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MAIZE unified school district 266
CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.

November 2019
VERMILLION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

501 South James
Maize, KS 67101
(316) 722-0266


Principal

Assistant Principal
MAIZE WAY CHARACTER TRAIT
November is RESPONSIBILITY
Being trustworthy....being reliable....completing an obligation....accepting your share of the work that needs to be done....accepting responsibility for your mistakes.
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Vermillion Chameleon Parents,
We take safety and security very seriously at Vermillion Elementary. All exterior doors are locked throughout the day, and visitors must enter through a secure entry in the office, and are screened and checked in through our electronic Raptor system. We also require all of our classroom volunteers to pass a background check before they can work with our students. Surveillance cameras have been installed in all of our hallways and on the exterior of the building for monitoring purposes.
We have safety drills on a regular basis
  • FIRE drills are held four times a year, and the Sedgwick County Fire Department monitors one drill each year. Maps with a primary exit are posted in every room. Once a teacher has evacuated his or her students to the safe location, he or she confirms that all students are present. Numbers are posted on each of our exterior door locations to enable first responders to arrive at the correct entry point for an emergency.
  • TORNADO drills are held three times a year. During these drills the entire student body and staff is moved to the FEMA shelter (gymnasium). We are able to move everyone to this safe location in about five minutes. Teachers have a safety backpack with supplies for students in the event of an extended tornado warning.
  • An EVACUATION drill is practiced yearly. During this drill, the staff and students walk to another location in a very quiet and orderly fashion. If it was unsafe for us to be in the building, we could quickly move to a new safe location.
  • CRISIS drills occur nine times a year. When the announcement is made over the intercom, all students get to their safe location and the staff member quickly secures the door. Our staff has received Run, Hide, Fight training when dealing with an internal crisis. We also have procedures for an external lock down, an event in which something is happening outside and we need to stay inside the building, but can still continue our normal activities.
I want you to know we are doing everything possible to make sure VES remains safe for students, staff, and parents. I am also excited about some of the safety and security upgrades the new bond work will bring to our school.


We are thankful for our awesome students, staff, and families at Vermillion. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!



Sincerely,
Michael Dome
VES Principal

November
  • 25-29: NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)
December
  • 5: Book Fair - BOGO (buy one/get one) (3:00-5:00pm - VES Library)
  • 6: Parent's Night Out (6:00-8:45pm - student drop-off Cafeteria)
  • 6: Book Fair - BOGO (buy one/get one) (3:00-9:00pm - VES Library)
  • 6: PTO Bunco Night - Adult's only (6:30-8:30pm - VES)
  • 13: PTO Papa John's Spirit Day (11:00-11pm)
  • 20: PTO PJ Day ($1 to wear favorite PJ's)
  • 23-31: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break thru January 3rd)
January
  • 1-3: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
  • 7: PTO Freddy's Frozen Custard Spirit Night (5:00-9:00pm)
  • 9: Breakfast with Dad (7:45-8:35am - VES Cafeteria)
  • 10: Breakfast with Dad (7:45-8:35am - VES Cafeteria)
  • 14: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)
  • 17: PTO Family BINGO Night (MHS)
  • 20: NO SCHOOL (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
February
  • 4: Spring Pictures/Group Pictures
  • 6: PTO Urban Air Spirit Night (4:00-8:00pm)
  • 11: Valentine's Parties (K-5th Grade - 2:50-3:50pm)
  • 12: Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00pm)
  • 12: PTO Provide Staff Dinner - Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • 13: NO SCHOOL (Parent/Teacher Conferences) (noon-8:00pm)
  • 14: NO SCHOOL (Conference Comp Day)
  • 17: NO SCHOOL (Professional Development Day)
  • 25: PTO Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (5:00-8:00pm)
March
  • 3: Kindergarden Music Program (6:30pm - MHS)
  • Mrs. Merkel - Klausmeyer/Pau/Wood
  • 3: 1st & 2nd Grade Music Program (7:45pm - MHS)
  • Mrs. Merkel - Allen/Doerflinger/Morgan Brownell/Fischer
  • 5: Kindergarden Music Progran (6:30pm - MHS)
  • Ms. Wangberg - Packer/Shurtleff
  • 5: 1st & 2nd Grade Music Program (7:45pm - MHS)
  • Ms. Wangberg - Jakubov/Zamora/Newland/Ozier
  • 10: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)
  • 13: PTO PJ Day ($1 to wear favorite PJ's)
  • 16-20: NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)
  • 31: PTO Dairy Queen Spirit Night (5:00-9:00pm)
April
  • 10: NO SCHOOL (Professional Development Day)
  • 23: PTO 1st Carriage Crossing Pie Delivery (3:00-6:00pm - VES)
  • 23: VES Family Night (6:00-7:30pm - VES)
  • 30: PTO 2nd Carriage Crossing Pie Delivery (3:00-6:00pm - VES)
  • 30: PTO Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (5:00-8:00pm)
May
  • 1: PTO Bunco Night - Adult's only (6:30-7:30pm - VES)
  • 4-8: PTO Staff Appreciation Week
  • 7: Orchestra Concert (7:00pm - MHS)
  • 8: VES Community Helper Day
  • 12: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)
  • 18: Field Day
  • Kdg/1st/4th Grades: 9:00-10:30am
  • 2nd/3rd/5th Grades: 1:00-2:30pm
  • 18: Spring Parties
  • Kdg/1st/4th Grades: 10:45-11:45am
  • 2nd/3rd/5th Grades: 2:50-3:50pm
  • 20: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

