MAIZE unified school district 266
CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.


January 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s): 

Perspective! MSMS is conducting a school-wide activity calling for all members - students and adults - to identify their ‘One Word for 2021.’ I am choosing to hone in on “point of view.” Without question 2020 was a difficult year. However, various perspectives yielded some pleasant results in 2020. Seeking to understand versus formulating my response while listening is also an area of potential growth for me. As we move into 2021, I plan to move in with a new perspective.

For planning purposes, if you plan to change Learning Platforms, we ask that you please make those selections by Friday, January 15th. We intend to honor these requests but these adjustments will require time. If you have any questions or would like clarification, we ask that you please contact the school.
We plan to administer the AimsWeb screener in January to help assess our students in Reading and Mathematics. This will be our second time for benchmarking this year and is a critical step in assessing our students and informing our future instruction. This data will continue to be essential for us as we move forward.

During this month, our 6th and 8th grade students will complete a Kansas Communities That Care survey. This survey tracks teen use of harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Data from this survey provides an objective profile of the problem behaviors, risk factors, and protective factors that exist in our community. This information highlights strengths and challenges, which will help in the development of a focused prevention plan. For more information, please visit www.kctcdata.org. In order for students to be eligible for this survey, parents were required to “opt-in.” This process was completed at the beginning of the school year during registration.

Thank you for your continued support of MSMS! Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you or if you have suggestions for our continued improvement. Your perspective is important to us.

In this together,
Cort Haynes
Principal - Maize South Middle School

Tech support: 316-350-2090



Follow MSMS updates by checking the following sites:

MSMS Website - https://www.usd266.com/msms
           
MSMS rSchool Calendar - MSMS RSCHOOL Calendar
 
MSMS Facebook - MSMS Facebook
 
MSMS Twitter - MSMS Twitter 

MSMS Instagram - msms_mavnews
Enrollment for the Class of 2025

High school enrollment for the class of 2025 is coming! Current 8th grades will view an enrollment video on February 1st and 2nd during their Encor class. This video will also be shared with parents/guardians on Feb.1st via email, and high school enrollment opens on this day. High school enrollment will be open through February 12th. Much more information is to come at the beginning of February!

Please direct any high school enrollment questions to high school counselors.

Any questions about high school placement should be directed to the Educational Support Center @ 722-0614.
Boys Basketball Pictures

We will be having Boys Basketball pictures taken on January 22nd at 2:45pm. Please make sure your student has their uniform with them!
Inter-State Picture Retakes

We will have picture retakes on January 26th 10:45am-1:15pm, if you would like to have your students picture retaken please send the original picture packet back to school with them. They will need to hand those to the photographer when having their retake. For our A-K last name students, who won't be in the building that day, you are welcome to come in thru the office and have your picture taken during that time period.
Order Your MAV Yearbook!

Buy your yearbook at jostens.com for $30 using this link. The yearbook staff is hard at work on this year's book. We are working with the theme "Stay Connected" and are striving to make this a book that is reflective of the unique school year we have had! We are working hard to get every student shown in the book and appreciate your support! 

Please email Shelbi Self at sself@usd266.com with any questions. 

8th Grade Yearbook Ads

Parents of 8th grade students: 
Consider purchasing an ad for your 8th grade student to celebrate their completion of middle school. 8th grade ads are 30 dollars to purchase and include your chosen photo of your student and a message from you. These ads are only available for purchase until February 5th. Go to this link to purchase yours today! 

Please email Shelbi Self at sself@usd266.com with any questions. 
The Great Kindness Challenge

Maize South Middle School will be participating in The Great Kindness Challenge 2021, the week of January 25th. This is a national event focused on sharing kindness. This year we are asking students, families, staff and community stakeholders to help with two important projects. 

The first is "Giving to the Basics". We will be collecting personal hygiene products, hand sanitizer and wipes for this non-profit organization who help families and schools within the Wichita area.

