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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
Maize Elementary School
September 2019
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Dear
Fallback,
Hello MES Panthers Family!
One month down and many more to go as we work together to provide our students with an outstanding school experience this year. We’re off to a great start! August went incredibly fast, and September seems to be flowing at the same pace. Our staff has been working hard to connect with each student, creating meaningful relationships that will pay dividends throughout the year as we help our students realize they can do difficult things.
We will continue to use the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to guide the social/emotional work we do with our students.
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
I highly encourage each of you to look into the 7 Habits and see how they could be a benefit in working with your students at home. The connection between school and home is so very important. With that said, our staff has been trained to be proactive in communicating with parents regarding concerns or even praises for students. Please do the same with the teacher if concerns arise. Communication is the key to good teamwork between MES and parents as we work together to do what is best for kids.
Looking for a way to get involved at MES? Our WatchDOGS program has begun and I am thrilled to see how many parents, grandparents, etc. have already signed up to help us make our kids feel safe and secure. We are hoping to have a volunteer each day, so if you’re interested in helping you can follow the link included in the newsletter. Feel free to sign-up as often as you would like at this point. We’ll have a WatchDOGS t-shirt and the day’s agenda ready for you when you arrive. Feel free to give me a call with questions about this very useful program.
With this being our first newsletter of the year, I would like to take time to highlight a few things you may not be aware of. I’ll start with mentioning all the new staff members we have at MES.
- Melissa Woods is now teaching Structured Learning after having taught preschool at the ECC for a number of years.
- Emily Summers is now full time in our building after splitting time as a Special Education teacher at Vermillion and MES last year.
- Kristy Herbel is our new Occupational Therapist after years of working in other buildings in our district.
- Korissa White will be teaching two sections of ½ day Kindergarten after 2 years of teaching preschool in Texas.
- Karsyn Konecny is teaching 1st grade this year after graduating from Emporia State University.
- Jennifer Anderson is teaching 3rd grade after teaching multiple elementary grade levels over a 12 year period in the Wichita Public School district.
- Melissa Dickinson is also new to our 3rd grade team after teaching 5th grade in Wichita for the last 5 years.
We are thrilled to have added each of these educators to our team. We also had a number of staff move to new roles within the building. Jennifer Wedman moved from 3
rd to 4
th grade, while Kelli Holguin moved from 1
st to 2
nd grade, and Andrea Nietfeld moved from the 4
th grade classroom to a counseling role as our building’s Student Support Specialist.
It’s going to be another fantastic year at Maize Elementary School. Thank you, in advance, for partnering with our staff to make that possible!
Kyle White, MES Principal
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We are so excited to have two counselors at MES this year, Becky Stephens and Andrea Nietfeld. Andrea is currently obtaining her school counseling degree through Fort Hays State University. She has taught 4th grade in the district since 2007, and Becky is in her 20th year as a school counselor in Maize. Both Counselors will take turns teaching in your child’s classroom once a month.
During the month of September, the classroom counselor lessons are about bullying prevention and compassion. We talk about being a good friend and showing compassion for others.
Lunch groups have also started. The groups meet at least one time and it’s just for FUN! New students are picked first to help them meet some friends from their class. All first through fifth grade students will be in a lunch group at some time during the school year.
If you have any concerns or ways we can help your child be successful at school, please contact us! We are here to help every child have a great year.
Becky Stephens, Counselor and Andrea Nietfeld, Student Support Specialist
350-2913; 350-2912
bstephens@usd266.com and anietfeld@usd266.com
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Welcome Back! Students have been busy reviewing important rules, procedures and locomotor skills in PE. We wrapped up August by focusing on general space while moving.
Please remember
PE shoes
for your student. These are shoes that stay in the classroom and are used only for the gym. This helps in keeping our gym floors clean and in better condition. In September, the third and fourth graders will be learning and reviewing muscles. Second and first graders will be learning the locations and functions of their bones. Kindergarten students will be learning basic body parts and functions (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) We will be doing numerous activities to make our bodies stronger and more flexible. We will also be fitness testing and starting on a throwing and catching unit.