QUICK LINKS











Don't forget
to check our
Lost & Found
COUNSELOR's CORNER

We have so enjoyed our Leadership Seminar groups, which will end just before Christmas. Students are learning great skills in helping others as they continue their Zones of Regulation curriculum.

We had our Caring Hearts Food drive, as well as a shoe drive and they were a HUGE success. Thank you to all who donated food to those in need. The shoe drive benefits children at the Wichita Children's Home. Giving of yourself to others is a great way to teach children about generosity.
Thanks to all who participated in the VES Walk-A-Thon this past October. With the monies raised, PTO was able to purchase audio-visual equipment for the cafeteria. This allows us to conduct our monthly Chameleon Character lessons during lunch.
May you have a wonderful holiday season and remember to savor family moments!
Joline Chapin
Email: jchapin@usd266.com or
Direct line: 350-2881
Andi Shipman
Direct line: 350-2841
REMINDER FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
Please help our school office run smooth and efficient. For your convenience, we've listed a few reminders below.

  • Office Hours: 7:30am-4:30pm
  • Office Phone: 722-0266
  • Student Absences: Please call the school office each day BEFORE 11:00am. If you notify the teacher of an absence, you MUST also call the school office. The teacher won't get email or phone messages if they have a substitute in the classroom.

  • Transportation Changes:
  • You MUST call the school office BEFORE 3:00pm M,Tu,Th, F
  • You MUST call the school office BEFORE 2:00pm Wednesdays (early release)

HELP!!! Parents, please have your student check our lost & found area. We have accumulated an abundance of coats, hats, and gloves. The coats don't have names in them, so the office can't identify who they belong to. Please remember to write names inside your child's coat.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA's NEEDED

We are looking for Special Education Para's to work in the Maize school district. Please apply with the Cooperative at https://www.sped618.org/ under the Human Resources section.
WATCH D.O.G.S.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering. WatchDOGS are fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. 

We still have WatchDOG openings available. Please follow the instructions below to sign up!

Signing up to be a WatchDOG is easy! 
  • Simply view the WatchDOG monthly calendars located on the VES website at https://www.usd266.com/VES under ‘Programs’ then select ‘WatchDOGS’ to see what dates are available and email jdavis@usd266.com - include your name, phone number, student(s) and their teacher's name. (only two WatchDOGS per day please.)

  • You MUST complete a volunteer background check PRIOR to your first scheduled WatchDOG date. The background check can be completed online thru the VES website at https://www.usd266.com/VES under ‘Programs’ then select ‘Volunteer Background Check’. (a volunteer background check will need to be completed each year)

UPDATE FROM COACH
We have been working on cup stacking in PE for a few weeks. We participated in World Stack Up day on November 14. Our students are trying to set a new Guinness World Record of cup stacking in one day. The record to beat is 624,390. We are going to help try to beat that record.

