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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
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Connections
Maize USD 266 Parent Newsletter - January 2019
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As student enrollment climbs, plans are in the works for new spaces to learn
BY DR. CHAD HIGGINS
Greetings!
Maize USD 266 student enrollment is growing rapidly. Just as a family would plan to make room when expecting an addition, we at Maize Schools are looking ahead to the future.
Our schools are 89 percent full. We grow by about 10 students a month and are running out of room in our elementary schools, which are 95 percent full, and our middle schools, which are 90 percent full. About 60 new students have joined us this month alone. Residential construction in our district continues. We plan to hire new teachers next year to accommodate this growth, approximately 500 new students in two years, which will cost the district more than $1 million. It's not enough: We need our great teachers and students to have appropriately sized classes and ideal spaces to learn.
We have assembled a team to explore options for new space for our school district. This may mean renovating, expanding, building, and/or even reconfiguring grade level organization within our schools. This involves considering which grades are housed in different schools and how our students transition from one level to the next, such as from elementary to middle school. Major options being considered include the addition of one or two elementary schools, repurposing an elementary school for middle school use, or adding a new middle school. Expanding space onto existing schools is an option only at a few sites and still only solves a portion of the problem temporarily.
Our team, which met Monday for the first time, currently consists of 38 students, parents, teachers, Maize Board of Education members, architects, and other district employees who already are engaged in our school community. They represent different perspectives, different schools, and children of various ages. This week, they began to discuss the pros and cons of various options. I will continue to encourage them to use data and research to guide the process and to question and challenge the plans as they develop. We want the best for our students.
We are working under a deadline for two reasons. For starters, new classroom and school space takes time to develop and construct. There is a new reason now that we must plan ahead: New state legislation limits the amount of bond money that schools statewide can cumulatively seek each year. With our Maize Board of Education's approval, I intend to approach the Kansas State Board of Education on July 1, the earliest opportunity possible, to request approval to pursue any bond funding we may need. A proposal that reaches the state board after July 1 would likely result in a one-year delay in the process. If our growth continues, this could mean the purchase, installation, and use of temporary modular units for the space required. Even with the state’s approval, such proposal still would go before our OneMa1ze community members for consideration via an election.
Thanks to some fiscally responsible decision-making and budgeting during the past decade, it would be possible for the district to use Capital Outlay money to fund some projects. Again, just like a family considering its budget, we must make careful decisions that consider short- and long-term needs and are the most fiscally responsible. That will happen in the coming six months. Regardless of which outcomes are selected as the best solutions for our district, change will have to happen, and change is difficult.
The team and I will meet regularly to review school capacity and enrollment, projection estimates, and options. We will consider classroom sizes, costs, and ideal learning environments. We will discuss related needs, including technology and school safety. We have a lot of work to do and the best reason to do that work. We will continue to update you as we progress through the process. I thank you in advance for your ongoing support. If you have comments, questions, or suggestions, please e-mail
facilityplanning@usd266.com
.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools
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February:
- 15: No school, Professional Development Day
March:
- 8: End of Term
- 11-15: No school, Spring Break
April:
- 17: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- 18: No school & Parent-Teacher Conferences, noon to 8 p.m.
- 19: No school, Conference Comp Day
May:
- 7: Last day of school for seniors
- 9: Maize South High School graduation, 6:30 p.m., Hartman Arena
- 10: No school, Professional Development Day
- 12: Maize High School graduation, 6:30 p.m., Wichita State University's Koch Arena
- 22: End of term and last day of school
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Reminder:
No school Feb. 15
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Maize Board of Education Update
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Board members approve elementary schools' official mascots
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During the December regular monthly
Maize Board of Education meeting, board members approved proposed elementary school mascots. Last semester, elementary school administrators engaged with students, staff members, and parents to identify new school mascots to further create school identities and build school pride.
Board members voted to approve the recommended mascots:
Schools worked on a shared timeline within parameters to have their own unique selection process to identify their own school mascot. Future work may identify official school logos and colors for purposes of branding and school pride.
