MAPLE WEST MESSENGER

Official PTA Newsletter of Maple West Elementary School

December 2016 ~ January 2017

3rd & 4th - PTSA Holiday Craft Show

5th & 6th – Merry Moose Holiday Shop

26th – 31st – No School

2nd – No School

19th - PTA Meeting

20th – Prime Time Reading

23rd – 4th Grade Concert Rehearsal

26th – 4th Grade Concert

29th – Bowl A Thon

30th – Candy Sale Begins

Some great things to look for in this

newsletter…..

Merry Moose Holiday Shop Information

Prime Time Reading

Candy Sale

Bowl A Thon Information

2017 PTA Meeting Schedule

Open Enrollment Information

PTA Meeting – January 19th – Come join and be a part of our team!

PTA membership information

Maple West Messenger Hard Copy Request form and submission dates

Dash’s Receipt and Box Top information

Cafeteria Volunteer Form

Cub Scout Pack 248 Information

Williamsville Music Booster Information

FROM ME TO YOU…

Dear Friends and Families of Maple West, I hope that all of you had an informative and productive conference with your child’s teacher. Although limited,

the purpose of parent teacher conferences is to give each parent a scheduled time to confer with their child’s teacher and

check on academic and emotional progress. Your child and their teacher communicate with each other all day long as they

are engaged in a variety of learning activities. Notes are exchanged back and forth from school to home with the use of

take home folders and agenda mates to try to keep parents “in the loop” on a daily basis. For the most part this structure

works for a vast majority of our families. If you need to confer with your child’s teacher after the November conferences,

please do not wait until the next round of conferences in March, an appointment can be made by contacting the office at

626-8840.

2017-18 Open Enrollment deadline is February 1

Open enrollment is the opportunity for students who live in the Williamsville Central School District to attend a school

within the District that is outside of the student’s residential attendance area. Each school year, the Board of Education

decides which schools will be available for open enrollment in the following school year, based primarily on anticipated

enrollments. If a school is expected to be near or at capacity, the school may be “closed” to any students who reside outside

of its designated attendance area.

The Office of Student Services must receive written requests for open enrollment for the 2017-18 school year by

February 1, 2017 for all school levels. Parents must submit a letter requesting open enrollment, including parents of

eighth graders who, in the past, simply submitted a district form. They too will need to submit the form and write a

letter of request before the February 1st deadline. Please contact your child’s current school of attendance for more

information, or call the Office of Student Services at 716-626-8007.

For the 2017-18 school year, the following schools are available for open enrollment:

Forest Elementary

Dodge Elementary

Casey Middle

Heim Middle

East High

North High

South High

All other schools are closed and not available for open enrollment.

Dr. Galluzzo

Principal

Maple West PTA Officers

2016-2017Co-Presidents

Jen Bellassai

jenbpta@gmail.com

Sarah Smith-Ronan

Smithronan5@gmail.com

Vice President

Melissa Zeitz

Jolt5555@gmail.com

Treasurer

Rebecca Greene

becgreene@hotmail.com

Recording Secretary

Victoria Biscotto

victoriabiscotto@yahoo.com

Corresponding Secretary

Amber Hannes

amberhannes@hotmail.com

PTSA Co-Rep

Laura Beth Malkowski

LauraBeth.Malkowski@aspirewny.org

Principal

Dr. Charles Galluzzo

PTA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: Dear Maple West Families,

Happy Holidays! This is such a joyous time of year for our school community! We hope that all of the

students, teachers and staff make happy and lasting memories this holiday season.

November was a busy month for Maple West PTA! We started the month by having our largest

attendance ever at a Maple West Movie Night. Thank you so much to Debbi Miller and Cristina

Nochajski for their hard work! There is no doubt that a good time was had by all who attended!

PTA also distributed the Maple West Directory in November. We hope that you find this to be a valuable

resource for information about our school community. We are thankful to Tressie Moslow for all of her

hard work collecting forms, inputting data and preparing the directories for print. It is a HUGE

undertaking and we are so grateful for Tressie’s efforts.

Our November PTA meeting was standing-room only for Dr. Chris McGinley’s presentation on the math

curriculum in the Williamsville Central School District. He provided a wealth of information on the

curriculum and gave us a little math refresher! We would like to thank Kimberly Horning, who led a

Reflections contest work session with children whose parents were attending the meeting.

