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Maize Education Foundation Awards over $65,000 in Grants for Schools
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Foundation Board Members Kenton Cox (left) and Mandi Martinson present MCE Principal David Jennings with a check for $19,646.72. |
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Last year, the Maize Education Foundation worked to redefine its goals and the process used to provide funds to the district. Three major areas of focus were identified for funding: technology grants, instructional grants and student enrichment grants. The grant application and evaluation process was also redesigned, with applications due last February from staff.
At the May 6 All Staff meeting, the Maize Education Foundation Board of Directors awarded $68,210.43 for seven grant applications they received for the 2011-12 school year. Receiving grants are:
Tammy Willard at PWS - $505 for Kagan Cooperative Learning training
Mary Grimes and Margie Eaton at MHS - $3,329.97 for Nooks, or e-readers, for students in Reading Seminar class.
Music Department at PWS - $3,985.74 for Sub-Contra and Contra Bass Bars.
Art Department at MHS - $4,875 for ceramics equipment.
Pray-Woodman Elementary School - $16,518 for Kagan Cooperative Learning training for staff.
Maize High School Foreign Language Department - $19,350 for classroom laptops.
Maize Central Elementary - $19,646.72 for classroom laptops.
"We realize how many cuts have been made to technology across the district and by funding these grants, we are hoping to help get our schools back on track with adequate and up to date equipment for our students to use," said Foundation Board President Dr. Brad Emanuel. "These seven grants are the beginning of great things for our foundation and the Maize district. This is the largest amount of funds the foundation has provided in its history. We are working to have even more funds available next year."
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Superintendent's Message BY DOUG POWERS |
Greetings! 
The district is filled with lots of excitement as school winds down for the year! From field days at the elementary schools to graduation ceremonies at both high schools, there has been plenty to enjoy and celebrate during these last few weeks. The facility needs committee will work over the summer months to develop recommendations for future facility and campus improvements. About 30 people are working on the team led by parent Cyndi Chapman and staff member Nils Gabrielson. Their work will roll into the next round of long range planning, called Journey to Excellence, which is slated to begin next fall. Speaking of Journey to Excellence, the original steering committee gathered earlier this month to hear reports on the Year Five action plans. These reports concluded this round of long range planning for the district. I want to thank the volunteers who have served on the team since 2005. Over 100 people spent countless hours working on action teams that helped chart the course for our district's success. I hope you have an amazing summer with family and friends! We will look forward to seeing you next August! Sincerely, Doug Powers, Superintendent of Schools |
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Journey to Excellence Wraps Up
The Journey to Excellence - Soaring to New Heights long range plan came to a conclusion on May 12 when the original steering committee met to hear reports from the administrators who worked on the Year Five action plans.
Facilitated this year by MHS principal Mike Bonner, the following action plans were presented to the team:
- Funding Stability: Legislative Advocacy, Dr. Teresa San Martin; External Fundraising Groups, Brian Thompson and Jim Foltz.
- Stakeholder Needs: Semi-quarterly calendar, Karen McDermott; Two-way electronic communication, Cort Haynes and Beth Schmidt.
- Learning: Multicultural experiences, Jeannine Pfannenstiel.
To read more about the district's Journey to Excellence plan, click here.
If you have an interest in serving on the next Journey to Excellence planning team, please contact Communications Director Karen McDermott at kmcdermott@usd266.com or call her at 350-2021. |
2011-12 Enrollment Information
On July 5, 2011, the Family Access online enrollment portal will be opened on the district web page, www.usd266.com. You will fill out all of your 2011-12 enrollment information and transportation form on a secured site for each of your students.
You will also have the ability to pay your fees online using your credit card or you will be able to mail in a check for your student's enrollment fees. Families who qualify for free and reduced lunches and complete the Waiver of Confidentiality form will have their fees waived if approved. Free and reduced lunch applications and the Waiver of Confidentiality form will be available on the district web page after July 18, 2011. If you believe you will qualify for free and reduced lunches, please complete the enrollment paperwork but do not submit your payment until your application has been processed.
Watch your mailbox on July 1 for a letter which will contain login instructions to Family Access so that you can complete the enrollment process. The letters will also contain instructions to guide you through the process and will be sent to the address where the student resides.
Enrollment paperwork will need to be completed online by July 20 in order for your student's information to be input into the school's database and for transportation to assign your student to a bus route. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may come to the district's Educational Support Center, 11611 W. 49th St. North, between July 5-20 during normal business hours to log in and complete the enrollment process.
Questions? Please send an e-mail to enrollment@usd266.com and a district representative will contact you.
Know someone new to the district who needs to enroll? One Stop Enrollment for students new to the district will be held on August 2 at Maize High School from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
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After Prom Parties A Huge Success
Over 230 students attended MSHS and 480 students attended MHS's drug and alcohol free party with over 200 parents and others who volunteered their time and talents to both events. The students enjoyed food, games and prizes. Thank you to everyone that donated their time, money and merchandise to make both After Prom parties wonderful events! A special thanks to the staff at Maize High School, Maize South High School for all their help.
This year's events were co-chaired by Robin Thornburg and Marsha Zimmerman. MHS committee members - Denise & Mark Maloney, Kim & Dean Bunting, Nancy & Stan Diskin, Sharla Schlotthauer, Lisa Baalman, Theresa Claybrook, Toni Baker, Kelly & Tom Joe, Annette Hartzog, Michelle Roeser and Donna Lee; MSHS committee members - Carol & Russell Gorges, Susan & Doug Dunham, Gina Dickinson & Rocky Wiechman, Toni Baker, Lori Pracht and Ashlie McKay.
Click here to view a list of the individuals and businesses who generously contributed to the event. |
Virtual School Enrolling Now for 2011-12
The Maize Virtual Preparatory School (MVPS) is now enrolling students in Kindergarten through eighth grade for next school year. MVPS is a new program for Maize USD 266 and offers an alternative to the traditional bricks and mortar school environment.
The Maize Virtual Preparatory School (MVPS) offers free enrollment in a full-year program featuring the best of tradition and innovation in education. Students use the world-renowned Calvert curriculum, receive instructional oversight by highly qualified teachers, and apply the latest technology for online learning.
To learn more, visit www.maizevirtualprepschool.com. |
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