Maize Elementary School Newsletter

Visit our website at www.usd266.com/mes.

Connect with Mr. White at kwhite@usd266.com or call 316-722-8230.

Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MaizeElementary

Maize Elementary School is located at 305 W. Jones in Maize, KS 67101

• Monday, September 21st- PTO spirit night at Ziggy's pizza.
• Friday, October 2nd- Marathon Finale
• Thursday, October 15th- No School parent teacher conferences 8-8 pm
• Friday, October 16th- No School
• For district wide events refer to the bulletin board at USD266.com
• Remember to update and opt in for Text messages in Skyward. If there is inclement weather the district will contact guardians through the numbers you have provided.

Looking for a fun way to be more involved at Maize Elementary? Panther Patrol gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to spend the day at MES, connect with students, and be an extra helping hand around our school. We’d love to have you join us!

Getting Started:

1. Complete the online background check.
2. Complete the Panther Patrol Sign-Up Form to choose your volunteer dates.

To give everyone an opportunity to participate, we ask that volunteers sign up for no more than twice a month (Monday–Thursday and one Friday per month).

Thank you for sharing your time and helping make MES a special place for our Panthers!

Our STEAM program is off to a great start this year! The students have been practicing their critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills with fun engineering projects and challenges. Younger students have been learning about what it means to be a scientist and engineer, while older students have been learning about various engineering fields and the engineering process. Mrs. Schuette and I have been continually impressed with the student growth we have seen since the program started!

sschuette@usd266.com

jramey@usd266.com

Exciting Book Fair Ahead!

We’re thrilled to announce our Fall Book Fair, October 8–15! Students will have the chance to dive into a world of books, participate in a fun grade-level coin challenge for the chance to win a “SPOOK”tacular party during library class, and take a guess at our estimation jar. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase exciting new titles!

Book Care

We have worked hard during the first few weeks of library classes to introduce and review proper book care. Each year, it is our goal to purchase and share as many new books with our students as possible, and taking good care of our library collection helps make that possible!

We have been very pleased with the many kiddos who have taken it upon themselves to help protect our books and report any damage they notice. We encourage students to continue these great book-care habits all year long!

Battle of the Books

Our fourth graders are gearing up to kick off their reading for Battle of the Books, and their enthusiasm is contagious! While participation is optional, this is a fantastic opportunity for students who are looking for an extra challenge in their reading journey.

Each fourth-grade student should have brought home an information sheet with additional details. If you have any questions, please reach out at akirkman@usd266.com.

Thank you for your continued support of our library and young readers. We can’t wait to see everyone at the Fall Book Fair!

Please No Crocs, Sandals, or Boots- If in Kindergarten, please send in velcro, if at all possible. If your student likes to wear crocs, sandals, and boots, please have a set of “PE shoes” in their classroom they can change into before PE. This helps in keeping our gym floors clean and makes the gym safer for your student!

In September, the third and fourth graders will be learning and reviewing muscles. Second and first graders will be learning the locations and functions of their bones. Kindergarten students are going to learn basic body parts and functions (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) We will be doing numerous activities to make our bodies stronger and more flexible. We will also be fitness testing and starting on a throwing and catching unit.

First quarter grades will not be entered until the first week in late September. Please do not be alarmed if your student doesn’t have a grade for something. Items will be made up if they missed a day.

Thank you for taking an interest in your child's health and well-being! It’s going to be a great year!

Coach Horn

Keep moving!

Immunizations and Health Assessments

Don’t forget to turn in your child's most up-to-date immunization records. The district deadline for immunization compliance is October 1, 2026. If this is the first time your child has been in a Kansas school, an updated Health Assessment (physical) is also required.

Health Screenings

Kansas Statutes require a basic vision screening and hearing screening to be completed for students in elementary schools. I will be starting these vision and hearing screenings in October and will be screening every student individually. Results will ONLY be sent home if further testing is needed. Reach out if you would NOT like me to screen your student by emailing me directly at hweston@usd266.com. Please include your student's name in the email along with stating which screening(s) you are opting out of. *These screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional evaluations.*
Medications

If your child needs to take any medication here at school, please see this website with the proper forms to have on file before the nurse’s office can administer anything at school.

Please feel free to contact me by stopping by my office, calling, or emailing me if you have any questions or concerns about your student. Thank you for taking an interest in your child’s health and well-being!

Hannah Weston, RN, BSN

Phone: 316-350-2911

Fax: 316-722-5456

Email: hweston@usd266.com

Mrs. Regier

aregier@usd266.com

Mrs. Rich

srich@usd266.com

Dear Families,

As we return to school, Maslow's has already been busy delivering food, clothing, and school supplies to families in our community.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to support families as they prepare for the new school year!

Our food supply is running low, and we are currently in need of:

• Cereal & oatmeal
• Pasta & pasta sauce
• Rice
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Canned meats & tuna
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Mac & cheese
• Soup
• Boxed meals
• Breakfast items
• Snacks
• Shelf-stable milk

If you are able to donate, please drop your donations in the brown donation box located at 123 Academy Ave.

We are incredibly thankful for the generosity and support of the Maize school community!
Last year, together, we were able to deliver approximately 4,500 pounds of food to families in need.

Your support makes a tremendous difference and helps ensure our families have the food and supplies they need as we begin another school year.

Thank you for helping us take care of our Maize families!

This school year, we will offer a la carte items for purchase each day. Students may purchase these items if they have available funds in their lunch account.

Please note that a la carte items are not included with a student’s regular school lunch. Any items purchased will be charged separately to the student’s lunch account.

Examples of a la carte items that may be offered include:

• Capri Sun
• Scooby Snacks
• Fruit Roll-Ups
• Switch juice drinks

A la carte offerings may vary throughout the school year.

Refer to the document below