Eagle Connect: MHS October News
October 2023
A Message from Principal Dr. Chris Botts
The Botts Office
Dear Maize High School Parents/Guardians:
We are hoping for some cooler weather this week! Regardless of whether it is cool or warm, I hope you all have a great October! October will be another busy month with lots going on both in and out of the classroom.
A few notes/reminders:
Term 1 will end on October 13th. There is no school for students on Monday, October 16th. Term 2 will begin on Tuesday, October 17th.
A few upcoming events:
Testing Day- October 11, 2023
Wednesday, Oct. 11 will have an alternate school day schedule for high school students in grades 9 through 12 as follows.
Sophomores (grade 10) and seniors (grade 12) will not have school on Oct. 11. Students only need to attend classes if they are enrolled in dual credit courses taught at the Maize Career Academy by WSU Tech or Hutchinson Community College instructors. WSU Tech classes will take place at the Grove and Webb campuses for seniors enrolled in block program courses. In addition, parents of sophomores only will receive a separate email about activities offered that day that will enrich their learning and focus on their postsecondary preparedness. Options include an Essential Skills workshop, Wichita State University college visits, “Bite of Reality” financial literacy fair at Maize Career Academy/career activity field trip, and military career exploration. Again, these will be optional opportunities for students.
Freshmen (grade 9) and juniors (grade 11) will attend school for a half day for testing. School will start in the morning as normally scheduled, with a grab and go lunch option at 11:40 a.m. and bus dismissal at noon. School transportation home will be provided at noon for those who typically ride the school bus home. Students will not be able to stay at school in the afternoon, as teachers will have their own professional development.
Freshmen will take the Pre-ACT, which helps students practice for the ACT, discover strategies in areas of improvement, explore college and career interests, and enhance discussions about future classes and scheduling. For more information about the Pre-ACT, please click here.
Juniors will take the ACT WorkKeys Career Assessment, which measures skills that lead to success in the workplace and are linked to job performance. For more information about ACT WorkKeys, please click here.
Please note that all athletic practices and games will continue as normally scheduled.
Festival of Choirs- Saturday, October 7th starting at 7pm at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatic Center.
Six choirs throughout USD 266 will be performing an all inclusive concert to help support Maize High School Principal Chris Botts. The cost of the event is free but donations are accepted and appreciated to help Dr. Botts and his family with ongoing medical costs.
MHS Choir Show- On October 12th and 13th starting at 7:30pm, the MHS Vocal Music Department will put on the show titled, “From Stage to Screen.” The show will be in the MHS auditorium. Come out for a great show!
All In For Hope- Thursday, October 19th from 6-9pm at Prairie Hill Vineyard in Colwich.
T he Love Like Remi Foundation (501c3) was established in memory of Remington Hope Young, a Wichita Kansas resident, 2019 Maize High graduate and University of Kansas student athlete who took her life on May 20, 2022 at the age of only 20. Remi was known and loved by everyone - anyone who had Remi in their life never once had to question that they were loved. You always knew what a true hug felt like and what a smile as bright as the sun looked like. She made the world a better place and every person's life that she touched was better than she found them. We hope to end the stigma associated with mental health issues and to provide education, support and care so that more beautiful lives are not lost. We have partnered with Maize USD266 and the Pando Initiative to place mental health advocates in all five USD266 elementary schools for the 2023-24 school year. We believe that this intervention can help kids prepare for the challenging years ahead.
For any sport card enthusiasts, Maize High School will be hosting a card show on October 21st and 22nd in the big gym. All proceeds will go to help Wichita Heights Athletic Director, Mike Church. He is currently at MD Anderson and is battling cancer. Speaking first hand, I know how much extra money helps!! Thank you for considering!!!
We continue to struggle with all of our students remembering their lanyards and IDs. Students get 3 free “forgets” and then detention will start being assigned. Please help remind your student(s) to bring and wear their lanyards and IDs daily.
Parent Teacher Conference Attendance: We had 22% of our students represented at conferences last Thursday. Thank you for your support! Please don’t hesitate to contact your student’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns.
We are in the process of piloting vape sensors in the restrooms at MHS. We know this is becoming an epidemic among teenagers. Our hope is to keep these devices out of school in an effort to keep all of our students safe. Should a student be caught with a vape at school, regular school consequences will be given when working with students.
Thank you to everyone who helped support Maize High School at the Chick-fil-A Battle of Maize! This year, MHS won the competition and was awarded $2500. This money helps pay for many student and staff incentives.
