It has come to our attention that an automated message accompanies Mr. White's Video. If you receive a message on your screen that says, "uBlock Origin has prevented the following page from loading," please click the blue "proceed" button to watch the video. We apologize for the additional steps to receive our message. We have recently updated our system and are experiencing difficulties with the program that shares our video. We will continue to try and resolve the issue and appreciate your patience.

Visit our website at www.usd266.com/mes.

Connect with Mr. White at kwhite@usd266.com or call 316-722-8230.

Maize Elementary School is located at 305 W. Jones in Maize.

November 9th:

PTO Movie night and Chick Fil A Spirit night

November 10th:

No School (professional dev. day)

November 15th:

Photo retakes Visit Inter-state.com/order Code 79086CB

November 20-24th:

Fall Break

December 1st:

PTO Skate Night 5-8 pm

I hope you are all doing well. Students have done a great job during the first 9 weeks of school! Coming up in November, kindergartners will be learning about healthy habits. The first and second graders will be learning an additional 4 bones of the body. Third and Fourth grade will be learning additional muscles. We are moving into an archery unit and just finishing up some cooperative games. Remember to eat healthy and find ways to get a great workout during the winter cold!

SHOES: Please have your student wear tennis shoes on their PE days, or have a set of them stored in the classroom. We are still seeing a lot of crocs and boots. Thanks so much!

Coach Horn thorn@usd266.com

Coach Schuette sschuette@usd266.com

Health Screenings:

We will be starting our annual vision and hearing screenings over the next few months. These are required by state law. Results will ONLY be sent home if further testing is needed. Screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional evaluations. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this.

Skyward Health History:

It is the parent’s responsibility to update health conditions in Skyward and notify the school nurse as needed. If your student has a health need that your feel we need to be aware of, PLEASE reach out to Nurse Erin. We try hard to be as proactive as possible, but need your help.

Immunizations and Health Assessments:

IMPORTANT: If I have contacted you regarding immunizations or a health assessment, please turn them in as soon as possible due to the deadline having been October 1, 2023. You may send them to school with your student, fax them, or email them to me.

MEDICATIONS:

One last reminder…if your student has medication or needs medication, it MUST go through the Health Office. This applies to ALL medications. If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

SAY BOO TO THE FLU!

Flu season is approaching. Get your flu vaccine now! Vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.

What is the flu? Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. There are many different influenza viruses that are constantly changing. The flu is spread when an infected person coughs sneezes or speaks and sends the flu virus into the air. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his eyes, nose, or mouth. The best defense against the flu is washing your hands often!!

Please keep your student home if they are exhibiting any of the following symptoms: fever over 100 degrees, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, continuous coughing, chest discomfort, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Fever MUST be gone without the use of a fever reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen)) for a full 24 hours before student is to return to school.

Erin Ingalls, RN

Phone: 316-350-2911 Email: eingalls@usd266.com

Hello MES Families!

We had an incredible time in October with the 3rd and 4th grade music performance. Mr. Jeffries and I are so proud of the hard work your students did for their singing, dancing, and instrument parts.

Next up is the Kindergarten performance “Snow Much Fun!” The program will be on Tuesday, December 12th at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatic Center (MPAAC) and will last about 25 minutes. MPAAC is located at 1055 Academy Ave, Maize, KS 67101 on the corner 119th and Academy.

Students report to MPAAC at 5:45pm – Performance begins at 6:00pm

Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Jacobs, and Mrs. Gupilan

I am asking that students wear something white, silver, grey, or snow themed and jeans or dark leggings. Dresses are fine. No shorts, athletic attire or high heels, please. If this request presents a problem for your family or you need some clarification, please feel free to e-mail me (ktodd@usd266.com).

You may also want to be aware that the children will be traveling by bus to MPAAC during the afternoon on December 12th for the only dress rehearsal that we will have at that location. Please plan accordingly so that your child will be present for this important rehearsal. Thank you so much for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on December 12th!

Song List for Kindergarten

(all songs can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, or any other streaming platform)

1. Bundle Up by: Stacey Peasley

2. Blowing in the Wind by: Stephanie Leavell

3. I Wanna Be a Snowman by: Casper Babypants

4. Seven Jumps by: Shinanigans

5. Frosty Weather by: Quaver Music (not available on streaming platforms)

6. Snow Globe by: Laura Doherty

7. Snow Day! by: Michael and the Rockness Monsters

The Maize Education Foundation provided funding for each of the five elementary school STEAM rooms.

This school year is the first to have a dedicated STEAM teacher in the elementary and intermediate schools in Maize. All the STEAM teachers were previously grade school teachers in the district. At Maize Elementary we are lucky to have Mr. Jason Ramey leading the way!

Maize Food Service has partnered with educators at each Maize 266 building to supply hydroponic gardens. Our goal has two parts:

1) Supply our school cafeterias with several servings of student-grown produce each week.

2) Provide hydroponic gardens and 5 batches of seedlings to provide hands-on learning experiences for Maize students.

Each school will be able to grow produce that Food Service will incorporate into school meals. Many different types of classroom educators will host a garden in STEAM rooms, libraries, Parents as Teachers spaces, science classrooms, elementary school classrooms, special education classrooms, and even ag classrooms at the Maize Career Academy, Maize Middle School, and Maize South Middle School!

Jramey@usd266.com

After seven absences, professional documentation will be required for an absence to be excused. With this change, the district encourages parents to obtain a note from a medical provider when appropriate. Find a complete definition of an excused absence in the District Student Handbook. This is important because Kansas Law requires the school district to report truancy after unexcused absences accumulate (three in a row, five in a semester, or seven in a school year). For more information on truancy, please see the Compulsory Attendance Law (K.S.A. 72-3120).

If you know of an extended absence ahead of time you will need to fill out the Administrative Excusal form prior to the absence.

Maize Elementary has a unique family atmosphere. We love to treat our staff for their hard work and passion for their students. A Sunshine Cart was created to treat the staff throughout the school year. Some items are purchased by our Panther families, we are lucky to have generous corporate sponsors donate items. Maize Elementary PTO is also an integral part of the success of this program. We have created a sign up form to supply our cart this year. The sign up is meant as a guideline, the items linked are just examples. Any donations, monetary or food, can be brought or delivered to the school office. If you happen to know of a local company that would like to donate please contact

messunshinecart@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for all your donations! We have had a generous response to our request and a few local businesses have donated as well, Chick Fil A, Sugar Llamas and Andy's Custard!