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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
Volume 16, Issue 1
September 1, 2021
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Principal's Message
Good afternoon,
Welcome to Maize Middle School! We are so glad you are part of the Eagle family. We have had a great start to our first 2 and a half weeks of school. Our enrollment is still growing with many new students to MMS. The growth always brings some challenges but we are glad we have a little more space now with just 7th and 8th grade in the building this year.
At MMS we are committed to the process of Capturing Kids’ Hearts. I believe we have to “Reach them before we can Teach them” and this process helps all staff be intentional about building relationships with students. It also empowers our students to be self-managing. Our goal is for Maize Middle School to be a safe place where all students feel welcome. Capturing Kids’ Hearts helps us accomplish this goal. Our teachers are greeting students at the door, asking about “good things” in their lives, building social contracts, launching students with something meaningful, etc. Our hope is that these things will make MMS feel like a “home away from home.” We are looking forward to a wonderful 2021-2022 school year.
We have reviewed our Eagle Expectations and give those reminders throughout the year, and so far they are doing a nice job of stepping up and following our Eagle Expectations. The Eagle expectations are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible/Learner, Be Safe, Be Friendly. Even the students that fall short of our expectations we will take time to work with them to help them meet those expectations. Feel free to encourage your child to meet our expectations daily.
We have several new teachers this year and I want to take a moment to introduce the many new faces joining the MMS family.
Jessica Buchanan-Project Lead the Way-Engineering
Jessica Schaffer-7th grade Science
Ryan Tarletsky-Broadcast
Kristina Sander-World Languages
Sara McKnight-7th grade Math
Amy Phelps-IR/IS Math
Stacy Woodard-Exploratory Agriculture
Aaron Finck-Industrial Tech.
Zach Helgesen-Engineering Essentials
Megan Patterson-Pyschologist
If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop by my office, call me at school, or e-mail me.
Once again, we are looking forward to a wonderful 2021-2022 school year. GO EAGLES!!
Have a great day and enjoy the upcoming Labor Day weekend!
Brian
Make Today Matter
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As you have probably experienced at the grocery store, food and beverage manufacturers. processors, and farmers are dealing with labor and trucking shortages causing product shortages nationwide. Since manufacturers typically have a lower profit margin for school-approved products, our products have been lower priority and the K-12 segment has been hit especially hard. We expect menu changes to occur frequently this school year and have plans to communicate this to parents and post it on our online menu. We are working to source products from additional vendors and ordering ahead to stock up as much as possible in the event of late or cancelled deliveries. All students will still be offered choices whenever possible and menus will still meet the age-specific meal pattern and nutrition requirements. Our Kitchen Managers will share menu changes with the school office when entrees are affected as this could change lunch counts and needs for students with allergies. |
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Nurse's Corner
Hello Maize Families! We are so happy to be back at school serving you and your students! We have been busy updating records and learning to know our new students! We would like to ask for your help on a few things:
- If your student has a health need....PLEASE tell us! We try our best to review all of our records but your input is so important!
- The cut-off date for immunizations is October1, 2021. After that date, if your student is not compliant on his/her immunizations, he/she may be excluded form school until they are updated. ALL 7th graders require a Meningococcal ACWY vaccine AND a Tdap booster. If your student has received them, and you have not provided documentation to the health Office-pleas do so right away!
- A Medication Administration Form is required for any over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications. A Dr. signature is required for any prescription meds. You can find the form on the Maize website, or just give me a call and I will email you one!
- If your student carries an inhaler-we STILL NEED a medication administration form on file!
- Covid has obviously been a big part of our return to school this year. PLEASE keep your student home if he/she is showing any signs of illness. If your child has been exposed to a positive Covid case-PLEASE let us know! We will help you with return to school dates. We are still offering the Rapid Covid Test for a student or family member that has concerns or symptoms. We are NOT offering the daily testing option any longer. Your student's best option to stay in school, is to wear a mask and/or be fully vaccinated.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns.
Shelley Funk RN
MMS School Nurse
316-350-2308
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Maize Middle PTO News
September 2021
www.maizemiddlepto.com
Thank You
Thank you to those of you who came to our Meet and Greet last week. We loved meeting you and are excited to build our board and dive into this school year! If you did not have a chance to come we would love to hear from you, just fill out the following form! We do want to hear your ideas find even more ways to support MMS. Please fill out this simple survey to tell us more about you: PTO 2021-22 Form
PTO General Meeting date will be announced soon!! Finalizing a date and will post on our website and social media when it is confirmed!