Did you know that November 15th was School-Related Professionals (SRP) Day? At Maple West, we

have over 50 SRP staff working with students in every aspect of their education – from leading reading

groups to working in food service. Many thanks to Amber Hannes and Jen Bellassai for organizing

“thank you” gifts to show each of our SRP staff members how much we appreciate the work they do for

our children.

Coming in December . . . On December 5th and 6th, we will have our annual Merry Moose Shop where the

children will have an opportunity to buy budget-friendly gifts for their families. We thank Julie Vitiello

and Tressie Moslow for organizing this fun event. The children look forward to it every year!

There is no December PTA meeting so that our members can celebrate the holidays with their families.

Our next meeting will be January 19, 2017 in the library. Superintendent Dr. Scott Martzloff will be our

speaker. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Happy New Year!

Jen Bellassai and Sarah Smith-Ronan

Maple West PTA Co-Presidents

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Williamsville PTSA Council Service to Youth Awards

2016-2017

These awards have been presented annually since 1958 to individuals who have shown sustained

and extraordinary service to youth of the Williamsville Central School District and who perform

their professional, occupational and/or volunteer service in a manner above and beyond all

expectations.

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s awards in these categories:

Professional

A certified and/or licensed employee of the WCSD

Support Staff

All other employees of the WCSD

PTA Volunteer

The winners will be honored at a reception and recognition event in May. For more information

or to nominate someone for this award contact: Sarah Smith-Ronan, 908-6674,

smithronan5@gmail.com. Or visit the PTSA Council website at www.williamsvilleptsa.org

2017 Maple West PTA Meeting Schedule

January 19th @ 7:00 in the Library

February 15th @ 7:00 in the Library

March 15th @ 7:00 in the Library

April 19th @ 7:00 in the Library

May 10th @ 7:00 in the Library

From the Attendance Office…

Your child’s absence will be recorded as an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

until our office receives a note from you explaining the reason for the

absence. Please send the note to our office on the day your child returns

to school.

Electronic notes via email CANNOT be accepted by the attendance

office as an excusal note for absence or tardiness. Signatures must be

non-electronic.

We also must have a signed excuse from a parent/doctor’s office for any

child who is late for school.

Please call us at 626-8836 to alert us of your child’s absence or

tardiness.

Maple West PTA Membership Form 2016-2017

Welcome Back Student and Parents! We are again looking forward to another fun year and looking for you to support the Maple

West Children by purchasing a PTA Membership.

A few great reasons to sign up this year:

Membership and fundraisers go back into our school

Volunteering is NOT required with the Membership, however a membership is

required for volunteering (Family Fun Night, Arts Fest West, and Kids Day!)

Monthly meetings to meet new parents (We know life is busy- so attendance is optional)

Discounts at the Ice Cream Social

Two quick ways to sign up:

Go to NYSPTA.org

1. Click ‘Become a member’ under Quick Links

2. Search with Unit number 19-248 (or search by unit name -Maple West)

3. Click Add member

4. Pay online – PTA membership eCard will be emailed to you

-OR-

Just fill out and detach bottom with payment and return to classroom teacher in envelope marked “PTA

Membership” and checks can be made payable to ‘Maple West PTA’

(If you have any questions please contact Melissa Zeitz at jolt5555@gmail.com )

*****************************************************************************

YES! I want to support ALL Maple West Children this year and join the PTA!

Parent/Guardian Name__________________________________________________________

Additional individuals joining (spouse, grandparents aunts and uncles $5/each)

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Student’s Name _______________________Grade _______ Teacher_____________________

Student’s Name _______________________Grade _______ Teacher_____________________

Student’s Name _______________________Grade ________Teacher_____________________

Email: _______________________________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed: _______________ ($10.00 for 1st membership and $5.00 for each additional)

Once payment is processed you will be entered into Unit Portal and an eCard will be generated and available for printing.

From the Editor ……….. The Maple West Messenger LOVES to include your information into its monthly publications. In order to

make sure your newsworthy notes make our final draft, please note the following important dates:

How can you access the Maple West Messenger?

If you have internet access it can always be found by visiting the Maple West Website:

http://www.williamsvillek12.org/maplewest.cfm

On the right hand side click “PTA”

Choose “2016-2017 newsletters.”

You can download the entire newsletter from there.

If you do not have internet access, or if you prefer having a hard copy sent home with your

child each month, please fill out the information below and return it to the school:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maple West Messenger “HARD COPY” Request Form

Family name: ______________________________

Oldest Child Attending Maple West:

Name ________________________________ Teacher/Grade _________________________

February: January 15 April: March 15

March: February 15 May: April 15

June: May 15

Please save the date!!

