Maize Early Childhood Center
November 2022
A message from Principal Mrs. DeDe Pierce
Dear MECC Families,
I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather, rich colors, and all things pumpkin spice that Autumn brings! We had so much fun celebrating with all of our super heroes, fairies, princesses, cowboys, cartoon and movie characters, unicorns, and other creatively costumed students (and teachers!) during last week’s Halloween parties and parade. Thank you to those who came to watch, help, and/or supervise!
During November, MECC is participating in the Caring Hearts Fill the Box Challenge in order to collect and distribute food to families in need within the Maize school district. Specific food items for each classroom to collect is included later in this newsletter. Teachers will be communicating this with you and we will also send emails out with this same information. We are excited to once again be a part of this wonderful opportunity!
In an effort to ensure the safety of our students while they are here at MECC, we will be conducting safety drills during the morning and afternoon sessions on Thursday, November 3rd. When the drill begins it will require the Safe Defend sirens to sound. Students and staff will engage in practicing the Run or Hide aspects of Run, Hide, Fight responses.
These drills are a requirement by our state as well as a measure that the Maize School District wants to take in order to emphasize the importance of the safety of all of our students. In case of an emergency, it is vital that our students and staff have an understanding of the measures that must be taken in order to maintain their safety and security.
We are excited to announce that in January we are adding two additional 3 year-old classes! We have had a waiting list from the beginning of the year and will contact these families first to see who all wants to join us! Watch for details on our MECC/PAT Facebook page and website.
So many things are happening! Don’t miss out – look for flyers and newsletters coming home with your child or shared by your child’s teacher on classroom communication platforms.
As always, if you have any questions, please let us know!
Ms. DeDe
MECC Principal
Stay Connected
Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/pre-k.
Connect with Mrs. Pierce at dpierce@usd266.com or 316-722-3105.
Maize Early Childhood Center is located at 9405 W. 37th St. North in Wichita.
Parents as Teachers & Starlets
Parents as Teachers & Starlets
November 30th will be the last day of music classes, playgroups and Starlets until January 25. Come join us while you can.
Mini Starlets is a parent-child program beginning January 24 every Tuesday from 9:00-10:15. Parents and children participate in circle time, centers, story time, music and movement. The Frogstreet curriculum is used and taught by a licensed teacher. This class is available for all families that have a child that turns 3 between September 1 and mid-January. The cost is a one time fee of $20. If you have questions, please email Erin at ewhite@usd266.com. Please enroll in our MECC office.
We have day time openings for home visits where you will receive developmental activities for you and your child to do together. In addition, your child will receive annual developmental, social emotional, hearing and vision screenings. Click here for PAT Enrollment Page.
Nurse's Corner
SAY BOO TO THE FLU!
Flu season is approaching. Get your flu vaccine now! Vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.
The best defenses against the flu are washing your hands often and getting your flu vaccine!!
Keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication. A fever is defined at 100 degrees or higher. Children and teenagers with symptoms of the flu should NEVER take aspirin. A rare but very serious and sometimes fatal illness called Reye’s syndrome can develop. Your physician can recommend safer ways to treat symptoms of the flu.
Click on the link below to find out where you can get your flu shot!
https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/
Thanks, Nurse Allison
Caring Hearts - Fill the Box Challenge
Join us November 1st to November 16th in the Caring Hearts Fill the Box Challenge. You are welcome to send items based on whose class your child is in to help with the Caring Hearts Food Drive.
Adventures with Ava
We want to welcome Ava (and her owner, Judi Adams) to MECC! Ava is an 8-year-old Golden Retriever, trained and certified through Love on a Leash as a therapy dog. The students at MECC will have the opportunity to visit, read a book with, and go on Adventures with Ava as they walk through the halls and the playground together. At times they may be Ava’s Agents as they complete various “missions” at school!
Judi Adams is no stranger to MECC! Judi retired last May after serving as an occupational therapist for 27 years, spending most of her tenure at our school. We are beyond thrilled to have her (and Ava!) back with us in this new capacity!
Dip N' Flip Jacket Song
Check out this fun way to teach kids how to put on their Jacket/Coat.
Picture Retake Day
November 7th we will have picture retakes for students that were not here for the original date or that may be unhappy with their original pictures.
Spirit Night Fundraiser
On November 7th 3-10pm Chick-fil-A at 21st & Maize will donate 20% of sales from all supporters back to Maize Early Childhood Center.
Dillons Community Rewards
Please consider linking your Dillons card to the community rewards program. Click here for instructions on how! Search for 47624 and MAIZE EARLY CHILDHOD CENTER. All money earned goes directly back to our building.