Spirit Wear
Thank you for your spirit wear orders! Items should be delivered and ready to pass out early next week.
If you missed out on ordering and want to see what we have available check our website. Any extra sizes that are left to be sold are posted with instructions for purchase. www.maizemiddlepto.com/spiritwear
Appreciating our Teachers
PTO likes to show appreciation to our Eagle Staff and Teachers all year round. To kick off the school year we asked teachers if they would post their Amazon Wishlists on the MMS PTO Facebook page so that any of you that want to purchase from their list can do that easily!
We love for parents to help take charge of a monthly token of appreciation every month. Sign up with a group to provide a small treat for our staff one month this school year! PTO will reimburse up to $50 of the cost each time. Head to maizemiddlepto.com/parents for more details.
Looking for teacher favorites? This list is also found at maizemiddlepto.com/parents
Upcoming Spirit Nights
Funds from these spirit nights are what fund what PTO can do for our teachers this year. Mark these down on your calendar! **Could you help us coordinate and schedule spirit nights? PTO is currently in need of a spirit night coordinator! Let us know if that could be you!!**
October 21 – 3-10pm Chick fil A
February 22 – 3-10pm Chick fil A
Thank you for staying connected with us!
Maize Middle PTO Board
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KAY Club
KAY club will begin its membership drive soon after Labor Day weekend. KAY stands for Kansas Association for Youth. Any 7th or 8th-grade student is invited to join the club. It is a volunteerism and leadership club focused on the following objectives: Character, Health, Service, Appreciation, Recreation, and Leadership. The club motto is "Today For Tomorrow". If you are interested in joining KAY there will be membership forms available in the office and outside the art room (across from the library). Club dues are $5 which goes toward KSHSAA dues and club activities. At this point, the club plans to meet before school at least once maybe twice a month. Please email Mrs. Celina Soukup, KAY club sponsor, at csoukup@usd266.com if you have any questions about KAY.
This summer three KAY club members from Maize Middle School attended KLC (KAY Leadership Camp) at Rock Springs 4H campgrounds near Junction City, Kansas. These members included: club President Vanessa Encinias, Vice-President Kiley Gonzales, and KAY member Alexis Craft. The camp was held for five days and all three girls reported that they enjoyed camp, especially the activities and the food. Their training from KLC will help to lead the club through a successful KAY year this 2021-2022 school year.
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Library News
Welcome back to your library! Kelly Blurton has joined our library team this year as the Secondary Librarian for our district. She will split her time between all four secondary schools and will be working to enhance our students’ library experience as well as teach research, internet safety, and library skills. Students were also excited to see our fabulous Library Paraeducator, Mrs. Sussler.
We have completed our fall textbook distribution and are excited to begin welcoming classes for library visits. Students may also visit the library before and after school or with a pass from their classroom teacher. Students can check out a maximum of three books and are able to keep their books for two weeks.
Classes are also voting for their favorite book genre this week- what's your genre?
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Attendance/Tardies
Attendance Counts:
Regular attendance is necessary to fully realize the benefits of educational opportunities. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The responsibility of school attendance is with the student and his/her parents. Parents/guardians should notify the school via our attendance line in the event the student will be absent. Excused absences include illness verified by a doctor, appointments with a doctors note, school sponsored activities, funerals or administrative approved absences. Due to the pandemic, parents are encouraged to provide a doctors note for appointments and illnesses.
When your student is absent:
- Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the student's name (and spelling)
- Provide a reason for the absence (ill, out of town, appointment, etc.)
