As we head toward Fall Break, I’m filled with gratitude for our incredible students, families, and community. This season gives us a chance to reflect on our achievements and look ahead with excitement to all that’s in store.

We’re proud to share some remarkable milestones highlighted at this month's Maize Board of Education meeting:

• Our students completed 4,403 college credit hours this fall alone, an amazing accomplishment with far-reaching benefits.
• We have 201 students enrolled in internships and work-based learning opportunities, gaining invaluable real-world experience.
• This fall, 1,501 third- and fourth-grade students visited the Maize Career Academy, inspiring early interests and dreams for their futures.
• Last spring, students earned 334 industry-recognized certificates, reflecting their readiness for future careers.
• We have 100 percent on-time graduation rate for students with two or more pathway credits—earned in courses focused on specific career fields that help students explore their interests and gain skills for future education or careers. This is a testament to their hard work and the support they receive here.

In addition, I’m thankful for students who continue to share their voices and perspectives in shaping our district. This month, members of our Superintendent Student Advisory Team represented their peers during Maize Board of Education and District Site Council meetings, lending thoughtful insights on topics including our student cell phone policy. You’ll find more details on these discussions below.

I’m also thrilled to support the launch of our new district website, set for next month! Designed with our community in mind, the new site will offer increased searchability, improved accessibility, and a mobile-responsive experience to better support your needs on any device. I can’t wait for you to see it and experience firsthand the enhancements we’ve made!

Next week, I hope you find time to relax, recharge, and enjoy moments with family and friends. With this in mind, I am sharing a few photos of my family today! I am looking forward to spending time with them during Fall Break, too! Thank you for being part of this amazing community and for your ongoing support of our schools. Together, we’re making Maize USD 266 a place where students thrive.

Happy Fall Break!

Dr. Raquel Greer

Maize USD 266 Superintendent

• On Twitter/X: @rockigreer
• Email: rgreer@usd266.com
• Online: www.usd266.com/superintendent

November

• Nov. 25-29: No school, Fall Break

December

• Dec. 20: End of Term 2
• Dec. 23-31: No school, Winter Break

January

• Jan. 1-3: No school, Winter Break
• Jan. 6: No school, Teacher Work Day
• Jan. 7: No school, Professional Development
• Jan. 8: Start of Term 3
• Jan. 20: No school, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

As part of the Lead Forward strategic plan, the district aims to increase its reading proficiency rate from 73 percent to 80 percent on the Kansas State Assessment by 2028. To achieve this, each school has established a Wildly Important Goal (WIG) related to literacy and another WIG of their choice that helps support a need in their building. Between September and January, each school will present to the Maize Board of Education about their goals. The following are summaries from November school board presentations.

Maize Elementary School Principal Kyle White said that the school is focusing on goals to enhance student achievement in literacy and math. For literacy, the school aims to increase the percentage of students meeting grade-level benchmarks on the Early Reading and aReading FastBridge assessments from 62 percent to 70 percent. This goal involves daily phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension exercises tailored to each grade level. In math, the goal is to raise benchmark scores from 80 percent to 86 percent by focusing on number sense, fluency, and math vocabulary through daily practice across all grades. Teachers track progress through regular data discussions and weekly updates, with plans to celebrate students’ growth following the FastBridge winter benchmarks.

Maize Middle School Principal Chad Cramer presented the school’s Instructional Scoreboard for the school year, highlighting key academic and behavioral goals focused on literacy and resilience. The primary objectives include raising reading proficiency among 7th- and 8th-grade students from 66 percent to 70 percent on the Kansas Assessment Program and reducing tardy occurrences from 902 to 857 by May. The school’s resilience goal aims to foster a culture of responsibility and punctuality, helping students develop positive habits and reduce barriers to learning. Each department supports these goals through targeted Lead Measures, such as bi-monthly team discussions, data-driven meetings, and specific vocabulary instruction. Administration, counseling, and educators teaching math, ELA, social studies, science, PE, fine arts, and electives each have set tailored goals. To address tardiness, educators engage students in solutions-oriented conversations and offer positive reinforcements, including no-tardy parties. Through regular communication with parents, teachers, and students, the school is trending in the right direction on these goals.

