 Reminder: Parent-teacher conferences next week | |
A reminder that Maize Schools will host parent-teacher conferences on Feb. 18 and 19. There is no school for students on Feb. 19 and 20. Please visit with your child's school and/or classroom teacher for additional details on conference arrangements.
Other important dates to remember:
March 12: End of term March 13: No school, Professional Development Day March 16-20: No school, Spring Break April 10: No school, Professional Development Day May 1: No school, Professional Development Day
May 12: Last day of school for seniors
May 21: Last day of school
Please click here to access our 2014-15 district calendar. |
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2015-16 District Calendar
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On Monday, the Maize Board of Education approved the 2015-16 District Calendar, which dictates important dates, including the first day of school, breaks and more.
Please click here to access the calendar.
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Support our schools: Maize Education Foundation's second annual Emphasizing Education event
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 Maize Education Foundation Board of Directors are organizing their second annual Emphasizing Education dinner and auction event, which will be on the evening of Feb. 28 at the Maize Recreation Center.
Last year's inaugural event raised about $30,000, which was reinvested via grants to classrooms and schools across USD 266.
Those interested in being an event sponsor or purchasing a table can do so online by clicking here.
Interested in donating an auction item? Please email maizefoundation@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support of Maize Schools!
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Have you liked Maize Schools on Facebook?
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In August, Maize USD 266 launched our first official district Facebook account.
Please click here to like our page and to find district news, announcements, event information, photos and more.
Thank you for your support!
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Superintendent's Message
Student success front-of-mind
BY DOUG POWERS
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We all have been seeing much about public education lately on newscasts and in headlines. There is much interest and conversation surrounding Kansas public school funding, changes to standardized testing and the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards, among other topics. Locally, our district continues to examine our student placement process and a possible bond issue to help improve our campus and learning environment for your child.
Now is an excellent time to remind all of our parents that we at Maize USD 266 continue to focus on our greatest goal: student success. Our administrative and teaching staff members strive to ensure that your student achieves greatness in the classroom and beyond. There is nothing more worthy of our time and attention than the future of our students.
Early in 2015, we already have several recent success stories to celebrate:
- Maize High's Keiryn Swenson was named the Kansas female winner in the Wendy's High School Heisman Program, which recognizes outstanding student athletic, academic and leadership achievement.
- Complete High School Maize, our district's alternative high school, was named a 2015 Kansas School of Character by the Kansas State Department of Education and Topeka City of Character in conjunction with the Washington, D.C.-based Character Education Partnership. The award recognizes schools nationwide for excellence in character education that results in positive student behavior, school climate and academic performance. Complete will be recognized May 7 at the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka.
- Maize Elementary School second-grade student Ethan Benjamin received a Kansas Infinitec Coalition Outstanding Student Technology Award. Ethan is visually impaired and uses various technology to assist his learning.
We continue to plan for our district's future and for additional opportunities for student success, and you can read more about some of our recent efforts to do just that in the following updates in this issue of Connections.
I also would like to assure you that Maize Schools will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation that began Nov. 18 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at the Maize Educational Support Center. The case remains in the hands of the FBI and does not involve Maize USD 266 students or the safety of our students.
Sincerely, Doug Powers, Superintendent of Schools |
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Maize Board of Education schedules March 2 workshop to discuss student placement, potential bond election
The Maize Board of Education had its regular monthly meeting Monday, and board members continued their discussion about student placement, including the option of developing geographic school boundaries.
Board members continue to work with Kansas City area-based demographers RSP for information and options related to student placement and building needs. Late last year, RSP shared demographic and enrollment analyses, which revealed that projected student enrollment will exceed our middle school capacity. In December, the district finalized a land purchase on Maize Road immediately north of Maize Middle School, providing the option for the district to expand the school to accommodate additional students.
Board members on Monday said that potential school boundaries would need to balance the district's socioeconomic makeup while maximizing building use. They will continue the conversation during a workshop at 6 p.m. March 2 at the Educational Support Center, 905 W. Academy Ave. in Maize.
