Vermillion Elementary School
December 2024 / January 2025
A Note from the Principal
Dear Chameleon Families,
It is hard to believe we are already half way through our school year! We hope that you all have a restful and enjoyable Winter Break.
Today we were able to hand out awards for our second nine weeks and we celebrated student successes for each grade level. 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. Students that earn this recognition become part of the Chameleon Gold Card Club. Each nine weeks these students earn a special activity to celebrate their positive leadership and we will host our activity following winter break. Congratulations to these hard working kids!
If you have not already done so, please consider completing this very brief two minute Family Survey to provide feedback that our staff and Site Council will review to help Vermillion continue to grow and once again possibly receive the prestigious award as a National Showcase School. Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) is a program designed to change the school-wide culture and promote appropriate behavior, self-reflection, responsibility, and academic growth. Each year CKH recognizes outstanding schools as a National Showcase School. Becoming a National Showcase School is a rigorous selection process that includes measuring key performance indicators, gathering campus data, and surveying parents. The results represent the implementation of CKH processes and the culture and climate at Vermillion Elementary School.
Following break we will be gearing up for our PTO BINGO night. We hope that you can join us for this event. It is always a fun filled evening! This year BINGO night is January 10th from 6-8pm at Maize High School.
A huge shout out to all the wonderful guests we hosted for "Thanks for Giving Me Your Love Day" We had over 500 guests visit the building for this event. The students and staff all had a wonderful time. Pictures can be found below!
Thank you for your continued support of our staff! Merry Christmas and enjoy your family time!
Mrs. Nash
A Note from the Assistant Principal
All students completed the Winter FastBridge in December. The Winter FastBridge screeners are conducted to monitor student academic progress throughout the year allowing our teachers to identify students who might need additional support mid-year and adjust interventions accordingly, as student performance can significantly change between Fall and Spring screenings. This essentially provides a mid-year check-in on student learning. If you have any questions regarding your child(ren)’s scores, please contact their classroom teacher.
3rd and 4th graders will take the Winter Interim assessments for Math and ELA at the end of January. The district requires our students to take two interims each year prior to the Spring Kansas State Assessments in April. Reports will be sent home following the completion of all interims.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Megan Hemmerling
Assistant Principal
WatchDOG Volunteer
Learn about our WatchDOGS Program.
NEW! We have a new look to our school website usd266.com/VES and a new way to find available WatchDOG volunteer dates! From the website, select MENU located on the right side, click on Parents and select Get Involved. Scroll down to the WatchDOGS section and choose the Available Dates tab. Simply email your volunteer date(s) selection to jdavis@usd266.com (we allow for only one volunteer per day). You may also view the WatchDOGS Daily Schedule. You MUST complete a volunteer background check each school year prior to your WatchDOG volunteer date. Please see options below.
Two different options to complete the Volunteer Background Check (complete only one):
- Self-Pay: Please click here to begin your Self-Pay background check process through the National Screening Bureau. After providing some information about yourself, you will be prompted to pay $24.50 by credit or debit card on a secure system, and you will receive a receipt via email. (The National Screening Bureau uses a secure server and cutting-edge screening technology in order to protect your privacy.)
- District-Paid: Maize Schools does not wish to discourage any potential volunteer from getting involved in our classrooms and with our students volunteers. Please click here to begin the same background process at no cost to yourself, and Maize USD 266 will pay for your background screening.
We ask that our WatchDOG volunteers wear a WatchDOG shirt on their scheduled day. It is recommended to purchase a shirt from the online WatchDOG store. We do have a few t-shirts available in various sizes to wear if you do not have one of your own.
From the School Office
Visitors:
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. All visitors who will be in the building will go through the Raptor security check system and receive an ID printed sticker that is required to wear while in the building during school hours. If we have previously scanned your driver's license, your profile will remain stored in the Raptor system and is automatically updated based on your license information.
Visitors having lunch with their child are not allowed to walk with their child to their classroom after lunch. When lunch has finished, please exit through the office so we know that you have left the building.
Attendance:
- When a child is absent or late due to an appointment, illness, medical procedure, etc. it is the responsibility of the parent to call the school office (316-722-0266, press 1) within 24 hours to verify the reason for their absence. Medical/provider's documentation can be brought to the school office or faxed to 316-722-5020 or emailed to jdavis@usd266.com.
- As defined in the BOE attendance policy, students have THREE school days to have a medical note turned into the office to excuse an absence.
- Parents are able to excuse SEVEN absences for the whole school year. Once seven has been reached, absences will be marked unexcused unless excused for a different reason.
- For extended absences such as vacation where your child will be gone for one day or more it is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school office and to complete an extended absence form. This form will need to be completed at least three days before the student will be absent and can be brought to the school office or emailed to jdavis@usd266.com. Completing this form will make sure these absences are excused.
Student ID Card & Lanyard:
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.
End of Day Transportation Changes:
- Please use the car rider line to pick up your child at the end of the day. If it is necessary to pick up your child in the office, we ask that you do so by 3:15pm M/T/Th/F and 2:30pm on Wednesdays.
- For any after school transportation changes you MUST call the office (316-722-0266, press 2) and leave your message on the student pickup line by 2:00pm M/T/Th/F and by 1:00pm on Wednesdays.
Lost and Found Items:
We have accumulated a large amount of coats, hoodies, gloves, hats, etc. We will be donating all items February 3. If you think your child might have an item in Lost & Found, please stop by and go thru the items before February 3. Remember to write your child's name on all clothing, water bottles and lunch boxes so they are easily identifiable and can be returned to your child.