In December, the Maize Board of Education will consider a recommendation to update the high school cell phone use policy. The proposed change aims to create a more consistent and focused learning environment.

Prompted by teacher and student feedback, the Cell Phone Policy Review Committee’s recommendation seeks to address concerns about students’ use of cell phones and other personal devices during class time and the related impact on teaching and learning. High school teachers provided input through a survey, the results of which guided the committee’s proposal.

The committee presented its findings at the school board’s Nov. 11 meeting, recommending new language to define “instructional time” as class time when student cell phone use is prohibited. Currently, cell phone use is restricted through 8th grade, while high school teachers determine device use during instruction. This approach has led to inconsistent application across classrooms.

The proposed update would apply a more uniform approach, specifying that cell phones are not permitted during class. Exceptions may include instances when phones are necessary for classwork or serve as medical devices.

Committee members include educators, administrators, board representatives, and a student from the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Team. Their recommendation aligns with the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Blue Ribbon Task Force, which advocates prohibiting cell phone use during school hours with devices securely stored from bell to bell.

School board members will consider the policy recommendation at its Dec. 9 meeting. If approved, the policy would take effect Jan. 1, 2025 for the spring semester.

Please keep these reminders in mind:

• Please ensure that you have updated your information for notifications: If you want to receive phone calls and/or text messages from Maize USD 266, please log into Skyward Family Access and click “Skylert” on the left. Skylert enables you to receive notifications concerning your child(ren). Snow day-related notifications and the majority of district-sent parent communications fall into the category of “General.” You can check the boxes under “General” in Skyward to select how you prefer to receive this information. Please also make sure your phone number is accurate. Please click “Save” in the upper-right corner if you make any updates.

• Make sure to opt in to notify your carrier if you want to receive text messages: Those who want to receive the district’s School Messenger text messages also will need to opt in by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. This informs your mobile carrier that you approve of receiving text messages from School Messenger. Those wishing to opt out can do so by sending “Stop.” Please click here for more information. Text recipients will receive automated district messages from the number 67587.

• In the event of school being dismissed or canceled because of inclement weather: The district will send out notifications via phone call, text (SMS), and email to those who have elected to receive them. Phone notifications will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closure. If a decision is made the night before to call off school, calls and texts will go out no later than 10:30 p.m. District officials will update the district’s website (www.usd266.com), official Twitter/X account (@maize266), and official Facebook page as soon as the decision is made to call off school. When in doubt, the district encourages parents and employees to verify school closings by consulting multiple official district sources. Please do not rely on only one form of notification, such as a text message, if you are uncertain.

Thank you for your cooperation in preparing for potential inclement weather this winter.

Our new www.usd266.com is launching soon, bringing a range of exciting updates to make finding the information you need easier than ever. With enhanced functionality, a sleek and mobile-friendly design, and improved searchability and accessibility, the site will offer a smooth, user-friendly experience. Look forward to intuitive navigation, refreshed branding, and storytelling elements that spotlight our district’s unique stories. We’re excited to share it with you—stay tuned for the official launch date!

Check out this story from KSN about how our Vermillion Elementary School students supported a local veteran just in time for Veteran's Day earlier this month. The school also hosted an assembly and invited veterans to attend.

Check out this recent story from KWCH about Maize High School senior Gemma Jones and other students learning about opportunities in fire science and careers in firefighting. Our programs of study at our Maize Career Academy, where students from Maize High School and Maize South High School can attend classes, include EMT and Fire Science.

The Maize Board of Education's next regular monthly meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 1155 W. Academy in Maize. Meetings are open to the public. Find a link to meeting agendas and minutes, school board member information, and policies at www.usd266.com/schoolboard. Regular monthly meetings are broadcast live at bit.ly/Maize266YouTube.