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TOP:
Vermillion Elementary School
siblings
Addelyn Paredes
(fourth grade),
Rosalind Paredes
(second grade), and
Lincoln Paredes
(kindergarten) submitted this colorful chameleon for the school’s mascot contest.
BOTTOM: Vermillion first-grade student
Graham Yocam
submitted this smiling chameleon.
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District moves forward on See Beyond Maize Solar Initiative
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During the Jan. 14 regular monthly Maize Board of Education meeting, board members accepted a bid from King Solar for the construction of ground-based solar panels west of
Maize Career Academy. This is part of the See Beyond Solar Project championed by
Maize High School science teacher
Stan Bergkamp and supported by many
employees, alumni, and OneMa1ze community members.
Board members also approved a lease agreement between the district and ICM, which will save the district more than $100,000 in the installation of the panels. After the lease agreement expires in six years,
the district will own the panels and save an estimated $30,000 a year.
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Kindergarten students practice leadership through presentations
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Maize Elementary School kindergarten students
Maya Young, left, and
Lila Harris gave presentations to the Maize Board of Education on Jan. 14. Maya demonstrated how to make a dessert, and Lila demonstrated a science experiment.
These leadership opportunities are a part of the weekly experience for their class. Students work with their parents to develop a lesson to present to their peers in class. Their teacher is
Cheryl Rodriguez.
(Also pictured: Board President Dr. Jeff Jarman, left, and member Matt Jensby.)
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Additional Board of Education news
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- TransNet property: Board members approved a final purchase agreement for the sale of the TransNet property on Tyler Road in Wichita. The plan includes a mid-March closing on the property.
- Legislative Priorities: Board members approved the 2019 Legislative Priorities document, which has since been distributed to the Kansas legislators who represent constituents living within the Maize USD 266 boundary. Added is the priority that legislators support local control by rejecting legislation that overrides authority to implement safety measures. Please click here to access the document.
- Superintendent’s contract: Following an executive session for matters related to non-elected personnel, board members approved the superintendent’s contract through June 2021.
- Acquisition of property: On Dec. 31, the Maize Board of Education had a special meeting and met in executive session for matters related to the acquisition of property discussion. Following the executive session that day, the board voted to authorize the superintendent to present the property sale and purchase agreement, oversee the necessary due diligence, and negotiate the purchase price and other contract details as necessary. On Jan. 14, Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools, said there was not yet an update.
- Next meeting: The Maize Board of Education meets next at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Maize Educational Support Center, 905 W. Academy Ave. in Maize. The meeting is open to the public. To avoid a conflict with Spring Break, the board will meet briefly for its regular monthly March meeting at 7:30 a.m. March 4.
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Thank you, Maize Board of Education members!
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January is School Board Recognition Month, and we want to say thank you to our Maize Board of Education members.
These volunteers are elected officials who give so much time to our schools and students.
We appreciate all they do!
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Celebrating Excellence in Education Support Staff Awards
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Congratulations to the most recent winners of the Celebrating Excellence in Education Support Staff Awards! The award celebrates Maize USD 266 support staff members for the amazing work they do for the district and its mission of connecting, learning, and leading. This award is intended for any non-teacher employee who works with Maize USD 266 students. (Teachers are recognized annually with the district's Celebrating Excellence in Education Awards.) Nominees were surprised with a visit from Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools, at their workplaces this week.
