1. Take time to think about what you like to do: dream and imagine ideal careers.  There are so many opportunities, so many different types of jobs - and there are also career paths that are just emerging.  Examine your likes and dislikes.  Think about taking a career assessment test.  If you could have any job right now, what would it be?
2. Challenge yourself in high school, but don't overwhelm yourself.  Take challenging classes, but don't overload yourself.  Include at least one fun course in your schedule. 
3. Talk with as many adults as possible about careers and colleges.  The best way to find out about careers is to ask people.  Ask family, friends, neighbors, and teachers to tell you about their careers and college experiences. 
4. Remember that everyone must follow his or her own path in life.  Don't spend too much time worrying what other people in your high school are doing - or letting their opinions about your dreams and ambitions affect your decisions.  And don't worry if you leave high school without a clear career path.  Take your time.  Don't rush and know that everyone develops/matures/grows at their own pace. 
5. Don't let anyone control your dreams and ambitions.  You will be miserable at best if you allow a parent or other family member dictate your major or your career.  The worst thing you can do is choose a career to please someone else. 

High school is a transition time and it should be a time of growth as well as a time of challenge.  Have fun, but get the best education you can so that you are positioned to take advantage of future educational opportunities...and no matter where you go after high school, never stop learning and growing. 

Randall S. Hansen PhD

Freshman orientation was awesome thanks to our MHS Peer Helpers, Betsy Manning, and Sherry Pfeifer!  It was an awesome day and they helped transition our nearly 320 freshmen off to a great start. 

Senior Counseling Appointments

During the first term, the counselors will try to meet with each senior to make certain they are on the track for graduation and to discuss post-graduation plans, the college application process, scholarships, and so forth.  Seniors are welcome to stop by any time and make their appointments. 

Note These Important Dates!!

• September 1^st - Enrollment forms and money for Newman University advanced standing classes are due to the Counseling Office.
• September 1^st - Club Fair at Maize High School during all three lunches.
• September 10^th - The regular September ACT will take place.
• September 16^th - Michael Staab, a 2007 Maize High School graduate, will speak to students interested in a career with NASA.   Michael attended WSU and is now employed at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a Mission Control Engineer.  A sign-up sheet will be available in the Counseling Office for students to sign up to hear Michael speak. 
• September 21^st and 22^nd - ACT Workshop with Caroline Devane will be held at MHS.
• September 26^th - KU Honors Recognition Program - 7:00 p.m. at Maize High School for seniors in the top ten percent of their class.  Invitations will be sent to students who are eligible. 
• September 27^th - The ACT test will be given at Maize High School during the school day to ALL seniors.  This test is FREE to all seniors!  See below for more information. 
• September 28^th and September 29^th - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• October 18^th - Future's Fair at Koch Arena - We will transport our students to Koch Arena and give them the opportunity to check out all the colleges.  Students will leave MHS at 8:50 am and return by 11:00 am.  A sign-up will be available as this date approaches.
• October 19^th - PSAT - Registration is $17 and can be paid to Alysia Buckley in the Counseling Office by 10/10.  Contact the Counseling Office for more information if your student is interested in taking this test.
• October 27^th - ASVAB - This test will be given in the MHS Lecture Hall @ 7:40 am.  There is no charge for this assessment and a sign-up will be available as the date approaches. 

ACT Test Dates and Workshop

Friday, September 16^this last day to sign up for the October 22nd ACT test.  If a student is college bound, we recommend that juniors take the ACT at least once their junior year and once again at the beginning of their senior year.

In addition to our regularly scheduled National ACT test dates, we have scheduled a district ACT test for our Maize High School seniors.  ALL of our seniors will take the ACT during the school day on Tuesday, September 27^th.   There is no cost for this test and you do not have to register on the website for this test.  The counselors have already registered your seniors.  This is an awesome opportunity for your senior to get in one more ACT before heading to college. 

