In This Issue
Important Dates

September 5
No School - Labor Day

September 15
Breakfast with Mom - KDG-2nd

September 16
Breakfast with Mom - 3rd-5th

September 19
MES Chick-fil-A
Spirit Night

September 20
Fall Individual Picture Day

September 28
Parent/Teacher Conferences
4 - 8 pm

September 29
No School
Parent Teacher Conferences
12 - 8 pm

September 30
No School
Conference Comp
Day

October 6
MES School
Marathon Finale

October 14
No School
Professional Dev. Day

October 28
Fall Parties

 

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 $3.60 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 Elementary News

September 1, 2016

Volume 34, Issue 1  

305 W. Jones

Maize, KS 67101

316-722-8230



A Note from the Principal...

Hello MES Family! August is in the books and we are off to a great start to the 2016-17 school year. It has been good to get back to routines and seeing your students every day again. Staff is building meaningful relationships with students and we are setting the foundation for a fantastic year together.

A strong school to home connection is a necessity for of a healthy school environment, and communication is the key. Our monthly newsletter is one form of communication you can utilize to stay informed about what is happening at MES. We will post upcoming events, reminders, and various other information parents need to know, so be on the look-out for it on the first day of each month. Sorry for the short delay with this year's first edition.

We believe we are helping families instill a positivity in our students that will help them remain successful individuals well beyond their school years. You may have heard your students mention they are learning about the '7 Habits' at school this year. They are referring to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and I could not be more confident that our students are going to benefit from our staff's new focus on these principles.   The late Stephen Covey developed the concept of these 7 Habits being a common thread between successful individuals, whether in task performance or interpersonal relationships. Habit 1 is Be Proactive, which means you are in charge of your own behavior and that proactive people do what is right even when no one is watching. Habit 2 is Begin With the End in Mind, which means to plan ahead and set goals. Habit 3 is Put First Things First, meaning we should set priorities and spend time on things that are most important. Some kids summarize this by saying they have work first, and then play. Habit 4 is Think Win-Win, which means we have to balance courage for getting what I want with considering what other want as well. Habit 5 is Seek First to Understand, Then To Be Understood. I don't think that needs any explanation. Ha! Habit 6 is Synergize because working together is better. Habit 7 is Sharpen the Saw. This means people must remember to take care of themselves by caring for their bodies and mind through having a healthy lifestyle. We also need to take time to do things you enjoy in order to stay at our best.

We are planning a 7 Habits night in early October to give families an opportunity to hear more about how we are implementing these principles in our building, so be watching for more information about that in the near future. As always, feel free to contact me as well if you have any questions.

The School Marathon is back, and I believe they have already run 8 miles toward their goal of 26.2 miles! Kelli Scott and her fantastic volunteers have made this program something students look forward to and are truly motivated to complete. Although the Marathon is only available for students who can be brought to school by 8:15 each day, all of our MES students are working toward receiving their 5 mile tag by running in PE over the next month and a half. I am enjoying seeing well over one hundred students and many parents running their laps prior to school each morning. Thank you Kelli Scott for organizing this very worthwhile program to Maize Elementary!

Our PTO met last night for their monthly meeting. I encourage you to attend their upcoming meeting each first Thursday of the month at 6:30 in our library at MES. I hope we have to change the venue to the bandroom in the near future. The PTO's main goal is to help build a strong school community through two main initiatives. The first is to provide opportunities for families to enjoy each other's company through different activities throughout the year. The first of which is their Jammin' In the Gym event on Sept. 15 from 6:00-7:30. It should be a lot of fun, so plan on attending. Their second initiative is to raise funds to make those events possible and to fund the MES teacher/classroom grant program.

The PTO is sponsoring their annual fundraiser that will kick-off this Tuesday, Sept. 6. Be looking for the envelope your students will bring home on Tuesday to get all the information. We're selling discount cards for $20 each this year. Please collect all orders and then turn-in everything on Sept. 15. THANK YOU, in advance, for supporting the PTO in this endeavor. The incentives for students will be centered around a BMX bike show that will be presented during the school day! Fun stuff! Be looking for the envelopes on Tuesday.

I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! I am glad you and your students are part of the MES Family!
                         
 
From PTO President, Brandt Wilson:
"PTO presents Jammin in Gym!

Join us on September 15th at 6:00 PM for food, games and a dance party in the gym!  Bring your lawn chairs and blankets while you enjoy some food trucks and dancing. It'll be fun for the entire family so we hope to see you there!" 
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.  

DON'T FORGET LUNCH MONEY!
USD 266 uses the Skyward Food Service and RevTrak fee payment systems. Please check your email and phone numbers in Skyward, so you may be alerted when your child only has 2 lunches left. Parents receive an email when your child has $5.00 left in their account. Parents receive a 2nd email after your child has 1 lunch left. When your child doesn't have any money into the account-we have your child go to the office and call you. Please put money into the account that day. You will also receive a 3rd email when your child has a zero balance.

