Mustang Minutes - September 2026

All mail may be sent to:

Maize Virtual Preparatory School, C/O Maize USD 266 District Office

905 W. Academy Ave, Maize, KS 67101

I want to share two important updates regarding state law and district policy. While some of this information may not apply directly to our younger students, I believe it is helpful for all families to be aware of these expectations.

Student and Teacher Communication

The state has passed a new law regarding cell phone use in schools. While much of the law does not apply to virtual schools, there is a portion related to communication that does apply to us.

An important expectation for our school is that students and teachers may not communicate with one another through text messaging or social media apps. Teachers and students may communicate by phone when appropriate. All school-related communication should take place through the communication methods and platforms approved by the district and school.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

Teachers will communicate with students about whether and how AI may be used for particular assignments. We recognize that there are many different perspectives regarding AI. At the same time, AI is becoming an increasingly common tool, and we believe it is our responsibility as educators to teach students how to use these tools appropriately, responsibly, and ethically.

For grade levels and assignments where AI use is appropriate, our teachers will provide students with clear expectations and guidance for its use.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about either of these updates.

Connect with Principal Heather Vincent at hvincent@usd266.com

September

7th: No School - Labor Day

10th: 8B-12th Grades Audit Day #1 - No Live Classes

18th: NE KS Park & Play

23rd: 8B-12th Grades Audit Day #2 - No Live Classes

25th: Walter's Pumpkin Patch

October

12th: WSU Tech Term 2 begins

14th: KC Pumpkin Patch

14th: End of Term 1

14th: Parent/Teacher Conferences for 8B-12th - No Live Classes

15th: Parent/Teacher Conferences for 8B-12th - No Live Classes

16th: No School

19th: Start of Term 2

21st: 8B-12 1st Semester Drop Deadline

23rd: Wichita Art Museum

23rd: PSAT Test (Sophomore/Junior) from 9 a.m. to noon

November

13th: Thankful Fest - Fall Vocabulary Expedition at Story Hill Church in Lawrence

13th: Art and Writing at Krispy Kreme in Wichita at 10 a.m.

December

11th: Creative Art at Maize Community Building at 10 a.m.

18th: NE KS Event TBD - Save the Date

Click the above button for a flyer & link to sign up for this 1st-6th grade club in Maize.

Click the above button for a flyer & link to sign up for this club for 3rd grade students.

Click the above button for a flyer for this book club for 4th through 8th graders.

Click the above button for a flyer & link to sign up for this K-12th grade optional Maize class.

Click the above button for a flyer to the ITC Class Calendar for 2026-27.

Click the above button for a flyer about the first StuCo meeting on September 8th.

Come and visit the Counselor's Corner in BrightSpace. This classroom has been created to share information as you prepare for upcoming testing, graduation, and success after high school. Please feel free to explore the links and information in the classroom. We will be adding opportunities and scholarships as we hear about them. It would be a good idea for you (especially seniors) to set a monthly calendar reminder to check back here for new scholarships and information about colleges and other great opportunities.

A Chrome update was just released on 8/13/26. Please shut down your Chromebooks and MacBooks this evening for that update to process. You will need to select the "Shut Down" option rather than simply closing the lid.

Whether you have a Chromebook or a MacBook, please make it a habit to shut down your devices nightly.

Feel free to click the photo on the left to open a flyer that you can print as a friendly reminder for your learning workspace.

The Maize Education Foundation is excited to announce the Fall 2026 Student Enrichment Grant cycle! Students in grades 7 through 12 are invited to apply for grants of up to $500 to support opportunities such as leadership seminars, educational camps, community service projects, and more.

Recent Student Enrichment Grants have funded service projects, space and debate camps, medical conferences, and educational tours of New York City, Europe, and Washington, D.C.

What possibilities could grant funding open for you?

Applications are due by Oct. 30.

Maize USD 266 is proud to offer Driver Education to help students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become safe, responsible drivers. Open to students 14 years of age and older, the program combines online coursework with behind-the-wheel instruction to prepare students for the responsibilities of driving. Driver Education courses are offered four times each year, providing multiple opportunities for eligible students to enroll and complete the program at a time that works best for their schedule.