- If you plan to have your student out of school for 3 or more days, stop by the MMS office to pick up an administrative approval form
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Dates For September
Thursday, 9/2
- 7th Volleyball @ Goddard, 5:00/6:15
- 8th Volleyball @ Andover, 5:00/6:15
- 7/8 Football vs. Goddard, 5:00/6:30 @ KT Woodman, MHS
Monday, 9/6-Labor Day No School
Tuesday, 9/7
- Girls Tennis @ Hutchinson, 3:30
- Cross Country @ Valley Center, 4:00
- 7th/8th B Football @ Goddard, 5:00/6:30
Wednesday, 9/8
- Fall Sports Pictures, 2:00
Thursday, 9/9
- Girls Tennis vs. Andover, 3:30
- 7th Volleyball vs. Derby, 5:00/6:15
- 8th Volleyball @ Derby, 5:00/6:15
- 7/8 Football @ Andover Central, 5:00/6:30
Saturday, 9/11
- Cross Country @ Wellington, 9:00
Tuesday, 9/14
- Girls Tennis @ Andover Central, 3:30
- Cross Country @ Goddard, 4:00
Thursday, 9/16
- 7th Volleyball @ Valley Center, 5:00/6:15
- 8th Volleyball vs. MSMS/VC, 5:00/6:15
- 7/8 Football vs. Andover, 5:00/6:30 @ KT Woodman-MHS
Monday, 9/20
- Cross Country @ Derby North, 4:00
- 7th Volleyball vs. Hutchinson/MSMS, 5:00/6:15
- 8th Volleyball @ MSMS, 5:00/6:15
- Tuesday, 9/21
- Girls Tennis vs. Derby, 3:30
Wednesday, 9/22-Autumn Begins
Thursday, 9/23
- No School-Parent/Teacher Conferences, 8:00am-8:00pm
Friday, 9/24
Saturday, 9/25
- 7th B Volleyball @ Derby North, 9:00
- 8th B Volleyball @ Derby, 9:00
Tuesday, 9/28
- Girls Tennis @ Derby North,3:30
- Cross Country @ Andover Central, 4:00
Thursday, 9/30
- 7th Volleyball @ Andover Central, 5:00/6:15
- 8th Volleyball vs. AC/McPherson, 5:00/6:15
- 7/8 Football @ Hutchinson, 5:00/6:30
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From the MMS Front Office
To help the Front Office of MMS run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, please be aware and reminded of the following:
Front Office Hours:
When your student is absent:
- Please call 729-2464 and leave a message with the student's name (and spelling)
- Provide a reason for the absence (ill, out of town, appointment, etc.)
- If you plan to have your student out of school for 3 or more days, stop by the MMS office to pick up an administrative approval form
When dropping off something for a student:
- Please have it labeled with their first/last name and leave in the office airlock
- Checks/Cash in envelopes with student name
- Front office is not responsible for any items left for students
Picking up a student during school hours:
- The office will not call a student out of class until a parent/guardian is on school property.
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Are You Moving?
If you are moving out of district, please contact Shelley Lambert, MMS Registrar/Data Secretary, at slambert@usd266.com or by phone at 350-2050. Please include the new school, city and state you will be transferring to so we can prepare your student's records for transfer.
If you have moved or will be moving, but are still in district, please send a Proof of Residency to the MMS office as soon as possible. You can email it to slambert@usd266.com.
A utility bill is preferred, but a mortgage/lease agreement can be temporarily accepted. If you have any questions regarding Proof of Residence, please don't hesitate to call the MMS office.
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Dillon's Community Rewards
Dillons is giving away $2 MILLION to local organizations!
Where Shopping and Giving Come Together!
Use your Plus Shopper's Card & them grow!
Supporting their organization has never been easier-just shop at
Dillons and scan your Plus Shopper's Card!
Here's how to enroll:
- Visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards
- Scroll down to find your location and click "Enroll Now"
- Sign in to your online account, or create an account.
- 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!
Everyone must enroll in the Reward Program. This is necessary in order for purchases throughout the year to credit Maize Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this new 5 digit NPO number, NI311.
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One Ma1ze Care
Are you feeling like you could use some extra support? USD266 and Comcare are partnering to bring additional resources at school (including therapy). For additional information about the OneMa1ze Care Team and your eligibility for these supports, email your schools behavior health liaison, Chris McKinney. cmckinney@usd266.com
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Box Tops
MMS rocks the Box Tops! Thank you to everyone who sends in Box Tops............ and keep clipping! It's an easy way to benefit our school and PTO.
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MMS MISSION STATEMENT
EXPECT EXCELLENCE*****DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY and
CHARACTER*****PRODUCE RESULTS and
ACHIEVEMENT*****PROGRESS
Principal
Brian Thompson
bthompson@usd266.com
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Kevin Roulhac
kroulhac@usd266.com
Assistant Principal
Paige Hill
phill@usd266.com
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Thank you to taking the time to read our newsletter. If you have any feedback or questions, please call us at (316) 729-2464 or send an email to jgeorge@usd266.com.
Sincerely,
Maize Middle School
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