Who: All Maple West Class of 2016 Fourth Graders

What: Prime Time Reading Event

Date: Friday, January 20th

Time: Come at 6 p.m. Event is from 6:15-9:15 p.m.

Initiations will be coming in early January sent home via all 4th graders’ home folders. Parents, mark your calendars – we need lots

of volunteers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Maple West Bowl A Thon

Sunday, January 29, 2017

5 - 7:30 p.m. Transit Lanes, 7850 Transit Road, Williamsville

There will be a basket raffle with baskets donated from all grade levels, special guests and fun activities! It’s the perfect Sunday outing

with all your family & friends to benefit the Maple West PTA!

If you know of a business or restaurant that would like to donate a basket or item for the basket raffle, please e-mail Laura Brann at lbrann29@roadrunner.com.

Questions? Call or text Laura Brann at 481-4507. If you have any dietary restrictions, contact Donna at Transits Lanes at 632-3838.

Our goal this year - $1,000

Clipping Box Tops has got to be one of the easiest ways to earn money for our

school. All you have to do is look for the pink Box Top on participating products

and send them to school. Each clipped Box Top is worth 10¢ and they add up

quickly. Be sure to ask all of your friends and relatives to clip them for you as

well. Also keep your eyes open for bonus certificates on products and check your

receipts as I know Tops every once in a while will print out a Box Top reward.

Look for our box to drop off all Box Tops above the PTA box across from the

office.

For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to

BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our

school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers.

Thanks for all your help with this fun and easy collection.

Debbi Miller

Maple West will collect Dash’s Market receipts again this year. No amount is too small. Please send them to school in your child’s folder or drop them in

the bin above the PTA box across from the main office. We collect throughout the entire school year. Please help to support our school and raise $2.50 for

every $100 worth of register receipts we collect.

Thank you for your help, The Maple West PTA

Dear Maple West Families,

I’m excited to tell you about a very special program I coordinated at our school in conjunction with Crayola last year. It’s called Crayola ColorCycle – an amazing program devised to turn used markers into energy!

All around Maple West, students and teachers will be collecting used markers that are ready to be discarded. The markers will be sent to a facility where they will be converted into clean fuel. This fuel can be used to power vehicles, heat homes, cook meals and more!

Please help support our efforts by sending your kids to school with any used markers you may have around the house – even non-Crayola brands (all markers including permanent, dry erase, highlighters). A white Crayola ColorCycle container will be located in the front hall of the building for the children to deposit the markers.

Last year, we were able to collect 6,175 markers! I would love to see us collect over 7,000 markers this year. Please send in your used markers to school for recycling!

Thank you in advance for participating! With the help of all families like you across the country, the Crayola ColorCycle program can keep tons of plastic out of landfills each year.

Remember, don’t throw out that used marker—ColorCycle it!

Sincerely,

Garidith Khayat

Attendance/Health Aide

Learn more at http://www.crayola.com/colorcycle

MAPLE WEST NEEDS CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS

***FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR***

Two to three volunteers are needed each day to assist the children and help things run smoothly at

lunch time. If you would like to volunteer, you may come in as seldom as once every few months.

The staff truly appreciates the help and kids love seeing their parents at school! When your

information is received, guidelines will be distributed to you along with a schedule. Contact is

primarily via email.

Please send this form in to Maple West marked:

PTA Tina Fronden or you may email the information.

Any questions please contact:

Tina Fronden 989-7832 or tmfronden@hotmail.com

Name: _______________________________ Phone: ________________

Email Address: _______________________________________________

Students Name: _______________________________________________

Students Teacher: _______________________________________________

Days Available for Cafeteria 2016-2017: M T W TH F (please circle)

Up to how many days would you like to be scheduled per month? _____________

Other scheduling specifications:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

******Thank you for being so generous with your time! ******

Join Cub Scouts at

Maple West! When you’re a kid, fun comes first. Final exams, driver’s ed and summer

jobs will arrive soon enough. Cub Scouts lets kids have fun while teaching them skills that will

help them later on. From the thrill of shooting an arrow to learning how to transform a block of

wood into a race car, Cub Scouts is one thrill after another. With a program expertly tailored to

match each age in a young boy's life, Cub Scouts learn that even when fun isn’t easy, it’s

always an adventure. In Scouting, everything has a purpose. And it shows kids that doing their

best is the most fun of all.

Learn more and sign up anytime at www.pack248.com

How does it work?

