Maize Early Childhood Center

Happy October, MECC Families!

Wow – what a fantastic turnout we had for our students at Donuts with Grown-Ups! Thank you for supporting your child, grandchild, niece/nephew, or neighbor with your presence. Good times were had by all!

Big Truck Night – Gearing Up for Kids is coming soon! This year your child will be able to wear their costumes as they “Truck and Treat” their way through a parking lot full of fun exciting vehicles, while visiting the booths inside and watching dance and martial arts performances on stage. This all takes place on Oct 22nd from 5-7:00 PM at the Maize Performing Arts & Aquatic Center. You don’t want to miss this! See the flyer later in this newsletter or our social media pages for more information.

We are so grateful for our PTO as they help us establish an outdoor learning area for our Explorers! Your contribution to the Fun-Raiser will help the students and staff have safe comfortable spaces to sit while using this new addition - Thank you!

Parking continues to be difficult during pick-up and drop-off times, we know! Thank you to those who are following protocols, arriving early, or waiting a few minutes in order to park in the correct areas. We have had more vehicles in undesignated areas this year than ever before, so we will continue to utilize our police to monitor and keep our youngest learners safe.

Here are some additional events and activities you don’t want to miss:

• Oct. 8: Firefighters Visit MECC! Each class will have an opportunity to visit with the firefighters, see their protective gear and firetrucks, and learn how they help keep us safe.

• Oct 14 & 15: Parent/Teacher Conferences – No school for MECC students on either of these dates. Please note – this schedule is different from the rest of the district! Your teacher will be sending home schedules and available times

• Oct. 16: No School

• Book Fair! During conferences our book fair will be open in our Library. Come pick out a favorite book for your child and don’t forget to look for your child’s teacher’s wish list! Proceeds go directly to expanding our library of books for students to check out.

• Oct 22: Big Truck Night – Truck and Treat!

• Oct 29: Fall Parties and Costume Parade! Keep your eye on your teacher’s newsletters and notices for Fall Party details!

**Students may wear their costumes to school; however, we ask that all accessories that go with the costume remain at home. Please make sure the costume your child wears is both school-appropriate (no blood/gore/violence) and “restroom and playground friendly.” Keep your fingers crossed for good weather so our students can show off their costumes to each other and parents during the parade.

• Nov. 2: No School - Teacher Professional Development

• Nov. 3: Parent event with Ms Mandy - look for more information on how to help your child with self-regulation later in this newsletter.

• Nov. 4: Picture Retakes

Enjoy the somewhat cooler weather, family time, and all the things Autumn brings!

DeDe Pierce

MECC Principal

PAT groups are off to a great start this school year. We have loved seeing everybody!! If you haven’t had a chance to join one of our groups, we hope you can soon. You will need to sign in at the office and have your driver’s license scanned each time you enter the building. Please plan accordingly.

Playgroup: Wednesday 10:00-11:00 (birth to 5)

(no sign up required) Thursday 10:00-11:00 (birth to 3)

Upcoming Events you won’t want to miss:

Big Truck Night Thursday, October 22, 2026: 5:00-7:00

Regulation Parent Event: Tuesday, November 3 from 9:30-11:30

Tot Tuesday Turkey Time Tuesday, November 8 (look for a sign up)

Are you interested in home visits? We have a few day time openings and as with everything PAT - they are FREE to everybody who has a birth to 5 year old in the Maize school district. Home visits are the heart of our program during which families will receive brain based research, developmental activities and some free goodies. Children will also receive developmental and social emotional screenings along with annual hearing and vision screenings. If you have questions or want to learn more email Michelle McAllister at mmcallister@usd266.com. To enroll in home visits click here.

• October’s counselor lessons will provide each MECC student an opportunity to assemble their personal Calm Kit to take home and use to help regulate their emotions! Ms. Mandy will teach the students how to use the tools in the Calm Kit, then the classroom staff will help each student gather their regulation tools in their kit before placing it in their backpack to take home. Ms. Mandy will send parents information about how to use the Calm Kits at home. Additionally, more information will be shared about the Calm Kits during the annual Regulation Event on November 3rd from 9:30-11:00am at MECC.

• MECC is incredibly grateful for the awarded Dwane Wallace Youth Venture Grant from United Way of the Plains and the generous donations from Project Teacher who made our dream of providing every student and every PAT family with a Calm Kit in their home. We thank YOU!