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MAIZE unified school district 266
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January 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s): 
 
We are seeing 20/20! With a new year comes a fresh start and new beginnings. The character traits that we highlight during this time are Optimism and Grit. Like all New Year’s resolutions, we want to be better. Hoping and believing that good things are on the horizon for us and being willing to put in the hard work necessary to accomplish them. We must also know there will be obstacles and setbacks. Exhibiting Grit and Optimism through difficult times is not always easy but are prerequisites for long term success. This is a perfect time to talk to your child(ren) about those characteristics and how they apply during this stage of life.
During this month, our 6 th and 8 th 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 must “opt-in.” You will receive more information on this process before the survey is given.
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. 

Doing what is best for kids,
Cort Haynes
Principal




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
Nurse's Corner



New Year’s Resolutions
Did you know that only 40 to 45 percent of American adults make one or more resolutions each year? Most
resolutions are about weight loss, exercise and to quit smoking. It is useful to make a resolution.

Here are 10 tips to help get you started:

1. Be realistic - Set a goal that is attainable.
2. Plan ahead - Plan well before Dec. 31 arrives.
3. Outline your plan - Address temptation, include a friend for help and practice positive thinking.
4. Make a “pro” and “con” list - Develop this list over time to help keep your motivation strong. Refer to
it when you need help keeping your resolve.
5. Talk about it - Don’t keep it a secret. Family and friends will offer their support and help you stay on
track.
6. Reward yourself - Celebrate your success with something that you enjoy but do not contradict your
resolution.
7. Track your progress - Keep track of each small success to help reach a larger goal. Short-term goals
are easier to keep.
8. Don’t beat yourself up - Obsessing over an occasional slip won’t help. Take each day one at a time.
9. Stick to it - Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit
and six months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become
second-nature in no time.
10. Keep trying - If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don’t despair. Start over
again! Keep trying anytime of the year.

Happy New Year!
Wichita Suburban League Spelling Bee

The following students have qualified for the WSL Spelling Bee:

Seventh Graders Eric J., Garrett G., Grace G., Logan P., and Lawson M. as well as eighth graders Allison K., Dylan G., Hallie S., Ireland M., and Olivia W. These students will compete for the league title at Derby Middle School on Tuesday, January 14 . Wish them luck!
Attention All 8th Grade Parents: High School Enrollment is Here!

A mandatory high school enrollment meeting will be held for all  current  8th graders and a parent/guardian at their respective high schools on Monday, February 3rd. Meetings will be held in both high school auditoriums at 6:30PM. Please attend this meeting with your soon-to-be high school student. Important enrollment information will be given. If a parent/guardian is unable to attend, your student is welcome to attend with another adult or friend. Important enrollment information will be delivered at this meeting. If you absolutely cannot make it to this meeting, information will be delivered to your student at the middle school the week following the meeting. You may also visit www.usd266.com where all enrollment information will be posted. Click on the Maize South High/Maize High page and then the "Counselor" tab at the top.

High school counselors will also be available during Parent/Teacher conferences to answer high school enrollment questions.

Steffanie Moore
Maize South Middle School Counselor
Office phone: 316-350-2511
MSMS Freddy's Fundraiser Night

Join us Tuesday February 4th at Freddy's 21st N. from 5-9pm for our fundraising night! Please mention MSMS when you are ordering and help us raise money for our school. Hope to see eveyone there!

Buy your yearbook at  www.jostens.com !  

Don't forget to go to  www.jostens.com  to secure a yearbook for your student! Order by February 1st to absolutely guarantee your student gets a book. Email  sself@usd266.com  with questions! 



8th Grade Parents/Guardians

Recognize your 8th grade students by purchasing a recognition ad from  www.jostens.com ! Please place your order by February 7th. Email  sself@usd266.com  with questions! 

Lifetouch Spring Pictures

We will be hosting Lifetouch for Casual Pictures on January 23rd. Students will be coming home with packets to order photos with later next week. 
World Languages Trip Spring 2021

Dear families,
 
I’m thrilled to share that in conjunction with EF Educational Tours, I will be leading a tour to JAPAN in the Summer of 2021! This will be an incredible trip with EF Tours, who has been a world leader in international education for more than 50 years. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to explore Tokyo – the modern-day center of pop culture and business; Kyoto – the most traditional of Japan’s large cities; and more. Witness the country’s unsurpassed natural beauty from the window of the high-speed shinkansen train and in the majestic lakes and mountains of Hakone National Park.
 
