March 2nd Principal Notes

PROJECT SECOND WIND - Each month thousands of children in our state receive emergency food assistance through Oregon Food Bank Network. Project Second Wind gives students an important opportunity to aid their peers and learn about the issue of hunger. March 5 – 9^th, Student Council member are assisting their classes with collecting food and money for Project Second Wind. For every $1 donated, Oregon Food Bank can collect and distribute 6 pounds of food that has a $7 value and funds programs that address the root causes of hunger. Or you can help by donating needed food items like tuna, pasta, rice, canned beans, and canned fruit. Let’s make this year’s food drive a huge success!!

GARDEN COMITTE MEETING - The Garden Committee will meet Wed., March 7, at 7 p.m. in the library. Come and find out spring plans for the gardens (and teachers' ideas for the classroom beds). Green and brown thumbs alike welcome!

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN! - Save the date and buy your tickets: Robert Gray Middle School students will present "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on May 17 at 6:30PM, May 18 at 7:00PM, and May 19 at 7:00PM. This wonderful musical is made possible by a grant from the PPS Foundation's First Octave Fund and the RGMS PTA. The musical is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults, or $20 for a family pack (up to 5 people). We highly recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance as seating is limited. Please e-mail Rosemary Schwimmer at rjschwimmer@comcast.net or call her at (503) 484-6921 to place your order.

REMINDER - MAPLEWOOD'S ANNUAL READ-ALOUD-ATHON THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH, AT 9 a.m. - Maplewood's Annual Read-Aloud-Athon will be held Thursday morning, March 8th, at 9 a.m. Students will read for 15 minutes and volunteers will tally the number of pages each student read and record the number on the pledge sheet. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT BRINGS THEIR PLEDGE FORM TO SCHOOL NEXT THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH. If you have misplaced your pledge form you can: (1) pick-up a pledge form in the Maplewood office, or (2) email Lynn Barkley at lynn1122@earthlink.net and she will send you a pledge form, or (3) just write the name of your student and their sponsor(s) and the pledge amounts on a piece of paper and have your student bring it to school on Thursday, March 8th. Remember, all the money we raise will be used to help Maplewood. Thank you for your support.

BOOKS, TOYS, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE – The SW Community Center, Clare Hogan, Merri Hansen (former Maplewood students) and PSU students are gathering donated items for the Portland Rescue Mission, Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and the Police Activities League. Please bring donated items (which can be things like toys, household goods, etc.) to Maplewood and put in the bin in the hall just inside the main doors or drop off at the SWCC. They will be collecting donations through March 9^th. Thank you!!

TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS IN JUNE – Please adjust your calendar, as the School Board has now made June 15^th the last day.

MAPLEWOOD ARBORETUM TREE CARE CLASS ON TUESDAY MAY 8^TH FROM 7:00 TO 8:30 PM - Your help is needed to care for the 16 newly planted trees at Maplewood Elementary School. Planted in Spring of 2006 these 16 trees need to be watered by the community this summer. We will be organizing the watering schedule as well as re-staking, mulching and labeling the trees on May 8^th. Please sign up to help tree care for these unique trees. Contact Maplewood Neighborhood Tree Liaison, Vittoria Palazzi, at 503-452-8154 for more information.

Upcoming Events:

Mar 5-9 - Project 2^nd Wind Food Drive

Mar 8 - Read-Aloud-Athon – AM, All Grades

Mar 8 - PTA Meeting – 6:15 pm

Mar 11 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

Mar 15 - Grading Period Ends

Mar 16 - Teacher Planning Day – NO SCHOOL

Mar 17 - St. Patrick’s Day

Mar 19-23 - Maplewood Spirit Week!

Mar 23 - Elementary/Middle School Transfer Deadline

Mar 26-30 - SPRING BREAK!