Community involvement has always been an integral part of The Maples.  The Maples Link would like to play a role in facilitating the school in reaching out to our community. The Milone Family is initiating a fundraising campaign for a local Orangeville boy and The Maples Link is proud to support this amazing cause.  Information regarding volunteer opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and the dates and times of these events will be posted on our parent participation sidebar on this blog.

Please read the attached letter from Ben Milone to understand more about this fundraising campaign…….

Logan McNab is an 11 year old boy just like me.  I came to know Logan 5 years ago when his mother was a nanny for my baby sister.  His mother talked a lot about Logan with me because we were the same age.   I was really surprised when I met him that he was in a wheelchair.  He has cerebral palsy.  With a lot of work from his family and therapists, we were excited to see him take his first steps when he was 9 years old using a walker.  Unfortunately, some kids with cerebral palsy get really tight muscles and ligaments.  Logan has this problem and so he now is unable to walk anymore.  There is a surgery that can help him with this condition however it is only offered in the United States.  OHIP has agreed to cover a small portion of it.  His family has to pay the remaining $100,000.

I am physically active any chance I can get.  I can't imagine not being able to walk and run and would take any chance I could if someone told me a surgery could get me on my feet again.

I would like to do my part to fundraise money to help Logan's family reach their goal so that he can have this surgery.

These are my ideas which I have discussed with Mr. Playford:

1.  Having our school donate the money collected from one of our casual days towards this cause.

2. Hosting a bake sale – on Friday May 22 at our school.  Please support by bringing a loonie or toonie to buy a delicious baked good.

3.  Host a bottle drive – Please ask your parents, families, neighbours, sports teams to give you their empty wine, beer and liquor bottles.  I will have a box set up in the front hall for you to put them in.  My parents will take them to the Beer Store for me and the refund will be put towards this fundraiser.

 

We can all do our small part to help Logan walk again.  Thank you for helping support this important cause. 

 

Ben Milone, Grade 5

P.S. Here is his website in case you need more information.  http://www.gofundme.com/Logans-Hope

Spring is coming! There is only 10 weeks left in the school year. Where does the time go? This is a busy time of year....The Maples Link is working hard to plan a fantastic Spring Fling, which is now being called 'Casino Royale.'   In addition, we are re-introducing the spring BBQ on June 13th from 2 until 5pm.

We continue to reach out to parents to come and participate in the school events.  Check the Maples Link Blog regularly for updates on what parent participation opportunities there are for the up and coming month.

Please read the description of the 'Casino Royale' event being held on the 22nd of May. Tickets will be going on sale next Friday. April the 17th.  They will be available at the office, or you can email link.maples@gmail.com with your request. Please invite your friends and others in the community. This is going to be a wonderful evening for everyone.

Please join us at the next Coffee Gathering on

April the 15th at 9 am.

 

Highlights from the Parent Coffee Gathering

The Maples Academy



Wednesday, April 1st

 

The Maples Link once again met for their 'Coffee Get Together' in April. With just 6 short weeks until this event much of the focus was on planning the 'Casino Royale.'

 

1.  Catering - Lavender Blue

 

Lavender Blue Catering attended the meeting to propose their food suggestions for May 22nd. Vanessa's had great ideas and we look forward to working with her team.

 

Catering Description: Lavender Blue will prepare catered hors d'oeuvres and 3 food stations, including one desert station, for the Maples Link 'Casino Royale.'   They will also provide coffee and tea.

 

2. Liquor

There will be a cash bar where beer and wine will be sold. We are currently in the process of approaching one of our local breweries to have them exclusively provide the beer. 

The bar will also have a variety of non-alcoholic choices which are included in the price of the price of the ticket.

 

Liquor Description: Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the cash bar. Included in the price of the ticket is a choice of one beer or one glass of wine.  If you are designated driver or do not want to utilize this option, you may cash in your drink ticket for extra casino money.

 

3.  Casino - Night Life Fun Casino

Night Life Fun Casino has been hired to create and interactive entertaining event with fun for every guest. At the beginning of the evening everyone will receive a Nightlife Casino Coupon for $100 in chips or 5 draw tickets. You may purchase more casino money if you need it. Every guest is eligible to win the prizes whether they gamble or not. At the end of the casino all the guests cash in their chips and coupons for draw tickets to participate in the grand prize draws.

 

Casino Description: There will be three fun casino tables all with the emphasis on fun so novices are welcome and the dealers are patient and happy to teach the games to everyone wanting to participate. Roulette, Texas Holdem Poker, and Black Jack will be the games at this 'Casino Royale.'

 

4.  Music

Music Description: Bruce Ley, a Pianist will be accompanied by a Base player throughout the evening.

 

5. Decoration/Layout

Overall Description: This after-dinner casino party with slow jazz and cocktails will require a team of talented parents to turn the Maples Academy Gym into a haven of metropolitan sophistication.  Dim lights, comfortable seating, elegant flowers and cocktail tables and are in the works.

 

Tickets Available Next Friday, April 17th! $60

 



Only one short week until March Break! It certainly has been a chilly February. I know my kids are ready for a well-deserved break!

Highlights from the Parent Coffee Gathering

The Maples Academy

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

The Maples Link once again met for their ‘Coffee Get Together’ in February.

                                        1.    Parent Participation Opportunities
                     

There was much discussion on how difficult it is to get parent volunteers for PTA sponsored events. Many of the parents are feeling they are not given enough notice or are unaware of the need for volunteers.  For example, Shrove Tuesday which is a much loved Maples tradition, was poorly supported by the parents.  Unfortunately, for the past several years this event has had a hard time recruiting parent volunteers. How can we connect with more parents to support these simple PTA funded events?

