Maplewood FAQ's

Welcome! Click here for our Pre-K and Kinder checklist.

Set your family up for a successful school year with these simple steps:

Before the First Day

☐ Order school supplies (Sprouts Boxes can be delivered directly to your child's classroom.)

☐ Pack a backpack and reusable water bottle.

☐ Make sure your child has comfortable athletic shoes for recess and P.E.

☐ Start shifting bedtime a week or two before school begins to help ease the transition.

Stay Connected

☐ Download Konstella, Maplewood's communication hub for events, volunteer opportunities, and school updates.

☐ Join the Maplewood Facebook Group and Follow MW on Instagram.

☐ Download the SchoolCafé app to view menus and manage your child's lunch account.

☐ Download the Where's the Bus app if your child rides the bus.

Get Involved

☐ Attend Meet the Teacher and Kinder Camp (for incoming kindergarten families).

☐ Join us for Back-to-School Night.

☐ Come to a PTA Meeting—enjoy dinner, childcare, and meet other Maplewood families.

☐ Complete your Austin Partners in Education (APIE) background check so you're ready to volunteer throughout the year.

First Week Tips

☐ Arrive between 7:10–7:40 a.m.

☐ If your child is eating breakfast at school, head to the cafeteria between 7:10–7:35 a.m. (Parents are welcome to grab breakfast, too!)

☐ Have your child bring a book to read before the school day begins.

☐ Create a fun goodbye ritual—a special handshake, hug, or phrase—to help make morning drop-offs easier.

Building Open to Students: 7:15 A.M. 

Breakfast (in cafeteria): 7:15– 7:30 A.M. 

Classes Begin (all grades): 7:40 A.M. 

Dismissal: 3:10 P.M. 

Walking & Biking

We encourage families to walk or bike to school whenever possible. If you're driving, please park a few blocks away and walk to campus to help
reduce traffic and keep our students safe.

Crossing guards are stationed at 38½ & Maplewood and Maplewood & Ashwood each morning and afternoon.

Parent Drop-Off Line

The parent drop-off zone is located on the south side of campus, near the library and art room. Please use this designated area for drop-off and follow directions from staff and volunteers to keep traffic moving safely.

Parking

Parking is very limited around Maplewood.

• The faculty/staff parking lot is reserved for AISD employees.

• Parking along the school-side curb on Maplewood Avenue is prohibited 7:00–8:30 a.m. and 1:30–3:30 p.m. to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Thank you for helping us keep our students and neighbors safe!

Where's the Bus?

If your child rides the bus, download the free Where's the Bus app to receive real-time bus locations and arrival updates from Austin ISD Transportation.

If your child will be absent for any reason, please notify the school's attendance clerk at 512-414-4402.

Students should stay home until they have been:

• Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication

• Free from vomiting for 24 hours without anti-nausea medication
  
  

When your child returns to school, please send a written note to the office that includes:

• Student's name

• Teacher's name

• Reason for the absence

Breakfast, lunch, and after-school snack menus are available through the SchoolCafé app. 

You can also:

• View daily menus

• Add funds to your child's meal account

• Check allergen and nutrition information
  
  

Download the free SchoolCafé app to manage everything in one place.

Includes...

• Brief history

• Mission

• Vision

• Increase the Peace

• No Place for Hate

• Arts

• Community

• School motto

For 75 years, Maplewood has brought together curious kids, dedicated teachers, and families who care. We're proud to be #1 in Austin ISD for academic growth—and even prouder of the welcoming community behind it. 

Maplewood boasts a school-wide Social Emotional Learning and “Increase the Peace” program led by our fabulous school counselor. We have been recognized as a longstanding No Place for Hate campus. In 2020, our school counselor started a Reading Against Racism Program for both students and parents. Our parent community shows up and is not afraid to talk about hard things! The theme of increasing the peace is embedded in the fabric of our school. 

Maplewood has a Peace Pole garden in the back and a Peace sign sculpture at our front entrance. Individual students are nominated by staff and recognized as “Peace Makers” each week. 

The mission of Maplewood Elementary School, is to provide a safe, fun, and healthy learning environment where all students, through challenging learning experiences, have the opportunity to become responsible citizens leaders and life-long learners. 

We, the students, parents/guardians, and staff of Maplewood Elementary believe in: 

• Community partnerships 

• Diverse learning styles 

• A creative, diverse, safe, fun learning environment 

• Social, emotional, and physical wellness 

• Each child’s uniqueness and worth 

• The capacity and responsibility of each student to show progress and succeed 

Stand up for the RED and the BLUE 

For the school that is best, 

How we love you! 

Oh Maplewood, we raise your banner high 

For your honor we stand by you. 

We’re proud to be mustangs that care 

For we know that forever we’ll march onward 

To realms of achievement so high 

Because of you. 

Oh Maplewood, 

Oh how we love you! 

YEAH! 

Both! 🐎✌️

The Mustang is our official school mascot. The Peacemakers is the unofficial name for our incredible school community—a tradition started many years ago by our beloved school counselor, Ms. Kelli Kirk, who dedicated 24 years to Maplewood before retiring in 2026.

Inspired by Maplewood's "Increase the Peace" philosophy, the name reminds us that kindness, respect, and community are at the heart of who we are.

No matter which one you prefer, we're glad you're here!

We'd love to help you visit the campus to see if Maplewood is a good fit for your family. Please contact the school office at (512) 414-4402 to schedule a tour.