Vermillion Elementary School
November 2023
A Note from the Principal
Dear Chameleon Families,
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Fall Break. It is hard to believe that the first semester of this school year is almost over. We are looking forward to a great holiday season at VES. During this time, we are extremely thankful for our awesome students, parents, and staff.
Students will be taking Winter Benchmark tests in the upcoming weeks. Please visit with your child about doing their very best on these assessments. Data from each test assists our teachers with creating individualized plans of study to best meet student's learning needs. It is also good to ensure that students are getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy breakfast during this time.
At the end of the first nine weeks we celebrated student successes at school. Each class handed out certificates to one student for showing each of the 3R characteristics: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. In addition, one boy and girl student from each grade level received the 3R t-shirt for showing all three characteristics on a daily basis. The students that earned these shirts will get to participate in a special activity each semester to celebrate their continued leadership! Great job, Chameleons!
Students are required to wear their District-issued student identification card at all times during school hours. ID cards shall be affixed to a District-issued school-specific lanyard, and worn so that the ID card and lanyard are visible. The ID badge is necessary for breakfast, lunch, and library check-out in addition to aiding safety/security. If a student has lost their ID badge and/or school issued lanyard one will be issued to them and students will incur the cost of $3.00 each for replacing lost or damaged ID cards and lanyards. The replacement cost will be added to your child's Skyward account. Please reference the student handbook or contact the office if you have questions.
We are currently hiring for two Special Education paraprofessionals to join our Chameleon family! If you or someone you know wants a work schedule that aligns perfectly with your elementary child, this is the job for you! We are looking for someone who is dedicated, enjoys helping others, and is willing to learn how to best support students! If you would like more flexibility with your schedule, we are also accepting applications for substitute paraprofessionals. Please contact Megan Hemmerling at mhemmerling@usd266.com if you are interested.
Over the winter break, we encourage all students to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading. The experience of reading (whether you’re the reader or the one being read to) activates many parts of the brain. If a child reads for 20 minutes every day, they are exposed to about 1.8 million words of text every year! Over the break, grab a good book and a blanket and spend some quality time together exercising the brain!
As you reflect on your blessings and goals in the year to come, I wish you happy holidays and a restful and rewarding break. I look forward to the great things we'll accomplish together in 2024. The best is yet to come!
Sincerely,
Jenny Nash
Principal
Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/ves
Connect with Mrs. Nash at jnash@usd266.com or 316-722-0266.
Vermillion Elementary School is located 501 James Ave. in Maize.
Important Upcoming Dates
- 12/4: PTO Volunteer BINGO Night Raffle Basket Assembly (4:00pm at Vermillion Elementary)
- 12/12: PTO Pizza Hut Spirit Day (All Day)
- 12/20: PTO PJ Day
- 12/23: PTO Thunder Hockey Spirit Night
- 12/21-1/2: NO SCHOOL, Winter Break
- 1/9: PTO Meeting (6:30pm - Vermillion STEAM Room)
- 1/12: PTO BINGO Night (doors open 6pm/game begins 6:30pm) More information to come
- 1/15: NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 1/22: PTO Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (3:00-10:00pm)
School Safety
With the increase in safety and security in our schools, we are requiring everyone to show their driver's license when picking up your child from the school office.
When entering the school building as a visitor everyone will go through the Raptor security check system. Visitors will have an ID printed sticker that they will be required to wear while in the school during school hours. Your profile remains stored in the system for the school year and the system automatically updates based on your license information. Therefore, if we have scanned your driver’s license before, you are already in the system and we will simply input your name to print a badge.
We appreciate your understanding with helping us maintain the highest level of security for our staff and students.
End of Day Transportation Changes
For after school transportation changes you MUST call the office and leave your message on the student pickup line by 2:00pm M/T/Th/F and by 1:00pm on Wednesdays.
Please watch our student drop-off/pick-up process video. If you need a QR code please contact the school office.
From the School Office - Lost & Found
Staff Wish List
Thank you to everyone that has made donations to our teachers! We greatly appreciate your support. Here is a link to all VES wish lists. Teachers will continue to update these throughout the year.
WatchDOG Program
Learn more about our WatchDOGS program. You can view the WatchDOGS Monthly Volunteer Calendars to find a date or more that works with your schedule to volunteer (only ONE WatchDOG per day). You may also view the WatchDOGS Daily Schedule. Don't forget to complete the Volunteer Background Check, which must be completed each school year.
We ask that our WatchDOGS volunteers wear a WatchDOGS shirt on their scheduled day. It is recommended to purchase a shirt from the online WatchDOGS store. We do have a few T-shirts available in various sizes to wear on your scheduled day if you do not have one of your own.
Counselor's Corner
As we end November and approach December - we want to thank all of our students and parents for donating to our Caring Hearts Food Drive. This food will go directly to help families in Maize - so THANK YOU very much! Please be mindful to encourage your children to show generosity to others and spread joy wherever they go!
