Maize South High School

Greetings Mavs!

Second semester seems to be flying by. One more shortened week until Spring Break! We had several activities our Maverick students were involved in this past month that I want to celebrate as well as make you aware of what’s coming up as spring approaches.

Thank you!

A big thank you to parents who provided sides, snacks, drinks, and desserts for teachers during conferences February 22nd. Our teachers really appreciated your generosity and enjoyed the variety of snack options.

Celebrate!

We have had many student groups and individuals participate in and have success in many areas this past month.

• Senior Meya Howell made Maize South history last weekend as the first female wrestler to qualify for state competition, medal in state competition, and win a state championship!

• Gavin Munoz, Max Kerr, Josh Kerr and Josh Berlin qualified for state wrestling; freshman Josh Kerr came in 2nd as a state runner up and senior Josh Berline placed 6th.

• The Girls’ and Boys’ Bowling Teams are competing this week at the Kansas State Tournament.

• We had six performing arts students qualify for the KMEA All-State Music Festival this past weekend. In orchestra: Alex Dominguez and Alli Kovach, Band: Jared Eck, Ammon Sigler, Deacon Whitmore, and Choir: Erin White.

• The Boys’ Swim Team placed 12th overall in the 5A State Swim Competition. Individual and Relay medals included -

• 4th place in individual in 100 Breaststroke - Riggs Patterson

• 7th place in 200 Freestyle Relay

• 8th place in 400 Freestyle Relay

• The Maverick Forensics Speech team placed 2nd overall at the Augusta Forensics Tournament. Three students qualified for state competition - Kai Laffoon, Katelyn Lasater, and Carley Bell.

• BPA had a great showing at the State Leadership Conference. Sixteen students placed in different events. Twelve students have qualified for nationals in April - Connor Anderson, Connor McClusky, Dane Dehnke, Braelyn Delzer, Hayden Frasco, Tate McNew, Rafael Martinez, Carolina Dominguez, Fern Banuelos, Brock Ellis, Kaitlin Kelley, and Julianne Tanksley.

News and Upcoming Events

• The last day of Term 3 is Thursday, March 7th

• Spring Break is March 8 - 15; I hope you have a safe and restful break!

• Spring athletics/activities began this week with tryouts and practice beginning after school for most spring sports. Check www.avctl.org for our spring calendar.

• State Assessments are on March 28th and March 29th, see the modified schedule below.

Senior Diploma Pictures and Class Panoramic Picture

On the morning of Wednesday, March 20th we will be taking senior diploma photos in the Auditorium between 7:45 - 10:00 am. These photos are available for purchase and will replace the photo taken backstage at graduation. This will allow families to have these photos prior to graduation parties. Seniors will need their cap and gowns for these photos. Seniors with a No Block in the morning and Early Completers need to come to the MSHS Auditorium during the allotted time frame of 8:00 - 10:00 am and be prepared for the Senior Class group picture at 10:20 am.

State Assessments

On Thursday, March 28th and Friday, March 29th Maize South 10th and 11th grade students will be testing on one or both days. Sophomores will take State Assessments in Math and English Language Arts on both Thursday and Friday. Juniors will take State Assessments in Science on Thursday only. Seniors and Freshmen are not scheduled to take any assessments, but will be expected to attend school both days with a late start schedule.

Students who are not scheduled to take assessments do not need to report to school until the start of the first class period at 9:45. ALL students will be expected to be on time to that class period; tardies will be given if students arrive late.

School buses will run regular routes on both days. Students who are not involved in assessments, but ride the bus, will be supervised by school staff and will report to the Commons. Students are encouraged to bring assignments or reading materials.

I recently shared with our Maize South High staff that I will be stepping down from my role as the building principal at the end of this school year. I also want to share this with our parent community. Serving as the principal of Maize South High School has been an honor and a privilege. I am grateful for the support, collaboration, and dedication of the school community. Together, we have had many successes and celebrations. While I am saddened to leave, I am also excited about the new opportunities ahead. I am confident Maize South will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of our students and staff. I look forward to finishing this year strong, being part of planning for next year, and ending with celebrating the graduating Class of 2024.

Mavs Up!

Becky Sailor

Principal

Want to nominate a Maize South staff member for Maverick of the Month? Click here Maverick of the Month or go to the MSHS website anytime!

Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/mshs.

Connect with Ms. Sailor at bsailor@usd266.com or 316-462-8000.

Maize South High School is located at 3701 N. Tyler Rd. in Wichita.

Follow Us

• Website: Counselor’s Corner

• Twitter: @MavCounseling

• Facebook: Maize South High School

The Counseling Center Facebook page has been deactivated. We are now using a general school Facebook page. Like the page for updates!

Upcoming Events

• March 5: Cap & gown and senior announcement delivery, commons during all lunches
• April 20: Prom at Wichita Art Museum, 8pm

Mark your calendars!

March Events:

Spring Break is a great time to discuss students' post-secondary plans and even tour college campuses.

5th Registration opens for grades 10-12 planning to attend the FHSU college visit

19th Registration opens for grades 10-12 planning to attend the PSU college visit

26th College Tour - Fort Hays State University

April Events:

2nd College visit to Pittsburg State University

4th GPACAC Signature College Fair for grades 10-11 from 9-11a in the

MCA Hub. This fair will host universities from out of state. Watch your email for additional information.

5th Career Fair, held in the MCA Hub — this fair is for seniors planning to enter the

workforce after graduation. Watch your email for additional information.

17th College Tour - Junior Days, Butler Community College

May Events:

8th Senior Signing Day Celebration - During FLEX in the commons area

Scholarships - It is never too early for students to begin building their resume looking for scholarships. Scholarship information is available on the Counselor Corner webpage.

Volunteering - Spring Break and Summer are opportune times for students to give back to their community and possibly gain some professional experience. Volunteering can make a difference as well as build personal growth and self-esteem.

Secure your senior ad or yearbook NOW at: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1873667/Maize-South-High-School/

Yearbook prices:

Spring: 2.17-6.1 for $55.00

Deadline to order a yearbook will be June 1st. There will be no extensions for any reason.

March 7: Last Day of Term 3

March 8-15: No School, Spring Break

March 18: First Day of Term 4

March 20: Spring Photos (Individuals, Sports, & Seniors)

April 5: No School, Professional Development

April 8: No School

April 20: Prom, 8PM at Wichita Art Museum

April 26: No School

If you have a child with a health condition that may require emergency action beyond first aid and/or emergency medication to be carried by the student or given in emergencies, please make sure you have communicated the health needs to the school nurse this school year.

Some students have health conditions which might require certain prescribed emergency procedures beyond standard first aid and/or emergency medication to be given at school if the student experiences severe symptoms of their health condition during the school day. Asthma, anaphylaxis, seizures, and diabetes are examples of health conditions that may require an Emergency Action Plan to be in place.

Emergency Action Plans are developed by the School Nurse at the request of the parent, to ensure necessary prescribed emergency care procedures for each individual student, including medications to be given, are communicated to the school staff who supervise the student during the school day.

This information must be updated with each new school year or whenever the condition or necessary care changes. It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school nurse each school year of the health condition and to provide the necessary documentation from physicians for prescribed emergency actions to be taken. When this information is received, the Emergency Action Plan is developed.

District policy in USD 266 allows students in grades 9-12 to carry and self-administer certain emergency medications for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, anaphylaxis and/or seizures. In order to self-carry these medications, parent must submit the proper documentation signed by parent and physician.

Contact me to update your child’s most current health care needs at school if you have not done so yet this year so we are ready to provide the individual care they need. Thank you!

Vision and Hearing Screening Notice

Katy Carter, BSN, RN, NCSN

School Nurse, Maize South High School

kcarter@usd266.com

• If you need your student released during the school day, please contact the attendance office at 316-462-8000 as soon as possible so we can get a pass to them. The more advanced notice we have, the easier it will be to ensure your child is able to leave on time. If your child will be absent all day, please notify the school by 8:00am.
• Parents are strongly encouraged to call the school instead of coming into the building to have their student checked out. This will help reduce traffic through the front office.
• 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 per class for the whole school year. Once seven has been reached, absences will be marked unexcused unless excused for a different reason.
• The accumulation of SIX absences in a block, per term/9 weeks, may result in no credit being granted. Credit may be granted pending a decision by a review panel. The review panel is available upon request by the student or parent.
  
