Maple Grove Fox Report

As we wrap up another school year at Maple Grove, it's hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming learners back to school, and now we're sending them home a little taller, a little wiser, and significantly more confident than when they walked through our doors in the fall.

This year, our learners asked "I wonder..." and "I notice..." questions that led to meaningful discoveries. They dug in the mud, explored the outdoors, cared for animals, investigated the world around them, and learned that some of the best lessons happen when curiosity takes the lead. They crafted new ideas, solved problems, and learned that sometimes the first answer isn't the best answer—and that's okay.

Along the way, they also tackled challenges that don't show up on report cards. They navigated friendships, practiced empathy, persevered through difficult tasks, and learned that growth often happens when things feel hard. They discovered the value of stewardship and caring for the world around them, and they learned that respect and kind words have a way of making both the giver and the receiver feel better.

One of my favorite things about Maple Grove is that we are more than just a school—we are a community. Every day, our learners demonstrate the CRISP traits of craftsmanship, respect, integrity, stewardship, and perseverance. Whether through classroom projects, service opportunities, outdoor learning experiences, or simply helping a friend who needed support, our students continue to show what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Thank you to our families for your partnership, support, flexibility, and trust throughout the year. Education works best when schools and families work together, and we are grateful for everything you do to support your children and our school community.

As summer begins, I hope everyone takes time to relax, enjoy the sunshine, make memories, and maybe pick up a good book once in a while. Sleep in a little, stay up a little later, get outside, explore, create, and enjoy the adventures that summer brings.

Thank you for a fantastic year. It has been a privilege to watch our learners learn, grow, and accomplish so much. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall.

Have a safe, joyful, and memory-filled summer!

The Superintendent Connection is designed to communicate important district updates, highlight key events, initiatives, and decisions that may impact our schools, students, staff, families, and the broader community.

As we wrap up another successful school year, we want to thank our students, families, and staff for all of their hard work, dedication, and support. We are incredibly proud of the many accomplishments, achievements, and growth we have seen throughout the year.

To our students, congratulations on all you have achieved! Your effort, kindness, and perseverance have made this a wonderful year to celebrate.

We wish all of our Athens students and families a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer filled with fun, rest, and special memories. Thank you for being an important part of our school community.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall for another great school year!

Last month we celebrated two very special milestones at Maple Grove Charter School. Our Kindergarten graduates have completed their first year of elementary school, and our 5th Grade graduates are ready to begin their next adventure in middle school!

We are so proud of each learner's growth, hard work, and dedication. Thank you for demonstrating the CRISP traits of Craftsmanship, Respect, Integrity, Stewardship, and Perseverance throughout your journey at Maple Grove.

Congratulations, graduates! We can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll accomplish next.

Our 5th graders wrapped up the school year with an unforgettable field trip to Camp Birch Trails. During their adventure, learners paddled canoes and kayaks, discovered turtles and a floating island, and even learned how to create a raft using their canoes. It was a day filled with exploration, teamwork, and hands-on learning in the outdoors.

This trip was especially meaningful because it was also the final class led by Mr. Noland, Director of the Merrill School Forest. Mr. Noland has a special connection to Maple Grove Charter School. He was the first lead teacher when MGCS became a charter school with the Merrill School District. After leaving MGCS, he went on to serve as Director of the Merrill School Forest, where he continued to inspire countless learners through outdoor education.

When MGCS joined the School District of Athens, our PTO made it a priority to continue providing School Forest experiences for our learners because of how closely they align with our environmental agriscience curriculum. Thanks to that commitment, generations of Maple Grove learners have benefited from these unique opportunities.

Mr. Noland has always held a special place in his heart for Maple Grove, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our school and students over the years. You will be missed, Mr. Noland. We wish you many exciting adventures and wonderful memories in your retirement!

What a wonderful way to wrap up an incredible school year! A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Maple Grove community—our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and volunteers who helped make today’s picnic such a success. Your willingness to jump in, lend a hand, and create special memories for our learners is what makes Maple Grove such a special place. A special thank you to our PTO for generously sponsoring the food for today’s picnic. Your continued support of our learners, staff, and school community is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank Geiss Meat Service for the delicious brats and M & M Bakery for the fresh buns that helped make our meal a success. Thursday's picnic was a perfect example of the generosity that defines Maple Grove. There was plenty of food, laughter, and community spirit—and enough hospitality that we were even able to feed the unexpected internet technicians who were on-site. Nothing says “Maple Grove” quite like making sure everyone leaves with a full stomach and a smile. As we celebrate another year of growth, learning, and adventure, we are reminded how fortunate we are to be part of a school community that truly embodies our CRISP values. From classrooms and outdoors to community events like Thursday's picnic, Maple Grove continues to be a place where people show up for one another. Now it’s time for summer! The cubbies are cleaned out, the pencils are worn down, and the staff may need a few days to recover from hearing, “Can we go outside?” one last time. 😄 Thank you for an amazing school year. We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and memory-filled summer. We’ll see you next year for more learning, more laughter, and more moments that make Maple Grove feel like family.

Our final CRISP Assembly of the school year was a wonderful celebration of the accomplishments, character, and contributions of our learners and staff. Not only were students recognized for demonstrating our CRISP traits throughout the year, but they also had the opportunity to recognize teachers who consistently modeled those same traits.

The Hamburg Volunteer EMS and Fire Department randomly selected six learners who met their reading goals for at least seven of the eight months this year to enjoy a ride around Hamburg in their shiny fire truck as part of the Fired Up to Read program. A special thank you goes to Karen Gauerke and her family for donating the bicycle awarded through the program in memory of her husband, Kenny Gauerke, who started Fired Up to Read and inspired a love of reading in so many children.

Congratulations to our bicycle winner, third-grade learner Hudson Neske!

We were also excited to celebrate our own Mrs. Garvin, who was named the AAA Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year. As part of this honor, she attended a Milwaukee Bucks game, was recognized on the Jumbotron, and received $100 to support our Safety Patrol program. We also recognized and thanked all of our dedicated Safety Patrol volunteers for their service throughout the year.

Congratulations to second-grade learner Arianna Lutzke, whose Merrill VFW art contest entry advanced to the state level and was selected to move on to the national competition. What an incredible accomplishment!

Mrs. Zamzow also recognized our Student Council members for their leadership, dedication, and hard work throughout the year. Finally, we congratulated our March Madness bracket winners for their strategic thinking, planning, and sports knowledge.

It was a fitting way to celebrate a year filled with learning, leadership, perseverance, and school pride!

Our Maple Grove Foxes had a fun-filled Field Day afternoon packed with games, laughter, friendly competition, and exciting activities! From teamwork challenges to outdoor fun, learners enjoyed making memories with their classmates and celebrating a fantastic year together.

A special highlight of the day was our annual 5th Grade vs. Staff Tug-of-War. The 5th graders put up a great fight, but the staff remains the reigning champions for another year!

We would also like to give a huge shoutout and thank you to BP's Seamless Gutters for generously donating the gutters used for our duck races. Your support helped make one of our favorite Field Day activities possible!

A special thank you also goes to our amazing PTO for sponsoring the inflatable axe-throwing rental. The learners had a blast, and we are so grateful for your continued support in helping create memorable experiences for our school community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Field Day such a success!

Please register your child(ren) for the 2026-2027 school year to guarantee your spot at Maple Grove Charter School.

https://www.athens1.org/page/online-registration

Monday, September 7th - Labor Day

Monday, September 21st - Professional Learning Day

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.

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