Chick-fil-A is also sponsoring a Spirit Day for Dr. Botts on Monday, Oct. 9. Order anytime between 6am-10pm, use the code “botts” and proceeds from your purchase will be given to the Botts family. Thank you for your support of Dr. Botts! And thank you Chick-fil-a for being such a great partner in our community!
KSHSAA Enrollment: Each year, schools are classified according to their student enrollment. This year, Maize High School has bumped up to class 6A in all sports except football and girls tennis. Our total enrollment for grades 9-12 this school year is 1392.
Students of the Month: Each month, staff at MHS has the opportunity to nominate students who have stood out for various reasons including scholastic achievement, kindness, school spirit, friendship, acceptance, and grit. While we are proud of all our students, these students have especially stood out during the months of August and September: Ryder Campbell, Alex Thomas, Ryan Tran, Hunter Bird, Cy Sponsel, Easton Roth, Shannon Jones, Mallory Roberts, Joseph Joynes, Ruby Williams, Dirk Bogner, Aleksandra Zilbershteyn, Alan Le, Grace Harris, Brooklyn Donahue, Brooke Neises, Gabe Hutchinson, Payton Tornquist, Jay Carroll, Bella Brown, Evelyn Tran, Alyssa Villa, Jane Carroll, Emily Wood, Jazlene Vargas, Peyton Norwood, Taylor Dill, Alexis Daniel, and Jackson Drennan.
With Eagle Pride,
Dr. Botts
Stay Connected
Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/mhs.
Connect with Dr. Botts at cbotts@usd266.com or 316-722-0441.
Maize High School is located at 11600 W. 45th St. North in Maize.
A Song of Hope - A District Wide Concert
A Song of Hope
A district wide concert involving choirs from two elementary schools, two intermediate schools, Maize Middle School and Maize High School will be held on Saturday, October 7 as a fundraiser to benefit Dr. Botts, principal of Maize High school, on his journey. As always, Doris Prater has brought such enthusiasm and passion to organize this event! Donations will be received for the medical expenses of Dr. Botts. Please share to help support a great cause.
Counselor's Corner
Greetings from the Counseling Department at Maize High School
Betsy Manning Director of School Counseling 350-2120 bmanning@usd266.com
Students whose last names begin with A through Ca
Katie Shephard School Counselor 350-2118 kshephard@usd266.com
Students whose last names begin with Ce through H
Megan Bleier School Counselor 350-2119 mbleier@usd266.com
Students whose last names begin with I through P
Anne Debes School Counselor 350-2114 adebes@usd266.com
Students whose last names begin with Q through Z
Diane Close College & Career Advocate 350-2281 dclose@usd266.com
Kami Smith Counseling Secretary 350-2122 krsmith@usd266.com
Note These Important Dates
October 9 - Term 2 Driver’s Education Meeting, 6:00 PM @MSHS
October 9 & 10 - Evening ACT PowerPrep Class @ MSHS
October 11 - Morning testing grades 9 (Pre-ACT) and 11 (ACT Workkeys)
October 13 - End of Term 1
October 16 - No School
October 17 - Start Term 2
October 19 - Last day to submit Term 2 schedule change requests
October 20 - PSAT and ASVAB testing
October 28 - ACT national testing date
November 3 - Deadline to register for December 9 ACT Test
PSAT
October 20 - Maize High School will be an official testing site for the PSAT this fall. Registration test space is limited. The link to register was emailed to parents and students on September 13. A student’s registration will not be considered final until payment has been made. Students who registered may access that PSAT Student Guide for test day information.
ASVAB
ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which is a multiple-choice test that helps students identify which Army jobs (Military Occupational Specialities) would be best suited for them. Students in grades 10-12 may take the ASVAB on October 20 in the MHS Lecture Hall @ 7:40 AM. There is no charge for this assessment, but students must register in advance. An email with instructions on how to register was sent to eligible students on September 13. Students may access the registration form here.
GENERAL ACT INFORMATION
ACT scores are important for all college applications after high school! Students can show proficiency when applying to community colleges and avoid taking a placement test. Some colleges also give students credit for introductory math and English classes if they score well. ACT scores and GPA are often used to award scholarships, which are a great way to congratulate students for doing well academically.
Students can take the ACT up to 12 times, but most don’t need that many practice tests. More than 50% of students who take the test more than once will increase their scores, so at least one full test in addition to the one provided by Maize High is recommended. Maize High will provide a paid ACT testing date for all MHS juniors in February during a designated school day.