To learn more about this opportunity,  please attend an important informational meeting on Friday, January 24th at 6:00PM in my classroom at Maize Middle School.  An RSVP at  aprendes@usd266.com  is important to have an idea who is coming to the meeting so I can plan accordingly. At this time, we will share details about the itinerary, days, places to visit, and all that is included, as well as flexible payment plans. 
 
I hope to see you and my students there!
Alejandra Prendes

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 31st . 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 24th.     
MSMS Girls On The Run Info

Online Registration: Jan. 27th - Feb. 2nd
Lottery Conducted/Girl Placement:
Feb. 3rd
If there are spots open we will reopen registration at noon on 2/3. At that time registration will be first come first serve.
Season starts: Week of Feb. 24th

Heart & Sole

Grades 6-8

Heart & Sole is a Girls on the Run's middle school program that meets the unique needs of girls in 6th-8th grade. The program considers the whole girl-body. brain, heart, spirit and social connection in a positive, structured space where girls can learn about themselves, explore new ideas,cultivate empathy and strengthen connections. Running is incorporated into each lesson to encourage physical wellness and teach life skills such as team building, creating a support system, standing up for themselves and others and decision making. The girls prepare for a celebratory Girls On The Run 5K event at the end of the program. this noncompetitive event fosters goal setting and a sense of confidence through accomplishment to last a lifetime.

If you are interested in being a coach for our Girls On The Run program please contact
DeeDee Vermillion at dvermillion@usd266.com or Amy Beckmann at abeckmann@usd266.com.
Thank you!

MSMS Winter Conditioning

What a great turn out we had Wednesday, January 8, for our first day of Winter Conditioning. A great group of 36 MSMS students showed up: Nine 8th graders, 13 seventh graders and 14 sixth graders.They showed up to get in shape, get ready for a sport or just to get out and move!
Winter conditioning begins at 2:15pm in the small gym. Kids come down with everything they need to take home, change clothes in locker rooms, sign in and store everything in the wrestling room. Coach Ruzich begins with the warm ups, stretching and strengthening. Coaches Moran and Murphy will join us by 2:45pm so that we can offer a variety of workouts. Distance runners know to dress warm for going outside in all types of weather to run whatever distance they choose. Others can also go outside to run/walk but just need to be sure to have warm clothes, gloves and hats. We will offer workouts inside for those not wanting to go outside, or for all, when weather is bitter cold. We finish by 3:15pm although the kids may leave earlier if need be or they are finished with their distance run. It is ok if they miss a Wednesday, just show up when possible!
If cancelled, it will be announced early enough all can get word home. Usually we will only cancel if we feel the students need to get home before weather moves in. 
We are thrilled to have so many 6th graders join in and meet us coaches as well as meet those in 7th and 8th grade. Fun being able to involve them in an activity!

If you have questions, please contact Patty Ruzich via email ( pruzich@usd266.com ) or by phone (316) 990-7750. 

Patty Ruzich
Ashley Murphy
Dan Moran
MSMS 6th Grade Music Con

Mrs. Gragson's 6th graders are working hard preparing for their upcoming vocal music concert! The students will be performing a variety of music, so there will surely be something for everyone.

The concert will be Tuesday March. 31st, 2020 at 6:15pm in the  Maize South High School Auditorium, students have been asked to wear a solid color t-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes! Please contact Mrs. Gragson with any questions/concerns:  jgragson@usd266.com
MSMS PTO News

PTO is excited to announce our first ever MAV IN, March 6th from 2:35-6:00pm. Mark your calendar for this fun after school event, filled with food, friends, games, inflatables, prizes, good music and more! Tickets are $25 and include dinner/refreshments, all activities, and a chance to win some really awesome prizes! Stay tuned for further event details! (MAV IN participation available to all current MSMS students).
We will be at the Winter Extravaganza January 16 selling apparel. You can also shop our online store at www.msmspto.com .
Like us on Facebook at Maize South Middle School PTO, or get in touch with us at maizesouthmspto@gmail.com . We are always looking for more adults to join the PTO. Let’s support our students and teachers!
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 20th No School Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 12th Parent teacher Conferences 4-8pm
February 13th No School Conferences 12-8pm
February 14



2019-20 MSMS Administration

Principal

 Assistant Principal

Shane Paulus ,  
Assistant Principal / Athletic Director

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

2019-20 MSMS Office Staff
 
Shareen Hainke
Accounting Secretary

Sherri Wright
Attendance Secretary  
2019-20 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.

2019-20 MSMS AthleticDept.

MSMS Athletic/Activities Director

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
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
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ONEMA1ZE  #OneMa1ze