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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
Maize Elementary School
October 2020
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Hello Panther Family!
It is so good to be back at school, working with kids, and creating positive momentum after so much uncertainty and change. I can assure you that our staff is happier now that we have our kids back! It is still so different from what we are all used to, but at least we’re together because we are so much BETTER TOGETHER. In fact, that is our theme this year. BETTER TOGETHER!
This past month with our kids has brought back some of the normalcy we all crave, and although the new normal includes masks and social distance, we’re just glad to have the opportunity to interact with our kids each day. Our staff has worked hard to make all the adjustments we have had to make to keep everyone safe, and I could not be more proud of their efforts and consistency. I’m also EXTREMELY proud of your kiddos for keeping their masks on, maintaining distance, while also being flexible and compliant with all the new expectations. If your child has mentioned ‘superhero distance’ it simply means staying an arm’s length away from the person in front of them in line or out at recess. We just tell our kids to keep their "superheroes" up. Thank you for raising respectful children who understand that this a requirement even though none of us want to have to do this. They understand it is necessary and they are doing a fantastic job!
Thank you for all you’re doing to support the kids on Remote Learning Wednesdays. This has been such an adjustment for our staff and students, but it has also been a big change for adults helping kids at home. Hang in there and keep communicating with teachers when there are concerns or questions. We will get through this TOGETHER. The goal of remote Wednesdays is to simply continue the positive educational momentum and to gain familiarity with Seesaw and other online programs in case we have to go to full remote. Thank you for your help!
Here are a few changes to our normal operations that will impact parents, students, and staff. Our annual Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences have been shortened to one day from our usual two days. This round of conferences will be Oct. 14 from 8:30-4:00 and will be either through video conference or phone call. Your teachers will be reaching out soon to schedule a 10-15 minute time you can connect on the 14th.
The second change this month will be our annual Fall Parties. We wish we could do them as we have in the past, but we can’t currently have visitors in the building, and we can’t allow outside food to be brought either. We want to keep this fun tradition, but here are the details that you’ll need to be aware of:
- Although optional, we have decided to continue the tradition of dressing up in costumes.
- Students cannot change into their costumes. They need to wear their costumes to school. No face paint, costume masks, or props will be allowed.
- No food/treats are needed this year. I know this is a big change from our usual, but I look forward to being back to having parents/guardians providing snacks next year.
- No volunteers/visitors. Very sorry. I feel like this is the biggest change as we have always had such a large group of parents and guardians help. Again, next year will hopefully bring back our traditions.
Thank you so much for your support and for adjusting to the new normal with us!
Kyle White, MES Principal
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Important Dates and Information |
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Chick Fil-A Drive-Thru Spirit Night for MES
October 1
Be sure and tell them you're there for Maize Elementary when you place your order. A portion of the profits will be donated back to the school!
Fall Individual Pictures
October 2
NO SCHOOL - Parent-Teacher Virtual Conferences
October 14
Conferences will be virtual between the hours of 8:30am and 4pm. Watch for communication from your child's teacher regarding sign-up times.
Fall Class Parties
October 30
This year our Fall Class Parties will be Teacher-led. No visitors will be allowed in for the parties, and no outside food can be sent, but the party will go on! Your child can wear their Halloween costume that day if they wish, but they need to wear it all day, so please plan accordingly and make sure it's something they will be comfortable in all day long. They will not be changing into them or out of them during the day, as in the past. Please no face painting, or costume masks as students will still need to wear their regular masks throughout the day. Also, no costume props as well. Thank you!
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Overdue Books:
Thank you to everyone who has returned library books from the 2019-2020 school year. We have received a majority of these books back to MES but are still hoping to collect the remainder of our missing copies. Students will be given notes to remind families about specific titles which are checked out in their name. Please return these books to the library ASAP. Thank you for your help with this.
Online Book Fair:
We will be having an online book fair from October 25 - November 7, due to the change in fall conferences. We will share more information about this closer to the date. The book fairs at MES provide budget money for our library to purchase new books for all the students at MES. We appreciate your support and hope you visit the site when it becomes available.
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Welcome back to school everyone! As the school year starts, here are some important things to remember to help us care for your student’s health.
Illnesses:
Please keep your student home if they are exhibiting any of the following symptoms: fever over 100 degrees, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, continuous coughing, chest discomfort, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Fever MUST be gone without the use of a fever reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen)) for a full 24 hours before student is to return to school. Please contact me if you have questions regarding COVID and your student for example:
- My child is exhibiting these symptoms, should my student stay home or go to school?
- What if my student may have been exposed to COVID, what do I do?
- What if someone around us, or my student, has been tested for COVID?
**You can also refer to the T4T plan on the district website.
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 medication 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 19 B MUST be completed and signed by a parent and healthcare provider. Please feel free to ask me for this form as well.
Please feel free to 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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From The Counselors
We are so excited to see the students at MES! We have been busy connecting with the students, and checking on the new students at MES. We will both take turns teaching in your child’s classroom once a month.
During the month of September, the classroom counselor lessons were about trying new things, even when it is hard. We talked about not giving up.
During the month of October, classroom counselor lessons are about conflict resolution and choosing peace.
Lunch groups will look different this year as we are trying to be safe. We will only eat with 2 or 3 students so we can keep distance in our offices. The groups meet at least 1 time and it’s just for FUN! New students are picked first to help them meet some friends from their class.
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 &
Andrea Nietfeld, Student Support Specialist
350-2913 & 350-2912
bstephens@usd266.com and anietfeld@usd266.com
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I am so glad to see all of your kids this year! We are all taking precautions to keep kids safe as we move through this season of uncertainty.
Your students have been busy reviewing important rules and locomotor skills in PE. In September, we focused on general space while moving, and working with a new rock wall that was installed over the summer!
In October, the third, fourth, and fifth graders will be learning and reviewing muscles. Second and first graders will be learning the locations and functions of their bones. Kindergarten students are going to learn basic body parts and functions (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) We will be doing numerous activities to make our bodies stronger and more flexible. We have already completed a few fitness tests and will be starting on a throwing and catching unit.
First quarter grades will be entered later in October. Please do not be alarmed if your student doesn’t have a grade for something. Grades will filter in as tests are completed. 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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No More Clipping! Now Just Scan Your Receipt! |
Don't like to clip? There's a new way you can support our school with Box Tops for Education. Simply download the Box Tops for Education app, choose Maize Elementary School in the setup, and then just scan your receipt every time you grocery shop. It will pick up from your receipt whether or not there are box tops and credit them to the school. So easy! For more information, Click Here.
If you do have clipped box tops, please send those in. The deadline to send those in is October 30. They are still taking these but are transitioning to the digital app, so now is a great time to download the app and get started that way! Thank you for your support!
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MES Spirit Wear Store Now Open!
We have a new online spirit wear store for MES! T-Shirts, Hats, Sweatshirts, Masks!
A portion of the proceeds go back to the PTO and to the school. Order before October 9th to get free shipping to the school, and we'll send your gear home with your student. Here is the link to shop! MES Spirit Wear Store
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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Start Times & Transportation
Our school day starts at 8:45 am every day. Student drop off begins at 8:30 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 8:30 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 in and sign them in on the clipboard in the vestibule.
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.
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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New Policies
Temperature checks will be conducted each day, and masks will be worn by all staff and students. At this time, no visitors are allowed into the building during the school day.
Deliveries & Invitations
Please be aware that school district policy does not allow us to accept flowers, lunch 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.
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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. 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 $2.50 each and extra milk is .40 cents. 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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