To sign up for a Saturday ACT test date, students and parents need to create an account at my.act.org. Students who took the ACT provided by Maize High during their junior year will already have an ACT ID number to use when setting up their accounts (contact your school counselor for this ID number). The ACT is offered on Saturdays in June, July, September, October, December, February, and April. Saturday test locations include Maize High School during the months school is in session. MHS juniors do not need to register online for the February during-school test date provided by Maize High.
To use Maize High as a test center, use the test center code: 213970
To make sure Maize High gets a copy of your test scores to list on your transcript, use the high school code: 171-885
Students can take the test at any point in high school. To determine the best time for your student to take the ACT, consider these things:
Pick a time of year when your student doesn’t have activities on Saturdays (especially sports)
Choose a test date after your student has completed Algebra II (or is taking any higher-level math).
Complete Chemistry I before taking the test to improve Science Section scores.
By October of their senior year, students should have submitted at least one ACT score to the college(s) where they plan to apply for admission. When they take the junior year test provided by Maize High, they will have the opportunity to send the score to at least 4 colleges. Most colleges will allow students to submit a higher score to improve their eligibility for scholarships even after their application is accepted. Check with specific colleges to find out what options and deadlines apply.
If paying for your student to take a Saturday ACT presents a financial hardship for your family, or if you qualify for free or reduced lunches, please contact your student’s counselor for information about fee waivers for the ACT.
UPCOMING ACT TESTING DATE
Friday, September 22 was the last regular day to sign up for the Saturday, October 28 ACT test. October 6 is the late fee registration deadline.
Friday, November 3 is the last regular day to sign up for the Saturday, December 9 ACT test. This is the final senior ACT testing opportunity that many colleges will accept for merit-based scholarship deadline submissions.
We recommend that college-bound juniors take the ACT at least once their junior year (the during-school February test date works) and again at the beginning of their senior year. High-achieving sophomores may want to take it for practice.
Students signing up to take the ACT should register at www.actstudent.org. Students who took the ACT provided by Maize High during their junior year will already have an ACT ID number to use when setting up their accounts (contact your school counselor for this ID number).
To use Maize High as a test center, use the test center code: 213970
To make sure Maize High gets a copy of your test scores to list on your transcript, use the high school code: 171-885
Senior Parents: If seeking an improved senior year ACT score opportunity, it is important to take one of the first two ACT tests of the school year. This way scores can be sent to colleges by scholarship deadlines. Maize Schools will not be giving the ACT this year free to seniors.
Junior Parents: This year MHS will give the ACT to juniors during a school day in February, free of charge. Students DO NOT need to register individually for this particular test date. Maize High School will complete all necessary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.
ACT WORKSHOP
Power Prep ACT Workshops take place at MHS throughout the year. Each workshop includes two evening sessions covering practical and relevant information on how to increase your ACT score. The cost of each workshop is $80. For more information regarding fall workshop dates and registration, please go to http://actprep.info/maize .
DRIVER’S EDUCATION
Online Driver’s Education is a district course offered to high school students who meet the minimum age requirement of 14. This course is offered each term during the school year with a limit of 40 students each term. The book work is available 24/7 online, and the driving is done after school. Drive times are typically 3:00, 4:00; 5:00pm for one hour. The course is pass/fail (.25 credit) and the course cost is $200. It is recommended that students obtain a learners permit before enrolling in this course. If you would like to enroll in Online Driver’s Education, the student and parent/guardian must both attend the enrollment night.
2023-2024 Driver’s Education Enrollment Dates:
Term 2: October 9, 2023 at 6:00pm MSHS Commons
Term 3: January 4, 2024 at 6:00pm MSHS Commons
Term 4: March 4, 2024 at 6:00pm MSHS Commons
Questions – contact Brent Pfeifer (bpfeifer@usd266.com) or John Anderson (janderson@usd266.com) Click here for link to district Driver’s Ed website information.
Maize USD 266 Driver Education
2nd Term Enrollment
There will be a mandatory enrollment meeting for parents and students on Monday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m. in the MSHS commons.
What to bring to enrollment?
- Student Chromebook - Log into Google Classroom (all assignments are online)
- Learners Permit - If the student does not have a current permit, be prepared to stay and take the KS Driving Handbook test online
- $200 - District fee for Driver Education (Cash or Check only)
All classwork is completed online - there are only 6 units of information to complete and pass.
Driving times are set up with the instructor. Each student must complete 4 hous of drive time.
MHS Contact - John Anderson janderson@usd266.com
MSHS Contact - Brent Pfeifer bpfeifer@usd266.com
Open to all students 14 years of age and older.
College and Career
From Diane Close - College and Career Advocate
Fall is a busy time in the College and Career Office. Students are beginning to make decisions on what life may look like for them after high school by attending our College & Career Fair and college visits.
