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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
Maize Elementary School
October 2019
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Happy October MES Family!
Thank you to all of you who made it a priority to come to parent/teacher conferences last month. The partnership between school and home is essential to your student's success, so please continue to stay in communication with your student’s teachers and we will do the same. Habit number 1 is BE PROACTIVE, so keep that in mind this year as situations may arise that cause you pause or concern. We all share the same goal of kids loving school, so let’s continue to work together to accomplish it.
A special thank you to all of you who provided the wonderful food for the teachers to eat during their breaks over conferences. It was a blessing to have it provided for us so staff can just swing through the lounge in whatever time they have between conferences to have a great meal. We appreciate your generosity.
We enjoy providing opportunities for parents and guardians to come to MES, and we have three opportunities for you this month! Our annual Breakfast With Mom event will be next week, so hopefully you can find time to eat a quick breakfast with your students on either Wednesday, Oct. 16 orThursday, Oct. 17. We’ve broken it down for K-2nd to come on Wednesday and 3rd-5th to come on Thursday, but feel free to come either day if the assigned day doesn’t work in your schedule or you have multiple students at MES.
The second opportunity is the PTO’s Outdoor Movie Night on Thursday, October 17 from 6:00-7:30. Bring your family out to our north parking lot to enjoy a movie, while also hanging out with your students’ friends and other members of the MES Family. A food truck will be there selling hot dogs, and there will also be free popcorn provided for participants. The movie won’t begin until 6:30 (about sundown), but come early to get a good spot and enjoy each other’s company. Thank you to our awesome PTO for providing opportunities for our MES Family to be together at school!
The third opportunity this month will be our annual Fall Parties on Friday, October 25. Thank you, in advance, to all of you who are working on treats and games for the parties. Your efforts will not go unappreciated. Thank you to all of you who are attending as well!
Things to remember about the parties:
- Every visitor must check in at the table in the hallway outside the office.
- We ask that students please bring their costumes to school, rather than wear them all day.
- Masks are allowed, but they MUST be appropriate. Absolutely NO BLOOD or anything scary looking. I know terms like ‘appropriate’ and ‘scary’ are relative, but please remember this is an elementary school and our first priority is student safety; both body AND mind, so I don’t want any students to be scared by an evil looking costume.
- NO WEAPONS of any sort.
- ½ day morning Kdg students will start their party with a costume parade through the MES halls at 10:50. Parents are welcome to come to the classroom at 10:20. The PM ½ day Kdg class will participate with the rest of the classes at 2:45.
- All of the rest of the students will begin their parade at 2:45, and parents are welcome to go to the classrooms at 2:20.
- Enjoy the fun!
- Any questions can be directed to me at kwhite@usd266.com or give me a call at 722-8230.
Our Watchdogs program is going GREAT! We have been blessed with a Watchdog volunteer every day through our Winter Break!!! That makes this principal extremely proud and appreciative. The increased safety and security in our building, along with yet another friendly adult in the building only adds to the positive experience we want for all of our students each day at MES. Please consider signing up to volunteer as a Watchdog on our website. Have questions? Give me a call or email me.
Kyle White, Principal
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During the month of October, classroom counselor lessons are about conflict resolution and choosing peace.
The Kansas State Board of Education’s theme this year is “Choose Peace”. If you feel your child is being bullied, please contact someone at school. We want every child to feel safe and welcomed at MES.
MES PEACE WEEK * October 21-25
Monday, Oct. 21–
P
--Panthers choose peace!
Wear your MES Panthers shirt
Tuesday, Oct. 22–
E
—Earthlings of MES show peace in your galaxy!
Wear a space theme shirt
Wednesday, Oct. 23 -
A
—Americans unite for peace!
Wear your red, white, and blue
Thursday, Oct. 24 -
C
—Come together right now!
Wear tie-dye and peace signs to show how we all come together
Friday, Oct. 25–
E
—Every paw in the pack is peaceful!
Celebrate our peace filled MES family with Fall Parties
Have a fun and safe fall!
Becky Stephens & Andrea Nietfeld
MES Counselors
bstephens@usd266.com & anietfeld@usd266.com
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We have been busy! Each grade level has completed their fitness testing. Grades are also entered for each class. We have just completed skills in throwing, catching, foot dribble, pass, and kick.
