Dr. Greer's December 25 Super Note

Hi, students! Wow, what a semester we have had! I am so proud of everything you have done and the ways you have made our #MaizeFamily shine.

Here are some highlights that made me especially proud of you:

• Academic growth: You grew in every subject on the Kansas state assessments. Way to go!
• Student leaders in action: Our Superintendent Student Advisory Team and other student leaders shared their ideas on school security and the needs for our school buildings as we plan for our future. Your voices matter!
• Making history: Our girls flag football teams had an incredible first season. Maize High School went 3-1 at state, finishing as runner-up, and Maize South High School went undefeated until the state tournament. Amazing teamwork!
• Celebrating together: We cheered at the annual Mavericks-Eagles football game and other events, building school spirit and pride for all of our schools.
• Giving back: Many of you have volunteered in the community and supported military members, showing care and citizenship.
• Sharing and exploring: You shared what you learned with others and explored career pathways.
• Learning from leaders: Students met with Kansas Supreme Court justices to learn about our state’s legal system during their first visit to the Wichita area since 2011.

As 2025 wraps up, take time to rest, celebrate, and enjoy Winter Break with family, friends, and fun activities. Recharge for 2026, too: We have exciting opportunities ahead to learn, grow, and make a difference together!

Thank you for making this semester so incredible. I am proud to be part of our #MaizeFamily with you!

Happy Winter Break!

Dr. Greer

Maize USD 266 Superintendent

Take a look back at recent student accomplishments!

Maize South High School students Colin Buteyn and Graham Stiles were named National Merit Commended Scholars. Their achievements highlight how Maize students continue to excel academically and pursue excellence beyond the classroom. Congratulations!

The Eagles and Mavericks wrapped up their first season of flag football earlier this semester. Maize High School went 3-1 at state, finishing as the state runner-up in Olathe. Maize South High School went undefeated until the state tournament, where they finished twelfth. Thanks to support from the Kansas City Chiefs, both teams provided our students a new opportunity to compete, build confidence, and represent their schools this year in this growing sport.

For the fifth straight year, the Mavericks qualified for the Class 5A state championship. Check out this recent story about their legacy.

Congratulations to Lucas Schauf, who attends Maize Central Elementary School and was recently honored as a 2025 Kansas Infinitec Outstanding Student Technology Award recipient! We love seeing his enthusiasm for learning and his success in the classroom and hope his story inspires others to grow and shine brightly!

For the third consecutive year, this dedicated group of high school students provide insights that are crucial as the district establishes direction on key issues, giving them a unique opportunity to influence decisions that affect our community. The Superintendent Student Advisory Team consists of 24 students—freshmen through seniors—from across the district, ensuring representation from all grade levels. Thank you, students, for your contributions to Maize USD 266!

To relive and celebrate some of our best moments and memories from the calendar year, we've launched a Top Stories of 2025 countdown to Winter Break on our district Facebook page. We have highlighted a couple of stories that feature you, our students, below! Click to check out some of the stories we have shared this week, and join us as we continue the countdown!

Last month, Maize Future Farmers of America (FFA) hosted the South Central District Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event, welcoming more than 500 students from 35 schools.

Students rotated through hands-on stations, where they identified off-flavors in milk, completed cheese identification, and compared real versus imitation dairy products. They also took a written exam covering milk marketing and production practices.

It was a great real-world look at what goes into producing safe, high-quality dairy products.

We’re excited to share a new resource for our military-connected families! Our Military Families web page is now live and brings together helpful information, resources, and contacts available across Maize USD 266.

Maize Virtual Preparatory School (MVPS) is part of Maize USD 266 and serves students across Kansas. Its flexible online educational program helps students discover their love of learning. We offer academic support from Kansas certified teachers and personalized resources that empower our students to connect, learn, and lead. Learn more about MVPS on our new web page!

Santa made a special stop at our Maize Early Childhood Center earlier this month, and each student received a plushie to take home. The visit filled the halls with excitement and holiday cheer. It was a fun, festive moment for our youngest learners.

Your next chapter is right around the corner, and the Maize Education Foundation is here to help you step into it with confidence. Thanks to the generosity of private donors and community partners, we offer scholarships designed to fuel your goals and support your journey after graduation.

Each year, we award:

• Two Maize Education Foundation Legacy Scholarships
• Two Shelley Woodard Poynter Memorial Scholarships
• One Kyle Thornburg Memorial Soccer Scholarship
• One Kyle Thornburg Memorial Art and Design Scholarship

Each application includes essay questions and asks for references, so we encourage you to start connecting with a teacher or mentor now to craft thoughtful, well-prepared responses.

Applications are open and are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026.

If you have any questions, contact Director of Community Relations and Maize Education Foundation Emi Kniffin Simmons at esimmons@usd266.com or 316-350-2029.

Join the Maize Education Foundation in celebrating the Maize USD 266 students who have been selected to receive Student Enrichment Grants this fall. Funded opportunities include state and national conferences, educational trips, and participation in the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestra. Please check out the Fall 2025 recipients listed below.

Congratulations, students! Applications for the spring Student Enrichment Grant cycle will open on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

On the Path is a series that highlights Maize Career Academy pathways and the students within them, showing how hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and supportive instructors help students explore their interests, build skills, and prepare for careers. Check out our Fall 2025 stories below!

Did you know that students are a HUGE help to keeping schools safe? Help us keep you safe by providing anonymous tips. If you see something, please say something!

There are three ways to submit an anonymous tip:

1. Click here to be taken directly to a secure tip reporting website.
2. On your smartphone, download the free P3 Tips app from the App Store or Google Play. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to submit your tip.
3. Call 316-267-2111.

The Kansas School Violence hotline is a 24-hour hotline to report impending school violence. The hotline exists through a partnership between the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The line is monitored 24 hours a date by the KHP Emergency Communications Center.

You can call 1-877-626-8203.

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The end of Term 2 for Maize USD 266 schools will be on Dec. 19, 2025, marking the start of Winter Break. Schools will be closed from Dec. 22, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. A Teacher Work Day is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2026, followed by a Professional Development day on Jan. 5, 2026. Students will return to begin Term 3 on Jan. 6, 2026. We wish everyone a restful break and a great start to the new term!

Super Note is a Maize USD 266 e-newsletter from Superintendent Dr. Greer to students. Please enjoy reading this publication! It is produced about once a quarter and sent via email.