During the month of September:
We hosted the Fall College & Career Fair where over 400 participants were able to visit with college representatives, military representatives and community partners.
We also visited Butler Community College and the University of Kansas.
College & Career Advocates will attend parent/teacher conferences if you are interested in visiting to discuss your student’s future.
In October, we will be hosting several events:
Presentations are being made to first semester senior English and government classes. Links to the presentation have been sent out through Skyward message center.
DATE CHANGE - Our first information session for students and parents, The Cost of Attendance. This event was originally scheduled for Monday, October 9th and has been changed to Monday, October 23rd at 6:30p. The information session will be held in the Maize Career Academy.
Students will be invited to attend Recruitment Day events at Hutchinson CC on October 20th, registration will open two weeks prior.
Powercat Preview at Kansas State University on October 30th (registration is already completed and closed for this event).
In the past October has been the month for Apply KS and FAFSA completion events; however, the FAFSA process is undergoing major changes and will not open until January 1, 2024. Our events are now scheduled for:
Wednesday, November 8th - Apply KS during blocks 1, 2 and FLEX
Monday, January 8th - Information session for FAFSA/Scholarships
Thursday, January 18th - FAFSA Completion event
The state of KS is offering three days of free admission fees for all public college and university admission applications for ALL students on November 7th, 8th and 9th!
Futures Fair
Futures Fair provides a one-stop shop for postsecondary options after high school. Tuesday, October 17th representatives from in-state, and out-of-state institutions, military and apprenticeships will be available to discuss options. This event is held at Koch Arena from 8:00a - 11:30a and 12:30p - 3:00p.
2023-2024 Yearbook
Buy a yearbook
Now is the best time to buy the award-winning 2023-24 yearbook. The cost is $40 but will go up to $45 at the end of the year. You can purchase the yearbook by clicking on this link.
2022-23 yearbooks still available
If you missed out on the 2022-23 yearbook, there is still an opportunity to buy one. A limited number remain. They can be purchased for $50 in Mr. Loving's room, D14. Please make checks payable to Maize High School. Email dloving@usd266.com for more information.
Recognize your senior
Celebrate your student's final year in high school with a senior recognition ad. You can purchase an eighth-page, quarter-page, half-page and full-page ads by going to the Jostens website.
Nurses Corner - Health Matters by Dana Desjardins, RN
MHS Nurse's Office
We are off to a great start this school year! I am very excited to be back. I became a member of the Grandma Club August 24, 2023! My 1st grandbaby is awesome! Also, I have a wonderful new Health Para, Portia Williams! She is a CNA who has a lot of patient experience. Portia is working well with your teens daily.
Here is a check list for the 2023-24 school year:
Over the Counter Medications NEW Policy 2023-24 School Year – No more carrying over the counter medications at the high schools in Maize. All medication must be brought to the school nurses office. The parent may log in to their Skyward Account, go to Online Forms, then click on Over the Counter Medication Consent Forms. Click on what over the counter medications you would like the school nurse to give. If you would like your student to take something other than what the school nurse has for over the counter medications, sign and return the medication form and brint the medication into the school nurse.
Prescription Medications - Will your child be taking prescription meds at MHS? You will need to print the medication form, have the prescribing doctor fill it out and return it to MHS Nurse with the prescription medications. Parents or an adult must bring the prescription medications to school in their prescribed bottle.
Inhalers, EpiPens, Diabetic Medications, Seizure Meds – All need a signed medication form. Parents can print the medication form and have their doctor’s send the health plans to the school nurse.
For all medication needs, please use the link below.
October 2, 2023 is the Exclusion Day for any student who is not up to date on their immunizations. If you received a letter at the end of May 2023, please get your immunizations and turn in your shot record into the school nurse. Religious exemptions must be on file email letter to ddesjardins@usd266.com. Parents/guardians should send Medical Exemptions every year to the school nurse.
Students Going Home - Have your teen check out through the school nurse if they are going home sick or have injured themselves during the school day. We are here to help them get home safely.
School Nurse Office Hours: 7:20am to 2:55pm Monday through Friday.
Here’s to a great school year. Be safe and take care!
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Important Student Resources
#youmattertome
Did you know that if you text 741741 when you are feeling depressed or suicidal, a crisis worker will text you back immediately and continue to text with you? Many people don’t like talking on the phone and would be more comfortable texting. It's a FREE service to ANYONE - teens, adults, etc. - who lives in the U.S. It's run by The Crisis Text Line.
