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LEARNING.

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Volume 14, Issue 5

December 19, 2019

Maize Middle School News

Principal's Message

We are at the end of the 1 ^st semester and it was a whirlwind to finish these last 3 weeks before break. We had a lot of activities and athletic events going on and I want to thank the students for doing the best they can to Make Today Matter. I am proud of our students and staff for a great first semester. We have had a lot of great things going on here at MMS this 1 ^st semester and I am so blessed to get to be a part of this Incredible school. Thank you for sharing your children with us and enjoy watching them learn and grow during these middle school years.

My hope is for a positive and productive second semester with students focused on doing well and being respectful of themselves and others. I know the students will live up to our expectations. Please encourage your child to give their best and have a great 2 ^nd semester.

Just a reminder we do not have school from December 23 through January 3. Students will start back on January 6 ^th . Please check your students schedule for the second semester so they are aware of any changes. We did not print schedules for the students since they can access their schedules on Skyward.

On behalf of the staff at MMS we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Brian

Make Today Matter

Structured Learning

Structured Learning students invited administration and related service providers (among others, as the lunch time progressed and we still had plenty to share!) to a luncheon to show their thanks and appreciation right before Fall Break! Students made soups, green bean casserole, crock pot applesauce, rolled silverware and displayed various crafts and art projects. They also made a thankful rock for all friends who came out to take to remind them of all they had to be thankful for!

Attendance/Tardies

Attendance Counts:

Regular attendance is necessary to fully realize the benefits of educational opportunities. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The responsibility of school attendance is with the student and his/her parents. Parents/guardians should notify the school via our attendance line in the event the student will be absent. Excused absences include illness verified by a doctor, appointments with a doctors note, school sponsored activities, funerals or administrative approved absences. Parents are encouraged to provide a doctors note for appointments and illnesses. Attendance letters will be mailed to parents of students with 5 or more absences during the semester and disciplinary actions can be taken.

Reference student handbook pages 5-8.

ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL ABSENCE AND TARDY COUNTS START OVER EACH TERM. Middle School Tardies-Being in class, prepared and ready to learn when the bell rings is a necessity. ● Parents may excuse their student for being late to the start of school three times with no consequence. ● After 3 tardies, per class period, the following applies: ○ Warning by administration ○ Lunch detention ○ 1-hour after-school detention ○ 2-hour after-school detention ○ 2-hour Saturday detention ○ 4-hour Saturday detention ○ In-School Suspension ○ Conference with parents and possible suspension. Unexcused Tardies: Students who are late to school without a parent call will be considered unexcused. At administrative discretion, the student may be assigned consequences if the student is persistent in being late to school, regardless of the reasons for the tardiness.

From the Nurse’s Office

Merry Christmas! Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!

We have completed our screenings. Ask your student how they did! Our 6 ^th and 8 ^th graders receive vision screenings, and the 7 ^th graders receive hearing screenings. If they did not pass, you should have received a letter in the mail letting you know! If you have any questions about your student’s results, please give me a call!

If you would like to help us stock our Health Office, we would be so grateful!! Our Wish List includes:

Flushable wipes

Chapstick

Deodorant-both men’s and women’s

Female products

Gently used, or new sweatpants or yoga pants- all sizes

Gently used or new Eagle gear and sweatshirts

Underwear-both girls and boys all sizes

Thank you for helping us provide for our students! We appreciate it!

Shelley Funk RN

Human Growth & Development

During the month of January the 6th graders will be watching films with regard to Human Growth & Development in their classrooms. If you have questions or prefer for your student to not watch these films please contact your counselors Caitlin Hamilton, Meghan Ugues-Chavarria, or MMS nurse Shelley Funk at 729-2464.

Thank you!!!

Caitlin Hamilton

Student Council

StuCo worked hard to sort the food that was brought in from all Maize schools during the food drive. Maize Caring Hearts was grateful for their help! Many Maize families will be blessed this holiday season!

Library

News from the Library

Winter break is approaching - an excellent opportunity to encourage your students to read for pleasure rather than school required reading. Students are able to have books from the school Library during the break.

Please remind your student to return or renew their Library books on time. There are currently 275+ overdue Library books checked out to students.

We are very fortunate at MMS to have a fantastic Library collection - and it is important that these items are available for all of our students to enjoy.

