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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
Volume 15, Issue 6
February 26, 2021
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Principal's Message
Good afternoon,
What a year it has been with the many changes and ups and downs along the way. We are finishing our first full week back with everyone Face-2-Face, and I am sure we are all exhausted. It was a good first week back with everyone and the students have done a nice job meeting the expectations.
Thank you to those families that were able to participate in Parent/Teacher Conferences. I know having them virtually in the middle of the day was not perfect but we made it work this year like we have everything else. We look forward to having in-person conferences next year. Thank you to our awesome PTO for providing a boxed lunch for the staff during conferences! We appreciated the support.
We just finished our boys basketball season last night. Overall we had an abundance of success with each of our teams. The 7th-grade teams went an overall 21-1, with the A-team finishing 10-1 and B-team going undefeated. The 8th-grade A-team went 10-1 and the B-team finished a game under .500. Great job to the 7th and 8th-grade boys basketball teams. Our Scholars Bowl teams had a successful season as well and had several top finishers at their meets. The 7th grade finished ?? in league and 8th grade finished ?? Well done to all of our Scholars Bowl students.
I am excited to share that we have once again been nominated for Capturing Kid’s Hearts National Showcase School from the Flippen Group. We all know this has been a crazy year and things have been drastically different than any other year. Our teachers continuously do a fabulous job implementing the EXCEL model, whether that is virtually or in person. I believe our teachers/staff already do a great job with building positive relationships with our students and the CKH model helps foster an even more positive relationship with each other throughout Maize Middle School. The EXCEL model is Engaging, eXploring, Communicating, Empowering, and Launching. Each piece is part of the classroom flow, from greeting kids at the door, sharing Good Things, journaling, empowering our kids in the classroom, and ending the class with a positive launch before they go out into the halls for their next class. This will be the second year in a row that we have been selected as a National Showcase School. We hope to continue implementing the Capturing Kid’s Hearts models and continue to be recognized.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me.
Have a great day!
Brian Thompson
Make Today Matter
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Nurse's Corner
Hello Maize Families
At the time you are reading this, we will be back in full swing learning 5 days a week! It will be more important than ever for you to be in tune with your student and see how he/she is doing, both physically AND mentally! Ask them how they are feeling-notice any signs or symptoms of illness (fever, cough, fatigue). PLEASE keep them home if they are showing signs of illness. With more students in the building, it will become easier to spread germs! Their stress levels may be higher due to a lot of changes...talk with them, encourage them, be aware! Please call us if we can assist in any way!
With the new "low risk exposure" guidelines-we hope to be able to keep more students in school. If you have any questions about these, please feel free to call me. Again, all the reason to be aware of how your student is doing!
Believe it or not...it is time to start looking to next year in regards to immunizations! Beat the rush and start planning NOW! Incoming 7th graders (current 6th graders) will need a TDap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster AND a Meningococcal ACWY vaccine. The earlier you get these for your student, the less chance you have of receiving a call from me! Some of you have already taken care of this and we appreciate that!! Your physician's office will also appreciate it if you plan ahead! They get extremely busy in the summer months. If your student has received them already
please send me the documentation now. Help me work ahead. Thank you in advance
Shelley Funk BSN, RN
350-2308
sfunk@usd266.com
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Online Enrollment
The counselors reviewed elective options with students this week. Enrollment is open from today (February 26th) through March 5th in Skyward for students to pick their electives for next year. This applies to students that will be in the 7th and 8th grade for the 2021-2022 school year. The enrollment guide and electives at a glance will also be posted on the USD 266 website under Counselor's Corner. Select Maize Middle School under Our Schools, go to Families and Tools for You to Counselor's Corner.
Directions for ONLINE enrollment:
- Sign-in to your student or parent Skyward account and select Schedule from the tabs on the left.
- Select Request Courses for 2021-2022 in Maize Middle School in the upper right-hand corner.
- Select 1.5 credits of electives by clicking on the course you want and then click the Add Course button.
- Select Request Alternates-choose 3 more electives in case your first choices are full or will not fit into your schedule.
- When you are finished, close the Requests window.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Caitlin Hamilton (A-L) chamilton@usd266.com
Meghan Ugues-Chavarria (M-Z) mugues@usd266.com
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Eagle Cheer
It is time to try out for the 21/22 Maize Eagle Cheer Squad! We could not be more excited to welcome new team members.
All incoming 7th and 8th grade students (current 6th and 7th graders) interested in trying out for the squad please send me an email: twallmeyer@usd266.com so that I can email you the information packet for the cheer squad. The packet will include the contract and monetary requirements for the season as well as how to participate in cheer team tryouts. I will email informational packets up until March 7th. The cheer clinic will be held March 8th & 9th, tryouts on March 10th and the 2021-2022 MMS Cheer Team will be announced Friday, March 12th.
8th graders- MHS Cheer tryouts will be March 24th-26th at Maize High School. An email will be sent with more info soon.
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MMS Yearbook
To order a 2020-2021 Maize Middle School yearbook, please visit:
The school's code is 17291, and yearbooks cost $30.
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World Languages
World Languages is excited to invite our students and families to our virtual meeting on March 11 at 7:00 pm! Finally, everything looks like we will be able to open our eyes again to the world; we will have our traditional trip during summer 2022. This time we will have two different trips, not just one. Yes! You are going to be able to choose between Ireland and Scotland in June 2022 and Japan in July the same summer. Traditionally we have just one destination per year so this is a great opportunity. During the meeting, we will have all the information for both trips and the beautiful places and highlights that we will visit. Please, email me to receive more information and the zoom link for our meeting.