Counselor's Corner
As the holiday season approaches, we are having many conversations with students about the word GENEROSITY. We encourage you to talk with your children about how generosity can be shown at home and in the community!
We continue to hold friendship and lunch groups. We are enjoying getting to know our students in a small group setting. If your child has not been in a small group, and they would like to be in one, please email Mrs. Shipman (ashipman@usd266.com) or Ms. G (galies@usd266.com). Take time to enjoy family during this season!
Ms. G (Greta Lies) is taking over grades 1st and 3rd while Mrs. Chapin is recovering from medical issues. If your child is in grades 1st or 3rd and you need to contact a counselor, please email Greta at galies@usd266.com or 316-350-2881.
You may have heard about students earning Gold Cards. Students who are nominated (by their teacher) as overall 3R winners (students who show Respect, are Responsible and Ready to learn) each term will earn a certificate, Chameleon t-shirt and a gold card to keep on their lanyard with their name tag. Gold card members get to attend a special party once every nine weeks. In October, members made bookmarks for Presbyterian Manor and enjoyed some candy. Our next party will be January 14 and we will decorate cookies.
CARING CHAMELEONS 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!
Feel free to reach out to either one of us with concerns or questions! Take time to enjoy family during this season!
Andi Shipman - Counselor for Kindergarten, 2nd & 4th Grades
Email: ashipman@usd266.com
Greta Lies & Jolene Chapin - Counselors for 1st & 3rd Grades
Email: galies@usd266.com
Email: jchapin@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:
1st & 2nd Grade Music Programs - Thursday, March 13, 2025
- 6:00 pm All of 1st Grade
- 7:15 pm All of 2nd Grade
Kindergarten Music Program - Thursday, April 17, 2025
- 6:00 pm
These performances will be held at:
Maize Performing Arts & Aquatic Center (MPAAC)
1055 Academy Avenue
Maize 67101
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 1 st – 4 th 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
sometime in January!
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
Mrs. Merkel at the address below.
Doreen Merkel (1st-4th)
Ethan Jeffries (Kindergarten)
Update from Coach
In November we were cup stacking and helping to set the Guinness World Record for most stackers over three days. Happy to say we helped set a new Guinness record. The old record was 746,698. The new record is 752,632 stackers.
In December and January we are working on teamwork and working with peers. We will also start our bowling unit in January.
Hope you all have a wonderful break and look forward to our adventures in the new year.
Please take a moment to view the P.E. Amazon Wishlist. If your child is sick or has been injured, please let me know and I will adjust for them accordingly.
Coach Trail
Coach Schuette
Library News
Get ready for the Winter Reading Challenge! Students are encouraged to read 5 books between December 20 - January 17. Students that complete the challenge will receive a prize and will be entered into a drawing for a fun winter prize pack. The drawing will be held the week of January 20. Students can pick up a Winter Reading Bookmark from the library before break.
Don't forget to order your 2024-25 yearbook online by March 26, 2025. The cost per yearbook is $25. Visit inter-state.com/order and enter code: 90890V.
Steph Hills, Librarian
From the School Nurse
Hearing/Vision Screenings:
We are finishing up our hearing and vision screenings as required per state law. Students new to the district will receive both hearing and vision screenings. Results will be sent home ONLY if further testing is needed. Screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional evaluations. Please email me if you would like to opt your student out of any screenings.
In-Office Stock Medications:
The health office still has over-the-counter stock medications. We have acetaminophen (chewables and liquid), ibuprofen (chewables and liquid), cetirizine (liquid and dissolving tablets), benadryl (chewable and liquid), and tums (chewables). **Please see Skyward and complete the Online Form titled 2025 Over the Counter Medication Consent Form.** This has to be completed prior to me administering these medications.
Skyward Health History:
It is the parent’s responsibility to update health conditions in Skyward and notify the school nurse as needed for any health concerns.
Medications:
Under certain conditions medication may be given at school per the Board of Education Policy. A new medication form must be filled out EVERY school year BEFORE any medication is administered at school.
You can view more information regarding our district health services, policies and forms.
Nurse Jaime Smith
Email: jsmith@usd266.com
Phone: 316-350-2810 / Fax: 316-722-5020
STEAM Lab News
Students in grades 1st-4th began a curriculum with our We Will Build It Better Box. Each grade level learns about a different tool and then applies their learning by using it within each of their lessons. 1st grade is learning all about the hammer, 2nd grade is learning about different types of screwdrivers and fasteners, 3rd grade is learning about measurement with rulers and measuring cups, and 4th grade is learning about pliers and wires. Kindergarten has been continuing to learn about physical sciences of forces and motion. Each grade level also continued learning about computer science through our robots, scratch jr., and code.org.
Upcoming January the students will continue their lessons with the We Will Build It Better Box, along with beginning to learn about Earth and Space Sciences.
I would love to get parents involved with my career bulletin board. I am creating a spotlight board of different careers and would love for anyone to fill out the form, so we can let students know about all the careers our parents/guardians/grandparents at Vermillion hold. My goal is to have a career fair in March or April.
Thank you to everyone that continues to contribute to the STEAM room. We are always looking for recyclable and consumable materials.
Items we are in need of:
- 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 check out the STEAM Amazon Wishlist!
Melissa Love
Twitter: @LoveSTEAMDream
