Maple Ridge fifth graders got to experience a fun science activity with USU 4H about what happens when spheres collide.
Mrs. Barlow's 2nd grade class recently finished the CKLA Human Body unit. At the beginning of the unit, the students make 'doctor name tags' and are told that this unit is similar to a "mini medical school" like what doctors learn. At the end of the unit, students take their unit assessment and then participate in a 'doctor graduation'. They 'scrub in' with gloves and a mask and put together their own stethoscope to keep. Then they walk across the front of the room and receive their mini medical school diploma. It is so fun to cheer for their classmates as everyone graduates!
A reminder that students will be dismissed at noon on Wednesday, March 18th.
Congratulations to these students for being our Students of the Month for February. They were recognized for being kind. We are proud of all of you. (Not pictured: Kylian Sievers, York Gonzalez, Michael Lords, Jordyn Turney)
Red Butte Garden at Maple Ridge Part 2: Our 1st-graders had a visit from Red Butte Garden! Students explored plant adaptations and observed different leaf features to predict which plants could survive in a desert habitat. They discovered that thick, fuzzy leaves help plants hold onto water and block some sunlight @redbuttegarden
Red Butte Gardens is one of our favorite outreach programs! Maple Ridge first graders have been so lucky to not only have them come 2 years in a row, but we’ve had them come twice this school year to teach two separate lessons. We have been able to be a training school for their instructors. They always do a phenomenal job and the students are so engaged. Recently we learned about how desert plants have adapted to survive in the extreme habitat. @redbuttegarden
Mrs. Williams' first graders recently learned how to use schoolAI and canva to complete their animal reports. They had to research an animal and create a digital graphic of its habitat as part of their CKLA Animal Habitats Unit. Seeing 6 and 7 year olds use these digital learning resources is so amazing! We love watching them learn and grow. @nebodtl
The 2nd grade classes have been learning about the human body during a recent unit in CKLA. We were lucky enough to have visitors come from the UVU nursing program! They taught students about healthy eating, germs and hygiene habits, making safe and healthy choices, having good routines and mental/social/emotional well being. It was so educational and the classes all had a blast!
The last week in February was White Ribbon Week for internet safety. Our wonderful PTA did a great job with activities that reminded us all to be safe and kind online. We even had a special visitor the last day of the week: Cosmo! Students enjoyed interacting with him and he posed for pictures with all of our classes. A big thank you to our PTA and all the parents who helped make the week successful! @maple_ridge_elementary_PTA
February was Kindness Month at Maple Ridge. Mrs. Paynter, Mrs. Jensen, and our Student Council put together activities all month to help remind students how important it is to be kind. One of our favorite activities was when our fifth grade classes participated in our "Honk for Kindness" each Friday morning before school to welcome students to school. It was a fun month that ended with White Ribbon Week activities by our wonderful PTA.
Maple Ridge Elementary is excited to welcome Mrs. Nicole Steiner as our new principal!
This past year, Mrs. Steiner has served as our assistant principal, and during that time she has already built strong relationships with our faculty, staff, students, and parents. Her positive energy, sense of fun, and genuine care for others have made her a wonderful part of the Maple Ridge community—and she is already well loved by so many.
Before coming to Maple Ridge, Mrs. Steiner was part of the faculties at East Meadows Elementary, Mapleton Elementary, Cherry Creek Elementary, and Salem Elementary, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education.
Mrs. Steiner has a deep love for students and for teaching. She believes strongly that all students can learn and be successful, and she is passionate about supporting both students and teachers in reaching their full potential.
As we begin this new chapter, we are confident that Mrs. Steiner will continue the incredible legacy that Mrs. Matis started when she opened Maple Ridge. We are excited for the future of our school under her leadership.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Principal Nicole Steiner! 🍎💙
This past year, Mrs. Steiner has served as our assistant principal, and during that time she has already built strong relationships with our faculty, staff, students, and parents. Her positive energy, sense of fun, and genuine care for others have made her a wonderful part of the Maple Ridge community—and she is already well loved by so many.
Before coming to Maple Ridge, Mrs. Steiner was part of the faculties at East Meadows Elementary, Mapleton Elementary, Cherry Creek Elementary, and Salem Elementary, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education.