Remember that this is an open invitation for all our MMS community! My email is aprendes@usd266.com
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MMS Choir & 6th Graders
I am incredibly proud of the work the MMS choir and 6th graders pulled off during our hybrid/remote time. We practiced on zoom and they continued practicing on their own. I had not heard or seen them in person for 6 weeks. Once they were on stage they created something magical! Congrats to these singers who stepped up to the plate to create something outside of the box!
Cortney Woodruff
MMS Vocal/Music Teacher
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Maize Middle PTO News
Spirit Wear
COMING SOON! New designs and another chance to order are coming in March! What we have left for immediate purchase can be seen on our website: www.maizemiddlepto.com/spiritwear.
Appreciating our Teachers
PTO was able to purchase box lunches from Planet Sub for all of our staff on conference day! In February we also offered our classroom teachers a chance to be reimbursed $30 for any extra materials/supplies they have purchased this year.
MMS PTO has been planning monthly appreciation gifts for our staff. We could still use some help to finish the year strong. If you would like to be a part of one of these appreciation teams please sign up here: Appreciation Sign up
If you are not able to help with one of these months, consider dropping a quick note of thanks to a teacher or two. The words of affirmation are extra helpful in the crazy Covid school environment.
Upcoming Spirit Nights
Funds from these spirit nights are what fund what PTO can do for our teachers this year. Mark these down on your calendar!
March 23rd - Chick fil A
March 29-April 4 Charlie's Car Wash Week
April 29th - Chick fil A
Metal Eagles signs
Metal Eagles signs are still available for purchase. Head to www.maizemiddlepto.com/spiritwear and follow the directions to place your order.
Thank you for staying connected with us!
Maize Middle PTO Board
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KAY CLUB
This year’s KAY Club theme: “We Are Stronger Together”
Over the last few months, KAY Club has been actively meeting on remote Wednesdays. In early February the club had two meetings where they viewed the area 6 KAY regional conferences via zoom. KAY Club members also voted for the next area 6 president during the meetings. After we transition to full face-to-face learning we will have to make adjustments to our meeting dates and times. Please keep an eye out for schedule updates in Google Classroom.
KAY club also planned a belated Valentine’s Day card exchange. Members that wanted to participate brought a valentine to share with their fellow club members.
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Student Enrichment Grants
Here is an attachment that gives an overview of the application process and some details about what types of activities are eligible.
Two important things for you to remember:
- All applications are online (no paper submission). A hyperlink is embedded in the pdf, or students may visit our website for details and to begin their application.
- Our website is not the same as the district website. Our url is www.maizeeducationfoundation.org.
Click on the link below for an overview.
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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. Due to the pandemic, parents are encouraged to provide a doctors note for appointments and illnesses.
When your student is absent:
- Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the student's 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
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Dates For March
Tuesday, 3/1
*Math Counts, 3:15-5:15
Monday, 3/8
*7/8 Boys Tennis Practice Begins
*Cheer Clinic, 3:30-5:30
Tuesday, 3/9
*Cheer Clinic, 3:30-5:30
Wednesday, 3/10
*Cheer Tryouts, 3:30-5:30
Friday, 3/12
*Cheer Tryout Results
Sunday, 3/14
*Daylight Savings Time Begins-Spring Forward
Monday, 3/15-Friday, 3/19
*Spring Break
Saturday, 3/20
*First Day of Spring
Monday, 3/22
*Track Practice Begins
Tuesday, 3/23
*MMS Fundraiser @ Chick-fil-A, 3:00-10:00
Friday, 3/26
*End of 3rd Quarter
Monday,3/29
*1st day of 4th Quarter
*Fundraiser @ Charlie's Car Wash through April 4th
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From the MMS Front Office
To help the Front Office of MMS run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, please be aware and reminded of the following:
Front Office Hours:
When your student is absent:
- Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the student's 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
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Are You Moving?
If you are moving out of district, please contact Shelley Lambert, MMS Registrar/Data Secretary, at slambert@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 student's 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 either email it to slambert@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.
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Dillon's Community Rewards
Dillons is giving away $2 MILLION to local organizations!
Where Shopping and Giving Come Together!
Use your Plus Shopper's Card & them grow!
Supporting their 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 the year to credit Maize Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this new 5 digit NPO number, NI311.
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One Ma1ze Care
Are you feeling like you could use some extra support? USD266 and Comcare are partnering to bring additional resources at school (including therapy). For additional information about the OneMa1ze Care Team and your eligibility for these supports, email your schools behavior health liaison, Chris McKinney. cmckinney@usd266.com
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Box Tops
MMS rocks the Box Tops! Thank you to everyone who sends in Box Tops............ and keep clipping! It's an easy way to benefit our school and PTO.
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MMS MISSION STATEMENT
EXPECT EXCELLENCE*****DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY and
CHARACTER*****PRODUCE RESULTS and
ACHIEVEMENT*****PROGRESS
Principal
Brian Thompson
bthompson@usd266.com
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Kevin Roulhac
kroulhac@usd266.com
Assistant Principal
Paige Hill
phill@usd266.com
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Thank you to taking the time to read our newsletter. If you have any feedback or questions, please call us at (316) 729-2464 or send an email to jgeorge@usd266.com.
Sincerely,
Maize Middle School
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