Maize Middle School Eagle Edge
Parent Newsletter
September 2026
A Message From Mrs. Burgess
Hello MMS Eagle Families!
Thank you for a wonderful start to the first quarter of the school year. We’ve spent these first weeks fine-tuning routines and getting to know one another, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your MMS principal. Each day brings new joy, and I’m excited for all that’s ahead.
Below are a few things to be thinking about as we head into September.
What Does a Day at Maize Middle School Look Like?
Does your student come home, you ask, “How was your day?” and get the classic “Fine.” Or maybe you ask, “What did you learn today?” only to hear “Nothing.”
We hope this gives you a few new conversation starters and a glimpse into the great things happening each day at MMS!
Attendance at Events: Fall activities are in full swing! Many of our students are participants in these events and we wish them the best of luck. Many students that are not participating will likely attend. Please help us remind our students that their behavior and participation as spectators in USD 266 events is a direct representation of our building, themselves, and your family. This is particularly important at events off of our campus in other communities or at high school events. We will be visiting with students about our expectation to attend events and participate for the purpose intended. For example, if our student is in attendance at a MHS football game we expect them to be spectators of that event and uphold our values and behavioral expectations. Should a MMS student be asked to leave any event outside the school day an administrator will meet with them and may impose a longer term activity suspension. I have great trust in our students, know they will represent MMS well at all events, and appreciate your support in this matter.
All of our fall sports and activities are underway and competitions have begun or will begin in the next week for all groups. In addition, our school sponsored clubs are getting organized and beginning to plan some great activities. Please watch for communication about opportunities - and encourage your students to get involved! Participation in activities is such an important part of a successful school experience.
This year, we’ve been talking with students and staff about the importance of telling our MMS Story. As I’ve shared with them, if we don’t tell our story, someone else will—and they may leave out all the good stuff! We invite all of you to be part of telling our story. If you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or affirmations please share with us. Together, we can celebrate the amazing things happening at Maize Middle School!
Calendar Reminders
Sept.15th - PTO Spirit Night at Chipotle
Sept. 16th - EF Travel Meeting
Oct. 1st - Fall Retake Photos
Oct. 12th - PTO Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A
Oct. 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences (4pm-8pm)
Oct. 15th - NO SCHOOL / Parent Teacher Conferences (7:30am-3:30pm)
Oct. 16th - NO SCHOOL
Oct. 23rd - School Dance
Maize Middle School PTO
PTO is Off and Running!
Join us for our first PTO meeting on Tuesday, September 15, from 6:00–7:00 PM in the MMS Commons Area.
Spirit Night at Chipotle is also Tuesday, September 15, from 5:00–9:00 PM. 25% of proceeds will benefit the MMS PTO and help support our staff!
The PTO also provides a meal for MMS staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please consider donating below.
Thank you for supporting MMS PTO!
Athletics
Bound is open for uploading physicals and completing athletic forms for the 26-27 academic year. All forms will now be done in Bound and not Skyward. Athletic fees will still be paid in Skyward. Physicals must be dated April 1, 2026 or later.
How to get started: Please visit www.gobound.com to set up a free account.
The MMS Jr. FlyGirls have had a wonderful start to their season! The team performed at the first pep assembly of the year and at the Fall Extravaganza. We are so excited for the season ahead and look forward to continuing to support our football team and school community. The Jr. FlyGirls will also be attending the upcoming Maize Fall Festival and Sunflower Spirit Showcase!
Our dance team celebrating their big win!
Jr. Fly girls at the Fall Extravaganza
News from the Health Office
All incoming 7th-grade students are required to have the following additional vaccines on file:
Tdap Booster
Meningococcal (ACWY)
Action Needed: If you have not submitted updated vaccination records, please send them to the Health Office as soon as possible.
We have started to reach out to families with missing documentation.
Compliance Deadline: October 1, 2026
* Please note: Students who are not up to date by October 1 may be excluded from school per district policy.
Behavior/Social Emotional Learning
At the beginning of the school year our students learn about our SOAR expectations and learning the basics of life at Maize Middle School. It's a great way to start the year prepared and ready to soar!