 The second is "Operation Gratitude". We will also be collecting single serve snacks, water bottles, candy and coffee to give to frontline workers. Students will be writing thank you letters throughout the week to place in the baskets that will be delivered to our local hospitals. 


6th Grade Human Growth and Development

As part of their health curriculum, all 6th graders will view a 20-25 minute, gender specific human growth and development video within their PE or Music class on January 19th or 21st. A short time for Q&A will follow the video.

If you have any questions or if you do NOT want your student to view this video, please email your student’s PE teacher, Rosie Wendell (rwendell@usd266.com) or Dan Moran (dmoran@usd266.com) no later than Friday, January 15th. 
TALK IT OUT! ONEMA1ZE CARE TEAM

Feeling like you could use some extra support? USD 266 and COMCARE are partnering to bring students additional resources at school (including therapy). For additional information about the OneMa1ze Care Team and your eligibility for these supports, email your schools behavioral health liaison..Jeris Broadbent (MSMS/MSHS), jbroadbent@usd266.com.
Scholars Bowl 2021

Congratulations to the following students for becoming a part of the 2021 Scholars Bowl team!

6th Grade
Asher S
Thatcher R

7th Grade
Jonathan A
Colton B
Colin B
Dale F
Michael K
Ralli S

8th Grade
Dane D
Garrett G
Eliana N
Erin W
Sydney S
MSMS PTO

We provided candy for the candy elections this fall, and we welcomed everyone back from Christmas break with donuts! We bought several document cameras for the teachers to use while on hybrid and even remote, as well as different supplies needed. While we may not all be together, we will continue to find ways to support the students and staff.

You can continue to support the PTO by shopping at Dillon’s and linking your Plus Card to our PTO. Here’s how: go to Dillons.com/communityrewards, find your location and click enroll now, find our organization Maize South Middle School PTO #79456, click save. Every purchase you make at Dillon’s helps support the MSMS PTO.

Like us on Facebook at Maize South Middle School PTO and don’t forget to check out our website at www.msmspto.com. We have a fully stocked store with several apparel items in all sizes! Most orders are fulfilled the very next business day! You can get in touch with us by emailing maizesouthmspto@gmail.com.
Our next meeting is TBD. 

MSMS PTO

MSMS Traffic Map & Information

"Crosswalks: If your child walks or rides a bicycle to school, we ask that they utilize the designated crosswalk areas which are outfitted with flashing lights. Dark mornings and high volume traffic create visibility issues. Walkers/Riders must ensure that the lights are flashing before crossing the street. Thank you for addressing this with your student."  
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 2019 to credit Maize South Middle School. Sign-in and make your contribution selection using this new 5-digit NPO number, CR632.
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. Academy, Maize, KS 67101 on or before September 20, 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 publication purposes.
  
Click here to access the "Do Not Photograph" form.
Important Reminders

  • 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 semester, 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!
Important Dates


January 18th Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School
January 22nd Teacher Work Day No School
March 15th-19th Spring Break


2020-21 MSMS Administration

Principal

 Assistant Principal A-K

Assistant Principal / Athletic Director L-Z

If you would like to speak to an administrator during the school day, you may call 316-722-0421.

2020-21 MSMS Office Staff
 
Shareen Hainke
Accounting Secretary

Sherri Wright
Attendance Secretary 
2020-21 MSMS Counseling
Department

Steffanie Moore 
A-K Counselor

Amy Beckmann
L-Z Counselor

Diane Hewlett
Registrar

If you would like to speak to a counselor during the school day, you may call 316-722-0421.

2020-21 MSMS AthleticDept.

MSMS Athletic/Activities Director

Sara McAsey
MSMS Athletic/Activities Secretary
Maize South Middle School

(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



School Nurse
Robyn Friederich
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 swright@usd266.com.
 
Sincerely,
Maize South Middle School
Maize South Middle School
.
ONEMA1ZE  #OneMa1ze