In This Issue
Important Dates
March 12
End of Term

March 13
No School K-12
Professional Development Day

March 16-20
No School K-12
Spring Break

March 23
School Resumes

April 10
No School
Professional Dev. Day
Please be aware that school district policy does not allow us to accept flowers or other deliveries to students at school.  Please contact your student's teacher to arrange a time to celebrate a special occasion with treats, etc. 

BOE policy does not allow party invitations to be distributed at school.  Please refer to the Skyward Family Access Student Directory or your classroom directory for student addresses. 

Lost items will be placed in the lost and found located outside the main office.


Feel free to join your student for lunch, all we ask of you is to notify the front office or your child's teacher of the day you are coming.  Lunches are $3.50 for adults; please bring exact change as adult lunches cannot be taken from your child's account.

 

Student lunch accounts can be paid online through Skyward Family Access. Daily lunches are $2.45 each and extra milk is .40 cents. Lunch menus can be found online at usd266.com 

Skyward now has a mobile app!  Users can obtain the free application in the Google Play Store or in the Apple App Store.

Maize Way Spirit Friday!

Friday, March 6 students are asked to wear red or their MES shirt and be ready to hear about our  March  Maize Way word-Cooperation

Maize Way

 

Maize Elementary News

March 1, 2015

Volume 32, Issue 07

305 W. Jones

Maize, KS 67101

316-722-8230

 
A Note from the Principal...

 

I hope this finds you and your students doing well.  As I look out of my window I see the snow we were expecting to arrive Saturday has decided it couldn't wait.  Such is the nature of Kansas weather, so we'll just take it as it comes.  I told the kids during our announcements this morning that I could not tell them we were going to have a snow day Monday because I have nothing to do with that decision.  I would imagine many students will then go home tonight and say, "Mr. White said we're going to have a snow day Monday!".  Just for the record...I did not.  Ha!

Thank you to all of you who were able to come to parents/teacher conferences last week.  95% of our students were represented, which is an outstanding turn-out.  Please understand that our staff understands that communication is the key to a good partnership, so don't hesitate to contact them with concerns.  Certainly feel free to send them positive messages as well.  Encouraging words to an educator can have a lasting effect.

I wanted to make you aware of a PTO sponsored artistic outlet opportunity for your students.  They would like to have your child's input on the t-shirt design for the 2015-16 school year.  The design contest is for all students K-4 and will run through the month of March.  The deadline being March 25.   What a great project to work on during Spring Break!  This is certainly optional for students and will require design work to be done at home, but I hope that a number of students choose to take on this challenge.  I want to take this opportunity to thank the MES PTO, under the leadership of Mike Martinez, for involving our students in such an engaging activity.  Contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for all you do to support MES and our students! 

NEW DISMISSAL TIMES AFTER SPRING BREAK
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO REMEMBER
Our school day starts at 8:45 am every day.  Students who arrive after 8:50 am will be counted tardy.  Students are allowed to enter the building at 8:35 am.  If you need to drop your student off before this time, the YMCA has a latchkey program at MES.  For more information please call the YMCA at 316-264-1610. 

The district dismisses students 40 minutes early every Wednesday to accommodate the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).  The teachers participate in the PLC to discuss curriculum, instructional strategies, data review, technology training, etc.  School is dismissed at 3:20 pm every Wednesday.  Morning Kindergarten is dismissed at 11:35 am and afternoon Kindergarten begins at 12:40 pm every Wednesday.

Please call the office at 316-722-8230 if your child is going to be absent or if you have a transportation change.  For student safety, please let the office know of a transportation change before 3:30 pm and 3:00 pm on Wednesdays.

If your student is riding a different bus home with a friend, a note is required from both sets of parents.  These can be given to the office for Mr. White to sign and can then be given to the bus driver.  

