Maize School District
    Connections - Maize USD 266 Parent Newsletter - April 2016 - OneMa1ze
In This Issue

Important dates
  • May 6: No school, Professional Development Day
  • May 10: Last day for seniors
  • May 12: Maize South High School graduation, 6:30 p.m. at Century II
  • May 15: Maize High School graduation, 3 p.m. at Century II
  • May 18: End of term
  • May 18: Last day of school


(Thank you to Maize Middle School for the student artwork pictured above.)


District hosts 2016 Kansas Teacher of the Year team
Maize USD 266 was honored April 11 to host the 2016 Kansas Teacher of the Year team, including our own Shelly Jennings, who teaches at Maize South Elementary School.

Team members from across Kansas toured schools, visited with teachers, and learned more about programs and opportunities here at Maize Schools.
Summer camp central
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We've rounded up information on Maize USD 266 summer camps, and parents can find details by clicking here to visit our Online Bulletin Board.

Camps are available for students in Kindergarten through high school and include basketball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and more.

New this year is a Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) summer camp.

In addition to summer camp information, please visit our Online Bulletin Board for information about other school- and partner-sponsored events, including classes and fundraisers.
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Calling health-focused local businesses: 
Join us for our upcoming 
Wellness Fair
The Maize USD 266 Wellness Committee is organizing an employee health and Wellness Fair and is looking for local businesses and organizations interested in participating.
 
The event will be for all employees (more than 800 people) from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. May 6 in the Commons at Maize High School, 11600 W. 45th St. North in Maize. Participants can host a table to promote their services and provide giveaways to our staff members. Those interested also are invited to donate larger prizes. 
 
Participants may align with any of the following Five Essential Elements of Wellness (by Gallup): 
  • financial.
  • physical.
  • community.
  • career.
  • social.

Join our team!
Interested in joining our Maize Schools team? Many openings are part-time jobs with full-time benefits, including:
* Group health insurance
* Summers off
* Winter break off
* Spring break off
* No evenings or weekends

School bus drivers start at $11.15 an hour, plus attendance incentives. Please call the Maize USD 266 Transportation Office at 316-722-0582 for more information.


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Substitute food service workers needed: 
Maize Schools is looking for substitute food service workers who can fill in when needed in schools across the district. Hours coincide with the school day. No weekends or holidays.

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Substitute nurses needed:
The Maize School District is looking for substitute school nurses to fill in when needed. As a substitute school nurse, you must:
* Be a registered nurse in the State of Kansas.
* Be certified in CPR and AED.
* Have had a TB test within the last year.
* Pass a background check.

You may submit an application online by clicking here. The daily rate of pay is $95. Please contact Maize USD 266 Nursing Coordinator Joann Wheeler, RN, BSN, at [email protected] for more information.
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Paraeducators needed:
The Sedgwick County Area Educational Services Interlocal Cooperative No. 618 needs paraeducators (teacher aides) for students with special needs at Maize USD 266 elementary and secondary schools.
Competitive salaries and health insurance benefits are available for those working more than 30 hours a week. The rewarding jobs follow Maize school days and hours.
To apply, please click here.
District celebrates 
first-year teachers

Did you know: Maize USD 266 offers training and mentoring year-round for our first-year teachers. 

Take a peek below at just a few of our fantastic first-year teachers at work this spring.

Maize Middle School 6th-grade teacher Nicole Sebastian


Maize South Elementary School kindergarten teacher Savannah Weaver


Vermillion Elementary School 4th-grade teacher Alexis Branson


Maize Central Elementary School 3rd-grade teacher Bailey Fischer


Pray-Woodman Elementary School 5th-grade teacher Chase Nichols


Pray-Woodman Elementary School 5th-grade teacher Daniel Dick

Have you liked Maize Schools on Facebook?

In August 2014, 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!


Partner organization planning free concerts

ArtsAMaize, a partner of Maize Schools, is an organization dedicated to showcasing the arts in underserved spaces, including retail stores, parking lots and places through the Maize area.

Organizers are planning free concerts this spring and summer in NewMarket Square. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Please click here to learn more.