If you are interested in purchasing stacking cups, they are available at https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=speed+stacking+cups&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 . You are under no obligation to purchase them, but several students have asked where to get them.
With cold weather upon us and sickness being unpredictable, if your child is having a health concern or is injured, please contact us and let us know. You can email wtrail@usd266.com or jpeck@usd266.com . You can also call VES and our extension is 2844.
Coach Trail
Ph: 722-0266 x2844
Coach Peck
 Ph: 722-0266 x2844
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Fair eWallet
This is a secure, cash-free way to shop the book fair. There is NO CHARGE to set up an eWallet. Parents simply create an account and authorize a spending limit on their
credit card. Use the link below to access eWallet.
Steph Hills
Media Specialist
MUSIC MATTERS

A huge thank you to all of you for supporting our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in their music programs. We are so proud of their performances!
4th Grade Nutcracker Field Trip:
The date of the 4th grade Nutcracker field trip will be Wednesday, December 11th at 10:00am. Buses will depart VES at 9:00am. A confirmation letter will be sent home with your child soon.
Upcoming Music Programs
Our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders have music programs on Tuesday, March 3rd and Thursday, March 5th. Parent letters with more detailed information will be coming home soon. The schedule for those programs is listed below.
Kindergarten, First & Second Grade Concerts:
Maize High School Auditorium
(11600 W. 45th St. N.)

Tuesday, March 3rd
Mrs. Merkel's Students
6:30pm - Kindergarten (Klausmeyer/Paul/Wood)
7 :45pm - 1st & 2nd Grade (Allen/Doerflinger/Morgan/Brownell/Fischer)

Thursday, March 5th
Ms. Wangberg's Students
6:30pm - Kindergarten (Packer/Shurtleff)
7:45pm - 1st & 2nd Grade (Jakubov/Zamora/Newland/Ozier)
QUAVER MUSIC :
I hope that you have received the parent letter regarding our music curriculum, Quaver Music. There is a free, at home portion of this curriculum available to your student. Here is the login information.
The Avatar feature only works with 'Flash' enabled at this time. You can also stay up-to-date with Quaver by going to their blog at http://www.quavermusicblog.com .

The Quaver Code for NOVEM BER is : ThankstoYou case sensitive )
Login information :
Computers & Mobile devices : Go to  www.quavermusic.com  and login using a Username & Password. 
  • Username (a/k/a Quaver name): is the same as your child's Maize Student ID #
  • Passwordmusic1
You will have the option to choose "with Flash" or "without Flash". "With Flash" will have the most content.

The code listed above will give your student 100 Quaver credits that can be used to purchase items for their Quaver Avatar. The Avatar feature only works with Flash enabled at this time.

You can also stay up to date with Quaver by going to their blog, www.quavermusicblog.com

Doreen Merkel
NURSE's COLUMN
If your child will need to have medication at school this year, please complete the medication administration form, which can be found at https://www.usd266.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=381 .
You or your doctor's office can fax the completed form to the school nurse at 316-722-5020.

NOTE :
  • Students are NOT allowed to transport medication.
  • Over the counter medications will be given with the signed form.
  • Prescriptions MUST have a doctor's signature.
Health Screenings :
We will start our hearing screenings over the next few weeks. 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.
Influenza :
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 their eyes, nose, or mouth.

>>> The best defense against the flu is washing your hands often!!! <<<

If your child has a fever, keep them home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Fevers 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.
Nurse Jaime Smith
 Direct Phone: 350-2810 / School Office Phone: 722-0266 / School Fax: 722-5020
FOOD SERVICE SUBSTITUTES NEEDED
The Maize Food Service Department is now hiring Food Service Substitutes to fill in for absences in school kitchens. A substitute can pick up 2-7 hr. shifts, as little or as often as you want to make some extra cash for the holiday season. Food Service Substitutes work with the kitchen team to prepare lunch, wash dishes, and serve meals.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in School Food Service with flexible working hours, work the same schedule as your kids, and you will have the potential for permanent employment.
Apply here
BUS DRIVERS NEEDED


We are hiring school bus drivers!
(Apply at    www.usd266.com )