ABSENCES

When your student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardians to call the school to verify the reason for the absence. The absence is unverified without parent contact.  Please note the unexcused absence policy as follows:

1.      Student is unexcused absent on Day 1. No verification is received from a parent/guardian.

2.      On the evening of Day 1, an auto-dialer message will go out requesting verification.

3.      At 10:30am on Day 2, a second auto-dialer message will be sent requesting verification.

4.      Parents/guardians will have 24 hours from that message to call or email the office.

5.      After 10:30am on Day 3, students whose absences are not verified by parents/guardians, a medical note, an administrative excuse, or other approved method WILL receive a four-hour detention.  Parents may NOT excuse the detention after it has been assigned. Parents/guardians - please call or email the Attendance Office promptly to verify students' absences.

Shelley Turner, Attendance Office: Tel. 350-2110 or  

email [email protected] 

Jewel Taylor, Attendance Office:  Tel.  350-2148 or email [email protected] 

When a student has accumulated four absences, he/she will be notified.  Parents of students with five and six absences in one block during a nine-week term will be emailed. Students with six absences will not receive credit in that class. Those parents with no e-mail availability will continue to receive letters.

TARDIES

Please remember that all high school tardies are cumulative from the beginning of the school year. Parents may excuse their student for being late to school three times with no consequences.  After those three are used, tardies to school will count toward the total even when they are parent-excused.

 For further information/clarification on attendance and tardies, you may refer to the students' agenda handbook, pages 11-12 and 46-47. The agenda book can be found online under "Counselors' Corner", "Important Announcements".

LUNCH

Maize has a "Closed Lunch" policy. If a student leaves the building for lunch, he/she must be picked up by a parent/guardian IN the office and must return within his/her allowed lunchtime. If the student returns after their designated time, he/she will be counted tardy or absent.  This may result in a detention being assigned.  If a student has an appointment during their lunch time, they are expected to provide documentation upon return to school. Please refer to pages 31 and 40 of the agenda handbook for further details.

Consumer and Personal Finance Class Uses Dave Ramsey

The Business Department is utilizing the Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance for High School Students program in the Consumer and Personal Finance class.  This is a great class for Maize High students to take in order to learn how to manage their money and become financially secure.  The class will cover topics such as saving, budgeting, checking accounts, debt avoidance, investing for retirement, and insurance.

Dave Ramsey is the best-selling author of Financial Peace. He is on more than 500 radio stations and heard by more than six million listeners. He teaches his seven baby steps which will enable students to be responsible with their money so they can remain debt free and gain wealth.

The Maize High Student Council is excited to announce a new class competition that is designed to boost school spirit and students' participation in a variety of school activities!  Keep reading for more information on COTY (Class Of The Year)!

What are COTY events?

COTY events are activities where student attendance is documented. Different events will be selected sporadically throughout the month and can include activities such as: select football games, choir concerts, debate tournaments, etc. Clubs and Classes can also request to have their event as part of the COTY competition and we will send a team of StuCo members to the event to take tally of the participation.

·  Dressing up for spirit days

·  Attendance at school events (select sporting events, fine arts events, etc)

·  Honor roll members every quarter

·  Community service activities and many more ways!

Student Council will be responsible for sending teams of trained StuCo members with at least one class officer present to each of the COTY events. These teams will tally students who have come to the event by recording their names and grade levels. Each Maize High School student who shows up to the event will receive one point for their graduating class. Points reset at the end of each year.

How do you win? What is the prize?

At the end of April, the winner of COTY will be selected based on the class who has the most points. The winner will be awarded a prize - to be determined and approved by administration.

Questions? Comments?

Email [email protected] and we'll get back to you! We'd love to hear your thoughts and also receive suggestions for COTY events. Remember, events are selected on a monthly basis, so be sure to send your events in ahead of time!

For more information about Maize High School's COTY, watch HERE! 

USD 266 Maize offers Online Driver Education during the school year (Term 1; Term 2; Term 3; Term 4).  The online driver education program strives to prepare students to become knowledgeable and respectful of the law; to learn basic driving skills; and to develop a responsible attitude toward driving.  The instructors will provide critical experience to students; involve parents in the process, and foster cooperative interaction with others in the driving environment.  More detailed information on Online Driver Education can be found on the high school website under the Counselors' Corner.

