Dear Parents and Families of Maple Shade,

Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year. A new school year  is a time  to start fresh with an unlimited amount of possibilities for all of us. Our first day for all students is Thursday, September 5th, for a full-day of school.  Our full school calendar can be accessed on our website or on the parent portal. 

We will have some new faces in each of our four schools and our administrative team. Dr. Brandon Cooley has joined our staff as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.  Dr.  Cooley  succeeds Mrs. Bobbie Behnke, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, as she retired July 1, 2024 after ten years in the district.  Dr. Cooley comes to us with extensive experience and a strong educational background. All our new staff members are hired, ready and eager to start.  Classrooms are polished and cleaned. Curriculum has been refined by our master teachers and administrators, just waiting for our students to experience the learning that it holds.

As we open a new school year, I cannot help but be appreciative of our whole school community.  As a district, we could not ask for better partners than our Maple Shade families.  I am continually amazed by the amount of time our families give to assist in our schools. I am honored to work alongside so many members of our community that give back and support our town. We have a school board that volunteers their expertise and time for the benefit of the students and the staff. We can all be very proud of a whole community that supports education and kids. The only way to continue to improve the success of all and continue our vision for our schools is to do it together.   We are all Wildcats! 

On behalf of the entire Board of Education and the district administration, faculty and staff, I look forward to seeing you at the following Back to School Nights: 

Howard Yocum Elementary - September 26,  2024

Maude Wilkins Elementary - September 24, 2024 

Ralph Steinhauer School - September 12,  2024 

Maple Shade High School - September 19, 2024

Enjoy the rest of your summer and can’t wait to see everyone on September 5th!

Sincerely,

Beth Norcia
Superintendent