facebook: facebook.com/AthensSchoolDistrictWisconsin