First, the new Maples Link Blog is a great resource for parent participation opportunities. Second, there will now be a scheduled reminder that goes home, via email, to recruit those available to participate.  Finally, the Maples Link hopes to develop a volunteer calendar for the up and coming school year.  We hope this will allow parents well in advance to schedule in these fantastic parent participation opportunities.

2.    Spring BBQ

We are bring back a ‘Maples’ family fun tradition. The Spring BBQ is retuning in June 2015. Please mark it on your calendars, it is a family fun event!

Mark your calendars for the Maples Annual Spring BBQ! It will be held on Saturday June 13th from 2 until 5 pm! There will be games and activities for the whole family. This is always a fun filled afternoon to celebrate the end of the school year. Hope to see you there!

3.    Spring Fling

Mark your calendar for May 22, it's Dinner, Live Local Entertainment and Vegas! The Maples Academy is hosting its first Spring Fling Casino Night. Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker….we are planning on having a really fun time. Three professional dealers will be on hand to "show us the ropes". The evening will be full of exciting live entertainment, an amazing array of prizes, and a sumptuous buffet dinner prepared by local caterers.It is a great evening out for parents of both The Maples Academy and St. Jude’s, teachers, friends and community.

Please come and join us for our next coffee meeting on April the 1st at 9am. We would really love to see you there!

Carrie Ferguson

January 2015 is quickly coming to an end. Ah speeches are wrapping up. The students have been working very hard over the past several weeks in preparation for their big day......let the competitions begin.

Highlights from the Parent Coffee Gathering

The Maples Academy

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Our Parent Coffee Gathering was held on the 21st of January. Another great turn out and lots of enthusiasm. There were a wide variety of topics discussed.

1. Marketing The Maples Academy

We are all interested in spreading the word about The Maples Academy, its IB program, and seeing the population at the school grow. The Maples Academy offers a balanced education that challenges each student, develops their mind and strengthens their character. How do we spread the word to existing and potential Orangeville families? The suggestion of connecting with local realtors via the Orangeville and District Real Estate Board was discussed; Mr. Sawatsky is working on promotional material to commence this angle of connecting with potential families.

2. The Spring Fling

In November, parents at the Coffee Gathering suggested hosting a dinner party in February. This date seemed to approach us at warp speed, it was decided that it would not be possible to make this date happen. However, a fun, relaxing social gathering is in the works for May. Friday, May 22, 2015 will be our first Annual Spring Fling. Tickets will be sold for the dinner. This will not be a fundraiser, the purpose is to connect with each other, parents, staff, and with the community. Parents and staff of both The Maples Academy and St. Jude's are invited, along with friends and family in the community. We hope to plan an evening to remember. A catered buffet, sit down dinner with live entertainment consisting of local talent is being organised. There will be child care offered. If you have any suggestions please feel free to email me at the link.maples@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Carrie Ferguson

Spring Fling - Save The Date

Happy New Year! Welcome to The Maples Link blog! Here we will share news and important notes about school activities. This site will help keep our parents, teachers, and community informed about our school. Regular Parent Coffee Gatherings will be held to bring parents together and to discuss a variety of topics. The details and the dates of these Parent Coffee Gatherings will be posted in this blog.

Highlights from the Parent Coffee Gathering

The Maples Academy

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 @ 9:00 a.m.

There was lots of enthusiasm and great ideas at the Parent Coffee Gathering. Participants discussed what roles a parent organization should have at The Maples Academy moving forward. 

The following summarizes that discussion:

1.  Communication

• To provide a forum for The Maples families to meet on a regular basis during the school year to discuss a wide range of topics, including ways for interested parents to participate in school events and activities.
• To bring forward recommendations and suggestions to support and enhance the school’s goals and priorities
• To plan social events for our children and the families at the school. The Maples has always encouraged parents to participate in, and help organize a variety of events within the school offering parents a terrific opportunity to interact with the students and teachers as well as other parents. There is strong interest to continue and grow this aspect of parental involvement.
• We would like to plan a dinner for the evening of February 12, 2015 – The Winter Warm-up – for a fun, relaxing and social gathering for parents and teachers. Please join us on Wednesday, January 21, at 9 am to help plan this fun event.
• Family BBQ in June.

 2.  Community Involvement

• The Values Projects have always been an important part of The Maples curriculum and Mr. Playford has assured the parents this will continue to be case.
• Parents at the gathering indicated they would like to see The Maples Link participate in helping to identify areas/opportunities for students to be involved in the community in a meaningful way. Some suggestions included: Dufferin Community Living, supporting local families at Christmas time with holiday hampers. How do we provide opportunities for kids that go beyond donating money and get the kids involved and understanding the needs and situations of others?

 3. Fundraising

• While The Maples Link stepped back from organizing the Fall Festival this year, there is a surplus in the our bank account that will allow us to continue to pay for school trips and bussing as well as some student/social events like the Christmas Lunch and a June BBQ. The door is open for parents to take on as much or as little of the Fall Festival in the future in order to raise funds for any initiatives that are identified.
• This year, the proceeds from the tea room went to The Maples Link as it was organized by parents. Fundraising opportunities could be expanded to other areas next year.

 

If anyone has any thoughts or questions, please email them to link.maples@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Carrie Ferguson