• If you know ahead of time that your student is going to miss more than one day of school in a row, they're able to fill out an extended absence form. Completing this form will make sure those absences are excused. It requires signatures from all teachers, a parent, and an administrator. This form will need to be completed at least three days before the student is absent. You can access the form below.

• If your student is going to be tardy to school, please call the office. They are allowed THREE parent excused 1st block tardies per school year, after that they are subject to detention.
• Students are allowed TWO tardies per term. Once they reach their third tardy, a one hour detention will be assigned to them.
• Tardies reset every term.
• Tardies are defined as coming in late and missing 20 minutes or less of class time.

• If you need to pick up your child from school during school hours, please call the office with the time your child needs to be released. They will receive a pass ahead of time and can check themselves out at the requested time. The exception to this, is lunch time. If you wish to check your student out for lunch, a parent must come in and sign the student out. Parents are not required to sign students back in.

• When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parents to call the attendance office within 24 hours to verify the reason for the absence. Please be sure to provide a doctor's note to the front office when your child has seen the doctor, dentist, etc., these visits won't count against your child's attendance. Medical notes can also be faxed to 462-8001.

• If your child is absent and will require homework, please email the teacher.
• It is a district policy for all students to wear their school ID and lanyard at all times. If a student does not have their ID, they will be given a temporary name tag. Students will be issued detention once they have been given FOUR temporary name tags. IDs and lanyards can be replaced for $3 each.

• Because students are not allowed to bring balloons or glass items on the bus, the Maize school district will not be accepting any flower, candy, cookie, or balloon bouquet deliveries to students.
• We have a "closed lunch" policy. Students will be expected to eat at school and NO OUTSIDE FOOD may be brought in or delivered.

Thank you for your help with this. We appreciate it!

USD 266 Maize offers Online Driver Education each term during the school year. The online driver education program strives to prepare students to become knowledgeable and respectful of the law; to learn basic driving skills; and to develop a responsible attitude toward driving. The instructors will provide critical experience to students; involve parents in the process, and foster cooperative interaction with others in the driving environment. Students should be studying the Kansas Driver Handbook and be ready to take a handbook test at the start of the course. Students that have a Kansas Permit that is valid through the course dates will be exempt from taking the handbook test. More detailed information on Online Driver Education can be found on the high school website, (click on Counselor, Enrollment and Course Information, then Driver Education).

Online Driver Education 2023-2024: Both the Student and the Parent/Guardian must attend the enrollment night in order to be in Online Dr. Ed. Each term class is limited to 50 students. Enrollment packets may be downloaded off of the high school website or the button below.

Enrollment Dates:

Term 4: March 4, 2024 at 6:00pm MSHS Commons

**Both the Student and one Parent/Guardian will be required to attend the enrollment meeting. Please bring your enrollment packet, a writing pen, corrective eye wear (if needed) and any type of Kansas Permit/License you already have to the Enrollment Meeting**

Maize South art students competed in the Scholastics art competition. After the jury process, the results for the Scholastics art competition are in and the following Mavericks received awards for their art work.

Alexa Ramirez – Gold Key

Hannah O’Conner – Honorable Mention

Cedar Hoffman – Honorable Mention

This is quite an accomplishment as they competed with students from all over eastern Kansas.

A parking permit is required for students to park on campus. A completed form will need to be turned in to the North Office and a sticker will be assigned to the student. The sticker will need to be placed on the back window in the bottom left hand corner. The form can be accessed below.

If you would like to speak with someone in the main office during the school day, you may call (316) 462-8000.

NORTH OFFICE

Megan Fowler, Assistant Principal I-P

Paige Luna, Counselor I-P

Dave Nash, Assistant Principal Q-Z

Melissa Bush, Counselor Q-Z

Christina Black, Registrar

Stephanie Brooks, Discipline Secretary

SOUTH OFFICE

Becky Sailor, Principal

Luke Smith, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal A-B

Taluia Pentecost, Counselor A-B

Alison Klock, Assistant Principal C-H

Brooke Sorenson, Counselor C-H

Lyn Brown, College and Career Advocate

Taryn Scott, Accounting/Athletics Secretary

Suzanne Sullard, Attendance Secretary

NURSE

Katy Carter