Save the date: 
Fill the Bus 
school supply drive

Maize USD 266 will be working with the Chick-fil-A at 21st Street and Maize Road on its 4th-annual school supply drive. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5. Donors will receive a coupon for a free sandwich.

Inclement weather
notifications
In the event of school being dismissed early or canceled because of inclement weather, the district will send out an email, phone notification, and - for those who have opted to receive them - a text message to the primary contact associated with both Family 1 and Family 2, if applicable, for each student. Those phone notifications 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 and texts will go out no later than 10:30 p.m.
 
It is wise to verify that we have your correct contact information on file. To do so,  please log on to Skyward Family Access and click on "Student Info." If you are unsure how to log on to Skyward Family Access, please contact your child's school for assistance.
 
District officials will update the district's Web site (www.usd266.com), official Twitter account (@maize266)  and official Facebook page as soon as the decision is made to call off school. We also will contact local media outlets about any closures.

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. Communications would go to all contacts listed in Skyward Family Access "Family 1" and the main contact in "Family 2."
Superintendent's Message
District using several strategies to balance student needs, residential growth, budget

BY CHAD HIGGINS 

       
Drive around the Maize and Northwest Wichita community, and growth is evident. There are apartment complexes under construction on Maize and Ridge roads, housing editions being developed, and plans for more of both in the works. For the past several decades, Maize USD 266 has been no stranger to expansion and progress, and it seems we have entered into the next chapter of this story.

The challenge is this: The funding formula for Kansas public schools use to mean that we received additional state dollars for each new child who walked into our classrooms. This helped offset additional costs of teachers, curriculum, supplies, technology, and the many things that cost money to run a school. Under the block grant, this no longer is the case. That means our budget stays the same even when our student numbers jump, demanding that we add teachers to avoid climbing class sizes.

The careful balancing act ensures that we are meeting and -- as often as possible -- exceeding our students' educational needs while remaining fiscally responsible and planning for a future with even more growth. 

We hosted our annual kindergarten enrollment night last month, and numbers indicate that next year's kindergarten class district-wide may be up as much as 10 percent. We will gain a better enrollment picture after One Stop Enrollment late this summer. But we must plan now to position ourselves to find the best teacher candidates. We plan to hire a new kindergarten teacher, which in turn triggers the need for a new half-time teacher for both PE and music.

To better prepare for future growth, we are working with the Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Student Affairs to update student enrollment projections. The new projection will update enrollment trend data that demographers RSP gathered for the district and presented in January 2015. At that time, it was anticipated that we will add 80 to 145 students each year, growing to about 7,500 students in 2019-20. It is unclear how the recent rapid residential development effects those projections. 

During the April 4 board meeting, I also explained that I have approved additional high school teaching positions, including science, math, and business, to address student course requests and manage class sizes. I also have approved a 4th-grade teacher at Vermillion Elementary School to accommodate student cohort numbers moving up through the school. This will bring a net increase in teachers, as we are filling each teacher position as it opens.

The district is offsetting the cost of these new positions in part via staff attrition, as we have a very high number of teachers retiring this year. We also are not filling some positions left vacant or eliminated in recent years, including those in our school media centers and counseling departments.

The district continues to examine potential efficiencies, as we are in our technology department. We presented a plan at the April board meeting to save the district up to $150,000 a year by shuffling technology positions and building assignments. This would reduce staffing levels by six positions, two of which are open.

As I mentioned to the crowd and media outlets gathered for our April 1 Groundbreaking Celebration to kick off our $70.7 million bond issue, the district's timing and vision for the bond was exceptional. In addition to adding needed buildings and improvements, we will be able to use bond money to pay for some large-scale ongoing projects. This includes $1 million a year in roofing repairs. That has alleviated pressure off of our budget. 

Our base state per-student funding has been cut 13 percent since 2008. To manage this significant cut to our funding, which directly supports classrooms, we have been reducing our number of staff members, appropriating facility funds for general operations, and raising local property taxes. We have reached the point where pushing any of these further will quickly effect the high-level of education that we -- and our community -- have come to expect here in the Maize School District.

Not all of our decisions are easy ones, but we will continue to face them guided by the OneMa1ze goal "What is best for our students?"