Also during Monday's meeting, board members discussed the timing of a possible bond issue. They are considering a June 2015 all-mail bond election and are working to finalize the list of elements that would be included to further and better provide for student safety, programming and amenities.
Find agendas, meeting minutes and board member contact information at www.usd266.com/schoolboard.
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Governor's allotment means reduction of $351,000 for Maize USD 266 this year
Gov. Sam Brownback's allotment announced recently reduces general fund state aid to schools for the current academic year by 1.5 percent, which amounts to $351,000 for Maize Schools.
In order to avoid mid-year staffing and programming cuts, the district is looking at having to spend down the cash balance in our Capital Outlay or other funds. This could jeopardize the district's ability to fund needed building roof repairs, parking lot improvements and other projects that have been planned and budgeted to maintain our buildings and campus.
This reduction in allotment is in addition to other potential cuts discussed on the state level, including those related to Senate Bill 71.
As has happened recently, district administrators will continue to examine staff openings as they arise due to retirements and resignations to determine whether Maize Schools can function appropriately without filling the openings.
Please click here to find contact information for Maize Schools' legislative and government representatives.
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District, school administrative retirement announcements, leadership changes
There are several changes in the works to our administrative leadership lineup.
Clark Fitchl has been appointed as our new Director of Technology. He has a great vision and ideas for our technology district-wide, and we welcome him as a new member of our leadership team.
Several of our longtime Maize Schools administrators have announced that they will retire at the conclusion of the current school year.
After nine years with Maize USD 266 and 28 years dedicated to education, District Athletic Director Marc Haught has announced that he will be retiring at the conclusion of the school year.
Marc recently received the prestigious National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Distinguished Service Award. He is the first athletic director from Kansas in 15 years and one of only 10 individuals nationwide to receive this honor. This is a testament to the phenomenal job he has done while at Maize.
At Marc's retirement, Eric Wolgast will become full-time athletic director at Maize High School.
Vermillion Elementary School Principal Jeannine Pfannenstiel, who has been at Maize Schools for 19 years and in education for 37, will begin her retirement this summer. Under Jeannine's leadership, Vermillion was honored in November in Washington, D.C. with a Promising Practices in Character Education award from Character Education Partnership. The organization celebrates effective and innovative programs worldwide. Vermillion was recognized for its Buddy Club, a school-wide club to prevent bullying and encourage friendship at recess. Michael Dome, currently in his sixth year as Pray-Woodman Elementary School's assistant principal, will step up as Vermillion's new principal. He has been part of the Maize Schools team for 15 years. Kathy Woodward, after 17 years at USD 266, will retire this summer. She has been splitting her time as assistant principal at Vermillion and Maize Elementary School. Marney Hay, Pray-Woodman fourth grade teacher and 2014 Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalist, will be Vermillion's new assistant principal. Marney has been at Maize USD 266 for four years and has 20 years of experience in education. After 21 years working for USD 266 and 34 years in education, Maize South Elementary School Principal Tyler Ewert has announced his retirement. Meg Thimmesch, currently Maize South Elementary School's assistant principal, will take his place. She has been at USD 266 for 17 years and has been in education for a total of 22 years. Tyler and Meg have worked together on the successful implementation of The Leader in Me, a leadership program aimed at helping students discover their talents and skills to achieve academic success now and to be happy, productive and confident leaders in the future. Maize Schools thanks all of our retirees for their tireless commitment to the entire USD 266 community and for the high standard they have established for us all. |
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Inclement weather, snow day notifications
With the continuation of winter-like weather, it's a great time to remind our families of our practice for announcing school dismissals and cancellations.
In the event of school being dismissed or canceled because of inclement weather, the district will send out an email and phone notification to each student's primary residence phone number. Calls with a recorded voice message and emails will be sent to all phone numbers and emails listed in Skyward Family Access "Family 1." Those communications will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closure. If a decision is made the night before to call off school, calls will go out no later than 10:30 p.m.
Similarly, in the event of an emergency in your child's school, the district will use the Blackboard Connect parent notification system to notify you of the situation and 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 emails listed in Skyward Family Access "Family 1."
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