If your student has lost a book the replacement cost will need to be paid please. We do not charge any overdue fees.

Thank you for your assistance ensuring that our Library remains a great asset for all of our students.

Wishing you all the best for the holiday season.

Becky Jones

MMS Library Para

Dates For January

Monday, 1/6

*School Resumes

*First day of Boys Basketball Tryouts

Thursday, 1/9

*Scholars Bowl, 3:30

Monday, 1/13

*Scholars Bowl @ Haysville West, 3:30

Tuesday, 1/14

*PTO Meeting, 2:45

*Spelling Bee @ Derby MS, 4:00

Thursday, 1/16

*Geography Bee, 7:30-11:00

*Scholars Bowl @ MSMS, 3:30

Saturday, 1/18

*String Fling @ Manhattan

Sunday, 1/19

*String Fling @ Manhattan

Monday, 1/20

*Martin Luther King Jr. Day-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, 1/21

*7th/8th Boys Basketball @ Derby N. 5:00/6:15

Thursday, 1/23

*Scholars Bowl @ Valley Center, 3:30

*7th/8th Boys Basketball vs. Valley Center,

5:00/6:15

Friday, 1/24

*6th-8th Grade Stuco Dance, 7:00-9:30

Saturday, 1/25

*7th/8th Boys Basketball Tournament @ Andover HS, 9:00

Monday, 1/27

*7th/8th Boys Basketball @ MSMS, 5:00/6:15

Tuesday, 1/28

*Scholars Bowl @ Hutchinson, 4:00

Thursday, 1/30

*7th/8th Boys Basketball vs. Andover Central,

5:00/6:15

From the MMS Front Office

To help the Front Office of MMS run as smooth, friendly and efficiently as possible and communicate important information, please be aware and reminded of the following processes:

Front Office Hours:

6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

When your student is absent:

Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the students name (and spelling)
Provide a reason for the absence (ill, out of town, appointment, etc.)
If you plan to have your student out of school for 3 or more days stop by the MMS office to pick up an administrative approval form

When dropping off something for a student:

Please have it labeled with their first/last name
Checks/Cash in envelopes with student name
Front office is not responsible for any items left for students

When you have to leave a message for your student:

Please call 729-2464
Provide your student's name/spelling
Concisely state your message
Your student will be notified through instant messaging with the teacher, or a note will be delivered wither 4th hour or Encor through an office aide
Messages must be received 30 minutes prior to dismissal

Students will not be called out of class and to the office until a parent or guardian is present to sign them out. Our goal in the Front Office is to not disrupt classrooms except in the case of an emergency.

Transportation-Did you know?

Busing FYI

If your student will be riding home with a friend, a signed note by the parents and building administration of both your child and your child's friend is to be given to the driver when the bus is boarded.

Are You Moving?

If you are moving out of district, please contact Dawn Ingram, MMS Registrar/Data Secretary, at dingram@usd266.com or by phone at 729-2464. Please include the new school, city and state you will be transferring to so we can prepare your students records for transfer.

If you have moved or will be moving, but are still in district, please send a Proof of Residency to the MMS office as soon as possible. You can email it to dingram@usd266.com, or fax it to our office at 316-729-2479.

A utility bill is preferred, but a mortgage/lease agreement can be temporarily accepted. If you have any questions regarding Proof of Residence, please don't hesitate to call the MMS office.

Dillon's Community Rewards

We're giving away $2 MILLION to local organizations!

Where Shopping and Giving Come Together!

Use your Plus Shopper's Card & help us grow!

Supporting our organization has never been easier-just shop at

Dillons and scan your Plus Shopper's Card!

Here's how to enroll:

Visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards
Scroll down to find your location and click "Enroll Now"
Sign in to your online account, or create an account.
Find and select our organization, and click "Save"

You'll start earning rewards for our organization right away on qualifying purchases made using your Plus Shopper's Card!

Everyone must enroll in the Reward Program. This is necessary in order for purchases throughout 2019 to credit Maize Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this new 5 digit NPO number, NI311.

Homework Request

When your student is absent from school and you would like to pick up homework, you must request it by 10:00 a.m. The MMS office will only put the request in when a student has been out for two days in a row. All homework will be in the office after 2:00 p.m.

Thank you.