FREDDY'S GIVES-BACK EVENING

MIXED BAG FUNDRAISER



MAIZE ELEMENTARY PTO

Mixed Bag Fundraiser

Fundraiser Dates: March 2, 2015 - March 12, 2015

 

How to Order:

  • Add your contact info to your form.  Our fundraiser ID# is: 286672
  • Collect money with the orders.  There is NO sales tax
  • Make checks payable to Maize Elementary PTO
  • Turn in money with a copy of your order form to your teacher
  • Keep a copy of your orders to distribute your customer orders
  • Questions? Contact: Jamie Short at  [email protected] or  [email protected]

Shop and Support Online!

Tell friends and family to support us online at

www.mixedbagdesigns.com/?fundraiserid=286672 

We receive 40% from every online purchase!

 

MES PTO
The Maize Elementay PTO meets the first Thursday of every month.  Please join us at our next meeting on March 5 at 6:30 pm.  The remaining dates for this school year are April 2 at 6:30 pm and May 7 at 6:30.  We hope to see you there!
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR FALL 2015


Kindergarten On-line Preregistration Open
In-Person Enrollment March 26


It's time to get ready for Kindergarten enrollment! Students must be five years old by Aug. 31.

Online pre-registration for enrollment opened earlier this month and must be completed prior to the March 26 Kindergarten Enrollment event, which will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Maize South Elementary School, 3404 N. Maize Road. Please note that arriving early has no impact on your child's building assignment or morning vs. afternoon class placement. If you have questions, please call 316-462-8300

Recommended enrollment assignment by last name: A thru G, 5-6 p.m.; H thru P, 6-7 p.m.; Q thru Z, 7-8 p.m. (Come any time between 5-8 p.m. if your assigned time doesn't work for your schedule.)

 

If your student currently attends Maize Early Childhood Center, you will also need to complete pre-enrollment and must attend the March 26 session to finalize enrollment.

 

Families may opt for our fee-based all-day Kindergarten option, offered for $225 per month.   Parents will be asked to provide a non-refundable deposit of $225 to secure an all-day Kindergarten slot at enrollment (this will count as your August monthly tuition payment.) Families who qualify for free and reduced lunches will not be required to pay the $225 deposit. This will aid the district in determining the number of teachers that will need to be hired and the amount of equipment and supplies to order.

 

We are looking forward to welcoming our Kindergarten students to our Maize family!      

 
MES YEARBOOK



Order your 2014-2015 MES Yearbook today! Order forms are in the office or you can place your order on Skyward Family Access under "Fee Management" and then simply click on "Add Fee."  The price for the yearbook is $20.00 and the deadline to order is
March 16.  

 FROM THE COUNSELORS

 

This month we are talking about COOPERATION in classroom lessons with K-2nd grades.  In 3rd and 4th grades we will be discussing TEST TAKING TIPS-getting ready for the State Assessments.  State Assessments will be given March 30th-April 15th.  Please try to have your child at school during these dates so he/she can take the assessments with their class.    

 

 

We donated $463.00 to the Sedgwick County Zoo for the Adopt an Animal fundraiser.  The students voted to adopt the elephant.  Our money will be used to help build a new home for the elephants.  When you visit the zoo, watch for the exhibit being built!  The zoo is also coming here to present information to our students on March 6th - ask your child about the special assembly.  The zoo appreciated our contribution. 

 

 

 

The goal of student placement is to design balanced classes, according to established criteria, which create the optimal learning environment for all Maize Elementary School students.  Each classroom is a small community that must be representative of the diverse social, academic, and physical needs and abilities of all students.  If you have any concerns about your child's class placement for next year, please visit the counselor, Becky Stephens-you can call her at 350-2913 or email  
[email protected].After you complete the enrollment process in the summer, you will be able to see who your child's teacher will be for the upcoming year.


Also, if you are moving - please let the office know.  It helps us with class placements.  I always feel bad if I put friends together and one moves away - so if you know, please notify us.  Thanks! 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about class placements:

 

If my older child had a teacher, will my younger one have that same teacher? 
Not necessarily!  Sometimes that happens, but it's not always followed or done purposely.  So again, if you have concerns-please let me know.
   

