Vermillion Elementary School

Dear Chameleon Families,

Thank you for helping us start the school year on such a positive note! We appreciate your partnership and support as students have settled into their routines. Your encouragement at home and teamwork with our staff have made these first 14 days smooth and successful.

Mark Your Calendars: Our sports-themed Family Night will take place on Thursday, September 17 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. More information can be found below!

Fall Party & Parade: Our Fall Party will take place on Friday, October 31st in the afternoon. Please watch for more information on specific times and RSVP details later this month. As always, we will begin with the outdoor parade (weather permitting), followed by classroom parties.

Please note: All guests attending indoor events must RSVP and check in through the Raptor system. We greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we welcome hundreds of guests safely into our building.

Drop Off & Pick Up Reminders Thank you for all of your help with drop off and pick up. If you do not have a pickup QR code or your QR code is not working, please let your child’s teacher know so we can assist you in resolving the issue quickly. Also, as we hopefully move out of the 100-degree days and into other types of weather, we kindly ask that all drivers pull as far down in the lane as possible during both drop off and pick up—including on rainy, snowy, or cold days. Stopping directly at the doorway not only slows the line but also leaves our staff standing outside in unpleasant weather. We know mornings can be rushed, but moving all the way down keeps the process safe and respectful for everyone.

Get Involved & Volunteer!

We love having our families involved at VES. Our school is such a special place because of the support and involvement of our families, and we can’t wait to provide more options for family members to be engaged in our school community. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to your child's teacher or the VES office.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a great way to get involved, we encourage you to consider joining the Vermillion Elementary PTO. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other families, collaborate with staff, and make a positive impact on our school! Anyone from our Vermillion family is welcome to attend PTO meetings whenever it fits your schedule—there is no long-term commitment required, and children are always welcome to come along with you. Our PTO has also organized a fun lineup of Spirit Nights throughout the year! These events are flexible, low-key opportunities for your family to enjoy spending time together while supporting our school whenever you are able to join us.

Items Needed for the School

Nurse’s Office: If you are cleaning your closets at home, we could use your hand-me-downs! Or if you catch any good bargains at the store, we are also in need of some donations of new items as well. We are completely out of underwear and shorts for both genders in the smaller sizes—specifically sizes 4, 6, and 8.

STEAM Labs: Our STEAM labs are looking for recyclable materials for projects we will be creating this year. One of the big projects that we are starting is cardboard arcade games for Family Night. Our 4th graders will be spending the next several weeks working in groups to bring their creations to life so families can have fun playing games together. You can send donations in with your child or drop them off at the office!

Items we are seeking:

• Cardboard boxes

• Cereal/cracker boxes

• Water/Gatorade/juice bottles

• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

• Anything else you can think of that can be recycled and used in projects is welcomed, too!

Please make sure all items are free of food debris and drink containers have been cleaned out.

Community Resources

Maslow’s Pantry - Maslow’s Pantry is here to support Maize students and families who may be experiencing food or clothing insecurity. If you or someone you know could use support—or if you would like to help our community by donating essential items—please visit the link below to request assistance or learn how to get involved - Maslow's Support Links Poster

We look forward to a great year partnering with you!

Mrs. Nash

Principal, Vermillion Elementary School

Connect with Mrs. Nash at jnash@usd266.com or 316-722-0266

September 2026

7: No School - Labor Day

9: PTO Noodles & Co. Spirit Night (4:00-8:00pm)

16: PTO Meeting at Vermillion Elementary (6:30pm)

17: Family Night (5:00-7:00pm)

25: PTO All Star Sports Spirit Night (5:30-8:30pm)

29: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Maize Career Academy (12:30-2:30pm)

Join us at Vermillion Elementary on Thursday, September 17 from 5pm-7pm for our sports-themed family night and enjoy a free dinner! Be sure to wear your favorite team apparel. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend to help us prepare for this event. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Source Title 1 Information

• Please call the school or leave a message on the Attendance Line BEFORE 10:00am when your child will be absent or late. A medical note/documentation is needed for appointments or medical procedures and will need to be turned into the school office within THREE school days. You can email documentation to vesoffice@usd266.com or fax to 316-722-5020 or bring documentation to the school office.

Enrollment Center and Skyward Assistance:

Email: enrollment@usd266.com

Phone: 316-350-2050

Address: 201 S. Park, Maize KS 67101

Hello Families!

We hope your family is adjusting well to getting back into the swing of the school year! As we begin a new school year, we wanted to share a few resources available to support students and families in our school community.

