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October 2020

Maize South Elementary

Howler

3404 N Maize Rd

Wichita, KS 67205

A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Parents and Guardians:

The first weeks of school have been incredible! Our Wolf Pack is so grateful for the blessings of our community of staff, students and families. Thank you to everyone for the feedback and questions I have received this year. I will continue to send video updates and keep the information within the Howler relevant with the changes this year.

Parent Teacher conferences are quickly approaching. These conferences will be held virtually on October 14th. Please know that this year's conferences will be very different from our traditional 20 minute conferences held in previous years. More information and schedules will be shared in the near future.

This year has brought many changes. Our favorite change is the new staff members who have joined our Wolf family. A big welcome to the following new staff:

Jordan Camfield - 4th Grade

Kristen Fraley - 3rd Grade

Grace Wiens - Kindergarten

Kylie Thurman - 1st Grade

Reanna Wolf - 1st Grade

Leslie McEntire - 5th Grade

McKenzie Seamans - 5th Grade

Claire Elliott - 3rd Grade

Tasha Dawson - 3rd Grade

Beth Donahue - Special Education

Valerie Burns - Occupational Therapist

Ashleigh Minks- Social Worker

Casey Stucky- Paraprofessional

Mindy Joseph-Paraprofessional

Jason Chalashtari-Assistant Principal

Nina Harnish-Kitchen Staff

Rachel LeJuerrne

Joni Ketter

Thank you again everyone for your continued support and dedication to our kids.

Carrie Thrash

MSES Principal

CONFERENCES

Conferences will be held October 14th. Teachers will send a sign up through email. Each conference will be 10 minutes and conducted virtually. Students reading and math assessments will be shared during your assigned conference time.

REMINDER

If you have not completed your Remote Learning Assurance form in Skyward, please log into Skyward and complete.

PARENT DROP OFF & PICK-UP

School begins at 8:30am and we dismiss at 3:40pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students should arrive at school at 8:20am and should be picked up at 3:40pm.

We do not provide supervision for students before 8:10am or after 3:40pm

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we have made adjustments to our drop off and pick-up lines. We will continue to work towards improving this process. Please help us in keeping the process safe, quick, and fair for all by following the guidelines listed:

Move forward in the line to close gaps
Pull up to the furthest drop off and pick-up point
Please stay in your vehicle during drop off and pick-up
Display all QR codes in the passenger windshield
You my write a note to the teacher if your child is leaving early or if they are NOT getting home their usual way OR...
If you have a change in transportation, Please email your childs teacher before 12:00pm. Please copy the secretaries to help ensure your child and teacher will receive the message. Teachers have been instructed to reply to your email. If you do not receive a message back it's likely the teacher did not receive the message in time.
Secretaries: lwatson@usd266.com - cfarney@usd266.com - lseiler@usd266.com
Please consider this method as a last resort, you may call the office before 2:30pm, if you miss the deadline, your child will be expected to follow normal procedures of usual transportation home.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

VISITORS

Visitors will be screened using the Airphone intercom system to determine the purpose of their visit.
Signage notifying visitors of mask-wearing, temperature screening, and hand-sanitizing requirements will be posted outside each office entrance
Visitors who require access to the building beyond the secure vestibule will be required to wear a mask
Lunch and treat deliveries will NOT be permitted. This includes student meals brought from home after school starts each day. School meals will be available for all students.
Birthday treats can NOT be delivered to school. Students may bring in their own treats. However, the treat must be store bought and the student must not require assistance in carrying the treat to school.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Mask: Wearable, breathable covering of the nose and mouth. May be made of natural or synthetic materials and should consist of more than a single layer of material
Face Shield: Clear plastic shield worn over the face. A face shield is NOT a substitute for a mask.

