MAPLESHADE SCHOOL
2004-2005
The banner proudly displayed
outside the building proclaimed 'Mapleshade School 1955 – 2005, 50 Years
Of Excellence'. The past year provided an opportunity to celebrate the rich
history of East Longmeadow's oldest operating public school. In September of
1955, Mapleshade School was completed on the same 33-acre lot as the Birchland
Park Middle School, which opened in 1951. At that time, the school was built
to house 240 students. Mapleshade currently serves 300 students in grades
three, four and five. Special events to celebrate the anniversary occurred
throughout the year. Many of the present student's parents and members of the
Mapleshade staff, including the Principal, are among the school's alumni.
The September Open House
marked the official unveiling of the Mapleshade's 50th
Anniversary memory book. The memory
book was a compilation of poems, short stories and artwork from present
students. It also included interviews from former administrators, teachers and
students. This beautiful spiral bound keepsake was made possible through the
generous support of Mapleshade's long time business partner Maybury Materials
Handling Company.
While it was a year for
celebration, it was also a year of hard work for all Mapleshade students and
staff. A major academic effort centered on the creation of an 'Intensive
Reading Program' in grade three. This plan was designed to align a considerable
share of the school's staff and resources to create small reading groups for
all third grade students. Because reading is key to everything else that our
students do in school, our goal was to ensure that each student has every
opportunity to be a proficient reader by the end of the third grade.
A second school-wide goal
involved students learning about the district character traits of honesty,
responsibility, courage, respect, perseverance, caring, kindness, inclusive and
empathy. Students were awarded a 'helping hand' as they performed good deeds
throughout the year. A life-size tree was created on a wall in the cafeteria
where these hands were displayed as leaves on the tree symbolizing the students'
efforts at creating a safer and healthier school community.
Another goal was designed to
help students learn and practice healthy living habits.
A walking club was created
during the morning recess period. In addition, every student was given a
pedometer to be used to track his or her steps throughout the day. Most
students achieved a goal of 15,000 steps. Each class's steps were monitored on
a map of the United States as they 'walked' across the country. Our school
nurse, Mrs. Paulides, also promoted healthy eating habits with class
discussions, attractive bulletin boards and monthly healthy snack discussions.
One of the highlights of the
anniversary year was the Fifties Sock Hop. Thanks to the Mapleshade PTO, the
school was decorated with old 45-rpm records and fuzzy dice. The mood was set
by two '57 Chevy's parked by the entrance to the school. Many of the female
staff wore 'poodle skirts'. The event was well attended and everyone danced to
music that was popular back when the school was built.
While
Mapleshade is the oldest school building in town, it is the proud and youthful
spirit of the people that make up the Mapleshade community that propel our
school into the next fifty years of excellence.
