Eagle Connect: September 2026

We are off to a great start, and there is a positive energy felt throughout the halls of The Nest. Currently, we serve just under 1,400 students with the support of more than 145 dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators, paras, cafeteria staff, nurses, and administrative assistants.

If you would like to join our team—or know someone who would love to work with students—we are always looking for great staff members. Vacancies can be found [here].

Notes & Reminders

No School: Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)

Homecoming Week: September 14-19

Semi-formal HoCo Dance: Saturday, September 19, 8:00–11:00 p.m. in the MHS Commons

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Wednesday, October 14, 4:00–8:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 15, 7:30 a.m.–3:10 p.m.

As always, please reach out to your student’s teachers anytime with questions or concerns.

Pictures: Retakes and the Class of 2027 panoramic picture will be on September 23.

Schoolwide Goals (WIGs: Wildly Important Goals)

This year, each department is implementing strategies to help meet our two schoolwide goals:

Literacy: By May 2027, Maize High School will increase the consistent implementation of structured literacy practices across all content areas by ensuring that all teachers regularly utilize one or more of our three instructional strategies.

Professional Collaboration: By May 2027, Maize High School will strengthen professional collaboration by embedding structured literacy into PLC practices, ensuring that all departments engage in monthly structured literacy discussions and intentionally incorporate literacy-focused learning into every district-wide PD day.

Graduation 2027

Attention Senior Parents! Here are the details for graduation:

Graduation: Monday, May 17, 2027, 6:30 p.m., Wichita State University’s Koch Arena

Seniors’ Last Day: Tuesday, May 11, 2027

Graduation Week Events:

Senior Awards Night: Monday, 10, 2027

Senior Parade: Wednesday, May 12, 7:45 a.m.

Senior Breakfast & Awards: Following the parade

Senior Walk-Through: Wednesday, May 12, 9:15–10:00 a.m.

Graduation Practice: Wednesday, May 12, 10:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m., WSU (required for all graduates)

Thank you for sharing your student(s) with us at MHS. We truly believe it is the best school on the planet!

Sincerely,

Dr. Botts

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

Connect with Dr. Botts at cbotts@usd266.com or 316-722-0441.

Maize High School is located at 11600 W. 45th St. North in Maize.

Please visit our special edition newsletter regarding attendance at Maize High School.

Betsy Manning, Director of School Counseling

School Counselor for students whose last names begin with A through B

Office Phone: 316-350-2120 & email: bmanning@usd266.com

Katie Shephard, School Counselor for students whose last names begin with C through G Office Phone: 316-350-2118 & email: kshephard@usd266.com

Megan Bleier, School Counselor for students whose last names begin with H through Ma Office Phone: 316-350-2119 & email: mbleier@usd266.com

Katie Wiechman, School Counselor for students whose last names begin with Mc through Sa

Office Phone: 316-350-2147 & email: kwiechman@usd266.com

Anne Debes, School Counselor for students whose last names begin with Sc through Z Office Phone: 316-350-2114 & email: adebes@usd266.com

Cara Poole, College & Career Advocate for all students

Office Phone: 316-350-2281 & email: cpoole@usd266.com

Jessica Wilson, Registrar

Office Phone: 316-350-2121 & email: jewilson@usd266.com

Kami Smith, Counseling Secretary

Office Phone: 316-350-2122 & email: krsmith@usd266.com

MHS Counseling Facebook Page

Follow us on our Facebook page, MHS Counseling Center, for all the latest updates from the MHS Counseling department.

Senior Counseling Meetings

During the first term, the counseling staff will meet with each senior either individually or in a small group to make certain seniors are on track for graduation. In these meetings we will discuss post-graduation plans, the college application process, scholarships, important senior dates, and other key pieces of information. We will also post this information to the Class of 2027 Counseling, College, and Career Google Classroom page, code 2nf7dte.

Important Dates

• September 11 - Last day to register for the October 17th ACT Test

• September 14 - College & Career Fair at MCA, 6-8 PM

• September 19 - National ACT Testing Date

• September 21 - FAFSA/Scholarship Information Session at MCA, 6:30 PM

• October 7 - PSAT test at MHS

• October 14 - End Term 1; Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4 PM - 8 PM

• October 15 - No School; Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• October 16 - No School

• October 19 - Term 2 Begins

PSAT

October 7 - Maize High School will be an official testing site for the PSAT this fall. Registration test space is limited and will be granted on a first come, first serve basis. The link to register will be emailed to parents and students in September. Registration costs $20 and should be given to Mrs. Smith in the Counseling Office. Checks can be made payable to Maize High School. A student’s registration will not be considered final until payment has been made.

ASVAB

ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which is a multiple-choice test that helps students identify which Army jobs (Military Occupational Specialities) would be best suited for them. Students in grades 10-12 may take the ASVAB on October 22 at Maize High School at 7:35 AM. There is no charge for this assessment, but students must register in advance by completing this Google Form.

ACT WORKSHOP

Power Prep ACT Workshops take place at MHS throughout the year. Each workshop includes two evening sessions covering practical and relevant information on how to increase your ACT score. The cost of each workshop is $85. For more information regarding fall workshop dates and registration, please go to http://actprep.info/maize .

