| 2016-17 MSMS Administration |
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If you would like to speak to an administrator during the school day, you may call 316-722-0421.
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| 2016-17 MSMS Counseling Department |
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Steffanie Moore,
A-L Counselor
John Suchan,
M-Z Counselor
Diane Hewlett,
Registrar
If you would like to speak to a counselor during the school day, you may call 316-722-0421.
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| 2016-17 MSMS Athletic Department |
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Craig Ryan,
MSMS Athletic/Activities Director
Tamy Pollman,
MSMS Athletic/Activities Secretary
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| Maize South Middle School |
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(316) 722-0421
fax (316) 722-4077
3403 N. Tyler Rd.
Wichita, KS 67205
Office Hours:
6:30am-3:30pm
School Hours:
7:30-2:35 M,T,Th,F
7:30-2:00 Wednesday
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MSMS Parent Newsletter
September 2016 |
Principal's Corner
Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):
Welcome to September! We hope this school year has started off smoothly for all of you!
In addition to Skyward Family Access, which many of you are using, another tool parents and students may utilize for classroom communication is Blackboard. Blackboard is an LMS (Learning Management System) which is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of education courses. Students will be able to access assignments and announcements online from this site. Please note that Blackboard is not mandatory for middle school teachers to use. However, some of our teachers utilize this communication tool, and highly recommend this for our students and families. Parents and students have the same log-in information for Blackboard. You may find our Blackboard Website in two areas. First, you are welcome to visit our Maize School District Home Page at www.usd266.com. Once there, you may click on "Blackboard." The second option to find our Blackboard Website is to visit our MSMS Home Page at www.usd266.com/msms. Once there, you may click on our "Blackboard" tab. The username for Blackboard is your child's student ID number. The password for Blackboard, for both parents and students, is "266Maize."
Another tool which parents find useful is actually found within our Skyward Database. While viewing your child's information in Skyward, you may click on the "Calendar" tab. Under this link, you will find a list of assignments which have been turned into the classroom teacher(s). When you click on a specific assignment, the information will detail the student's grade on that particular assignment. You may further click on "Show Assignment Details" to view more detailed information about that particular assignment, such as how many points the assignment was worth. Assignment scores and grades may also be viewed within Skyward, under the "Gradebook" tab, which most parents are even more familiar with.
Just a reminder that our Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences are right around the corner, and will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 12:00-8:00 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences for MSMS are come and go for Fall Conferences. Please do not hesitate to contact a staff member should you have questions and/or concerns for your child prior to that time. Due to Parent/Teacher Conferences, students will not have school on Thursday, September 29, 2016 and Friday, September 30, 2016.
Please feel free to contact our Administrative and/or Counseling Team, if you have any questions and/or concerns throughout the school year.
Gillian Gaskill Macias
Maize South Middle School
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Important Reminders
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- Remember to furnish the office with a copy of any legal documentation in regard to custody issues.
- If your student is going to be tardy to school, they are allowed three parent excused tardies per quarter, not including medical excuses with notes. Please call the school if your student is going to be late for any reason.
- KS State Law requires notes for medical absences. Please be sure to provide a doctor's note to the front office when your child has seen the doctor, dentist, etc.
- If you need to pick up your child from school during school hours, please remember that we cannot pull your student out of class until you have come into the office to sign them out.
- Just a reminder that the school district does not provide any type of health or accident insurance for injuries incurred by your child at school. The school district makes insurance available to those who wish to purchase it on a voluntary basis. Forms may be obtained in each school office.
- Please check your student's lunch account balance in Skyward Family Access regularly to be sure they have enough money for breakfast and/or lunch.
Thanks for your help!
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Welcome New Staff
Janelle Dillon
 Janelle Dillon has joined our MSMS Team as our 7th/8th Grade Art Teacher. Ms. Dillon loved being a Maize student herself, and is a graduate of Maize High School. She completed her degree at Kansas State University. After teaching in Pratt for a couple of years, Ms. Dillon moved back to Wichita to teach in Maize and be with family. She loves getting to know students and loves how they inspire her. In her free time, Ms. Dillon enjoys catching up with friends and family, reading, watching sports and being outdoors.