 

Can I pick a teacher for my child?  No, we don't take teacher requests, but we do want to know what type of teaching style your child works best with.

 

 

Will my child have 2 teachers?  If your child is going into 3rd grade, they will have 2 teachers.  In 3rd grade our teachers share responsibilities teaching math and reading.  Your 3rd grader will have one teacher in the morning and a different teacher in the afternoon-staying with the same class.  Both teachers are listed in Skyward under the "grades" tab.

 

Becky Stephens & Bill Slade, MES Counselors

350-2913 & 350-2912

[email protected][email protected]

 

 
TARGET - TAKE CHARGE OF EDUCATION


Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015. Talk about extra credit! Use the Credit or Debit REDcard, and Target will donate 1% of your Credit or Debit REDcard purchases made at Target and Target.com to help the eligible K-12 school of your choice. Click here to sign up!
 
DILLONS COMMUNITY REWARDS


Dillons is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through Dillons Community Rewards. Now you can link your Dillons shopper card to Maize Elementary and help us earn funds!  Click here to learn more!  When registering be sure to use our organization number 12736.  Thank you for your support!

FROM THE NURSE 

 

79 Million Americans Infected

If there were a vaccine against cancer, wouldn't you get it for your kids?  

 

 

Great news! The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents many types of HPV related cancers.These viruses can cause infection of the skin and mucous membranes of various areas of the body. Cancers of the mouth and throat from HPV are on the rise.  They are increasing at a rate of 5% per year and may surpass cervical cancer by year 2020.
Seventy-nine million Americans are currently infected, with 14 million more people acquiring it every year.  Most people do not know they have it, thus spread it unknowingly thru skin to skin contact with areas that are infected.  Once exposed, there is no cure. At the current time, there is not a good test to catch disease early for throat and mouth cancer.  Sometimes the body can fight the virus, but other times the body becomes sick and sometimes dies.  This is why it is important to vaccinate before exposure.   Routine vaccination at age 11 includes Dtap, Meningococcal and HPV.  HPV vaccination can be given as early as age 9.  "The vaccine produces better immunity to fight infection when given at the younger ages compared to the older ages" (Information taken from A Parent's Guide to Preteen and Teen HPV Vaccination) . As parents, we want our children to thrive and live a fulfilling life. We teach them to protect their skin from the sun, to wear a seatbelt when riding in a car and we give them immunizations to protect them from the consequences of viruses.  For more information see: Preteen and Teen Vaccines and  HPV Vaccination & Cancer. 

 

 

HUDDLE UP

 

 

Happy Spring Break and NCAA Basketball month! We started jump rope right before conferences and you should see some test scores in skyward soon. This month we will be focusing on amounts of daily activity that our bodies need. This month we are going to work hard on our flexibility and muscular strength in order to raise our physical fitness scores. We will be reviewing the bones and muscles for each grade as well. Be sure to stay active and stay safe during spring break!

 

Keep Moving!

Coach Horn

 

 

1ST AND 2ND GRADE MUSIC PROGRAMS

1st and 2nd
Grade Music Program
 Monday, March 9
"Circus Circus"
Held at Maize South High School
1st Grade - 6:30 pm
2nd Grade - 7:30 pm
 

  
3RD AND 4TH GRADE MUSIC PROGRAMS


3rd and 4th Grade Music Program

Tuesday, April 28
"At the Bandstand"
Held at Maize South High School
3rd Grade - 6:30 pm
4th Grade - 7:30 pm
 


WEATHER RELATED CLOSURES


In the event of school being dismissed because of inclement weather, a phone notification will be sent to the primary residence phone number.  Calls will start going out as early as 5:30 am on the day of the closure.  If a decision is made the night before to call off school, calls will go out until 10:30 pm.  Families and staff may consult other sources of information to determine if school will be closed.  The district's website, www.usd266.com, will be updated as soon as the decision is made to call off school and local media will be contacted in traditional methods.  


 

Maize WayThe Character Trait for March is: 
Cooperation 
Working together to complete a goal...looking for ways to help...sometimes staying out of the way.