Explore

Greetings Explore Community,

We made it through week one! I want to extend a huge thank you to all of our students, families, and staff for making the start of the 2026–2027 school year such a resounding success.

Seeing the excitement in our hallways, watching our PK-8 students build new routines, and feeling the energy across our shared campus has made this an incredible opening week. Our kids came ready to learn, and our staff worked tirelessly to ensure every student felt welcomed, supported, and ready to thrive.

A Few Quick Reminders as We Head Into Week Two:

• Traffic & Arrival: Thank you for your patience as everyone adapted to drop-off and pick-up routines. Traffic always eases up as routines solidify.

Warmly,

Mr. Klaver

Principal, Explore PK-8

As we work through a few technical hiccups with the Mapleton communication app, we want to ensure you stay fully connected with our school and staff.

While the district works to resolve these app updates, our primary channels for communication will be:

• Direct Email: For individual student questions, classroom updates, or daily needs, please reach out directly to your child's teacher via email.

  
  

• Weekly Newsletter: For school-wide announcements, key dates, and general updates, please make sure to review our newsletter sent out every Friday.

  
  

We appreciate your patience and flexibility while the app issues are being ironed out, and we will let you know as soon as it is fully up and running!

Attention parents and students of our 6th Graders! If you're interested in joining Beginner Band, Orchestra, or Choir, sign-ups are officially due by the start of class on Monday, August 17th.

Don't miss out on making music with us this year—be sure to submit your forms on time!

Girls on the Run is an evidence-based program that inspires participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together!

Who can register? Students in grades 3-5

What is the cost? $45 for a ten-week program. Scholarships are available. Email Ms. De to inquire.

When is practice? Tuesdays and Thursdays from dismissal to 4:20. Practice begins 9/8.

Where is practice? We meet in the Library following dismissal, and we practice on the soccer field.

What do participants need? Please send students with a comfortable change of clothes, sneakers, and water bottles.

Who are the coaches? Ms. De (Health and Wellness teacher) and Ms. Dickson (3rd Grade teacher)

How do we register? Follow this link to the Girls on the Run Rockies website. SPOTS FILL UP FAST!

Have questions?

Call the Front office at 303-853-1170

Email Ms. De at deangelism@mapleton.us

Eye Love Care is bringing a full-service optometry clinic to our school on EVENT DATES offering comprehensive eye exams and eyewear (if needed) to all students.

Their mission is simple: to ensure every child receives the vision care they need to succeed. Medicaid and insurance are accepted. Financial assistance will be available for uninsured/under insured students.

Why participate?

· Appointments take place during the school day! Even if your child has already seen an eye doctor this year, they can still enroll.

· Each student receives a folder with the optometrist’s report and, if applicable, a copy of their prescription.

· Students can choose from over 150 stylish frames, with help from experienced staff to find the perfect fit.

· Glasses are delivered directly to the school with an optician for proper fitting; no extra appointments needed.

· If glasses are lost or broken, Eye Love Care will replace them up to two times at no additional charge.

· Eye Love Care supports your child from PK through 12th grade at participating schools.

Cost & Insurance information:

• We accept Medicaid, which covers eye exams and glasses for patients 20 years and younger with no out of pocket costs.

• If your child has commercial insurance, co-pays may apply if assessed by the insurance company.

• Please reach out if you have specific coverage questions. No student will be denied care due to inability to pay.

Sign up today!

Let’s make sure every student sees clearly and thrives in school!

Explore School Hours: 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM

Doors Open and Breakfast is available for all Students at 7:25am

📚 Explore's First Week of School📚

(click this link for the full school calendar)

Breakfast: 7:25–7:40 AM

K–1 Lunch: 10:15–10:50 AM
Grades 2–3 Lunch: 10:45–11:20 AM
Grades 6–8 Lunch: 11:20–11:55 AM
Grades 4-5 Lunch: 12:05–12:40 PM

Families can view daily breakfast and lunch menus through MealViewer. MealViewer allows families to check meal choices, nutrition information, and allergen information.

Meal Menu:
https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/MapletonExploreElementary

For the safety of all students, please follow our arrival and dismissal procedures.

🌅 Morning Drop-Off

• Pre-K & Kindergarten families: You may park in the parking lot for morning drop-off.

• Grades 1–8: Please use the first two drive-up lanes for drop-off.

• Please remain in your vehicle during drive-up drop-off.

• For safety reasons, do not release students before the designated crosswalk. Please wait until you reach the designated drop-off area.

• Please follow staff directions and keep traffic moving.

• Do not park in the bus lane. The bus lane must remain clear for school buses at all times.

🌇 End-of-Day Pick-Up

Please use the designated areas based on your student's grade:

• Pre-K & Kindergarten: Families may park in the parking lot for pick-up.

• 1st–4th Grade: Use the first two pick-up lanes.

• 5th–8th Grade: Use the last two lanes at the back of the parking lot.

Please remain in your vehicle while using the pick-up lanes, follow staff directions, and help keep traffic moving safely.

Explore aspires to be a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students and families. Please take a moment to briefly read through the Explore and Mapleton Policies which support that goal.

Explore Family Handbook

Cell Phone Policy

This year the Colorado State Legislature passed a law requiring all schools to adopt a Cell Phone Policy which keeps aims to limit student distraction from learning by removing call phones from the learning environment. Every school was given the autonomy to create a school specific policy.

Explore Supply List Click Here --> Link Here!!

If you were not able to drop off supplies on during our open house, your student can bring supplies with them on the first day of school.

🍎 Free & Reduced Meal Application🍎

**It is very important that ALL families complete this application for school funding.**

Even though all students receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day, we still ask that all families complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application.

These applications are extremely important because the information submitted helps determine additional funding and resources provided to our school. When families do not complete the application, our school may miss out on valuable funding that supports our students and programs.

Your participation makes a difference and helps us continue providing important resources and opportunities for our Explore PK-8 students. Thank you for your support!

To help keep our students healthy and safe, please make sure all required health documents are up to date before the school year begins.

If your student requires medication to be kept at school or has a health concern or allergy that requires support during the school day, please contact our Health Assistant, Ms. Romero, to complete the necessary paperwork and make arrangements.

Please also make sure your student’s immunization records are submitted to the school health office.

Pre-K Families:
All Pre-K students must have a current physical exam and updated immunization records on file before starting school.

📞 Health Office Phone: 303-853-1173

Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn! 💙

We can't wait to see everyone and kick off another amazing year at Explore PK-8! 📚🍎🎉

Main Office: 303-853-1170

Attendance Line: 303-853-1175

Please call the Attendance Line to report a student's absence.