Kristen Eck
 Kristen Eck has joined our MSMS Team as a 6th Grade Math Teacher. This is Ms. Eck's fourth year teaching, and her first year teaching as a Maverick. Along with getting to teach 6th Grade Math, Ms. Eck is also the MSHS Dance Team Coach! Ms. Eck taught in Pratt, KS, for three years before moving to Wichita. She received her degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Leadership Studies, from the best university in Kansas, Kansas State University. While at K-State, Ms. Eck was a member of The Pride of Wildcatland Marching Band for five years. She marched in the clarinet section for three years and was an assistant drum major for two years. This past summer, Ms. Eck finished her Master's Degree in Education from Baker University. In addition to her degrees, Ms. Eck has a 6-12 Mathematics certification. Ms. Eck grew up on a dairy farm in Sharon, KS. Her father farms with one of his brothers and her mom is the 7th and 8th Grade Math Teacher in Medicine Lodge, KS. Ms. Eck's brother graduated from K-State in May and works for Ryan Lawn and Tree Service. Her sister is a sophomore at K-State and is one of the K-State Classy Cats. Ms. Eck's family is a very purple family! Ms. Eck is so excited to be part of the amazing Maize South Maverick family. This district is incredibly special and she cannot wait to learn and grow here!
Hannah Martin
 Hannah Martin has joined our MSMS Team as one of our 8th Grade
Literature/Composition Teachers. Ms. Martin is a recent graduate of Kansas State University, so this will be her first year teaching! As a new teacher, Ms. Martin is incredibly excited to be a part of the Maize community, to get to know her students, and to share her love of English with them!
Shane Paulus
 has joined our MSMS Team as a 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher. This will be Mr. Paulus' 14th year of teaching. His first teaching position was with the Wichita Public School District, teaching 5th Grade. Mr. Paulus taught there for four years. Mr. Paulus has spent the last nine years teaching 5th Grade at Discovery Intermediate School in the Goddard School District. This will be Mr. Paulus' first year teaching 6th Grade. Mr. Paulus has three children, who all attend school right here in the Maize School District. Taylor will be in 6th Grade at Maize Middle School this year, Nicholas will be in 4th Grade at Maize Elementary School, and Adilynn will be in 1st Grade, also at Maize Elementary School. Mr. Paulus' wife, Carie, is also a teacher and works in the Wichita School District. Mr. Paulus is very excited to be here at Maize South Middle School, and looks forward to this school year!
Kim Pohl
Kim  Pohl has joined our MSMS Team as a 6th Grade Math Teacher. Mrs. Pohl is excited to be your child's 6th Grade Math Teacher for the 2016-2017 school year. This is Mrs. Pohl's 25th year of teaching and her first year being a Maize South Maverick. Mrs. Pohl has taught all 25 years in Maize, starting as a 5th Grade Teacher, 5th/6th Grade Math Intervention Teacher, and most recently a Title 1 Math Teacher at MCE for K-5th Grade. Mrs. Pohl is beyond thrilled to be back in the classroom teaching her favorite grade and subject. Mrs. Pohl is super proud of her family...she is sure your kids will get sick of her "family stories!" Mrs. Pohl's husband, Scott, is an Attorney and they have been married almost 26 years. They have two biological children. Logan, their 23 year old daughter, just graduated with her Biochemistry Degree from WSU...she is working as a Para Educator this year as she decides between Medical School or teaching at the High School level! Their 20 year old son, Austin, is currently serving in US Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic. Rhonda and Ronnie are Mrs. Pohl's kids by luck...Rhonda is 22 and a CNA, and currently studying to be a Nurse. Ronnie is a HS Junior in Michigan...an amazing student and athlete. Mrs. Pohl also has many "children" by default of loving her children's friends, and she wouldn't want it any other way. And of course, Mrs. Pohl's students become her family as well...which is one of the many reasons she is ready to begin another year and look forward to getting to know each one of your children!
Rey R
 amirez has joined our MSMS Team as our ESOL Teacher. Mr. Ramirez taught Middle School Language Arts for three years before moving to the Maize School District four years ago. This year, Mr. Ramirez will be teaching at Maize High, Maize South Middle, and coaching soccer at Maize South High. Mr. Ramirez has four wonderful kids that keep him happily occupied outside of his already busy school schedule. Mr. Ramirez loves being on the go and welcomes all challenges... especially when they're for the betterment of kids' futures. Go Mavs!!!
Aaron
 Schrag has joined our MSMS Team as a Special Education Teacher. Mr. Schrag enjoys drawing and puzzles. He also enjoys working with children. Mr. Schrag started working with kids when he was about 15 years old, at a Bible camp. After college, Mr. Schrag worked as a Paraprofessional and also worked at a camp that worked with students with special needs. Mr. Schrag completed his Masters in Special Education through Grand Canyon University, in December. Last semester, Mr. Schrag was a Paraprofessional and a one-on-one Teacher. This past spring, Mr. Schrag and his wife, Ariel, had their first baby, Sage. Mr. Schrag is excited to be part of Maize South Middle School.
MSMS Traffic Flow Map
As a refresher, and for those of you who are new to MSMS this year, you may find our MSMS Traffic Flow Map on our
MSMS Home Page. Once there, you may click on our "
Traffic Flow Map" tab.