Mrs. Steiner has a deep love for students and for teaching. She believes strongly that all students can learn and be successful, and she is passionate about supporting both students and teachers in reaching their full potential.
As we begin this new chapter, we are confident that Mrs. Steiner will continue the incredible legacy that Mrs. Matis started when she opened Maple Ridge. We are excited for the future of our school under her leadership.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Principal Nicole Steiner! 🍎💙
This post has taken some time for us to post because we hate to admit that it's true! After 11 incredible years at Maple Ridge Elementary, we are saying goodbye to Mrs. Sara Matis at the end of this school year. As the founding principal who opened Maple Ridge, she helped build not just a school, but a community grounded in care, high expectations, and a deep commitment to students.
She is loved by parents, students, teachers, and staff alike for her dedication and remarkable ability to make everyone feel known and valued. In fact, she knows the names of nearly all 775 Maple Ridge students—a reflection of how deeply she cares about each child who walks through the doors.
Mrs. Matis' leadership has always been centered on what matters most: students. She is a true champion for learning and consistently advocates for what is best for kids. Because of her vision and heart, Maple Ridge is the special place it is today.
While we are excited for the students and community she will serve in Santaquin at Orchard Hills Elementary, she will be deeply missed at Maple Ridge. Thank you Mrs. Matis for 11 years of incredible leadership, care, and dedication! We love you!
She is loved by parents, students, teachers, and staff alike for her dedication and remarkable ability to make everyone feel known and valued. In fact, she knows the names of nearly all 775 Maple Ridge students—a reflection of how deeply she cares about each child who walks through the doors.
Mrs. Matis' leadership has always been centered on what matters most: students. She is a true champion for learning and consistently advocates for what is best for kids. Because of her vision and heart, Maple Ridge is the special place it is today.
While we are excited for the students and community she will serve in Santaquin at Orchard Hills Elementary, she will be deeply missed at Maple Ridge. Thank you Mrs. Matis for 11 years of incredible leadership, care, and dedication! We love you!
Congratulations to these Maple Ridge 5th graders who were award winning students from the 2026 Nebo Elementary STEM Fair. All of the award winners are invited to participate in the Central Utah Fair at BYU on March 18th. We wish all our students good luck! We are proud of you!
Students in Mrs. Barlow's 2nd grade made a Valentine's Day craft as part of their Valentine's Day celebration.
Valentine's Day fun in Mrs. Mathews' 4th grade class.
Mrs. Williams’ first graders just finished one of the best units in CKLA knowledge. They learned all about the layers of the Earth, fossils, dinosaurs, and the different types of rocks and minerals.
Valentine's Day fun in Mrs. Williams' first grade!
At the beginning of February, we celebrated National School Counselor Week by recognizing our school counselor, Ms. Bree. We are grateful for her and all she does to help us at Maple Ridge! Thank you Ms. Bree!
Ms. Vela was chosen by the Maple Ridge faculty as Maple Ridge’s Teacher of the Year for 2025-26. Carla Vela exemplifies the very best of what it means to be an outstanding educator. She holds high expectations for her students while creating a warm and caring classroom where respect, unity, and kindness are taught daily. Ms. Vela is also a true leader among her colleagues, welcoming other teachers into her classroom to observe and learn from her practice. Even with her exceptional skills, she seeks out opportunities to be coached and continually seeks ways to improve. Her positive attitude, genuine smile, and encouragement for everyone she meets make her a treasured member of the Maple Ridge faculty. Her teammate, Meredith Berglund said, "Carla is simply amazing! Her classroom is a place where students feel safe, seen, loved, and encouraged! She has the kind of impact on students that lasts far beyond a single school year. I’m thankful every day to share a hallway and friendship with a teacher as dedicated and compassionate as Carla!"
Congratulations Carla!
Maple Ridge wants to thank Mike Hamilton for the amazing "Magic in Learning" assembly on Friday. Students learned how their choices are important and how they impact others. Mr. Hamilton taught us how we can be kind to one another and support each other here at Maple Ridge. We also want to thank Les Schwab of Santaquin for sponsoring this wonderful event! Thank you Les Schwab for supporting schools in Utah. You are awesome!