Please check with your child if they are eating breakfast at school or getting a 2nd milk-the charges add up quickly. If you have more than one child, please check both lunch accounts. We are not allowed to go into one child's account to pay for a sibling.

Parents may keep as large a balance as they wish in a child's account (for example: $5.00, $10.00, $15.00 or more). If the student doesn't have enough in his/her lunch account to cover a meal, the account will be charged for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk if the student chooses to take one. No meal charges will be allowed. 
If you have any questions regarding Skyward and the RevTrak system, please call our school office. We want every child to have a good lunch, every day!
LIFETOUCH PICTURE DAY


Individual Lifetouch photos will be taken on Tuesday, September 20th. Your child will be receiving an order packet soon. If you would like to order pictures, payment and order form MUST be given to the photographer as the photo is taken. 
BREAKFAST WITH MOM


JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!

When: September 15 - KDG - 2nd Grade
        September 16 - 3rd - 5th Grade
Time: 7:45 - 8:30 am
Where: MES Cafeteria
Cost: $1.80 per person

We will be serving muffins, fruit, coffee, juice and milk.

If mom is unable to attend please bring Grandma, an aunt or a friend!
 
LIBRARY NEWS



Maize Elementary School is so excited to participate in the Million Minute Challenge! This challenge is to encourage the love of reading in any form with a school-wide goal of reading 1,500,000 minutes. We are sending home a read-at-home form to be filled out monthly. Please complete the form with your child, then send it back to the library with a parent signature on the due date. We will have a large goal chart in the hallway to track our progress and minutes.

Thank you so much for your support,

Mrs. Bourne
MES Librarian 
 
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
The whole school is excited abut our Bookaneer Book Fair! From easy readers, to chapter books, to best sellers and more, the Scholastic Book Fair connects kids and families with books they want to read. At the book fair you will:
  • Find selections from Pre-School through adult
  • Be able to support your child's classroom by purchasing teacher books
  • Million Minute contest
  • Support MES - All the money raised from the Book Fair goes back to MES!

 

HUDDLE UP


Students have been busy reviewing important rules and locomotor skills in PE.  For the rest of August we will be focusing on general space while moving. In September, the third and fourth graders will be learning and reviewing muscles.  Second and first graders will be learning the locations and functions of their bones. Kindergarten students are going to learn basic body parts and functions (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) We will be doing numerous activities to make our bodies stronger and more flexible.  We will also be fitness testing and starting on a throwing and catching unit.

First quarter grades will not be entered until the first week in October. Please do not be alarmed if your student doesn't have a grade for something. Items will be made up if they missed a day.
Thank you taking an interest in your child's health and well-being.
 
Keep moving!
Coach Horn
 
FROM THE NURSE
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Students will have hearing and/or vision screenings during the school year as required.  Students new to the district will receive both hearing and vision screenings.  Parents will need to write a note or email the school nurse ONLY if they do NOT want their child screened.  Results will ONLY be sent home if further testing is needed.  Screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional evaluations.
 
Medication
Under certain conditions medication may be given at school per the Board of Education Policy. A consent form must be completed BEFORE any medication is administered at school. Please see this link-
Nurses Corner- for the Medication consent 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 substitution form 19 B must be completed and signed by a parent and healthcare provider. See this link Form 19 B
 
Head Lice Education
Lice are present in our community all the time. Parents should do weekly inspections of their children throughout the school year. The Kansas law states that students with head lice may return to school after treatment with an antiparasitic drug which can be found in over the counter and prescription shampoos. Be sure to read the directions carefully before treatment. For more information click on Lice Lessons or Head Lice.
 
Skyward Health History
It is the parent's responsibility to update health conditions in Skyward and notify the school nurse as needed.
 
Immunizations and Health Assessments
Don't forget to turn in your child's updated immunization records to the school nurse as well as a Health Assessment if this is the first time your child has been in a Kansas school.

 FROM THE COUNSELOR

During the month of September, the classroom counselor lessons are about bullying prevention and compassion. We talk about being a good friend and showing compassion for others.

Lunch groups and friendship groups have started with Mrs. Stephens. The groups meet at least 1 time and it's just for FUN! A note will be sent home with your child when they are selected for a group. New students are picked first to help them meet some friends from their class. All 1st-5th grade students will be in a group at some time during the school year.

If you have any concerns or ways I can help your child be successful at school-please contact me! I am here to help every child have a great year. 

Becky Stephens, Counselor
[email protected] 

 
MAIZE WAY SPIRIT DAY
Maize Way
MAIZE WAY
SPIRIT FRIDAY!!
Friday, September, 23rd is MES 
MAIZE WAY SPIRIT FRIDAY! On this day, students are asked to wear MES shirts and be ready to review their classroom's social contract & learn about our May
MAIZE WAY word:


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!

 

Maize WayThe Character Trait for September is:
Compassion
Showing sympathy and concern, caring for others, being kind and thoughtful, and helping those in need.