Club Slither
Virtual After School Program
Starts September 8th
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday ,Thursday
3:10-5:40 PM
Check out the online fun opportunities!
After School Classes 1st grade - 5th grade
Please click on the link below to complete the application process. Space is limited and we are on a first come first serve basis.
After-school application link!! https://forms.gle/UwHYTgHwMgKFnA9S8
Please complete multiple applications if you have more than one child.
By Barbara Augsdorfer - Contributing Writer for The Maricopa Monitor
MARICOPA — Schools are measured by any number of criteria – how well students do on standardized tests is the big one. Are the students learning? What are they learning? How well do they know the material? Are they learning necessary life skills?
As any parent and educator can attest, there is more to learning than what is in books. Becoming a successful person in the highly technological and social media age that is the 21st century takes more than book smarts. That is where the Leader in Me program and designation picks up.
To be successful, everyone has to buy in to the program. It has to become personal. The students, staff, teachers and parents at Maricopa Elementary School have done just that.
In February, the school was notified that it had earned the Leader in Me Lighthouse designation. The award was the culmination of three years of hard work implementing the steps to meet Leader in Me goals in academics, culture and leadership.
“We are honored to have been certified and named a Leader in Me Lighthouse School,” said Dr. Jennifer Robinson, principal of Maricopa Elementary School. “We have seen amazing results from implementing the Leader in Me process at our school, such as increased leadership roles for our scholars, greater awareness of school-wide goals through implementing leadership notebooks and increased parent engagement through Leadership Cafes.”
Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model and process, developed in partnership with educators, that empowers scholars with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Leader in Me helps students learn how to become self-reliant, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, do their homework, prioritize their time, manage their emotions, be considerate of others, express their viewpoint persuasively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences, and live a balanced life.
Robinson shared one example of a scholar who was withdrawn and had difficultly engaging in discussions. Now he is mediating conversation with his peers, coming up with “win-win” solutions and has taken on the role of Win-Win mediator at his grade.
Parents and the public were invited to the Leadership Day celebration at the school on May 11. Scholars had significant roles in assisting guests during tours and presentations. “Scholars on Special Assignment” lead tours through the classrooms, where students showed their Leadership Notebooks and “Wildly Important Goals.” A big part of the student ownership of the Leader in Me program is that scholars set their own goals, determine steps to meet those goals, and keep track of their progress.
The Lighthouse Certification is a highly regarded standard set by Franklin Covey Education that is attainable by every Leader in Me school. As it is a significant benchmark, applying for this certification typically occurs three to five years after a school begins the Leader in Me process.
According to the Leader in Me website, only 2,840 schools throughout the US are Leader in Me schools. Of those, 341 are Lighthouse schools, and of those, Maricopa Elementary is one of only five schools in Arizona with that highest distinction.
“Schools who achieve this Lighthouse Certification are great examples of a strong leadership model and process, and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school.,” said Sean Covey, President of Franklin Covey Education. “This school has experienced transformational results by implementing the principles and practices related to Leader in Me.”
The Leader in Me framework relies on five main paradigm shifts: Instead of only a few leaders, everyone can be a leader; instead of “only a few are gifted,” everyone has genius; instead of waiting for “the system” to change, “change starts with me;” instead of educators controlling and dictating student learning, educators empower students to lead their own learning; and in addition to focusing solely on academics, Leader in Me schools develop the whole person — emotionally, physically and mentally. Leader in Me schools include education in art, music, and dance.
Maricopa Elementary School will maintain its Lighthouse Certification the next two years. At the end of the two years, Maricopa Elementary School will be able to re-certify its Lighthouse Certification through a virtual self-assessment, describing and celebrating its growth and accomplishments since its original Lighthouse designation.
In an effort to keep our parking lots safe for all, please adhere to the following parking lot guidelines.
General Parking Lot Safety
Drive slowly in parking lots and on surrounding streets.
Keep an eye out for scholars and other pedestrians as you drive through the parking lot.
If you are a pedestrian, use the marked crosswalks.
Check behind you thoroughly before backing up.
Whether you are a driver or a pedestrian, keep cell phone use to a minimum to remain alert.
Parking Lot Courtesy
Please do not block vehicles parked in a parking space. If you have blocked someone, please make sure you are present in your vehicle in order to allow them out of the spot.
Parking Lot Rules
Parking (exiting your car) and standing (remaining in your car) are NOT allowed where the curb is painted red at any time. These areas must be left open for emergency vehicles.
In addition, parking is not allowed beside curbs that have not been painted but you may stand at those areas until a parking spot opens.
Only those with appropriate permission can park in handicap spaces. We do have a number of handicapped parents/guardians and scholars. Those spaces are reserved for them.
Dear MES Parents & Guardians:
I hope this finds you and your family healthy and well. I am Dr. Jennifer Robinson, the principal of Maricopa Elementary School. I am excited to welcome you to the 2022-23 school year. I would like to extend a special welcome to our new families and welcome back all of our returning Diamondback families.
Maricopa Elementary School is a Leader in Me Lighthouse school. In May 2022, we recertified our distinction as a Lighthouse School. In the US there are 4015 Leader in Me Schools - 447 Lighthouse Schools. In AZ there are 42 Leader in Me Schools - 7 Lighthouse Schools. MES IS VERY PROUD OF OUR LIGHTHOUSE DESIGNATION.
This is a transformative process that follows the See, Do, Get model, focusing on core paradigms, highly effective practices and measurable results. These practices encourage and empower our staff, scholars and parents to become more involved through partnerships that support learning, modeling and leading, not only in our school, but within our community.
We look for ways to empower our scholars, equipping them to achieve and lead their learning. We shifted our thinking to support these highly effective paradigms:
Everyone can be a leader.
Everyone has genius.
Change starts with me.
Empower scholars to lead their own learning.
Educators and families partner to develop the whole child.
All scholars will learn about the 8 habits of highly effective people. Scholars are introduced to the 8 Habits through in-class lessons and by integrating principles through a schoolwide culture. When the 8 Habits resonate with scholars, their teachers, parents, and administrators can see, hear, and feel how life-ready leaders are demonstrating principles of responsibility, discipline, and teamwork. Our school embraces the 8 Habits and integrates them in a variety of unique and creative ways. As part of the Leader in Me implementation, scholars learn to apply the 8 Habits not only at school, but in all areas of their lives.
Habit 1: Be proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind
Habit 3: Put first things first
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Habit 8: Find Your Voice
We are committed to providing a high quality learning experience focused on meeting the individual needs of each scholar. The academic success of your child is important to us.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Robinson
Address 18150 North Alterra Parkway, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Phone (520)568-5160
Fax (520)568-5166