Mrs. Chapin NEEDS YOUR HELP with support for our Caring Chameleons! This is a network of Chameleons helping Chameleons. Vermillion Elementary Counselors are often notified of families in need of basic necessities. There are many caring Chameleon families who want to help but do not know what the needs are. Caring Chameleons can anonymously match needs with available donations. We are in desperate need of more provider families as many of our previous providers have moved on to the Intermediate buildings. We greatly appreciate your contributions!
As school counselors, our goal is to get to know all of our students and help them achieve their best. During September, we had guidance lessons on our Capturing Kids Hearts program and also talked about bully prevention and strategies. We are getting to know our VES Chameleon students in the lunchroom, small lunch groups and friendship groups. To learn more information about our counseling program and lessons each month, check out our counselor site: VES Counselors
Feel free to reach out to either one of us with concerns or questions!
Jolene Chapin - Counselor for Kindergarten, 2nd & 4th Grades
Email: jchapin@usd266.com
Andi Shipman - Counselor for Kindergarten, 1st & 3rd Grades
Email: ashipman@usd266.com
Music Matters
The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear! December is a favorite time in the music classroom. We will be singing, moving and playing instruments as well as working on music concepts.
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming music programs:
First & Second Grade Music Programs
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
- 6:00pm - All of First Grade (NEW start time!)
- 7:15pm - All of Second Grade (NEW start time!)
These music programs will be held at the (MPAAC) Maize Performing Arts & Aquatics Center (1055 Academy Avenue, Maize)
Kindergarten Music Program
Thursday, April 18, 2024
- 6:30pm
This music program will be held at the (MPAAC) Maize Performing Arts & Aquatics Center (1055 Academy Avenue, Maize)
Quaver:
We LOVE our Quaver music curriculum! In addition to lessons we use in the classroom, it also has an at home feature so that students can explore music through games and activities using any computer or mobile device at home. Currently our 1st – 4th grade students are all registered for this year and should have brought home a parent letter with more information earlier in the school year. **The first and second grade program songs will be available in Quaver very soon!
Accessing Quaver: Go to www.quavered.com/log-in/ and log in using a Username & Password. The Username (also known as Quaver name) is the same as your child’s nine digit Maize Student ID number which was included in the letter referenced above. The password is: music123. If you have trouble remembering the student ID # or have any difficulty logging in, please e-mail me at the address below.
Doreen Merkel (1st-4th)
Ethan Jeffries (Kindergarten)
Update from Coach
We have been busy cup stacking in the gym. We just finished trying to help set the Guinness World Record of most people stacking in multiple locations. They are trying to get 750,000 stackers world wide. I will keep you posted on the results.
We are getting ready to do some fitness activities. We will be introducing tabata style workouts. Ask your student about tabata. We will also be doing some stations and climbing on the rock wall. Parachute day is coming up the day before Winter break. Always one of the best days in PE.
We are encouraging students to wear tennis shoes on their PE days. Listed below are the days your child is scheduled to have PE.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday:
Stroh/Miles/Angelica/Chalashtari/Bollenbach/Franco-Fridley/Zamora/Stamper/Doerflinger/Best/ Galliher/Jakubov
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday:
Cotton/ Dick/ Sailors/Busker/Fischer/Kraxberger/Maddy/Lenk/Paul/Konda/Shurtleff/Graff
We hope you have a wonderful fall break and that everyone stays healthy. If your child is sick or injured please let Coach Trail or Coach Schuette know and we can make adjustments for them.
Please take a moment to view the P.E. Amazon Wishlist.
Coach Trail
Coach Schuette
Library News
It is time to order yearbooks! Place your online order thru inter-state.com/order
and enter code: 82467R. The price per yearbook is $25.00 and the deadline to order is March 22, 2024. Yearbooks will be delivered to students before the end of the school year.
Our 4th grade students submitted yearbook cover samples for our yearbook contest. Below are the winning covers.
Steph Hills, Librarian
From the School Nurse
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 child 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.
Health Screenings
Hearing and vision screenings will begin in the coming weeks. All students will be screened unless parents opt out. They can opt out by emailing the nurse or sending with their child a signed written note that says they opt out. Students will have hearing or vision screenings during the school year as required. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students will have vision screening. Kindergarten, 1st, and 4th grade will have hearing screening. Students new to the district will receive both hearing and vision screenings. Parents will need to write a note to the school nurse ONLY if they do NOT want their child screened. 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.
Medication
Any prescription medication prescribed by a doctor must have a medication form completed by a parent/guardian and the prescribing physician. Parents/guardians may bring the medication to school with the signed medication form.
- The medication must be in the original container.
- The medication must be current. Expired medication will not be administered.
- The medication must be age appropriate. Any medication for a person older than the child will require a signed form from the doctor.
