Maize Elementary School Newsletter
Important Dates
- MES Marathon begins on August 25th at 8:10 am
- PTO Family Night at MES-August 27th beginning at 6:00 pm
- PTO Chick Fil A spirit night-August 27th 3-10:00 pm (10515 W 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67205)
- Labor Day- No School on Monday, September 7th.
- Fall Individual Photos- Thursday, September 10th
- 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.
We’re off to an exciting start! For our first few weeks of school, we are focusing on one of the most important parts of STEAM! — Teamwork!
Before diving into STEAM projects, we will take time to build these important skills that help us work together successfully. We’re so proud of how quickly they began listening to each other’s ideas, encouraging their teammates, and learning that mistakes are just part of the process! We can’t wait to see what these innovative young minds will create next!
Welcome Back!
We hope everyone had a nice and relaxing summer. We are so excited to see the readers back in our library at Maize Elementary.
Book Check-Outs
Students may check out books for up to one week. If your child would like to keep a book longer, we ask that it be brought back on their library day so we can renew it. This helps us keep track of all our books and make sure everyone has access to them. Occasionally, you may receive an email letting you know a book is overdue. If this happens, please use it as a reminder to encourage your child to take care of library books and follow check-out procedures. Lost or damaged books will result in a fine to replace the book.
Library Schedule:
Kindergarten & 1st grade → 1 book each week
2nd– starts with 1 book, works up to 2 books per week
3rd-4th grade → Up to 2 books each week
Welcome Back!
Students have been busy reviewing important rules, procedures and locomotor skills in PE. For the rest of August we will be focusing on general space while moving. PE Shoes are necessary for your student to be safe in PE, please make sure they have tennis shoes on their days of PE.
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!
Coach Horn thorn@usd266.com
We are excited to be back in school and see all of the students. We have been going into each classroom and introducing ourselves. We share with the students that we are here to help and support them during their school day.
If you have any concerns or ways we can help your child be successful at school—please contact us! We are here to help every child have a great year.
Andrea Nietfeld Becky Stephens
anietfeld@usd266.com bstephens@usd266.com
350-2912 350-2913
Hello! I am Hannah Weston, the school nurse this year at MES! I am so excited to serve the MES community and look forward to helping our school stay healthy and safe! A little background about me:
This is my 10th year as a nurse and 6th year in the Maize district. I am coming from MSIS where I opened and served as the school nurse there. I also have worked at Wesley Medical Center and the Sedgwick County Health Department.
I am married to Cody and we have three kids: two boys named Joel and James and one daughter named Jordy as well as two labrador retrievers named Rex and Reggie.
I grew up attending Maize Schools and graduated from Maize South High School before attending Kansas State University and then Emporia State University where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
I love being with my family, being outside, reading, cooking and watching sports. Go Chiefs!
Immunizations
All incoming students need immunization records up-to-date and on file in the nurse’s office. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the state law for vaccine requirements, please click here. The immunization exclusion date is October 1, 2026. Documentation needs to be submitted to the nurse’s office!
Health Assessment
Any new student will need a health assessment on file prior to admission to school. Please send this to the nurse’s office!
Brought from Home Medications
Reminder: Students are NOT allowed to carry any medication (unless it’s an emergency medication that we have a doctor's order on file for). Any medication that is brought into school will be kept in the Health Office, and needs to be in the original container. Only prescription medications need the physician’s signature. The nurse’s office will continue to have over the counter medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cetirizine, calcium carbonate, and diphenhydramine. **All medications, whether over the counter or prescription or brought from home must have completed medication forms prior to administering medications.**
See the bottom of this website for the district related forms regarding medications.
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
Hello! My name is Amy Regier. My last name rhymes with "gear," just like we're shifting gears with a new music teacher. Mrs. Todd is hoping to visit this year if she can and is always welcome in the music room!
A bit about me: I live in Newton and taught K-4 music there for 18 years. My husband and I have two kids, Rich and Cora. Our son is 26, a machinist, and plays bass in a band. Our daughter is 17, a junior at Newton High School, and is in dance. We enjoy our dog Maggie, who is a labradoodle. Some of my favorite things are singing, reading, being outside, spending time with family and friends, and of course, coffee.
Mrs. Dye and I have a fun connection. When she was in 4th grade, I was her music teacher! Now, she's MY teacher as I learn the ropes at MES. I can already tell what a wonderful school this is, and I feel lucky to be here. Thanks for what you do to make MES awesome!
Mrs. Regier
My name is Kennedy Williamson, and I am a recent graduate of the University of Kansas. I grew up in Maize and am so excited to be back in the community I know and love. Second grade has always been my favorite grade to teach, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Maize Elementary family. A few of my favorite things are ducks, the color yellow, and making learning fun for my students.
Panther Perks
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