Parents/guardians and students interested in participating in the first-term session must attend a mandatory enrollment meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 in the Commons at Maize South High School, 3701 N. Tyler Road in Wichita. Enrollment forms will be completed in person. The session is limited to the first 30 student participants. Students should have five to six hours of driving practice before the course begins.

Click here to learn more on our new new driver education web page at usd266.com/drivered. You can access a printable flyer and see details about future sessions offered each term of the 2026-27 school year.

Please direct all mailings to:

Maize Virtual Preparatory School

C/O Maize USD266 District Office

905 W. Academy Ave

Maize, KS 67101

The office phone number is 316-462-8800.

To reach office personnel directly:

Angie can be reached at abayliff@usd266.com or 316-350-2051.

Christine can reached at cluna@usd266.com or 316-350-2052.

Please update the MVPS office via email with any phone number, email address, or home address updates that occur during the year. If your family moves, send your new address and an updated proof of residency. Proof of residency can include:

• a copy of your Driver's License (this will stay valid until license expiration)
• a mortgage/lease agreement with the dated signature page
• a copy of a redacted bank statement showing your current address, or
• a gas, water, or electric bill with the new address shown as the service address

Welcome to a new school year! We’re excited to get MVPS PTO rolling and build a supportive, collaborative community for our students and families.

Whether you have hours to volunteer or just a few minutes here and there, there's a way for everyone to be involved!

It's time to put our teachers in the hot seat...or should we say the pie tin?!

Our first fundraiser of the school year is Pie the Teacher, and the entire MVPS community will be working toward one BIG shared fundraising goal across both the ICT and KC campuses.

Fundraiser Dates

September 1–22, 2026

Pie Reveal & Celebration Date

TBD!

How Does It Work?

Families will make donations through the PTO's PayPal. All donations from both campuses will go toward one shared fundraising total.

And here's where it gets fun...

How Much Can We Raise?

💰$1,200+ — ULTIMATE GOAL!

Principal Heather AND both teacher volunteers get pied in the face!

💰$600–$1,199 — BASE GOAL

Both regional teacher volunteers—one from Maize and one from KC—take a whipped-cream pie to the face!

💰$300–$599 — CONSOLATION TIER

Our teachers will have to eat a pie OR participate in a hilarious pie-themed challenge!

💰Under $300 — WE'RE STILL HAVING FUN!

Our teachers will sport silly hats or whipped-cream mustaches!

Watch Us Climb!

We'll be sharing fundraising progress throughout the campaign so everyone can see how close we are to the next tier.

The more we raise, the more ridiculous things get!

So tell your family, friends, grandparents, neighbors, coworkers...anyone who might enjoy helping us put a teacher in the path of a whipped-cream pie!

Let's see how high we can get that total!

You don't have to attend every meeting or volunteer at every event to be part of PTO.

We have three committees where families can jump in based on their interests and availability:

Curriculum Support

https://signup.com/go/qZkMsfh

Help support educational activities, teacher needs, and opportunities that enhance our students' learning experiences.

Events & Activities

https://signup.com/go/vXpsNQp

Help plan and support fun events and activities throughout the school year.

Join a committee, volunteer for one event, share an idea, or simply stay connected. There are lots of ways to help!

Don't have time to volunteer? You can still make a BIG difference!

• Participate in fundraisers when you can.

• Share PTO fundraisers and events with friends and family.

• Like, comment, and share PTO posts.

• Send us an idea or suggestion.

• Volunteer for a single event when your schedule allows.

• Attend PTO-sponsored events.

• Encourage another family to get involved.

• Join us for a PTO meeting when you're available.

Every little bit helps!

Monday, September 14, 2026

12:30 p.m. • Online meet.google.com/akk-hbgk-exe

Our first PTO meeting of the school year will be held online!

We'll talk about upcoming fundraisers, events, committees, volunteer opportunities, and ways we can continue building our PTO community.

You do not have to be an official PTO member to attend. Come listen, share ideas, ask questions, or just see what PTO is all about!

We're Glad You're Here!

PTO isn't about a handful of people doing everything.

It's about all of us doing a little something when we can.

Whether you donate to Pie the Teacher, share a PTO post, attend a meeting, volunteer for an hour, or send us a great idea—you are helping make MVPS a stronger community!