We have found so many of our students SOAR-ing these first weeks of school! Congratulations to:
Penelope FItchett, Parker Johnson, Jace Jackson, Grace Pavlovich, Grant Simpson, Roderick Winder, CJ Story, Michaela McKenna, Adalyn Urban, Cordelia Proesch, Stella Stout , Joan Salgado, Mason Abbott, Jorge Torres-Holguin, Evan Hiegert, Rhys Pina, Jackson Webster. These students were recognized for being a student leader and showing one of our four core values: Self-Control, On-Task, Accountable, Respect.
A Note from the Counselors
Simply Hygiene
Did you know? Government assistance does not cover basic hygiene items such as soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, feminine hygiene, or laundry detergent. Maize schools partner with Simply Hygiene and have products available from your counselor or nurse. Please see this document for more information on what is available.
Maslow’s Pantry
Maslow’s Pantry is a student-run community resource in the Maize Unified School District (USD 266) that provides food, clothing, hygiene products, and support to local students and families. Families may submit requests for food and/or clothing at any time during the school year by filling out one of the Google Forms below: Clothing Needs OR Food/Hygiene Needs. Any families or organizations who would like to donate may find that info here.
National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a leading cause of death for youth but can be prevented. Suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss but is important to address in order to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.
Knowledge is power! Please review the following links that include additional information, tips, and resources. Talking about suicide provides an opportunity for others to share and does not encourage additional suicidal ideation.
The district utilizes this link as a platform to submit anonymous tips if you are concerned about someone in the district.
The Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters includes a list of warning signs and steps to take if you fear someone you know is considering suicide.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
“In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.” 988 went live in 2023 and offers an easy to remember number for those experiencing a crisis. You can read more here. You can also use the free, 24/7 Crisis Text Line.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the school counseling office if you have questions or concerns.
Monica Heide (student last names A-F) mheide@usd266.com
Bridget Paasch (student last names G-N) bpaasch@usd266.com
Melissa Fleeker (student last names O-Z) mfleeker@usd266.com
Law and Public Safety Services and Health Careers Class
We’re excited to give students a look at different career options in healthcare, fire services, police work, and law. We’d love to bring in guest speakers from these fields to talk with the class about what they do. If you work in any of these areas—or know someone who does—and would be up for sharing your experiences with our students, that would be awesome! It really makes a difference when they hear real stories from people actually doing the work.
Whitney Shively
729-2464 Ext. 5286
Japan and South Korea
Hi families! We're excited to tell you more about the trips we're planning with EF tours for the summers of 2027 and 2028! Scan the QR code to learn more about the upcoming meeting mid September in the MMS library.
*Summer 2027 tour will be to Japan and South Korea for 10 days! Things we will do:
-Visit the city of Tokyo and spend free time at Disney Seas.
-Feed the deer in Nara and watch them bow to you.
-Visit temples, shrines, and learn about Japanese customs and cuisines.
-Ride on a bullet train with views of rice fields and enjoy the landscape.
-Fly to Seoul and take a walking tour of the city's most well known areas,
-Visit the Bulguksa Temple
-Enjoy a cable car ride over Songdo Beach and participate in a Korean cooking class.
-Visit the Odusan Unification Observatory and learn about the division of North and South Korea.
The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom
*Summer of 2028 tour will be 15 days traveling through the following European countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom! This we will do:
-Visit the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam and step inside the secret annex where her family hid during WWII.
-Visit Heidelberg Castle.
-Walk the streets of Munich and see the Olympic Stadium.
-Glide through Venice's winding canals on a gondola ride.
-Journey high in the Alps for panoramic views of the mountains and Lake Lucerne.
-Catch a view of Notre-Dame Cathedral and take selfies with the Eiffel Tower.
-Take a guided tour of London to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
Reach out to Mrs. Celina Soukup with questions on the international travel opportunities for MMS at csoukup@usd256.com
SIGN UP AND TRAVEL DEPOSIT DUE BY OCT 31, 2026