The Chipmunk Chat

Dear MGES Families,

A big congratulations to all of our Maple Glen students who participated in this week’s Music in Our Schools Month (MIOS) performances! Your hard work, talent, and confidence on stage made us incredibly proud. You represented our school community with excellence and truly showcased the power of music.

As we head into Spring Break, we wish all of our students and families a safe, relaxing, and healthy break. I hope you enjoy time the time to rest, recharge, and make special memories. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for the remainder of the school year!

Best regards,
Mr. Perez

March 30-April 3- Spring Break (No School for students)

April 6- Staff Professional Development (No School for students)

April 20-22- PSSA Reading Grades 3-5

April 27-28- PSSA Math Grades 3-5

April 30-May 1- PSSA Science (5th grade only)

This week, Maple Glen proudly celebrated Music in Our Schools Month (MIOS) with two incredible evenings of student performances that truly showcased the talent, dedication, and passion of our school community. Both nights featured packed audiences, and it was wonderful to see such strong support from our families and community members.

Our MG Chorus and Instrumental students delivered outstanding performances, highlighting not only their musical abilities but also their growth and commitment throughout the year. Students had the opportunity to shine on stage, build confidence, and share their talents with a live audience, creating memorable experiences for both performers and attendees alike.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our dedicated music educators—Mr. Brittain, Mrs. Noonan, and Dr. Kennedy. Their passion and commitment to excellence continue to inspire our students every day. Their guidance and support were evident in every aspect of the performances.

Thank you to all of our families and community members who joined us in celebrating the arts at Maple Glen and across UD. We are so proud of our students for representing our school with such pride and excellence!

Dear Maple Glen Families,

We are excited to share news about an upcoming celebration of reading and language!

On Tuesday, April 7th, (the first student day back from Spring Break) we will be celebrating National Schwa Day at Maple Glen!

All you need to remember is that children are invited to wear comfortable clothes or PJs to school on National Schwa Day, to be relaxed like the schwa sound.

If you are interested, here's some more information on National Schwa Day & the schwa sound:

*The day was created to spotlight the significance of the schwa in the English language. We will spotlight the book "The Not-So-Lazy Schwa," by Yvette Manns which teaches about the schwa in a fun, kid-friendly way. It is celebrated on April 7th since both the words April (that i sounds like /u/) and seven (the second e sounds like /i/) have schwa sounds in them.

*For more context, the schwa is a relaxed, unstressed vowel sound that we hear in words that have more than one syllable. It is represented by the ə symbol & sounds like /i/ or /u/ in the unstressed syllable of a multisyllabic word. For example, think about the word dinosaur, we don't say din-o-saur, we say din-u-saur. That /u/ sound is the schwa sound. It helps to make words sound more relaxed and natural when speaking and is actually the most common vowel sound in the English language!

Thank you for your continued support in making our school an exciting and enriching environment for learning about reading and language!

Yours in Literacy,

Mrs. Cuticchia (Ms. Wengert) & Mrs. Bell

Spring is here, and so are seasonal allergies for our chipmunks! Sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion can make school days more challenging.

Here are some helpful tips for home:
• Keep windows closed
• Wash hands/face after outdoor play
• Change clothes after being outside
• Shower before bed

We appreciate your help in keeping students comfortable and ready to learn! Remind your child to troubleshoot itchy eyes by not rubbing at their eyes, washing their hands, and even using easy remedies like a wet paper towel.

If your child struggles with allergies, consider checking in with your healthcare provider about management options.

Medications at School:
If your child needs medication during the school day, please contact the Health Office before sending anything in.

Required paperwork for in-school medication (over-the-counter or prescription):
• Medication Dispensing Form (linked below)
• Physician’s order/prescription

Medication Dispensing Form (1).pdf

We've got this, Chipmunks!

Click here to see this week’s edition of the PTO Press.

• Last call to sign up for After-School-Activities!
• We’re still looking for volunteers for events and to join the board. We don’t want to cancel the Spring Carnival, but we need help! Sign up at the link in today’s Press.

As we approach the PSSAs, please ensure your child brings a fully charged Chromebook and charger for each testing day, and note that no other electronic devices are allowed. You can support your child’s success by making sure they are well-rested and have a healthy breakfast each morning. See the PSSA letter below for more information.

We are excited to host our district’s Celebration of Cultures on Monday, May 11, an evening to share traditions, connect, and celebrate our diverse community. We invite students, families, and staff to participate as table hosts and showcase their heritage. Hosts can facilitate a table in many ways, including sharing traditional foods, displaying artifacts, or leading hands-on activities like crafts or dance. For more details, view the flyer linked below and register by April 17.

Join us on Thursday, April 30 for the annual Allied & Performing Arts Show. Take a walk through the lobby and hallways of the Upper Dublin High School Performing Arts Center, transformed into a gallery featuring artwork by students in grades 4–12 from across the district. Food trucks will also be on site if you’d like to enjoy dinner.

Join Superintendent Dr. Laurie Smith and Director of Technology Colleen Yenser for an informative, interactive session on the role of artificial intelligence in education. The discussion will cover responsible AI use by students, ways AI can support learning, and the district’s approach to developing policies for safe and effective classroom integration.

A reminder that Upper Dublin School District is offering fifth-grade students a 45-minute “Human Growth and Development” presentation in partnership with Main Line Health. Presentations will take place April 7–9 across all elementary schools. Families can request a parent preview recording, and those who prefer their child not participate must submit an opt-out form by April 3. See the message below, previously shared with families, for more information.

AABSF Food Truck Festival

Thursday, April 9

Strength & Resilience Sensory Gym Grand Opening

Saturday, April 11

Oreland 5K Race

Saturday, April 18

**Disclaimer Statement: The information provided in the segment above is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific individual or organization. We offer this platform as a resource for community organizations but cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the details provided.