First quarter grades will not be entered until late September. Please do not be alarmed if your student doesn’t have a grade for something. Items will be made up if they missed a day.
Thank you for taking an interest in your child's health and well-being.
Keep moving!
Coach Horn
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Book Fair – Arctic Adventure – COMING SOON!
MES will be hosting our semi-annual Book Fair from September 23 - 26! The students will have the opportunity to preview the fair the week before conferences and will then be able to purchase items from the fair during conference week. Our shopping hours will be during conferences and are listed below. Please accompany your child to the library and feel free to shop during the following hours:
Wednesday, September 25: 4:00 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 26: Noon – 7:30 pm
Each child will create a wish list during their library time. We will also have online purchasing available during our fair dates. Thank you for supporting the MES library!! There’s “snow much to read!”
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Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic summer. As the school year starts, there are some important things to remember that I will be needing soon for my office records.
Immunizations and Health Assessments:
Don’t forget to turn in your child’s most up-to-date immunization records as well as an updated Health Assessment (physical) if this is the first time your child has been in a Kansas school.
Skyward Health History:
It is the parent’s responsibility to update health conditions in Skyward and notify the school nurse as needed for health concerns.
Medications:
Under certain conditions, medication may be given at school per the Board of Education Policy. A new consent form must be filled out EVERY school year BEFORE any medication is administered at school. Please feel free to ask me for this form.
Food Allergies:
In order for a food allergen to be removed from the school lunch tray and be replaced with another option, a Meal Modification Form 19B MUST be completed and signed by a parent and healthcare
provider. Please feel free to ask me for this form as well.
Hearing/Vision/Dental Screenings:
Students will have hearing, vision, and dental screenings during the school year as required. Students new to the district will receive both hearing and vision screenings. Parents will be receiving an email soon allowing you to OPT-OUT of any screenings if you wish. Results will ONLY be sent home if further testing is needed. Screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional
evaluations.
Please feel free to stop by my office, call, or email me if you have any questions or concerns about your student. Thank you all for taking an interest in your child’s health and well-being.
Erin Ingalls, RN
Phone: 316-350-2911 Email: eingalls@usd266.com
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Yearbook Volunteer Needed
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We need your help! Do you love to be creative, involved, maybe have past experience in publications? Our yearbook is put together every year by parent volunteers, and this year we are in need of someone or several people to lead the project and create our yearbook. You can call the office at 722-8230 if you are interested, or if you have any questions.
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Stop Everything and STEAM Fridays
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In the spring, our school was awarded an almost $12,000 grant to implement a STEAM program. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Beginning in October, we will take one day a month to Stop Everything and STEAM. During this time, grade levels will move to the gym and experience electrical engineering, coding, art, science, building, and creating. The students will spend 45 minutes to an hour participating with their grade level.
We are looking for some parent volunteers! You can volunteer for a portion of the day, the entire day, or just an hour if that's all you can spare! The dates we need volunteers are October 11, November 8, January 17, and March 6. If you are interested in this fun, new opportunity, or want more information, please contact Callie Harris at charris@usd266.com
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Reminders for the New School Year
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QR Codes
Be sure to keep your QR code in your vehicle. If you have multiple vehicles that your student may be riding home in it is okay to make copies to have one in each vehicle. This keeps our parent pickup line moving quickly! Our entire line usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes to get everyone through.
Wednesdays Are Early Release
We dismiss on Wednesdays at 3:20 pm, and morning kindergarten dismisses that day at 11:35 am. This does also affect the time your child arrives home on the bus if they are a bus rider.
Transportation Changes
If there is a change to your child's normal transportation, please call that in to the office by 3 p.m. (2:30 on Wednesdays). This gives us enough time to let your teacher know. Calling these in to the office is the best way to ensure that your student goes to the correct place. Emailing the teacher or leaving a message somewhere else may not always reach them if they are out of the building for some reason. We also must have notification from the parent, as we will not take a students word for it. Thank you for your help with this.