The next 9 weeks will be focused on cooperative games, nutrition, rhythms, speed stacks, and more bones and muscles. Grades 1-5 have also finished their goal of completing a total of 5 miles over 5 weeks of PE. Once completed, they received a necklace containing a medal! Thanks to Kelli Scott (parent) who organized this awesome challenge. Also, thank you for being a great example to your kids on getting out and moving!
Coach Horn
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Scholastic Book Fair Success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Arctic Adventure Book Fair during conferences. The profits from the fair will provide new books for check out from the library. Over 100 books were purchased by families for classroom libraries.
The library was filled with so many wonderful families sharing in their excitement for books. Thank you to all the parents for making this a successful book fair. We appreciate your support of reading and of the MES Library!!
---
Marilee Mayo, Maize Elementary Librarian
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Immunizations and Health Assessments:
IMPORTANT: If I have contacted you regarding immunizations or a health assessment, please turn them in as soon as possible due to the deadline having been October 1, 2019. You may send them to school with your student, fax them, or email them to me.
Health Screenings:
We will be starting our annual vision and hearing screenings over the next few months. These are required by state law.
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 call me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this.
Skyward Health History:
It is the parent’s responsibility to update health conditions in Skyward and notify the school nurse as needed.
SAY BOO TO THE FLU!
Flu season is approaching. Get your flu vaccine now! Vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.
What is the flu? Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. There are many different influenza viruses that are constantly changing.
The flu is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks and sends the flu virus into the air. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his eyes, nose, or mouth.
The best defense against the flu is washing your hands often!!
Keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication. A fever is defined at 100 degrees or higher.
Children and teenagers with symptoms of the flu should
NEVER
take aspirin. A rare but very serious and sometimes fatal illness called Reye’s syndrome can develop. Your physician can recommend safer ways to treat symptoms of the flu.
Thanks, Nurse Erin
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We'd like to send a huge Thank You to our TLC volunteers for the delicious meal they provided during conferences. Your kindness and cooking are so appreciated! And we love the decorating you do every year as well. Thank you for spoiling us!
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Reminders for the School Year
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Bus Riders
If there is a change in your bus transportation that involves riding a different bus with another child, a child riding home with your child, or getting off the bus at a different stop, we need a note from the parent of EACH child involved in the change. All parties must have a note. Have your child bring the note to the office, we'll get them signed by Mr. White or Mrs. Vincent and get them back to your kids to get to the bus driver. Thank you!
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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MES Marathon Countdown - It's a Wrap!
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Countdown to 26.2!!
The MES Marathon wrapped up this week with the final mile, medals, band music and lots of pictures. Pictured here are the American Legion and the Red, White & Blue Crew. They came out to support the runners on October 7. A huge thanks to Kelli Scott and the MES Marathon volunteers for their time, and enthusiasm! They, along with our runners braved huge mosquitoes, heat, rain and cold to get the job done! Thanks for teaching our kids how to set a goal and stick to it!
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Next Deadline Coming Up - October 25!
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Keep your clipped Box Tops coming! The next deadline is fast approaching and we're asking that you have them to the school by October 25 so we can submit them. We appreciate these so much!
Did you know that there's a new way you can submit box tops to earn money for our school? There's no clipping involved, just an app and scanning. For more information,
click here.
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Family Time Fun on Fridays! Most Fridays at 3:30, we finish the week with our Family Time assembly. There's some recognition and a family-style game between the classes with a traveling trophy each week. Pictured here is a competitive game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Due to the students assembling in the gym, please be sure to have ALL transportation changes called in by 3 p.m. at the latest.
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Important Dates and Information
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PTO Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A
October 10, 5- 8 pm
Breakfast with Mom
Kdg - 2nd: Oct. 16, 7:45 - 8:30 am
3rd - 5th: Oct. 17, 7:45 - 8:30 am
PTO Outdoor Movie Night
October 17, 6 pm
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NO SCHOOL
October 18
MES Peace Week
October 21 - 25
See Schedule above in Counselors Corner
Fall Parties
October 25 --
AM Kdg - parade begins at 10:50 parents can arrive at 10:20
PM Kdg - 5th grade - parade begins at 2:45, parents can arrive at 2:20
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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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