Online Driver Education:  2016-2017 Enrollment Nights (Enrollment packets may be picked up in the Counseling Office or online under the Counselors' Corner.)

Term 2: October 5, 2016 at 6:00pm; Maize High School Lecture Hall

Term 3: December 7, 2016 at 6:00pm; Maize High School Lecture Hall

Term 4: March 8, 2017 at 6:00pm; Maize High School Lecture Hall

**Students and parents need to attend the enrollment meeting.  Please bring your enrollment packet, a writing pen, and any type of Kansas Permit or License you already have to the Enrollment Meeting.**

Dear Maize USD 266 parents/guardians,

We are excited to begin a new school year with your child!

The safety of our students and employees continues to be a top priority for Maize USD 266. We would like to update you regarding a new crisis plan that the district is implementing this year. The plan speaks to how the district intends to handle potential natural disasters, as well as intruders and/or threats, using a crisis plan that is usable, up-to-date, and easy to understand.

What's new:

·         The Maize Board of Education gave the district crisis team its blessing to move forward on a plan that includes Run, Hide, Fight as a

component. Run, Hide, Fight is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted approach to potential complex situations, focusing on what our employees can do with what they have where they are -- keeping in mind the safety and security of all involved.

·         The option to lock down (hide) may be appropriate, but choosing to flee a situation (run), or even stand your ground and combat an attacker (fight) may be the best or only option in a grave situation.

·         The ultimate goal is to equip and empower employees to protect themselves and others as they deem necessary. There is a series of training sessions, drills, and tabletop exercises planned for employees this school year to equip them with knowledge and resources for this plan.

·         Run, Hide, Fight is an approach used by countless other school districts and private businesses and organizations and one that safety experts agree is best. The district has studied crisis plans from other school districts, as well as those recommended by Homeland Security and the Kansas Center for Safe and Prepared Schools and endorsed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Training/drills:

·         Maize USD 266 drills this school year will include fire evacuations (sometimes to an off-site location), weather-related emergencies, and lockdown and/or modified lockdown scenarios. In individual classrooms, teachers will discuss run and hide options, model situational awareness, and discuss which option is likely to be utilized. Teachers will model methods for, and classes will practice, securing a classroom. Students will not train in the fight protocol, as fighting is a last resort and will be adult-initiated only if necessary.

·         This summer, staff members from every school attended training that taught and stressed safety in our schools. Teachers and staff members will continue to train on new safety resources that will guide them in the event of a crisis, natural or otherwise. They will be better-educated and even more prepared on how to keep your children safe while they are in our care.

What you as a parent can do:

·         Talk with your child about school safety and why it is necessary to train and practice to keep schools safe. Please click here for discussion tips from Mental Health America.

·         Make sure that your contact information in Skyward Family Access is accurate and up-to-date. District officials will use these points of contacts to communicate with you in the case of emergency.

·         Please report suspicious activity to Maize Schools and/or Maize Police. We do not take any threats lightly, regardless of where or how they originate. If you and/or your student ever see a threat posted to social media or elsewhere that makes you question the safety of our schools, please report it immediately. If it is after school hours, please report the threat to police. The Maize Police Department provides school security for USD 266. Please do not leave a message with one of our schools or at Maize City Hall after hours and instead report the perceived threat by calling 911. This will give law enforcement the opportunity to begin an investigation immediately.

Thank you for your diligence, cooperation, and support in providing the safest school environment possible.

MHS graduate, Miles Ukaoma, recently participated in the 400m Hurdles at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as a member of the Nigerian Track and Field squad. After graduating from Maize in 2010, he ran track at the University of Nebraska. While there, Miles won the NCAA National Championship in the 400m Hurdles in 2014. Great job!

Ten Maize High students spent a week this summer at Kansas Association for Youth Leadership Camp at Rock Springs 4-H Center in Junction City. They attended the camp with more than 230 middle and high school students from around Kansas.

