Mustang Monthly

Mustang Families,

We have had a wonderful start to the school year! These first few weeks have flown by, and I want to start by saying thank you. My first month as a Mustang has been incredibly special, and I have loved getting to know our students and families and am so grateful to work alongside such an incredible staff. Thank you for trusting us with your children each day and for welcoming me so warmly!

There has been so much excitement, learning, and, of course, practicing! Our staff has been working hard to teach, model, and practice expectations, routines, and procedures. These routines may seem like small things, but they are essential to creating a safe, predictable, and positive environment for every student. One thing I have already learned about our Mustang family is how deeply we care about our kids. One of the best ways we can show that care is through consistency. When students see and hear the same expectations at school and at home, they know what to expect and are more likely to be successful. Thank you for partnering with us and helping reinforce these routines at home.

We have also been busy completing our FastBridge screeners. This information helps teachers understand what students already know and identify the skills they are ready to work on next. After Labor Day, we will begin preparing for our Rockin' Readers and Math Masters groups, which will meet daily and provide students with additional instruction, practice, and support based on their individual needs. We are excited to see our students grow!

Finally, a HUGE shout-out to our families for your patience and flexibility during arrival and dismissal. I know the first few weeks have required some practice as we have all learned our routines, but things are beginning to smooth out! Thank you to everyone who has done such a great job following our procedures. Your consistency helps us get students safely into and out of the building more efficiently. Starting after Labor Day, we will have families use their QR codes (provided during Parent Teacher conferences) to sign themselves into the Parent Pick-Up line. Our Specials Team will continue to be outside the first few days to help with this transition. If you need a new QR code, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and partnership. Let’s keep working together, supporting our kids, and make this our BEST year yet!

💜🖤 Go Mustangs! 🖤💜

Join us on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM for a night of fun and excitement!

For just $20 (cash only), you get 3 hours of unlimited access to bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts, rock climbing wall, and laser tag.

All grade levels are welcome—bring your family and friends!

2nd Grade teachers will be selling tickets at the door.

Don’t miss out on this awesome evening of fun!

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, please click the link below to access our resources and request assistance.

Want to support Maslow’s Pantry? You can also use the link to learn how you can donate, & help us provide essential items to families in our community.

Click the link here to get help or find out how you can help!

We are offering hygiene products to anyone in need. Please contact Kelley Schuckman, our school counselor, at kschuckman@usd266.com for more information.

Whether your child is taking their very first steps into Kindergarten or moving up to a new grade level, starting a new school year is a big milestone! It is a season filled with new faces, new routines, and brand-new adventures.

It is completely normal for young children—and parents!—to feel a mix of excitement and first-day butterflies. Transitioning back to school requires time, patience, and practice. Here is how we can work together to help your student feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

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Younger children process big changes through their feelings and behaviors. During the first few weeks, you might notice:

• Separation Anxiety: Difficulty saying goodbye at drop-off or clinginess during morning routines.
• After-School Meltdowns: After holding their focus and behavior together all day at school, kids often release their bottled-up energy and emotions at home.
• Physical Symptoms: Complaints of "tummy aches" or headaches right before school, or changes in sleeping and eating habits.

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1. Practice Morning and Evening Routines

Predictability helps young children feel secure.

• Morning Run-Throughs: Pick out clothes, pack backpacks, and set out shoes the night before to keep mornings calm and unhurried.
• Visual Schedules: Create a simple chart with pictures (e.g., brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, grab backpack) so your child knows what comes next.

2. Keep Goodbyes Short and Sweet

When dropping off at school or the bus stop:

• Give a warm hug, a quick reassuring phrase ("I love you, and I can't wait to hear about your day at pick-up!"), and depart promptly. Prolonging the exit can increase anxiety for young learners.

3. Ask Connection-Building Questions

Young children often struggle with open-ended questions like "How was school?" Try asking specific, playful prompts instead:

• "What was the funniest thing that happened today?"
• "What game did you play during recess?"
• "Did your teacher read a book today? What was it about?"

4. Prioritize Rest and Unwinding

The school day requires a lot of energy! Give your child time to recharge with a healthy snack and quiet play before jumping into homework or after-school activities.