Each boy is assigned to a den based on their grade (1-5).

Boys meet with their dens a few times a month at various times and places, based on

the den and the program that month.

All dens meet once a month as a pack, usually a Wednesday and at Maple West.

Boys work toward earning their next rank with the help of the den leaders and their

families.

As a pack we camp at local scout camps four times a year.

We have many other special events we do as a Pack like:

o Pinewood Derby

o Scout Mobile (kids build and

ride their cars down a track)

o Sleeping over on the Navy

ships

o Pack Picnics

o Pack Hikes

o Blue and Gold Banquets

o And much more!

What does it take to join?

Be in the grades 1-5

Complete a Boy Scouts of America Youth application.

In first grade an adult must attend the meetings and adventures with the scout.

Submit the application(s) to the Pack and pay your yearly dues of just $80. Your dues are just that,

$80/year! You will be amazed what value you get. (Make checks payable to “Pack 248”).

Purchase a uniform (~$120 at the local scout shop).

Purchase a handbook (~$13 at the local scout shop).

About the Williamsville Music Boosters We are fortunate to have an outstanding music program in the Williamsville School District. The District has been

recognized eight times as being one of the top music education programs in the country. The quality of the music

program is the result of the dedication and hard work of our music educators, our parents, our students and the long

standing recognition by the District that education in music is vital to the overall development of our students.

Williamsville Music Boosters is proud to support this excellent program by providing support for special music

enrichment projects for students in the district, such as:

• Hosting renowned guest conductors and clinicians who work directly with music students

• Commissioning of new music works by distinguished composers

• Supporting elementary field trips to see the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

• Sponsoring of other music events that go beyond students’ classroom experience

Additionally, Music Boosters provides:

• Financial support for students who attend regional and national events*

• College scholarships for district students pursuing college music programs after high school graduation*

• Sponsorship of the Williamsville Summer Music Program

*Note that some programs provided by the Boosters require family membership in the Williamsville Music Boosters

Through your membership, Williamsville Music Boosters invites you to support music in our schools, and the

important life skills that music education develops in our students.

Applications are available in Summer PTSA newsletters, at most concerts, or online at the Williamsville Music

Boosters website, which can be reached through the district website and below.

Williamsville Music Boosters invites you to help support music in our schools and support the important life-skills that music education

develops in our students.

Some of the things that Music Boosters sponsor include:

Music field trips Guest artists

District festivals Grants / scholarships

Summer music program Music activities

Your donation will provide enrichment opportunities and music resources for students in grades K-12, which are not possible through

the Music Department budget. By joining Music Boosters you join a district-wide group of interested and enthused parents and

teachers dedicated to supporting music and music education in the district. Your donation is tax deductible.

Return the below form: BY MAIL: Please send completed form & check to: Williamsville Music Boosters, Inc.

105 Casey Road, East Amherst, NY 14051 Attn: Michael Russo

NOTE: TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY SCHOLARSHIPS, THE MEMBERSHIP FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 1st .

Thank you!

Cash

Check #

(payable to Williamsville Music Boosters)

Amount Donated:

Name: Phone: Date:

Address (street, city, zip): E-mail: (will ONLY be used for sending news about district music

events)

Child’s Full Name: School

(for Heim, please specify middle or. elem)

Band / Orchestra /

Chorus / other Teacher(s)

I want to support Williamsville Music Boosters by becoming a member (Family membership). $10

Joining the CRESCENDO CLUB 2015 – 2016 (Includes a Family Membership)

Your name & level will be listed in District Festival programs.

District Festival programs go to print several weeks prior to each festival. To be listed in ALL District Festival programs please donate

by October 1st. After that date, new donors will be listed in remaining festival programs (not yet gone to print).

Please print below how you would like your name listed in District Festival programs If you would like to

remain anonymous, please indicate as such.

Name to list in program:_________________________________________________________________

I would like to join the CRESCENDO CLUB – ADANTE LEVEL $30 - $59

I would like to join the CRESCENDO CLUB – ALLEGRO LEVEL $60 - $99

I would like to join the CRESCENDO CLUB – CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE LEVEL $100 - $199

I would like to join the CRESCENDO CLUB – FORTISSIMO LEVEL $200 - $299

I would like to join the CRESCENDO CLUB – VIRTUOSO LEVEL $300 +

Help at the Booster table at school concerts

Act as the representative of my school at Booster meetings - convey info back to my school

Coordinate a fund raising event

Post fund-raising event flyers around town.