MAIZE unified school district 266
CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.

Volume 15, Issue 4
December 22, 2020
Maize Middle School News
Principal's Message


Good morning,

Here we are on our last day before we begin a well-deserved break. This is where I usually say, “The year has flown by!” However, we all know this has been a long, long year. What a year to be a student, teacher, or parent! It is hard to believe what you all have been through in the first half of this school year. A lot of pivoting, adapting, and changing has been going on to make the best of each situation. I am so proud of all the efforts of the staff and students during this time. Even with all the difficulties and challenges, our students have shown up to Zoom meetings ready to learn and give their best effort. Thank you for your support during this first half of the year.

We will be returning to Hybrid learning after the break on January 4th. We look forward to having students in the building as it has been pretty quiet without the hustle and bustle of students. In the Hybrid model, students will attend on the same days they did in the previous Hybrid model.
Black Days- On Mondays and Thursdays students with the last name A-K will attend in-person. Students with the last name L-Z will be Remote.
Red Days- On Tuesdays and Fridays students with the last name L-Z will attend in-person. Students with the last name A-K will be Remote.
On Wednesdays, the schedule will be similar to the current full remote learning Wednesdays. There will be designated times for small group intervention, enrichment, and assistance. 

Here are the Black Day and Red Day Hybrid Schedules for students to follow. This will serve as a guide for students to follow on their remote days as well as the Wednesday all remote schedule. The purpose of sharing a schedule is to try to keep our students in a routine, getting them up and working each day. Students should get up and get ready to start their day as if they were coming in person. We will be printing and laminating the schedules for distribution on students’ first day back. 

Our Maize USD 266 Academic Help desk is also available for students and is a great resource for when they are learning remotely. To request assistance, please complete the Google Form at this link: bit.ly/266HelpDesk.

We finished up our first half of Winter sports with successful seasons for girls basketball and wrestling. Great job to all the student-athletes on their seasons and thank you to the coaches for their time working with our student-athletes preparing them for their season. It was fun watching the student-athletes compete and do well. We will be moving on to our second half of the Winter split-season with Boy’s basketball tryouts starting on January 4th. We have also started Scholars Bowl practices with the first competition scheduled for January 14th. Good luck to everyone trying out and on their upcoming season.

As we end the year 2020, we look forward to the new beginnings in 2021. We will keep adjusting and adapting to help students through this journey. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you. The support you’re providing our students, teachers, and our community does not go unnoticed. We could not do this without you. I hope you enjoy the holiday break. Stay safe and healthy, we look forward to seeing you all in January!

Brian Thompson
Principal
Maize Middle School
4600 N. Maize Rd.
Maize, KS 67101
316-729-2464



 
Make Today Matter
Nurse's Corner

December Newsletter 2020

I cannot believe it is December! I do not know where the time has gone! We had a good start to the hearing and vision screenings, but the Covid related obstacles took precedence. When we return from break, screenings will be at the top of our priority list-along with continuing to track Covid related absences.

Over the break, it is important that we still be able to track any close contacts and/or positive cases of Covid-19. This is important for when we return to school on January 4. Stay tuned for the district to send out information on an online reporting form. Please help us, and do your part to report any exposures or positive cases! My contact information is below as well!

A reminder that if you picked up your student's medication(s) when we went to remote learning, don't forget to bring them back to us. The medication orders are still current, but we will need the medications back!

Stay healthy and well!!

Shelley Funk BSN, RN
Health Office Phone: 316-350-2308
E-Mail: sfunk@usd266.com

















Maize USD 266

Food Service Department
316-722-0900
foodservice@usd266.com




Maize USD 266 is offering hybrid students To Go Meals for their remote-learning days at no charge.

School meals are available for student pickup in the cafeteria or at the athletics concession stand immediately following end-of-day dismissal. Meals are intended to be taken home, refrigerated, and consumed on the day(s) the student is learning from home. The menu for these meals can be found online or in the Nutrislice app.

Mondays/Tuesdays - pickup meals will contain 2 breakfast meals & 2 lunch meals
Thursdays/Fridays - pickup meals will contain 1 breakfast meal & 1 lunch meal

Students may opt in or out at any time; however an RSVP is highly encouraged to help determine how many To Go Meals to prepare. RSVP for January To Go Meals now.  