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It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks for elementary students to fully adjust to new classroom rhythms. If your child continues to experience severe separation anxiety, school refusal, or distress beyond the first month, please reach out to us so we can create a support plan together.

It is going to be a joy-filled year MUSTANGS!!

Amy Beckmann

MCE Student Support Liaison

Volunteers-

We love welcoming volunteers into our classrooms! The first step is completing a required district background check. A new background check must be completed each school year, but you can submit yours now and be ready to volunteer at school events all year long! Click here to submit a background check

Raptor ID Scanning-

If you plan to visit, please contact your child's teacher to set up a time so we can maximize instruction and support for everyone. There will be lots of opportunities for volunteering and celebrations. We look forward to a fun-filled year!

Nurse Jill here:

Just a reminder that screenings for vision and hearing are beginning soon. More information will follow including the date.

Please contact Nurse Jill if you have any questions

Thank you.

Jill Nitcher RN, BSN

jnitcher@usd266.com

316-350-2715

Fax 316-722-8307

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back! As we begin another exciting school year, I'd like to invite your family to be part of one of my favorite STEAM traditions.

For the past three years, our students have transformed thousands of recycled plastic bottle and jar caps into stunning Earth Day murals. These aren't temporary art projects—they are permanently displayed in our cafeteria, where they brighten our school every day and remind us what can happen when creativity, teamwork, and environmental responsibility come together.

I could not be more proud of the incredible effort our students put into these murals. They carefully sort, organize, and place every cap, working together to create artwork that leaves a lasting legacy for our school. Watching students beam with pride as they show their families the murals they've helped create is one of the highlights of my year.

Believe it or not, students are already asking, "What are we making for Earth Day this year?" Their excitement is contagious, and we're ready to begin collecting for our newest Earth-themed mural that will come to life this April.

Here's how you can help:

• Save plastic bottle and jar caps.
• Caps should be no larger than about 2 inches in diameter.
• We especially need blue and green caps for this year's design.
• Send collected caps to school anytime during the year. Students can bring them directly to the STEAM room.

Every cap tells a story. Together, we're not just creating another mural—we're creating memories, building school pride, and teaching our students that even small acts can make a lasting difference.

Thank you for helping us continue this wonderful tradition. I can't wait to see our students' creativity shine once again!

Warmly,

Diana Meister

STEAM Teacher

You may check a balance or add money to your student's lunch account by visiting the Skyward Family Access Portal, and clicking the Food Service tab. If you have questions about your child's food account, or need to speak to someone about reduced lunch eligibility, please contact our Food Service Department at 316-722-0900.

Get ready — our annual MCE fundraiser officially kicks off on September 11th and runs through October 6th! This is the primary way the school and PTO raise money to support:

• Classroom supplies

• Conference meals

• Teacher grants

• And so much more!

👉 Your support makes a huge difference in creating a great learning environment for our students and teachers.

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• Tuesday, September 15th (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
• Carousel Skate Center 312 N. West St. Wichita, KS
• First hour of the party, students will be tallied as they arrive by classroom/homeroom
• Halfway through the event, the class with the highest attendance will be served pizza and pop courtesy of Carousel
• See the attached flyer for information to buy online and save!

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

Check out our Facebook Link: Maize Central Elementary School

Connect with Mrs. Hemmerling at mhemmerlingusd266.com or call 316-722-0427.

Maize Central Elementary School is located at 304 W. Academy Ave. in Maize.

• September 7th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

• September 11th - MCE fundraiser begins

• September 15th - Fall Picture RETAKES

• September 15th - Spirit Night @ Carousel Skate Park, 6:00 - 9:00

• September 26th - Spirit Night @ Papa’s & Just a Sip, (Ridge & 37th) 5:00 - 8:00

• October 5th - PTO Meeting (El Agave, 6:30 meet & greet, 7:00 meeting starts)

• October 15th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

• October 16th - NO SCHOOL

• October 27th - Spirit Night @ Chick-fil-A, 3:00-10:00

• October 27th - MCE's PTO Trunk or Treat!

• October 30th - MCE Fall Classroom Parties

• October 31st - Halloween