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Patti Roberts
Also pictured from left: Dr. Higgins, Assistant Principal Cristy Kerbs, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Chad Cramer, and Principal Brian Thompson
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Also pictured from left: Assistant Principal Karen LaMunyon, kindergarten teacher Donna Bever (among those who nominated Mrs. Ralph), Library Media Specialist Kristin Rodell, Dr. Higgins, and Principal Nils Gabrielson
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Also pictured from left: English teacher Shelly Walston (among those who nominated Mr. Henderson), Principal Dave Hickerson, and Dr. Higgins
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Also pictured from left: Assistant Custodian Steve Magnusson, C
ounselor Amy Beckmann,
Counselor Steffanie Moore,
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Shane Paulus, Assistant Principal Megan Hemmerling, Dr. Higgins, Principal Cort Haynes, English teacher Andrea Burnett, English teacher
Molly Herd
, English teacher Lori Nicholson, and Assistant Custodian Pete Everett
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Maize Early Childhood Center update
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Preschool enrollment for new incoming students begins Friday, Feb. 1
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Enrollment at
Maize Early Childhood Center
for new students who will be age 3 or 4 by Aug. 31 begins on Friday, Feb. 1.
Families who are interested can follow this link
to get information and required forms. After enrolling online through Skyward, parents must drop off the forms and/or deposit at the
Maize Early Childhood Center
office, 9405 W. 37th St. North in Wichita, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to complete enrollment. We will accept enrollments daily until all spots are filled. We hope to see you and your preschool child at Maize ECC!
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Maize Education Foundation updates
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- Student grant updates: The Maize Education Foundation has revised the eligibility requirements for Student Enrichment Grants. Students are limited to receiving one grant per school year (changed from one grant per school career). This change goes into effect immediately. The Foundation currently is accepting applications for Spring 2019 grants. Applications are due by March 20. Please see your school counselor or follow this link for application forms.
- College scholarships available: The Maize Education Foundation also is now accepting applications for the Kyle Thornburg and Shelley Woodard Poynter Memorial Scholarships. Applications are due March 20. Please see your school counselor or follow this link for application forms.
- Free student application workshop: The Maize Education Foundation will host a grant and scholarship application workshop for Maize students who would like coaching. Any student seeking guidance on any application (even non-Foundation programs) is welcome to attend. The free workshop will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Commons at Maize Middle School, 4600 N. Maize Road in Maize. Please contact Foundation Executive Director Travis Bloom at 316-350-2029 or tbloom@usd266.com to register.
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Maize Career Academy students give back
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Students support TSA employees with heartfelt homemade lunch
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Innovative senior project builds customized motorized chair for local girl with cerebral palsy
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Carrie has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Thanks to this senior project, she now has her own custom-designed motorized chair that she can drive using a joystick. Carrie's father Michael said this gives her new mobility and independence, including a chance to initiate play with neighbors and friends. He said he is blown away with the opportunity and work the students have done.
The students explained during a school presentation that they utilized the resources and knowledge from
Maize Career Academy
engineering, robotics, and health science teachers to make this possible. They developed the plan and pitched it to local supporters for funding. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
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Did you know you can be a student in the
Maize Career Academy? The Maize Recreation Commission, a partner organization of Maize USD 266, teaches occasional cooking classes at the academy. The next one is a date night-themed class for those ages 14 and older from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 13. The cost is $30 per registrant.
Please click here to learn more.
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Inclement weather, snow day notifications
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In the event of school being dismissed or canceled because of inclement weather, the district will send out an e-mail, phone notification, and -- for those who have opted to receive them -- a text message to the primary contact associated with both Family 1 and Family 2, if applicable, for each student. Those phone notifications will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closure. If a decision is made the night before to call off school, calls and texts will go out no later than 10:30 p.m.
Similarly, in the event of an emergency in your child's school, the district will use the Blackboard Connect parent notification system to notify you of the situation and alert you to steps you need to take in order to reunite with your child. Communications would go to all contacts listed in Skyward Family Access "Family 1" and the main contact in "Family 2."
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Interested in joining our Maize Schools team? Many openings are part-time jobs with full-time benefits, including:
- Group health insurance
- Summers off
- Fall, Winter, and Spring break off
- No evenings or weekends
- Bonuses
Maize USD 266 also is looking for:
Come and work in our OneMa1ze community, supported by parents, graduates, and Maize and Northwest Wichita. This would be a great opportunity to participate in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
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The mission of the Maize School District
is to inspire students to discover their potential through
connecting, learning, and leading.
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