Lunch Money
You can add money to your student's account via Skyward from a computer, or you can send cash or a check with your student to the office. Please note you can not add money to your student's account if you're accessing Skyward from a cell phone.
Stay Up To Date
- Visit our website at www.usd266.com/mes for lots of great information.
- Like the Maize Elementary PTO page on Facebook to stay up to date on PTO events and activities.
- Watch your email for our monthly newsletter with important dates, and information about what's happening at MES.
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Countdown to 26.2!!
The MES Marathon kicked off on August 28. Parents and teachers have been cheering this excited group of runners on each morning! Students will spend six weeks running one mile per day to complete a full marathon. As of Monday, September 9, the students participating in the MES Marathon have walked / ran around 7 miles!
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Mr. Buchanan's fourth grade class shared a laugh with Principal White before morning announcements. Each class takes a turn helping with announcements, saying the pledge of allegiance, occasionally a joke and the MES cheer.
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Our WatchDOGS program kicked off on September 3 with Mike Walker, grandfather of 5th grader Riley Smith. If you're interested in our WatchDOGS program, you can
click here for more information.
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Important Dates and Information
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PTO Spirit Night at Chipotle
September 10, 5 to 9 pm
Lifetouch Individual Pictures
September 17, 8 am
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Parent Teacher Conferences
September 25, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
September 26, Noon - 8:00 pm
NO SCHOOL
September 26 & 27
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Start Times & Transportation
Our school day starts at 8:45 am every day. Student drop off begins at 8:35 am.
It is important that students are not dropped off prior to that time. This is a matter of safety as there are no staff members supervising until 8:35 am.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you need to drop your student off before this time, the YMCA has a latchkey program at MES. For more information, please call the YMCA at 316-264-1610.
Students who arrive after 8:50 am will be counted tardy. If a student is brought late to school, the parent must come into the office and sign them in.
The district dismisses students 40 minutes early every Wednesday to accommodate the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The teachers participate in the PLC to discuss curriculum, instructional strategies, data review, technology training, etc.
School is dismissed at 3:20 pm every Wednesday.
Please call the office at 316-722-8230 if your child is going to be absent or if you have a transportation change.
For student safety, please let the office know of a transportation change before 3:00 pm, and before 2:30 pm on Wednesdays.
If your student is riding a different bus home with a friend, a note is required from both sets of parents.
These need to be given to the office for Mr. White to sign and can then be given to the bus driver.
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Deliveries & Invitations
Please be aware that school district policy does not allow us to accept flowers or other deliveries to students at school. Please contact your student's teacher to arrange a time to celebrate a special occasion with treats, etc.
BOE policy does not allow party invitations to be distributed at school. Please refer to the Skyward Family Access Student Directory or your classroom directory for student addresses.
Dillons Community Rewards
Dillons is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through Dillons Community Rewards.
Now you can link your Dillons shopper card to Maize Elementary and help us earn funds! Click
here
to learn more! When registering, be sure to use our organization number 12736. Thank you for your support!
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Food Service
USD 266 uses the Skyward Food Service and RevTrak fee payment systems. Please check your email and phone numbers in Skyward, so you may be alerted when your child only has 2 lunches left. Parents receive an email when your child has $5.00 left in their account. Parents receive a 2nd email after your child has 1 lunch left. When your child doesn't have any money in the account, we have your child go to the office and call you. Please put money into the account that day. You will also receive a 3rd email when your child has a zero balance.
Parents may keep as large a balance as they wish in a child's account. If the student doesn't have enough in his/her lunch account to cover a meal, the account will be charged for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk if the student chooses to take one. No meal charges will be allowed and we are not allowed to go into one child's account to pay for a sibling.
Daily lunches are $2.45 each and extra milk is .40 cents. Feel free to join your student for lunch. Please notify the front office or your child's teacher of the day you are coming. Lunches are $3.65 for adults; please bring exact change as adult lunches cannot be taken from your child's account. Lunch menus can be found online at
usd266.com
.
If you have any questions regarding Skyward and the RevTrak system, please call our school office. We want every child to have a good lunch, every day!
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