Maize South Middle School
January 2023
A message from Principal Mr. Cort Haynes
Dear Maverick Families,
Happy 2023!
We sure hope you and your family enjoyed the holiday break. The staff at MSMS is rested and eager to dive into the second half of our school year. As we huddle up to begin our second semester, I wanted to remind you of our Maverick Game Plan for success.
· Bring your best every day! Academically and Behaviorally.
· Be on time – it is important to show up! Be present each day by 7:30 am.
· Be responsible – take ownership and accountability.
· Show Grit - be prepared to do better the next time.
· Be a part of our Community - do your part and seek help when needed.
We will continue to help students be at their very best this semester. A new year and a new semester create new opportunities for all students to experience success. Let’s make the most of it!
For this semester, we welcome Trish Begley back from Maize Middle School to teach Leadworthy. Zach Helgesen will also join us to teach two sections of Engineering. Both of these excellent instructors are veteran teachers in our district. You may read more about Zach, below.
Winter AimsWeb scores will be shared with parents during our conferences in February. We look forward to visiting with you during that time. If you have questions or concerns in the meantime, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Let us know how we can continue to partner with you toward the success of your child(ren).
Dates to Remember:
Monday, January 16th – Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
February 9th – Parent Teacher Conferences – No School
February 10th – No School
MSMS Traffic Flow Map
Stay Connected
Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/msms.
Connect with Mr. Haynes at chaynes@usd266.com or 316-722-0421.
Maize South Middle School is located at 3403 N. Tyler Rd. in Wichita.
Facebook: msmsmavnews
Instagram: msmsmavnews
Twitter: msms_news
Winter AimsWeb+ Scores
Assessment Information:
Students took the Winter AimsWeb+ assessments before Winter Break. Those scores can be viewed in Skyward in the next couple of weeks. Teachers will hand out the score snapshots during Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 9th. Those who cannot attend Parent-Teacher Conferences will have their AimsWeb+ reports sent home through their ELA and math classrooms.
The Spring semester brings Kansas State Assessments for our students. Students will take the English, Math, and Science (8th graders only) assessments April 11th-19th. Students will take interim and practice tests prior to these dates.
Nurses Corner: Health Room reminders
- Flu season is upon us- please get your child their influenza vaccine.
- Continue doing a good job of washing hands.
- Do not go to gatherings if you are sick
- Please send a clean full water bottle to school with your child every day. This is very important! I see a lot of headaches and stomach aches that I do not think would occur if students drank more water.
- As the weather changes, try to make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and send a jacket to school with them. We go outside after lunch unless it is snowing, raining or below freezing- otherwise we are going outside.
---Thank you for helping me keep your kids healthy and safe—
Nurse Lisa
Congratulations to Maize South Middle School Yearbook!
Maize South Middle School Yearbook was inducted to the National Scholastic Press Association
Hall of Fame as a distinguished member. The NSPA Hall of Fame represents sustained
excellence by scholastic media.
Publications on this list have qualified for the NSPA Hall of Fame by earning 10 All-American
ratings from the NSPA Critique Service within an 11-year span.
MSMS is only one of two middle schools across the nation to receive this recognition.
Welcome Zach Helgesen!
Zack Helgesen is joining us from the Maize Career Academy where he teaches robotics and leads the engineering department. He has been married for 10 years to Rochelle Helgesen and has 3 children ages 8, 6, and 4. He is in his 14th year of teaching and his 4th year teaching in Maize. He also coaches the reigning state champions, Maize robotics team at MCA. This year Zack was nominated to represent the district as the secondary nominee for the Kansas Teacher of the Year award.
Boys Basketball Pictures
Boys basketball pictures will be taken on Friday, January 20th at 2:30. Please make sure your student brings their basketball uniform to school that day. Students will be given picture packets, you can also pick one up in the office. Please have your student bring the packet back on picture day. You can also order pictures online at https://inter-state.com/.
MSMS Panda Express Fundraiser
On January 11th we will have our fundraiser night at Panda Express, 10:30am-9:00pm. Please mention that you are with MSMS when you place your order. Thank you for helping to support our school!
Counselor's Corner
Attention All 8th Grade Parents: High School Enrollment is Here!
A high school enrollment meeting will be held for all current 8th graders and a parent/guardian in the Maize South High School auditorium on Tuesday, January 31st at 6:30pm. Please attend this meeting with your soon-to-be high schooler. Important enrollment information will be given. If a parent/guardian is unable to attend, your student is welcome to attend with another adult or friend. If no one can attend the meeting, please know that Maize South High School counselors will also meet with all 8th grade students during their ELA class on Friday, February 3rd, to discuss the enrollment process and answer any questions they may have. They will also be placing all enrollment information on their website. Feel free to contact your student’s high school counselor if you have any questions.
Mav Ambassadors
Maize South Middle School counselors launched a new program last year called “Mav Ambassadors.” Last year, Mav Ambassadors had the opportunity to mentor students, be buddies to new/existing students, give back through community service, and create innovative ways to continuously improve the culture of Maize South Middle School. Applications will be accepted once each semester, and once a student is granted the opportunity to become a Mav Ambassador, they may remain a Mav Ambassador until they move on to high school (so long as criteria is upheld).
Criteria for becoming a Mav Ambassador includes the following:
Student must be nominated as a Mentionable Mav for at least ONE of the six Maize Way Character Traits.
Student must exemplify all six of the Maize Way Character Traits (Community, Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Optimism, and Grit). This will be vetted by building staff members.
Student must maintain a quarterly GPA of at least a 3.0.
Student must have at least three hours of community service within the last year.
Click on the flyer for more information. Applications will be completed via the Counselors Corner Google Classroom.
Mav Time & Second Step
We are already into our second semester of Second Step lessons in Mav Time! Each week, teachers focus on one lesson from Second Step, helping students organize their binders, and engaging in team building activities. We’ve also added in “WIN” (What I Need) time on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students can use this time to complete homework, seek extra help from a teacher, or to read. If you’re curious about the Mav Time focus each day, please click here for more info! If you’d like to read more about the Second Step curriculum, please click here. If you’re looking for resources as a teen parent, please check out ParenTeenConnect. ParenTeenConnect.org is a free resource for parents that provides expert advice and practical tools for dealing with real parent-teen issues.
MSMS PTO
January 11th will be Spirit Night at Panda Express on Maize Road! From 10:30 am - 9:00 pm, stop by for some food and don’t forget to mention you’re there to support Maize South Middle School!
Mark your calendars now for our annual Mav-In Night event - Friday, March 31!! It’s a favorite event each year that your students will not want to miss! To volunteer to help with the event, please email us at maizesouthpto@gmail.com. No experience required!
Who are you supporting with your Dillon’s shopping? You can support the PTO now by linking your Plus Card to our PTO. Here’s how: go to Dillons.com/communityrewards, find your location and click enroll now, find our organization Maize South Middle School PTO #79456, click save. Every purchase you make at Dillon’s helps to support for MSMS PTO, at no cost to you!
We want to connect with you. Like us on Facebook at Maize South Middle School PTO. Also, check out our website at www.msmspto.com, and if you need to get in touch with us, you can email us at maizesouthmspto@gmail.com.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 10, 6-7 pm in the library at MSMS. Come through the exterior library door. We welcome everyone to join us!!