- All prescription medications require a signed form from the doctor.
- All prescription medications must have the pharmacy label with the student's name on the bottle box.
- Over-the-counter medication (page 68 in the handbook): With signed parent consent, Maize USD 266 is making select over-the-counter medications available to students through the school nurse’s office. Students are no longer allowed to carry medication with them. This helps the district better monitor medication in schools and keep students safe. A consent form will be made available to parents via Skyward Family Access.
Select to access all Health Forms for Maize students
Nurse Jaime Smith
Email: jsmith@usd266.com
Phone: 316-350-2810 / Fax: 316-722-5020
STEAM Lab News
Students have been busy learning about coding and how robots work. Each grade level has been able to interact with the Dash robots via the blockly app and wonder app. Make sure you ask your child what was their favorite part about working with the Dash robots. They have been a great addition to our classroom.
Meet our Dash Robots:
-The Rock Johnson
-Taylor Swift
-Cocoa Bean
-Chicken Nugget
-Bluey
-Rio
-Rainbow Star
-Pikachu
-Travis Kelce
-Midnight
-Wall-E
-Squirtle
-BB-8
As December approaches the students will continue to work on Physical Science, along with our online coding programs. We will be having some winter fun investigation too!
At this time of giving, it's a great time to think about what could be recycled and used in the STEAM lab. Items we are in need of are empty cans (Think: soup, green beans, etc.), paper towel rolls, and cereal boxes and anything else that can be recycled such as:
- Empty water/soda/Gatorade bottles
- Paper towel/toilet paper rolls
- Empty yogurt, fruit, apple sauce cups
- Straws
- Cans (vegetable, fruit, etc.)
- Tape
Please take a moment to view our current STEAM newsletter. And check out our Amazon Wishlist!
Melissa Love
Twitter: @LoveSTEAMDream
Jessica Yates
PTO News
Become a PTO member/volunteer - it's FREE! If you are interested in supporting our students and staff, please complete the online PTO Volunteer Enrollment Form or you may email the Vermillion Elementary PTO at vermillionpto@hotmail.com.
Thank you to everyone who attended our November PTO meeting! Over $8,000 of grant requests were approved, and we allocated funds from our annual Walk-a-Thon for the new Gym AV System, Teacher Grants and Innovation. Mrs. Miles’ class won the PTO representative Cookie Party. We also celebrated that over $600 was collected on our Hat Day for Veteran's Day, and all funds were donated to the Kansas Honor Flight! We are excited to hand out teacher grants during the December 7 staff meeting!
Upcoming Spirit Nights and Events:
- December 12: Pizza Hut Spirit Day - ALL DAY! Be sure to stop by Pizza Hut on North Maize Road all day! You can eat there or carry out at any time during the day and a portion of your purchase will come back to the PTO!
- December 20: Wear your PJ’s to get ready for Winter Break! A recommended donation amount is $1 or more to help support the work of the Vermillion Elementary PTO!
- December 29: Vermillion Family Night at Wichita Thunder Hockey. A link to purchase online tickets will be sent closer to the event.
- January 12: Vermillion PTO Family Bingo Night. We are so excited for our 7th annual Vermillion PTO Family Bingo Night! Doors will open at 6:00pm and game play starts at 6:30pm. The event will be held at Maize High School (11600 w 45th St.) and there will be limited seating. You will receive more information and a sign-up link at CheddarUp as this event gets closer. This is a FREE event for our Vermillion students, staff, and their immediate families. There will be options to buy raffle tickets, snacks, extra cards, daubers, and dinner. Dinner will only be available by pre-order! We have received some amazing community donations this year for the raffles! We are also accepting donations of NEW un-used toys, games, and other items that would make a great raffle basket! Please send these requested items to the front office labeled "PTO Bingo" by noon December 4. You will be able to check out all the raffle baskets on Facebook and the PTO link CheddarUp soon! Your presence is not required to win raffles! If you would like to volunteer to stop in at local businesses to ask for donations, please contact us at vermillionpto@hotmail.com.
Be a Part of the PTO:
The PTO thanks everyone for attending our November meeting and congratulates Mrs. Mile’s class for winning the cookie party drawing. Be sure your class has a representative at our next PTO meeting on January 9, 2024 so they are in for the drawing of our next cookie party! Signup here to be a part of the PTO: Vermillion Elementary School PTO - Cheddar Up.
PTO is looking for assistance for several of our annual fund raising committees. If you are interested, please contact PTO at vermillionpto@hotmail.com.
Additional Ways to Support the PTO:
Check out the corporate fundraising partnerships we have with Casey’s, Box Tops and Coke Gives. PTO / PTO (usd266.com).
PTO can be reached at:
- Email: vermillionpto@hotmail.com
- Facebook: Maize Vermillion Elementary School PTO
- Website: maizevermillionelementarypto.com
*Be sure to tag all the fun you are having at VES with #VES