• Maslow’s Food & Clothing Pantry: Our counselors accept donations from families that are used to help support other families in our school community with clothing and food needs. The Maize community also has access to Maslow’s Food Pantry and Clothing Pantry, where families can schedule an appointment to shop discreetly for items they need.
• Simply Hygiene: We also partner with Simply Hygiene, which provides monthly hygiene items for families. If you are not currently receiving the monthly email to place an order, please reach out to our counselors, and we will make sure you are added to the list.
• Food4Kids: Nurse Becky Page is our school’s Food4Kids representative. If your child would benefit from weekend food bags, please reach out to Nurse Becky or one of our counselors, and we will help get your family connected with this resource.
• School Supply Closet: We are also accepting donations of school supplies to help keep our school supply closet stocked. These supplies are available to students who may need a little extra support throughout the school year.

If you have questions about any of these resources or would like assistance getting connected, please don't hesitate to reach out to your school counselors, Taryn Clain & Greta Lies.

Greta Lies galies@usd266.com

Taryn Clain tclain@usd266.com

Important Immunization Notice for 2026-27 School Year:

Students attending Maize USD 266 schools must be in compliance with Kansas statutes regarding

immunization. Click here for Statutes Related to Schools. As you prepare for the 2026-27 school year, please review the updated Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) immunization requirements in order to ensure your student is ready for the first day of class. Click here for KDHE School Requirements for K-12. KDHE Form B Medical Exemption Form. Send immunization documentation or valid exemption to the school nurse by October 1, 2026.

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. You may view our District Health Services for more information.

Medications and In-Office Stock Medications:

• Under certain conditions medication may be given at school. An Authorization For Medication / Treatment To Be Administered At School form must be completed EVERY school year BEFORE medication can be administered.

• We have over-the-counter stock medications in the nurses office. This includes Acetaminophen (chewables & liquid), Ibuprofen (chewables & liquid), Cetirizine (liquid & dissolving tablets), Benadryl (chewable & liquid), and Tums (chewables). Please complete the online Over the Counter Medication Consent Form located on your Skyward Family Access / Online Forms. With this authorization these over the counter meds can be administered to your child.

Items Needed in the Nurse's Office:

• NEW in the package, underwear sizes 4, 6 and 8 (both genders)
• Shorts sizes 4, 6 and 8 (both genders)

Kindergarten parents, please make sure you pack an extra set of clothing, including underwear and socks in your child's backpack. Accidents do happen on occasion and we have some extra clothes on hand, but not many. Any soiled clothing will be sent home with your child.

Nurse Becky

Phone: 316-350-2810 / Fax: 316-722-5020

Email: rpage@usd266.com

Be sure to add these Music Program dates to your calendar. More information will be sent to parents as we get closer to these dates. If you have any questions, please email dmerkel@usd266.com.

November 12, 2026 Music Program:

• 3rd Grade: 6:00pm
• 4th Grade: 7:15pm

Location: Maize Performing Arts & Aquatics Center (1055 Academy Ave, Maize)

March 2, 2027 Music Program:

• 1st Grade: 6:00pm
• 2nd Grade: 7:15pm

Location: Maize Performing Arts & Aquatics Center (1055 Academy Ave, Maize)

We have a student teacher in PE until October and her name is Katelin Long Burge. Please remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on their PE days. It is for their safety as we are running, jumping and playing. If your child has any medical restrictions or has an injury please email coach Trail at wtrail@usd266.com so adjustments can be made for your child.

Mrs. Chalashtari and Mrs. Love are so excited to have your child(ren) this year in STEAM! We are always in need of items for our classrooms that are recyclable and consumable materials.

Items needed:

• Empty water/soda/Gatorade bottles

• Paper towel/toilet paper rolls

• Empty yogurt, fruit, apple sauce cups

• cereal/cracker boxes

• Straws

• Cans (vegetable, fruit, etc.)

• Tape

• Old Legos, Magnatiles, blocks, etc.

• Kleenex and Paper Towels

• PTO website (The Camp) PTO events calendar, volunteer opportunities & more
• Email: vermillionpto@hotmail.com
• Facebook: Maize Vermillion Elementary School PTO

*Be sure to tag Vermillion Elementary with #VES

PTO is seeking volunteers to continue the Vermillion PTO into the future! In order to further clarify our needs, please review the list by clicking here. If you have any interest in being involved in any of these roles this school year, please fill out this Google form for VES PTO Interest in Future Roles. While some of the roles are filled for this year, they are not filled for the year after. Please select any and all that you interest you. Filling out this form is not a final obligation, but it will help us get started into planning for the future. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out direct to vermillionpto@hotmail.com.