Maple West Tiger Tales
Back To School 26-27
Principal's Updates
đDear Maple West Community, đ§Ą
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We hope you and your family had a relaxing and rejuvenating summer break. As we prepare to begin another exciting school year, we want to extend a warm welcome to all our returning students and families, as well as a special greeting to those who are joining our school community for the first time. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard over the summer to prepare classrooms, curriculum, and learning experiences that will challenge and inspire every student.
The 2026-2027 school year will begin for all students, Grades K through 4, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Buses will drop students off at 8:45 am, and school will start at 9:00 am. Parent drop off will be from 8:35 am - 8:55 am in the side loop next to the playground. Students will be supervised in the Cafeteria until 8:45 am. We ask that parents/guardians remain in their cars if you are dropping your child off. Arriving on time is a critical part of learning, so please make sure to arrive in a timely fashion. Parents must sign their child in after 9:00 am in the main office. Dismissal to buses will begin at 2:55 pm.
Student Placement:
Families can expect to receive class placements in WITS beginning Friday, August 28th at 3:00 pm.
Friendly Reminders:
As a reminder, families should not drop off restaurant meals or outside food for students during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, fast food, DoorDash or other food-delivery services, pizza, submarine sandwiches, soda/pop, Starbucks, and other restaurant or café items. This expectation applies to outside meals and food deliveries in general, not only to the examples listed above.
If your child forgets their lunch, you are more than welcome to bring their lunchbox or a lunch from home to school for them. We simply ask that outside restaurant or commercially prepared meals not be brought or delivered to students during the school day.
We also want families to know that every student has access to free school breakfast and lunch. No child needs to go without a lunch if they forget to bring one from home.
Important Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year:
- 8/31/26- Chalk the Walk- 5:30-7:00 pm @ MW (PTA Event)
- 9/1/26- Kindergarten Virtual Open House- 4:00-4:30 pm
- 9/1/26- New Family Orientation- 5:30-6:00 pm @ Maple West Cafe
- 9/1/26- Popsicles at the Playground- 6:00-7:00 pm (PTA Event)
- 9/2/26- Open House/ Supply Drop off for Kindergarten- 4:00-4:45 pm
- 9/2/26- Open House /Supply Drop off for 4th grade- 4:45-5:30 pm
- 9/2/26- Open House/ Supply Drop off for 3rd grade- 5:30-6:15 pm
- 9/2/26- Open House /Supply Drop off for 1st/2nd grade- 6:15-7:00 pm
DEI Committee Updates:
September: Getting to Know Maple West
During the month of September, students are making space to learn about themselves and others in our school community.
We are reading:
Grade K - I like Myself by Karen Beaumont
Grade 1 - Thunderboy Jr. by Sherman Alexi and Yuyi Morales
Grade 2 - The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Grade 3 - The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Grade 4 - My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams
You can continue the conversation at home. Ask your student:
What did you learn about your classmates?
What did your classmates learn about you?
How are you and your classmates the same? Different?
đŻAs always, we appreciate your partnership, and we look forward to a great school year! đŻ
Mrs. Wendling & Mrs. Jackson-Smith
Kate Wendling
Principal
Monique Jackson-Smith
Assistant Principal
Main Office Updates
Please remember to send in a note indicating your child's dismissal plans. A Home to School Note Template is located in WITS for your convenience. The office kindly requests that any early pickups take place prior to 2:30 pm.
Please remember to call the Attendance Office, (716) 626 - 8836, if your child is going to be late or absent on any given day. This helps to prevent any confusion. If your child is absent, please send in a note upon your child's return.
We hope everyone enjoyed our summer reading challenge! Please have your child/children hand their calendars to their classroom teachers between September 8th-11th.
District Updates
Water Safety
District Committees
The District has several committees that meet throughout the course of school year and are looking for additional parent/guardian members to join:
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Safety
Wellness
Communications
If you are interested in joining, please email contact@williamsvillek12.org and indicate the committee
youâd like to join.
Health Office Updates
As we prepare to return to the classroom, this is a friendly reminder to notify your child {childrenâs} teacher or Mrs. Hillebrand, the school nurse, if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable illness including, but not limited to, Strep Throat, Pneumonia, Flu, or Hand, Foot and Mouth. We have good information to share with parents of other students in the class, identifying signs and symptoms for parents to look out for in their children.
If your child needs Tylenol or Ibuprofen in the morning before school, they are not well enough to come to school. We are doing all we can to prevent the spread of illness here at school, including discussing good hygiene, frequent hand washing, drinking lots of water and surface cleaning. Please reinforce these practices at home.
We understand that it can be challenging as working parents with sick children, so thank you for having a plan and letting us know so we can keep the other children and our staff healthy.
Medication Drop Off Information:
All medication, including non prescription medication, must have a written order from the studentâs physician or licensed prescriber.
Drop off dates for the 26/27 school year @ Maple West:
- 9/1/26- from 9am-2pm
- 9/2/26- from 4pm-7pm
- 9/3/26 from 9am-2pm
Prescription Medication must be in the container prepared by the pharmacist with the original label specifying the name and strength of the medication. (Note: the pharmacy label does not constitute a written order and cannot be used in lieu of a written order from a licensed prescriber.)
Non Prescription Medication must be in the original and sealed manufacturerâs container with the studentâs name affixed to the container. All medication must be delivered directly to the school nurse by the parent or guardian. Non student is permitted to carry non emergency medication on the bus. Medication orders must be renewed annually and whenever there is a change.
PTA Updates
To stay up to date on all things PTA, check out our website or follow us on social media.