Nurse's Corner
Tips for the Perfect Sack Lunch
Homework?
CHECK. Backpack?
CHECK. A nutritious, delicious, energy-packed, obesity-fighting sack lunch?
WHOOPS. If you choose to send a sack lunch for your kids, start the year off right by packing a sack lunch with nutritious foods that taste good and will help them establish healthy eating habits for life. Instead of a sandwich on white bread, bag of chips, cookies, and sugared drinks, try some of the following healthy items for your child's lunch box:
* Wraps made with whole wheat tortillas, containing either lean cold cuts or lowfat cream cheese topped with veggie slices. Even the classic PB and J (peanut butter & jelly) is healthier in a wheat wrap.
* Single portion-sized cups of unsweetened apple sauce or fruit without added sugar.
* Trail mix made with cereals, nuts, pretzels, dried fruit or raisins, and a few chocolate morsels.
* Low fat cheese spread on whole wheat crackers.
* Individual serving-sized packages of low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, or yogurt smoothies.
* Baby carrots, celery sticks, or apple slices with dips made from yogurt or low fat sour cream.
* Mini-burritos made with rice and black beans or refried beans in a tortilla with tomato salsa. These can be heated or eaten cold.
* Drinks made from water with a splash of cranberry, peach, grape, or other fruit juice are healthier than sodas. Excess consumption of pure sugar-laden juices can increase the risk of obesity.
* Low fat cheese cubes and seedless grapes make a delicious side dish for sandwiches or wraps.
* Cold strips of grilled chicken with honey mustard dip.
* Quesadilla slices made with cheese and chicken or vegetables.
Packing a healthy lunch is a great way to get your kids the nutrients they need to power through the school day. Focusing on a variety, not only makes lunches more interesting, but also helps them enjoy a balanced lunch that will provide the energy and nutrients they need to grow, play, learn and stay healthy!
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Dillon's Community Rewards
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:
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 2016 to credit Maize South Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this 5-digit NPO number,
18969
Book Fair
Our Scholastic Book Fair
is a reading event that provides the books kids want to read. It's a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level.
Remember all purchases benefit our school! See you at the Book Fair!
September 28 - 4:00pm to 8:00pm
September 29 - 12:00pm to 8:00pm
SeeSaw Access in Physical Education
To ALL 6th Grade Parents:
SeeSaw access is now available for viewing your child's digital portfolio. Log into your Skyward Family Access Account, click on Unread Messages to view directions on how to log in. Seesaw gives your child creative tools to capture and reflect on their learning - in real time. Then this work is shared with you. Seesaw will give you a window into each of our classrooms and into your student's learning process. We will use Seesaw to reflect and grow in areas of motor skills and self-reflection. You can download Seesaw's Parent App for iOS, Android, or use the web to view your student's learning artifacts. When your child adds new work, you will receive a notification to see, hear, and respond to your child's learning item. You only have access to your own child's work and all of the content is stored securely. Please contact
Brandon Wolff with any questions about Seesaw. With your help, we can continue building our school community of lifelong learners.
8th Grade Celebration Committee
As you may know, our 8th grade parents host a celebration for our 8th grade students each year on the last day of school. This year, that celebration will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2016.
If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please contact Heather Sinko, 8th
grade parent who will lead our 8th
grade celebration this year, at
[email protected].
Maize South Maverick Patches
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Maize Education Foundation
Maize Education Foundation seeking
sponsors and
golfers for upcoming tourney.
The Maize Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports Maize USD 266 schools, teachers, and students through grants, is hosting its 8th-annual fundraising golf tournament this fall.
The event will be at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Reflection Ridge Golf Club. The money raised funds the Foundation's annual grants.
In May, the Foundation Board of Directors presented more than $43,000 in instructional, technology, and enrichment grants to Maize USD 266 teachers to supplement their classroom and school resources.
Information that may be shared with the news media or used in district publications or on district
social media platforms, including official Maize USD 266 district Facebook and Twitter, is limited to participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, school activities, honors and awards received, grade level and photographs. 
Parents/guardians have the right to refuse or permit the designation of any or all of the above information for use in the media or in district publications (via both print and digital platforms), including official district social media accounts. Parents/guardians who do not want this information published must file written notification with Lori O'Toole Buselt, Director of Communications, Maize USD 266, 905 W. Academy Ave, Maize, KS 67101 by Sept. 21, 2016.
If you do not file a refusal, Maize USD 266 assumes you have no objection to the release of the above information for media or district publicity purposes.
If desired, please click here to access the Do Not Photograph form.