FALL PARTIES

This year's fall party will be held on October 30th. Unfortunately, we have had to make some changes to our traditional festivities to ensure student safety. Although our parties may look different, we are making every effort possible to keep the day fun and festive for kids. Please see the list of expectations, guidelines, and changes:

The traditional costume parade will NOT be held due to social distancing guidelines
Parents and visitors will NOT be allowed to join us this year
NO snacks or food should be sent to school
The school will provide a snack for all students
Teachers will conduct social distancing games
Students may wear their costumes to school ALL DAY
NO face paint or mask will be allowed
Gruesome costumes or costumes that would potentially frighten young children are prohibited
Make believe weapons such as swords, guns, knives, etc. are not to be brought to school as part of the costume

PTO NEWS

MSE PTO & TLC want to welcome all new parents and returning families to the 2020-2021 school year!

We have great things in store this year for our kids and school staff.

We Would Love for You to Join us!

(if you were a member last year, please submit a new form)

If you have any questions, please email the PTO at MSESPTO@gmail.com

Thanks so much!

MSE PTO

PTO MEMBERSHIP

Here's Whats New!!

NEW LOGO: A new look has been created for our wolf! We are excited to be sharing our new mascot and logo with everyone.

Deadline for t-shirt orders are Oct. 9th

T-SHIRTS: Our MSES PTO has created a t-shirt with our new wolf logo. Please click button below for more information and ordering details. We hope to fill our halls with purple wolf pride!

T-Shirt Order Info

YEARBOOKS 2019/20

We have received our 2019-20 yearbooks. Books will be distributed soon.

ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS USED IN

THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

In the event of an emergency in your child's school, the Blackboard Connect parent notification system will be used to notify you of the situation and will alert you to steps you need to take in order to reunite with your child. Voice messages will be sent to all phone numbers and email listed in Skyward Family Access "Family 1" and Guardian 1 of "Family 2". To view the contact information the district has on file, please log on to Skyward Family Access and click on "Student Information." If you are unsure how to log on to Skyward Family Access, please contact our school for assistance.

Good News

Maize USD 266 parents/guardians,

Maize USD 266 is offering free school breakfast and free school lunch for all students daily effective immediately through Dec. 22, 2020 or until the federal program is discontinued. The district has updated meal prices as seen below.

Families wishing to receive waived school fees or discounted school meals during the second semester or when the federal program is discontinued should still apply for free or reduced benefits for the 2020-2021 school year using the online or paper application.

Free meals for hybrid students during remote-learning days:

Elementary students will have the option to participate in Take Home Tuesdays through the district’s Food Service Department. Each Tuesday afternoon, students will be offered a breakfast and lunch to take home and consume on remote learning Wednesdays. Meals will be delivered to the classroom Tuesday afternoon following a morning meal count taken by classroom teachers.
Following the dismissal bell, middle school students will be offered To Go Meals, to be consumed on remote learning days. Visit your child’s school’s RSVP page for more information: Maize Middle School, Maize South Middle School
Following the dismissal bell, high school students will be offered To Go Meals, to be consumed on remote learning days. Students should preorder To Go Meals and specify a pickup location through Food Service’s website or app: https://usd266.nutrislice.com/. Students who have selected a full-time remote learning model can find meal information here.

We look forward to serving your student! Thank you.

Maize USD 266

Food Service Department

316-722-0900

foodservice@usd266.com

Important Dates

OCTOBER

October 14:

NO SCHOOL, Parent-Teacher

Conferences (Virtual Conferences)

November

November 6th - End of term 1

November 25-27 NO SCHOOL

Fall Break

Important Reminders

Deliveries: MSES can NOT accept deliveries of flowers, balloons, candy, cookies, etc. This is per USD 266 District Policy. We appreciate your cooperation.

Party Invitations: Party invitations CANNOT be distributed at school. We ask that you mail invitations for personal events or parties directly to the home of the student(s) you are inviting.

Student Directory:

Parents and guardians may opt to include your address, primary phone number, email addresses, student's school and student's grade level in the Skyward Family Access Student Directory so that other families with login rights to Family Access can view your contact information.

Cell Phones: Please remember the use of cell phones by students while at school is not allowed.

Homework: When your child is absent from school and you wish to pick up homework you must request it before 10:00am. All assignments and necessary textbooks will be available in the office after 2:00pm. Thank you.