Three reasons to take the wheel with Maize USD 266:
1.  BONUSES :
In addition to competitive pay, our drivers receive a  monthly $50 bonus  for perfect attendance.
2.  FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE :
Our typical bus driver schedule is 6:00am to 9:00am and 2:00pm to 5:00pm on school days. Convenient for small business owners, college students, and those who want to be off when Maize USD 266 are off. No evenings, weekends, or holidays. Fall, Winter & Spring breaks off.
3.  BENEFITS :
Retirement earnings through KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System). Nine paid sick days a year, and  $250 each month  paid toward your health insurance.
PTO NEWS
Become a PTO volunteer! If you are interested in supporting our students and staff, please complete the PTO Volunteer Registration Form and return it to school. Please note there are three (3) different membership options, and membership is FREE!
December
  • 6: Bunco Night - Adult's only (6:30-8:30pm - VES Library)
  • 13: Papa John's Spirit Day (11am-11pm)
  • 20: PJ Day ($1 to wear favorite PJ's)
January
  • 7: Freddy's Frozen Custard Spirit Night (5:00-9:00pm)
  • 14: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)
  • 17: Family BINGO Night (6:00-7:30pm - Maize High School)
February
  • 6: Urban Air Night (4:00-8:00pm)
  • 12: PTO Provide Staff Dinner (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
  • 21: Bunco Night - Adult's only (6:30-8:30pm - VES)
  • 25: Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (5:00-8:00pm)
March
  • 10: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)
  • 13: PJ Day ($1 to wear favorite PJ's)
  • Carriage Crossing Pie Orders Due (Date TBD)
  • 31: Dairy Queen Spirit Night (5:00-9:00pm)
April
  • 23: 1st Carriage Crossing Pie Delivery (TBD - VES)
  • 30: 2nd Carriage Crossing Pie Delivery (TBD - VES)
  • 30: Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (5:00-8:00pm)
May
  • 1: Bunco Night - Adult's only (6:30-8:30pm - VES)
  • 4-8: Staff Appreciation Week
  • 12: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm - VES Library)

Our Hat Day for Veterans Day brought in $368, which will be donated to Kansas Honor Flight. You can find out more information about this organization at https://kansashonorflight.org/ . Thank you to our students who contributed to this great cause!
Our next BUNCO night will be Friday, December 6th from 6:30-8:30pm in the Library. This is an adult's only event. We will have a potluck, so bring a favorite snack to share. The school will be offering a Parent's Night Out for our VES students during this time, so there will be childcare available. Please RSVP for BUNCO night at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0445a5af2da1fa7-bunco1
MARK YOUR CALENDARS !!! Our Family Bingo Night will take place on  Friday, January 17th   from 6:00-7:30pm at >>>NEW LOCATION - Maize High School (11600 W 45th St N) <<<

BINGO NIGHT reservation and food order forms will be sent home after the winter break. This is a  FREE  event for your family, with optional items for purchase. Please note that this is not a drop-off event.

Raffle baskets and silent auction sports memorabilia will be available for viewing (advance raffle tickets will be available to purchase - cash/check/credit card) during Breakfast with Dad (January 9-10). Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase the night of the event.

We are in need of families or business sponsors who would like to donate a raffle basket or provide items that we can assemble into raffle baskets. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Merinda Heard at  tm_heard@yahoo.com   or call 316-708-2020 by  Wednesday, December 11th

Volunteers are invited to our raffle basket assembly on  Friday, December 13th  from 8:45am until completion. Please meet at school and bring any baskets, decorative boxes, cellophane or ribbons, filler items, etc. that you are willing to donate to the cause. To sign up to be a volunteer raffle basket assembler, please contact Kim Dickerson-Oard at  kimdickersonoard@me.com  or call 316-253-5718.
Don't forget to collect BoxTops! We collect BoxTops throughout the year.

You can view the participating products that contain BoxTops by selecting www.usd266.com/VES
NEW!!! Support Vermillion Elementary by shopping Coca-Cola products and donating the Caps with Codes or cut off labels from cartons/cases and bring them into school. More information at
Use Amazon Smile to make your purchases and select VES as the charitable organization and a portion of your purchases will be donated to VES. Find out more at www.usd266.com/VES
PTO can be reached at:
Facebook: Vermillion Elementary PTO

Be sure to tag all the fun you are having at VES this year with #VES Spirit.
ONEMA1ZE  #OneMa1ze