The KAY program is a character-building, leadership-training, service organization directed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. KAY is a nationally acclaimed organization unique to Kansas that provides Kansas students an opportunity to assume their citizenship responsibilities and enrich their personalities through well-organized programs. 

At KAY Leadership Camp, students receive organizational and leadership training and learn about new and exciting service projects. They are given the opportunity to meet and share ideas with KAY members from all over the state. 

Students attending the camp were Jansyn Andreas, Kaylee Swanson, Lauren Fuhrman, Andrea Fuhrman, Kalysta Dohlman, Keira Dobbs, Ellie Hahn, Emily Conner, Austyn Ritchie, and Nicole Dowell. 

The MHS Front Office Secretaries welcome students, parents, and USD 266 patrons back for the 2016-2017 school year.

MHS Office Hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

A friendly reminder ...

Per board policy, deliveries for students, including flower and balloon bouquets, will not be accepted at any of the schools.  Deliveries from restaurants are also not accepted.

Front Office Processes

• If you need to report your student's attendance or need your student to be called out due to a medical appointment or illness, you may reach the Attendance Office by calling (316) 722-0441 and select option #1.

*Please refer to the Attendance Office information in this newsletter for updated processes when reporting student absences or a student tardy.

• When you bring something in for your student:
• Please have it labeled with their first and last name printed legibly.
• Have money (cash & checks) in a sealed envelope with his/her first and last name printed legibly.
• Understand that the Front Office is not responsible for any items left for students.
• Understand that your student is responsible to pick up his/her item; it will not be delivered to him/her. Exceptions will not be made without administrative approval.
• When you have to leave a message for your student:
• Please call 722-0441. Please select option #2 to reach a Front Office Secretary.
• Provide your student's name (and spelling).
• Concisely state the message.
• Understand that your student will be called via intercom during passing periods to receive his/her message.
• If you would like to enjoy lunch with your student:
• Visitors of individual students are limited to immediate family (parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters) and adults serving in a mentorship role to the student.
• No more than three visitors are allowed per student visit.
• The student cannot have friends who are not in the same lunch period join him/her and family for lunch.
• Student and visitors may be requested to eat in our main MHS Front Office Conference Room.
• Verification of family status may be required.
• When your student needs to leave school before the end of the day:
  • Please do not text or call your student that they will be leaving before you have notified the school via a Front Office secretary or Attendance secretary. There is an attendance process that must be followed. 

One of the goals in the MHS Front Office is to not disrupt instruction in classrooms during the teaching blocks except in the case of an emergency. Emergencies will be identified by the grade-level administrator. Students' names will be called during passing periods via our intercom system to notify them of passes, items that have been dropped off, or messages awaiting them in the Front Office. It is their responsibility to come to the Front Office when called.

We look forward to a great 2016 - 2017 school year.

GO MAIZE HIGH EAGLES!

Health Matters,

by Dana Desjardins

If your student wants to carry an inhaler, epipen, diabetic medications or supplies, please have a doctor and parent/guardian complete our Request for Administration of Medication form and return it to the MHS Nurse's Office.  Arrangements will be made by the MHS Nurse.

Other prescribed medications must have a completed Request for Administration of Medication form filled out by the student's doctor and parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must bring the prescribed medication to the MHS Nurse's Office. The medication will be locked up in the Nurse's Office and given by the MHS Nurse as prescribed.

Over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or cough drops may be carried by the student AFTER a parent/guardian has completed the Request for Administration of Medication form and the student has returned it to the school nurse. The medication must be in its original bottle with the student's first and last name on it.

Any breach in the Maize USD 266 Medication Policy by the student or parent/guardian will be subjected to MHS administrative action.

MAIZE USD 266 MEDICATION POLICY ARTICLE V - STUDENTS, SECTION 3 - MEDICATION, BOE POLICY may be found on the www.usd266.com website and on the Request for Administration of Medication form. 

The Request for Administration of Medication form can be found on the Maize High School website under "Nurse's Corner" after you have clicked on the "Medication" tab or click here.

If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse at 350-2123 or [email protected]. We are here to help!

