Dear Parents,
Field Days are just around the corner. First Grade is May 18 and KDG is May 19. I am listing the times below for each class. Both Field Days will be held on the Vermillion Playground weather permitting. Parents are welcome to come watch. Should the weather cause us to cancel the "Outdoor" Field Day, it will have to be moved indoors. I will not be able to allow parents to watch if it is moved "Indoors" due to the lack of space in the gym. Any questions can be directed to jmertes@usd266.com or mschauer@usd266.com. 
May 18, 2010
9:30 - 10:45 AM  Allen  Bish  Mahan  Robillard/Herman  Soft  Vernon  Voge
1:30 - 2:45 PM    Applegate  Bumgardner  Christensen  Daray  Gabrielson           
                         Hermanson/Morgan  Keckler  Schmelzer

As the end of the year wraps up, I would like to thank everyone that has helped our program in any way.  Parent help is always appreciated.  I would also like to thank you for being a good role model for your children and in promoting physical activity.
Just a reminder that our Field Days are the last week of school.  The schedules are above.  The kids have been working hard and anxious for the big event to arrive. Make sure you dress them for the weather and put sunscreen on them.  I hope to see you all there to cheer them on.  Thank you very much for allowing us to work with your children.   It has been a rewarding experience for us and I hope for your child as well. 
 
Keep Moving!
 
Janis Mertes
Mike Schuer
PE Department

       Maize Elementary Meet Your Teacher and Open House night will be Tuesday, August 10, 2010.  This is an informational meeting that will have a come and go format.  Parents and students are encouraged to stop by the room, meet your teacher, pick up a classroom procedures handbook, meet other parents and classmates, and become acclimated to the building.

       Support staff will also be available to answer your questions.  PTO Book Bags with school supply boxes that were orderd in May will be in the student's classroom.

 

A.M. Kindergarten          5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

P.M. Kindergarten          6:30 - 7:15 p.m.

1st Grade                      5:30 - 7:15 p.m.

On July 1, 2010, the Family Access online enrollment portal will be opened on the district web page, www.usd266.com. You will fill out all of your 2010-11 enrollment information and transportation form on a secured site for each of your students.
You will also have the ability to pay your fees online using your credit card or you will be able to mail in a check for your student's enrollment fees. Families who qualify for free and reduced lunches and complete the Waiver of Confidentiality form will have their fees waived if approved. Free and reduced lunch applications and the Waiver of Confidentiality form will be available on the district web page after July 19, 2010. If you believe you will qualify for free and reduced lunches, please complete the enrollment paperwork but do not submit your payment until your application has been processed.
Watch your mailbox the last week of June for a letter which will contain login instructions to Family Access so that you can complete the enrollment process. The letters will also contain instructions to guide you through the process and will be sent to the address where the student resides.
Enrollment paperwork will need to be completed online by July 15 in order for your student's information to be input into the school's database and for transportation to assign your student to a bus route. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may come to the district's Educational Support Center, 11611 W. 49th St. North, between July 1-15 during normal business hours to log in and complete the enrollment process.
Questions? For fee related questions, contact Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer, Kathy Pfannenstiel, at 350-2024 or e-mail her at kpfannenstiel@usd266.com.  For other questions related to enrollment, please send an e-mail to enrollment@usd266.com and a district representative will contact you.
 

 
Beginning next school year, all students will be dismissed early each Wednesday in order for teachers to have time to meet in their Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). During PLC time, teachers participate in discussing curriculum, instructional strategies, data review, state standards and more.
This past school year, students in grades 6-12 started their school day 30 minutes late every Wednesday morning. "With more and more of our professional development days and training time diminishing each year, PLC time is even more critical for our teaching staff to improve instruction and impact student learning," said Associate Superintendent Marsha Beard. By moving the PLC time to the end of the day, all grade levels will be able to participate during a scheduled time each week.

Click here for the schedule of 2010-11 school starting and ending times.

 

 Buses will continue to run on the same tiered system. On Wednesdays, students will be transported home as soon as school is dismissed. Please plan accordingly for supervision of students who will arrive home earlier on those days. Pick- up and delivery locations for students being transported by school vehicle will be determined at the time of enrollment. Only one pick-up and drop off location will be allowed at residential addresses or day care provider addresses within school district boundaries. 

 

K.A.R. 28-1-20 defines immunizations required for any individual who attends school or a childcare program operated by a school.  There are changes in requirements  for immunizations for the upcoming school year.  Please carefully review the requirements by clicking the following link. 2010-2011 immunization requirements

The usual number of doses required are listed; however there are exceptional circumstances that could alter the number of doses a child needs.  If you have questions about your child's immunization status, contact your child's primary care provider or local health department. 

 

With summer looming on the horizon, it may be difficult to think about next school year. However, it is good to begin thinking now about the things you can do to help prepare your child for an exciting, new, school year. The staff at Vermillion care about helping make that transition for you and your child run as smoothly as possible. Here is a list of helpful tips that we hope you will find useful:
·    Start each day out on the right track (get 8-10 hours of sleep, eat well-balanced meal).
·    Help your child create a story about going back to school.
·    Use open communication with your child (talk about feelings and what to expect).
·    Establish a routine at home for structure.
·    Let children know what behaviors are expected for school and at home and establish consistent consequences for when their behavior does not meet the expectations. 
·    Send a note in your child's lunch on occasion to let them know how proud you are of them or that you are thinking of them. 
·    Connect with your child by asking them how their day went, or sit down and read a story, or work on a hobby together aside from homework time.
·    Set up a time and place for homework.
·    Encourage independence with household chores.
·    Encourage independent dressing, eating, and grooming.
·    Take an active role in your child's school and volunteer to help out in a classroom or plan to attend school programs.
·    Plan on attending your child's "Meet Your Teacher Night" in August and bring your child's school supplies with you.
We hope these tips were helpful to you and we are excited about what the 2010-2011 school year will bring!