Summer Bookmobile
Your Vote Counts
Voting is one of the most effective and simplest ways supporters of Maize Schools and Kansas public education can support students.
Kansas voters can influence the future funding of our schools and the future of Kansas public education.
For those interested in voting in the Nov. 8 General Election, please follow these steps.
This week:
Request an early voting mail ballot, which allows you to vote from home at a time convenient for you. Click here to apply . Complete the form (be sure to fill in "General Nov. 8" on Section 5 of the form), and you'll be set to make your vote count in November.
Before you vote:
Find out who will be on the ballots -- and learn their positions on the issues that are important to you. Review voting records, campaign literature, websites, and personal conversations or e-mails to decide which candidates best match your views.
On or before Nov. 8:
Vote! In-person advance early voting begins Oct. 26.
Thank you for your civic contribution, which allows Kansas to maintain strong public school districts, including Maize USD 266.
Volunteers
Maize USD 266 is extremely thankful for the many volunteers who selflessly give of their time in our classrooms. Our schools are stronger thanks to the help and support of our community members, and our students benefit from this relationship.
Safety is a top priority for the district, which since 2008 has conducted background checks of potential volunteers. This, however, comes at a cost: During the 2015-16 school year alone, Maize USD 266 spent approximately $13,300 on background screenings.
According to Maize Board of Education policy, "volunteers who work in a classroom on a regular basis, supervise students during a field trip when a staff member is not present, or work with students away from the supervision of a classroom teacher are required to have a background check." This extra step helps ensure that we are keeping our students safe.
This year, Maize Schools is asking our volunteers to please consider helping us cover that cost, allowing the district to continue to invest as much of our budget as possible into our teachers and classrooms.
Those interested in becoming elementary school volunteers can visit their school page on our district website and click on the "Volunteer Background Screening" link in the left rail to begin their background check process through the National Screening Bureau. After providing some information, would-be volunteers will be prompted to pay $22 by credit or debit card on a secure system and will receive a receipt via email. (The National Screening Bureau uses a secure server and cutting-edge screening technology in order to protect privacy.)
Maize Schools does not wish to discourage any potential volunteer from getting involved in our classrooms and with our students and will pay for background screenings for anyone who chooses not to pay themselves.
Thanks to all parents and volunteers for continued support of our students and district!
Safety Top Priority
The safety of Maize USD 266 students and employees is a top priority. 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 and cooperation in providing the safest school environment possible.
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Scholars Bowl Tryouts
Scholars Bowl tryouts are tentatively scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 20th during EnCor in Mrs. Cothern's room (C-114). Any seventh or eighth grade student who is interested should sign up outside of Ms. Mark's (D-111) or Mrs. Cothern's (C-114) room and pick up an information sheet.
Scholars Bowl is a group of five students working together in an academic, Jeopardy-style competition during the months of October and November. There will be one 7th grade team and one 8th grade team. The team practices will be after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45 to 3:45 (beginning October 3rd). If you have any questions, please contact Erica Mark ([email protected]) or Carla Cothern ([email protected]).
Use of Student Information in Media and District Publications
Information which may be shared with media or used in district publications is limited to: participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, school activities, honors and awards received, grade level and photographs.
Parents/guardians have the right to refuse or permit the designation of any or all of the above information for use in the media or in district publications. Parents/guardians who do not want this information published must file written notification to Lori Buselt, Director of Communications, Maize USD 266, 905 W. Central, Maize, KS 67101 on or before September 20, 2015.
If you do not file a refusal, Maize USD 266 assumes you have no objection to the release of the above information for media or district publication purposes.
Click here
to access the "Do Not Photograph" form.
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2016 MSMS Cross Country
Our first meet was Tuesday, September 6th, at a new course created in Valley Center. We have a team of 70 athletes and 3 managers to help us during practices and meets. We are so very proud of the work these young athletes do both at practice and during this first meet. The hard work paid off with the results as follows:
27 won individual medals.
7th boys and girls will receive First place team medals
8th girls will receive Third place team medals.
This was just the first of 7 meets so we are very excited to see what is ahead for this team!!
Coaches Moore, Ruzich and Welch
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Kay Club
Kay Club information can be reached by clicking here:
http://msmskay.weebly.com/
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Follow MSMS
Follow news on MSMS Twitter
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MSMS PTO
To visit our MSMS PTO website please click here.
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Warren Theater Tickets
PTO is currently selling Warren Theater tickets for $8.00 each. You can print an order form on the MSMS website, the tickets can be picked up in our office. We only accept checks, no cash please.
Thank you!
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Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If you have any questions or feedback, please call us at (316) 722-0421 between 6:30am and 3:30pm or send an email to [email protected].
Sincerely, 
Maize South Middle School
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