We look forward to serving your student!
MMS PTO

Hey Eagle Families!

Thank you for supporting MMS PTO this semester by eating at Chick Fil A, shopping Kendra Scott, and buying and showing off that spirit wear. Funds raised from these events allow us to appreciate our teachers a little bit more this year. We continue to make plans for the next semester, so please stay tuned for updates!

Important Information:
  1. PTO is still looking for some parents to help provide monthly appreciation gifts for our staff. If you can help in the next semester look for the details at www.maizemiddlepto.com/parents
  2. Spirit Wear is IN! The office is open 7am-3:30pm and would love for you to pick up your items!
  3. Metal Eagles signs are still available in either a yard sign or wall hanging. You can purchase by completing a google form on our website www.maizemiddlepto.com/spiritwear and then paying with a PayPal invoice we will send to you.
  4. Some leftover spirit wear items are also available for purchase on our website. Please follow the instructions provided at www.maizemiddlepto.com/spiritwear to reserve the items you want.

We are so thankful for our Eagle family making the best of this 2020-2021 school year! 



John Phillip Sousa Honor Band

The John Phillip Sousa Honor Band is open to all 6th – 9th grade students by audition. Every year, nearly 500 students throughout the state of Kansas audition to make one of two bands. The two day event is held on the campus of the University of Kansas in January. This year the honor band will be virtual. It is considered a highly prestigious honor to make one of these ensembles.  

The following students were selected to participate in the 2021 John Phillip Sousa Honor Band.

Abby Linton - Blue Band - Clarinet
Connor Sternberger - Blue Band - Alto Sax
Jackson Hopkins - Blue Band - Trombone
Andrew Pederson - Blue Band - Euphonium
Jacob Froese - Blue Band - Percussion 
Jaxon Benard - Red Band - Tenor Sax
Delainey Stevens - Red Band - Horn

Student Enrichment Grants

Here is an attachment that gives an overview of the application process and some details about what types of activities are eligible.

Two important things for you to remember:
  • All applications are online (no paper submission). A hyperlink is embedded in the pdf, or students may visit our website for details and to begin their application.
  • Our website is not the same as the district website. Our url is www.maizeeducationfoundation.org.

Click on the link below for an overview.



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 pandemicparents 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

Dates For January

Monday, 1/4
*School Resumes
*7 Boys Basketball Tryouts, 2:45-4:30
*8 Boys Basketball Tryouts, 4:30-6:00

Tuesday, 1/5
*7th Boys Basketball Tryouts, 2:45-4:30
*8th Boys Basketball Tryouts, 4:30-6:00

Wednesday, 1/6
*7th Boys Basketball Tryouts, 2:45-4:30
*8th Boys Basketball Tryouts, 4:30-6:00

Thursday, 1/7
*7 Boys Basketball Tryouts, 2:45-4:30

Tuesday, 1/12
*Spelling Bee

Thursday, 1/14
*Scholars Bowl Meet @ Hutchinson, 3:30

Monday, 1/18
*No School-Martin Luther KIng Jr. Day

Tuesday, 1/19
*Scholars Bowl Meet @ Andover Central, 3:30
*7/8 Boys Basketball @ Andover Central, 5:00/6:15

Thursday, 1/21
*7/8 Boys Basketball vs. Andover, 5:00/6:15

Monday, 1/25
*7/8 Boys Basketball @ Derby North, 5:00/6:15

Tuesday, 1/26
*Scholars Bowl Meet @ MMS, 3:00

Thursday, 1/28
*7/8 Boys Basketball @ Valley Center, 5:00/6:15

Friday, 1/29
Casual/Winter Sports Photos


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:
  • 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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
  • Checks/Cash in envelopes with student name
  • Front office is not responsible for any items left for students

home-keys-globe-sm2.jpg
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 729-2464. 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 either email it to slambert@usd266.com, or fax it to our office at 316-729-2479.

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.


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:

  1. Visit www.dillons.com/communityrewards
  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!
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.
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.

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
ONEMA1ZE  #OneMa1ze