Hello Maize High families! As your new College and Career Advocate, I am excited to draw on my 20 years in career education to help your students navigate high school opportunities and plan for college, trade school, military, or workforce paths. I am based in Room H23 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and alternating Fridays. Please encourage your student to stop by, and be sure to check the calendar below for upcoming event updates!

Email: cpoole@usd266.com

Phone: 316-722-2281

Please visit the College and Career Calendar to view and register for upcoming college visits, as well as events that will help you plan for life after high school.

Welcome to another fun school year! My name is Erin Ingalls, and I'm honored to be joining Maize High School as your new school nurse. I am very excited to get to know our students, staff and families, and look forward to helping keep our Eagles healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

As we begin the year, here are a few important reminders:

Immunizations:

Please make sure your student’s immunization records are current and submitted to the health office. If you have questions regarding your student, please contact me.

Immunization Deadline: October 1, 2026

Skyward Health History:

Parents/guardians are responsible for updating their student’s health information in Skyward and

notifying the school nurse of any new or ongoing medical concerns throughout the school year.

Food Allergies:

If your student requires meal modifications due to a food allergy, a Meal Modification Form (19B) must be completed and signed by both a parent/guardian and your student's healthcare provider before changes can be made to school meals. Please contact me if you need this form.

Health Screenings:

Annual dental screenings were provided by HealthCore Clinic on August 19th. We are currently working on inputting the information and will send the cards home at a later date.

During the school year, all 10th-grade students and students who are new to the district will also receive hearing and vision screenings which are required by Kansas state law.

These screenings are basic screenings and are not intended to replace professional evaluations. Results will only be sent home if additional follow-up testing is recommended. If you would like to opt your student out of any screenings, please contact Nurse Erin directly.

Please click the button below to read more about medications at school and to access necessary forms.

Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and ready to succeed. Please don’t hesitate to stop by the health office, call, or email me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting all of you, and wish everyone a safe, healthy, and successful school year!

Erin Ingalls, RN

School Nurse, Maize High School/Complete High

Phone: 316-350-2137

Email: eingalls@usd266.com

Fax: 316-722-6214

The Maize High School Blood Drive will be held Thursday, September 10th from 8 am to 1:45pm in the Fema Shelter. To make your life saving appointment, see Ms. Nitcher snitcher@usd266.com, or go to https://redcrossblood.org, and use Sponsor Keyword: MaizeHS. You may also download the Blood Doner App. Please be sure to drink plenty of water and eat regular meals prior to your donation. Please be sure to bring your photo I.D. All 16 year old students must also bring the signed parent consent form.

Yearbooks are on sale now! They are at the lowest price of the year, so get yours today before the price increases! Order the 26-27 book here.

Is your student missing a yearbook from their high school career? We have old books for sale! Available for purchase here.

National Art Honors Society (ART CLUB) is a newer club on campus!! All students are welcome. Meetings are Thursdays after school from 2:45- 3:45pm in Room D07

contract Mrs. Northcutt for more information- mnorthcutt@usd266.com

• Our most up-to-date event schedule is available on Bound. You can also follow us on our social media platforms. Facebook, X, and our Instagram is MaizeEagle_ad

• If you are going to an event, you can purchase tickets in advance by going to our Bound calendar, clicking on an event you would like to attend, and clicking on the "Get Tickets" button.

• Athletic and activities director Dan Loving puts out a weekly newsletter. If you would like to receive it in your inbox, you can sign up here.

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the Galápagos Islands? Now’s your chance! Mrs. De La Torre and Ms. Prendes are excited to offer an 8-day adventure to Ecuador for students and their families in June 2028!

Our trip will include:
Quito, Ecuador
3 Galápagos Islands
Unique wildlife, landscapes & ecosystems
Hands-on cultural and educational experiences
An opportunity for students to experience this incredible part of the world with (or without) their families!

Interested or just want to learn more? Join us for an informational meeting!

Tuesday, September 15
6:30 PM
Maize High School – Room G30

No commitment required—just come hear about the trip! Questions? Feel free to email adelatorre@usd266.com or aprendes@usd266.com. We can't wait to travel with you!

Come see the first play of the year. "Suite Surrender"

September 23rd and 24th at 7:30pm in the Auditorium.

Adult Tickets- $8.00

Student Tickets- $5.00

Children 5 and Under : Free

Students in Jenny Meirowsky’s PreCalculus class collected and analyzed data to explore how the length of a pendulum affects the time it takes to swing back and forth.

Maize Eagle Athletic and Activities

Maize Eagle Bands

Boys Wrestling

Girls Wrestling

Maize Eagle Cheer

There is always more going on at Maize High School than what we can fit into our monthly newsletter. Be sure to check our school website for more important updates, celebrations, and upcoming activities.

Please be mindful and YIELD the right of way to the buses when they arrive in the morning. Please DO NOT try to dart in between the buses. Allowing the buses to pull into the parking lot and proceed to the south entry doors is priority. Thank you - Crossing Guard Staff

MHS can not accept food, flower, or gift deliveries.