Sincerely,
  
Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools

Maize Board of Education update 
 
Student Placement Policy Team continues to evaluate policy options

During the April 4 Maize Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Chad Higgins updated board members on the Student Placement Policy Team, which continues to evaluate policy frameworks.

A Hybrid System would use the current practice to place students in elementary schools to maximize staff and
facilities and maintain equal class sizes. A placement method would identify where students attend middle
and high schools, which would be tied together in a feeder. 

A Feeder System would align all schools, with two
elementary schools feeding to one middle and one high school and three different elementary schools feeding
to the other middle and high school. A placement method would determine where students go to school. 

In order to turn over every stone in the process, the group evaluated and identified pros and cons of four placement methods: address/boundary (home address dictates school attendance), alphabetical (attendance based on student name), first come, first serve (students select schools based on preference), and criteria/randomization (students placed randomly based on criteria, similar to current K-5 placement). For its transparency, among other reasons, team members overwhelmingly support address as the preferred placement method.

The team is aiming to present a policy recommendation to the Maize Board of Education soon. The team is evaluating policy components to address potential exceptions, including legacy, transfers, phasing, and transportation.

In the meantime, anyone can share student placement-related feedback by emailing [email protected].

Maize Early Childhood Center continues to grow, add classes


During the April 4 Maize Board of Education meeting, Maize Early Childhood Associate Principal June Rempel and a few of her students performed the story of Mrs. Wishy-Washy (pictured above). Rempel also presented information about the school, including the following facts:
  • Its Parents as Teachers program serves 164 families and 192 children and has made 1,107 home visits this year.
  • Its Starlets parent-child preschool reaches 41 children and their parents. 
  • The school offered Love and Logic parenting classes twice this year. 
  • It serves 331 pre-k students, 107 of whom have Individualized Education Programs. 
  • ECC continues to grow and has added a new class for three consecutive semesters.
Please click here to learn more about our Maize Early Childhood Center, which serves infants through pre-K students and their families who reside in the Maize School DistrictStarlets enrollment has begun. There still are some openings for three-year-old pre-K for the 2016-17 school year, and Parents as Teachers enrollment is ongoing.

A new standalone Maize Early Childhood Center is part of the ongoing bond issue. It will be located on 37th Street North between Maize and Tyler roads and is scheduled to open in August 2017.

Maize Board of Education to have April 25 joint Maize meeting, workshop

have scheduled a 6 p.m. April 25 meeting with the City of Maize, followed by a work session at Maize
City Hall, 10100 Grady Ave. in Maize. 

The board's next regular monthly meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 9 at Educational Support Center, 905 W. Academy Ave. in Maize. 

Find agendas, meeting minutes, and contact information at www.usd266.com/schoolboard.
State legislative/political resources

School funding among discussion topics at Spring Legislative Forum


On April 2, Maize Schools partnered with Reflection Ridge Resort Lifestyle Community to host a Spring Legislative Forum. 

Attendees were able to ask questions and hear members of a government panel discuss school funding, state tax structure, and other topics. Maize Superintendent Chad Higgins moderated.

Thank you to our guests and to the legislative participants, pictured from left in the above photo: Kansas Sen. Carolyn McGinn, Kansas Rep. Mark Hutton, Kansas Rep. Dan Hawkins, and Kansas Rep. Gene Suellentrop. They represent various portions of the Maize USD 266 school district community.

Find contact information for them and others on our online government contact resource page. Please click here to learn more about your elected officials with the City of Maize, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, the Kansas legislature, and the Kansas Board of Education.

Are you registered to vote?

american-flag-wavy.jpg The 2016 election year will be a busy one, and those interested in casting ballots in the August primary election must be registered to vote by July 12.

Bond issue update 

Groundbreaking Celebration officially kicks off district-wide bond project

Maize School District and bond project leaders gathered April 1 for a Groundbreaking Celebration at Maize Middle School
to officially and publicly mark the kickoff of the district's $70.7 million bond issue. Thank you to all who attended and those who have been involved in the project!