You. Matter. #youmattertome
Kansas-A Friend AsKS App
A beneficial new app was created in Kansas to help with youth suicide prevention and we want parents to have the information. The app is called "Kansas-A Friend AsKS" and provides resources, warning signs, how to help a friend, how to get help now etc. and is now available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. It is free to download. It also can be accessed through the youth suicide prevention website www.ag.ks.gov/asKS.
Upcoming Eagle Events
From Stage to Screen
Love Like Remi
The Love Like Remi Foundation (501c3) was established in memory of Remington Hope Young, a Wichita Kansas resident, 2019 Maize High graduate and University of Kansas student athlete who took her life of May 20, 2022 at the age of only 20. Remi was known and loved by everyone - anyone who had Remi in their life never once had to question that they were loved. You always knew what a true hug felt like and what a smile as bright as the sun looked like. She made the world a better place and every person's life that she touched was better than she found them. We hope to end the stigma associated with mental health issues and to provide education, support and care so that more beautiful lives are not lost.
We have parterned with Maize USD266 and the Pando Initiative to place mental health advocates in all five USD266 elementary schools for the 2023-24 school year. We believe that this intervention can help kids prepare for the challenging years ahead.
Here is the event link to purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-in-for-hope-tickets-717965683687?fbclid=IwAR3GUo-odH-qW393GQ6dWin8DbHirnVnnxD91RN5hR9rrgKaSv7h07o4I34
Here is the story on how the Love Like Remi Foundation is partnering with USD259 to provide mental health support in our elementary schools.
Fusion Magazine
Opportunities are available to work with the OneMaize Media magazine, Fusion. Contact Jodee Johnson to see what Fusion is all about!
Eagles in the News
KSHSAA Student Advisory Team
Jacob Froese, a junior at MHS, applied and was invited to serve on the KSHSAA Student Advisory Team. Jacob will serve a two year term and represent 5A schools in Kansas; with an empasis on activities outside of athletics. Congratulations, Jacob!
Students In Action
MHS Orchestra Participates in WoodFest
Several students from the Maize High Orchestra participated in WoodFest in the Flint Hills Saturday,
September 30th . The students performed in the Prairie Fire Orchestra altogether and then chose
different workshops or activities that they wanted to try such as hand drumming, intro to harp,
creative play, fiddling, archery, horseback riding, improvisation, visual art, and origami. Some of the
classes were taught by music professors from various universities in Kansas, others were taught by
Eugene Friesen and others from the Berkeley School of Music who were flown in for this event.
The evening was capped off by an outdoor sunset concert performed by professional musicians
and then an informal jam session for anyone who wanted to get together and simply play random music together.
Star Gazing
The Earth - Space students are checking out the moon and Saturn.
The Purpose of Prairie Planting
You may have noticed the large clumps of plants along the east side of the Maize High parking lot, and wondered what are those? The large clusters of plants are a prairie planting that was established about 5 years ago. These prairie plantings have a number of functions, they are a prairie restoration, they are very important pollinator places and they are an outdoor learning stations.
The purpose of the plantings was to create an ecosystem study area for the biology classes at Maize High school and other nearby elementary schools. The clusters along the driveway alternate between flowering plants and grasses, to simple prairie grass berms. The purpose of these plantings is to allow students to study and investigate the influence of diversity of plant life on insects.
The second purpose of the planting is to create pollinator spaces. With increased building and loss of natural spaces, the food and flowers insects need are reduced. These plantings create an important pollinator area especially in the early summer.
The third purpose of the planting is to create a small restored prairie area. The larger plot at the end of the driveway and near the tennis courts is a small prairie containing nature species to Kansas. This allows native animals, birds and insects to have a small patch of native habitat. Take a little time to explore these areas and appreciate the wildlife close by the school.
MCA Graphic Design - Concert Posters
The students in Mrs. Johnson's Graphic Design class at the Maize Career Academy used their newly acquired knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to illustrate posters for the Song of Hope choir concert that is coming up on October 7, which will feature students throughout the Maize district. Congratulations to Maize High students Evan Ames, Kyndall Sites, and Alissa Ragland whose designs were chosen to advertise the show at various elementary schools in the Maize district.
Eagle Updates
Spirit Central
Check out the Spirit Central website for all your Maize Eagle spirit gear! You can purchase online and then choose to pick-up at the school or have the merchandise shipped to you! All proceeds support the Maize High Business Professionals of America club.
Morning Bus Traffic Reminder
Please be mindful and YIELD the right of way to the buses when they arrive in the morning. Please DO NOT try to dart in between the buses. Allowing the buses to pull into the parking lot and proceed to the south entry doors is priority. Thank you - Crossing Guard Staff