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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
September 2020
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Dear Fallback,
This year, 2020, is a challenge and yet an amazing opportunity for everyone to come together to meet the needs of children. It has been incredible to see staff take on this challenge and to feel the trust of parents as we promise to do our very best to provide high quality early learning in a way that is safe and fun. This year has also been a personal challenge for me. In late July I was diagnosed with cancer. My journey now includes chemotherapy, a future surgery and a goal to kick cancer!
As this year began, our school Leadership Team, along with our entire staff, worked tirelessly to make decisions and implement what is needed to make this year happen. I want to thank Michelle McAllister, Mandy Glasse, Trisha Moritz, Sharon Lindebak and Emily Millspaugh along with our office staff Kelli Parson and Tammy Stewart for their endless efforts. Our year couldn’t have happened without them and I am so very grateful.
I want to let you know that for the journey forward, I will continue to work remotely to provide leadership. I will do this alongside an Interim Associate Principal. Meg Thimmesch, a friend and former colleague, has agreed to be the “in person” building administrator at MECC until I am able to return. You can call her Miss Meg. She is a retired Principal, formerly at Maize South Elementary and is very well qualified. Our staff, along with you and your children will be in great hands!
It is with sadness that I will not be there in person that first day of school, my favorite day of the entire year. It is with great joy that I know your children will be well taken care of and have the preschool experience that you can trust will be excellent! I wish you - families, children, staff and community all the best as we begin this year!
Yours for the journey,
Miss June
Principal
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Changes for 2020-21 School Year
Arrival/Dismissal
- Please read carefully and download our new arrival/dismissal procedures and note ALL the changes from where you park to where students enter the building. The front door of the building will not be used unless arriving late.
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Click here to download the map.
Health and Safety
- Parents and volunteers will not be allowed in district buildings this year.
- No outside food (including birthday treats) will be allowed in the building.
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This year we are doing a stagger start.
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Tuesday, September 8th - Students with last name of A-K and Ms. Emily's Tuesday/Friday students will attend
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Wednesday, September 9th - Students with the last name of L-Z
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Thursday - All students and Ms. Emily's Monday/Thursday class
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Friday - All students and Ms. Emily's Tuesday/Friday
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Beginning of the Year Checklist |
Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic summer.
As the school year starts, there are some important things to remember that I will be needing soon for my office records.
- 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 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.
Keep your child at home if he or she has any of these symptoms
(this is not an all-inclusive list):
- Fever > 100 degrees; (Your child may return to school ONLY after his/her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees for a minimum of 24 hours WITHOUT the use of medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen).
- Vomiting (even once; for a full 24 hours from last vomiting episode)
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
- Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
- Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
- Rash
- Loss of taste or smell
Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring them to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
Please talk to your kids about washing their hands frequently, instructing them to sneeze into tissues, and cough into elbows.
Please feel free to stop by my office, 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.
Allison Parkhurst, RN
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Home Visits
In the first few years of life, children learn more and at a faster pace than at any other time in life. You help shape your child’s future through the kinds of experiences you provide. Your baby was born to learn, and as a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Parents as Teachers has day time openings for parent educators to engage in home visits with you and your child, ages birth to 36 months. We also offer yearly screenings and group connections like parent child playgroups. We can connect you to resources in the community to give you the kinds of experiences you are looking for with your child. If you are interested, please click here.
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Parents as Teachers Playgroup
Parents will be having parent child playground playgroups beginning Wednesday, September 16 from 9:30-11:00. It will be “come and go.” Parents will need to enter the playground from the east playground gate. You and your children ages birth to 5 are welcome to attend, no sign up required. We hope to see all Starlets families there as well!!
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Starlets (for parents and children ages 3-5) has some big and exciting changes for the start of this year! We will be starting the year out remote using SeeSaw. Ms Erin will be using the new Frog Street curriculum as well as Handwriting Without Tears. Everything will be put on the app/website at the beginning of the week and you have throughout the week to complete the fun activities. You will also have access to virtual music with Ms. Lindsay and Second Step lessons with Ms. Mandy. Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 you are welcome to come play on the playground with your Starlets children and younger siblings with the PAT families. Unfortunately we will not be able to allow older children who are out of school that day. We hope to eventually be able to meet with the class in person. We have just a few more openings so if you are interested please email Erin White at ewhite@usd266.com.
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It seems that one thing we can count on in 2020 is change. Some of these changes could be adjusting to a new school, new child care, new family member or even a parent working from home. All children, like all adults, react differently to change. Many children adapt easily to change such as a new school, taking the changes and challenges in stride. Many other children show signs of anxiety and stress. How your child adapts to change will depend on his temperament, personality, and your family’s circumstances. During times of change your child may be: clingy, moody or irritable, angry, sad, anxious, afraid, or less sociable than usual. There are many things you can do to help your child adapt to change:
- Talk about the change that is happening. Don’t avoid it.
- Keep routines in other areas of their life (bed time, dinner, bath time)
- Make sure your child eats well, gets plenty of exercise, and gets enough sleep.
- Show your child the positive ways that you handle change.
- Encourage your child to write or draw about worries in a journal.
- Acknowledge your child’s worries and fears.
- Have a positive attitude.
Always remember, “this too shall pass.” You’ve got this!
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Facebook and Twitter
Join our group "Maize Parents as Teachers and Early Childhood Center" on Facebook! Just search for the group and ask to join. Get updates of activities going on, free tips and more!
Also follow us on Twitter @maizeecc_pat
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Picture Day: Fall picture day with Inter-State Studio will be Thursday, September 24th. Tuesday/Friday students and remote learners will get their picture taken on retake day, Friday, October 23rd.
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UPDATED LATE START CALENDAR
Please click here for the 2020-21 school year calendar. |
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