Those in attendance included, pictured above from left, Hutton Construction Team Leader Jeff Hohnbaum; Maize Board of Education member Dr. Scott Crawford; Superintendent of Schools Chad Higgins; Maize Board of Education President Matt Jensby; SJCF Architecture Vice President Matt Hamm; Maize Board of Education members Bruce Nicholson, Kate Doerksen, Dr. Jeff Jarman, and Richard Stiverson; Maize Facilities Needs Committee co-chairpersons Cyndi Chapman and Nils Gabrielson, Pray-Woodman Elementary School principal; and SJFC Architecture Associate Darin Augustine.

During the April 4 meeting, Maize Board of Education members heard an update from district architect Schaefer, Johnson, Cox, Frey Architecture and Hutton Construction. The Career and Technical Education Center design is being fine-tuned, in part to allow for future growth. Design work is being finalized for the Maize Early Childhood Center. Bid packages for various projects are in the works. The new bus lane is now open and running at Maize Middle School, one of the early components for the school's expansion and renovation.

Voters' approval in June will bring these projects to Maize Schools to provide a safe and promising future for all of our students:
  • tornado safe rooms and a Career and Professional Center at Maize High School.
  • a renovated and expanded Maize Middle School.
  • additions and improvements at Maize South High School, including a new fine arts storage addition and an expanded gym and cafeteria.
  • a new transportation facility.
  • roof replacements at various buildings.
  • technology and infrastructure improvements at various buildings.
  • athletic upgrades, including new locker rooms, stadium upgrades, all-weather playing surfaces, bleachers, lighting and equipment.
You can learn more about the bond vision by visiting our bond resource page at www.usd266.com/bond.
Soldier mom's homecoming surprises daughter at Vermillion Elementary

Zoey, a Maize USD 266 Vermillion Elementary School 2nd-grade student, was in for a big surprise at school on April 14: Her mother, U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Daniella Cisneros, walked into her classroom unexpectedly after a six-month deployment.

Our video of the homecoming has reached more than 100,000 people via social media. Please click here to watch the touching surprise.

We at Maize Schools thank her for her service. Welcome home!
Awards

Complete High School Maize named Kansas Green School of the Year

The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment earlier this month recognized Complete High School Maize as the Green School of the Year. 

The award recognizes schools demonstrating innovation, leadership, and school engagement and that have a strong environmental education component. 


Pictured above from left are Principal Dr. Kristy Custer, science teacher Heidi Albin, and Jared Bixby, president of the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education.

Maize High School forensics team recognized with national 
award

The National Speech and Debate Association recently awarded Maize High Forensics with a Leading Chapter Award. Kudos to teacher Curtis Shephard and his students!

Maize South Middle School yearbook earns national accolades

The Stampede, Maize South Middle School's yearbook, received the 2015 Yearbook Pacemaker award for Jr. High/Middle School via the National High School Journalism Convention, co-sponsored by the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. Congratulations to all involved, including teacher Mary Patrick.

State journalism organization recognizes Maize High teacher

Maize High School teacher Dan Loving, pictured at right, was recently surprised with the 2016 Sunflower Award from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association. 

The award recognizes a relatively new journalism adviser who illustrates enthusiasm and dedication to student journalism and related programs, has helped lead program improvements, and supports student leadership.

In #OneMa1ze fashion, Mr. Loving was nominated by colleagues from Maize High School and Maize South Middle School.

Maize South Elementary School teacher honored with Golden Apple Award
 

Congratulations to Maize South Elementary School teacher Leslie Holbrook
, who was surprised April 13 with a Golden Apple. The award honors area educators who make a positive difference in schools.

Thanks to Davis-Moore Autogroup, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and KAKE-TV for recognizing one of our great teachers!

State education associations name Maize Communications Department winner of several publications awards

The district's Communications Department received accolades through the 2015 Kansas Association of School Boards/Kansas School Public Relations Association Publications Contest, including Awards of Excellence for:
  • Maize USD 266 Messenger in the Newsletters category.
  • Maize USD 266 Connections parent e-newsletter in the Electronic Publication category.
  • Maize USD 266 in Photos in the Photo/Photo Series category.
Maize USD 266 Mission Statement  The mission of the Maize School District is to inspire students to discover their potential through connecting, learning and leading.