Congratulations to our Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, which has once again earned the Blue Ribbon of Excellence. After a rigorous year-long audit, our PAT program maintained its exceptional standard, meeting 100 percent of Essential Requirements. This honor reflects the dedication of PAT Coordinator Michelle McAllister and her team, which also includes Parent Educators Michelle Kinnevan, Jana Kubik, Kirby Montgomery, Petrissa Palmer, Erin White, and Trisha Riley. The team, along with Maize Early Childhood Center Principal DeDe Pierce, were recognized at this month's Maize Board of Education meeting by Vice President Andrew Johnson and his fellow members.

Parents as Teachers is an early childhood program that supports families with children from birth to age 5 through personal visits, group meetings, developmental screenings, and resource connections to promote optimal child development and empower parents.

We’re thrilled to share that Kayla Lowmiller, a junior at Maize High School, has been selected to participate in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, set for June 25 through 27, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. This prestigious event brings together top high school students with big dreams of pursuing careers in medicine or medical research.

Kayla’s nomination, endorsed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, celebrates her academic achievements, leadership skills, and commitment to serving others through medicine. As a delegate, Kayla will join other bright students from around the country to hear from some of the world’s leading medical researchers, listen to patients’ inspiring stories, learn from Ivy League medical school deans, and explore the latest advances in medical technology.

The congress is all about honoring students like Kayla, who show promise and passion for medicine, and giving them the resources and guidance to turn their goals into reality. Through the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, Kayla and other delegates will have access to online networks, mentoring from professionals in the field, and valuable information about college, internships, and career pathways.

Congratulations to Maize High School Volleyball Head Coach Camille Hubert, 2024 AVCTL DI Coach of the Year! Looking forward, she said the team's goal for this program is to continue to build a positive culture that allows girls to compete, grow as people, and better their volleyball skills in a positive environment. Through sports many life lessons are learned, she said.

She previously was the team's assistant volleyball coach for five years. She also played volleyball at Fort Hays State University. Currently, she also is an assistant coach for the Maize High School girls basketball and teaches physical education at Maize High School and Pray-Woodman Elementary School. She previously taught 1st and 2nd grades at Pray-Woodman for nine years.

Watch for a story to come to www.usd266.com soon to learn more about her!

Thanks to Pray-Woodman Elementary School for this fun student artwork!

Maize Caring Hearts is excited to spread cheer and help local families and children in need! We invite you to support qualifying Maize USD 266 students and their siblings by purchasing an item from their wish list. It’s quick, simple, and a heartfelt way to give back! Please make your purchases by Friday, Dec. 13 to ensure timely delivery and availability. Your generosity makes Maize Caring Hearts a success, and we’re so grateful for your support!

Join us Feb. 13, 2025 for the Birds and Bulls Gala, a sweetheart-themed evening perfect for you and your Valentine. Indulge in a night of elegance and entertainment—all while supporting the Maize Education Foundation in its mission to enhance educational experiences at Maize USD 266. Last year, with the support of our guests, we fully funded three Challenge Grants before the night was over.

What to expect:

• Plated dinner
• Dessert buffet prepared by Maize culinary students
• Silent and live auctions
• Live entertainment
• A chance to make a difference!

Special Offer: Purchase your ticket by Nov. 30, and you’ll be entered to win a limo ride to and from the gala, courtesy of Anchor Table & Chair Rentals!

Don’t miss this incredible night of fun, love, and generosity. Let’s make a lasting impact together!

Maize USD 266 is actively hiring paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and seasonal employees. Seasonal employees must be 18 years old, and the position would be ideal for college students who can work during their winter break. Employees can make an important difference in Maize Schools and the lives of students!

Maize USD 266 partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas for before- and after-school care. Please consider joining their team to help support this important program, which many Maize USD 266 families utilize. Click the buttons below to learn more about and apply for their open positions. Thank you!