Our new yearbook staff has been working hard to distribute the 2015-2016 yearbooks. Please email adviser Anne Debes with any questions regarding last year's book at [email protected]. You might have just received your 2016 yearbook, but we're already planning ahead! If you want to plan ahead, too, you can pre-purchase a 2016-2017 Maize High yearbook.

How do you pre-purchase a 2017 yearbook? Three options exist:

1. Pay through Skyward. Several students pre-purchased yearbooks via Skyward Family Access during enrollment, and this option will be available through the end of March.

2. Visit the Jostens Website. Jostens is the company that publishes our yearbook. You can go directly to the Jostens website, www.jostens.com, and they will add your order to our official list.  Please notice that the initial charge on their website is $37.21, then they add $2.79 tax, for a total of $40.

3. Pay in Person. Bring $40 cash or a check made out to MHS Yearbook to Mrs. Debes in room F39. Make sure you include your child's name and the fact that you are purchasing a 2017 yearbook with your order.

**If your child receives free/reduced lunches, he or she may qualify for a free yearbook. Please contact adviser Anne Debes for more information at [email protected].

When will my Maize High student or grad get his or her yearbook?

Because we, like many high school yearbooks, cover the whole school year in one bound edition, the book is printed over the summer and distributed in early August of the following school year.  We will email graduates and send out messages via social media when they can pick up yearbooks or have friends/family members pick them up in the front office. Students who still go to MHS in August will receive their pre-purchased books the first week of school.

What about senior ads? We will send out senior ad information in October, so be on the lookout for another awesome yearbook opportunity in a couple of months!

Can I still buy a 2015-2016 yearbook? We might still have a few extra 2015-2016 yearbooks to sell. Please email adviser Anne Debes regarding past yearbooks.

Further questions? Please email adviser Anne Debes at [email protected].

Thanks to all of our Eagle parents, guardians, and students for supporting our award-winning, student-produced publication!

Does your student have an interest in math or science?  The Maize High Science Department sponsors numerous clubs and activities and would like to invite your student to join us!

Aviation Club meets weekly during EnCor. Common field trips are to the Wichita Air Show and Young Eagles Flight that allows students to fly with a pilot for free.  Students should contact Mr. Sill for information.

Chemistry Club is for students who have taken chemistry or are currently enrolled this school year.  Students meet monthly in Mrs. Shurts' room to practice demonstrations for school events and elementary school students.

Eco Meet is a scholarship competition based on knowledge of Kansas plants and animals.  Maize High students have won individual state events and placed in the top three as a team over the past few years.  Student competitors practice after school, and if your student is interested, they should contact Mr. Super.

Maize FFA has been featured in Kansas Living for starting a chapter in a nontraditional Ag setting.  FFA is open to freshman through seniors and is sponsored by Mr. Super.  Even though your student may not have an Ag connection, the student leadership development is for everyone.  Don't miss out on the peaches they will be selling this fall.

Science Olympiad has a strong tradition at Maize High and was a State Qualifier last year.  The group will start practice at the beginning of the second term and is always looking for future engineers, researchers, scientists, and nature lovers to compete in a wide spectrum of science events.  Students can contact Mr. Jacobson, Mrs. Fisher, or Mrs. Houseman for specific events and meeting times.

We're giving away $2 MILLION to local organizations! 

Where Shopping and Giving Come Together!

Use your Plus Shopper's Card & help us grow!

Supporting our organization has never been easier - just shop at Dillons and scan your Plus Shopper's Card! 

Here's how to enroll:

1.  Visit https://www.dillons.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow.

2.  Scroll down to find your location and click "Enroll Now".

3.  Sign in to your online account or create an account.

4.  Find and select our organization, and click "Save".

You'll start earning rewards for our organization right away on qualifying purchases made using your Plus Shopper's Card! Learn more at  https://www.dillons.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow and thank you for your support.

In order for purchases to be credited to Maize High School throughout 2016-2017 shoppers must enroll in the Rewards Program. Be sure to sign-in and make your contribution selection using this 5-digit NPO number:  69258.