Eagle Connect: MHS October News
October 2022
A message from Principal Dr. Chris Botts.
The Botts Office
Dear Maize High School Parents/Guardians:
We are three short weeks away from fall break. It is crazy how fast the time is going! Many of our fall sports and activities have ended and some are still going. It has been awesome to see so much school spirit and Eagle pride in our building and throughout our community. It is our sincerest hope that our students and staff continue to make our community proud. It’s a great day to be an Eagle!
A few notes:
- Fall break will be Nov. 19 through Nov. 27th. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
- Congratulations to the girls tennis team on an outstanding season! The Eagles had a great showing at the AVCTL Division 1 meet and both JV and Varsity were league champions! The Eagles qualified three students for state and all were medalists. Congratulations to Rylee Frye in singles (10th) and the doubles team of Ella Strobel & Peyton Samek finished 11th. This put the Eagles in a tie for 8th place in class 5A.
- Girls Golf: Congratulations to the Eagles on their 3rd place finish in class 5A. Kinslea Jones successfully defended her title by winning state. Team members include Abigail Cavazos, Alexis Elliott, Emma Hays, Charlotte Kerbs, and Kira Packer.
- The volleyball team finished off a strong season and finished the season 17-20.
- In cross county, Abi Grantham qualified for state and finished 54th. For the boys, the Eagles finished 4th as a team. Individually, Kaleb Glazier finished 2nd and Alex Ayin was 17th. Other team members include Zach Johnson, Caiden Unruh, Conner Fortin, Micah Schmidt, and Grady Carlson.
- After Prom: We are looking for new leadership for After Prom! We’ve had tremendous support and dedication from parents over the years and it is time to find a new group of parents to take on this worthwhile event! If you have any interest, please send me an email (cbotts@usd266.com). Thanks!
- The boys soccer team finished a successful season (12-6) and lost in the regional final in overtime to Newton High School.
- The Eagle football team is still going strong and are off to a 9-0 start. The Eagles will be at home throughout the state playoffs and will be working towards a berth in the 5A state championship game.
- The Maize High School Marching Band has had a great fall season and has competed at multiple events. The Eagles have most recently earned Superior-1 ratings for both parade marching and their field show.
- October Students of the Month: Congratulations to Kinsley Morrision, Cody Hughbanks, Ethan Geiger, Kate Crisler, Jenna Blaylock, Jane Carroll, Emery Houltberg, Emily Sprowls, Connor Padgett, Gabe Hutchins, Kayli Perales, Micah Von Stroh, Ian Thiessen, Maggie Salsbury, Avery Duda, Ashlee Prebble, Kaiden Easter, Avery Johnson, Lesly Hernandez, McKinley Joynes, Alexis Elliott, Braelynn Taylor, Shannon Jones, Rylee Frye, Alex Le, Ky Huynh, Ava Dugan, Jada Best-Henson, Elijah Gardner, Tay Williams, Joel Rodriguez Pastrana, Lily Gabbert, Dashall Meyer, Teagan Garcia, Maia Djurovic, and Cyrus Sponsel.
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.
Counselor's Corner
Greetings from the Maize High School Counseling Department
Attention all senior parents: Please send your senior pictures to mhsseniorpics@usd266.com.
Activities Scheduled for Term 2
- Wednesday, Nov. 2, Thursday, Nov. 3, and Friday, Nov. 4: Balfour will be at MHS to take Senior Announcement orders and class ring orders from 10:30-1:30 PM.
- Thursday, Nov. 3, and Friday, Nov. 4: Balfour will be available in the evenings from 7-8:30 PM in the MHS Commons.
- Friday, Nov. 4: ACT Registration deadline for the Dec. 10 test.
- Nov. 8: Payment for Fall AP Test Registration
- AP Government, AP Physics 1, AP Biology, & APUSH only
- Monday, Nov. 21 through Friday, Nov. 25: No School, Fall Break
- Saturday, Dec. 10: ACT at Maize High School
- Monday, Dec. 19: Early Completer Meeting during EnCor.
- Wednesday, Dec. 21: Senior Farewell during EnCor.
- Wednesday, Dec. 21: Last Day of Term 2
ACT and ACT Workshop
Friday, Nov. 4, is the last day to sign up for the Saturday, Dec. 10 ACT. If a student is college bound, we recommend that juniors take the ACT at least once during their junior year and once again at the beginning of their senior year. High-achieving sophomores may want to take it for practice. Students can take the ACT as many times as they like. Fifty percent of students will improve by taking the ACT the second time. If you would like your student to take the ACT, please register at www.actstudent.org. Students will make an account with a username and password.
Maize High School's code is: 171-885, and the MHS Test Center is 213970.
Senior Parents:
- If a student is attending a Regents or an out-of-state college, they must take the ACT no later than the December test date for scores to be sent for scholarships. Regents schools are the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, and Pittsburg State University.
Juniors Parents:
- This year Maize will give the ACT, free of charge, during the school day on Feb. 28, 2023. Students DO NOT need to register for this test. Maize High School will complete all necessary arrangements. If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.
ACT Workshop
Maize USD 266 students may register for an online ACT Workshop delivered by Carolyn Devane. The class will have two sessions on Monday, Nov. 28 and Tuesday, Nov. 29. The workshop includes practical and relevant information on how to increase your ACT score. The cost of the workshop ranges from $80 to $90 depending on whether you register before the discount deadline. For more information and to register, please go to ACT Test Prep.
Driver Education
Maize USD 266 offers two programs in driver education; face-to-face and online. Both programs strive to prepare students in driver education to become knowledgeable and respectful of the law, to learn basic driving skills, and to develop a responsible attitude toward driving. The instructors will provide experience to students, involve parents in the process, and foster cooperative interactions with others in the driving environment. The child and parent/guardian are required to attend the enrollment meeting. Please bring your enrollment packet, a writing pen, corrective eyewear (if needed), and any type of Kansas Permit/License you already have to the Enrollment Meeting.
Online Driver Education 2022-2023: Online Driver 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 50 students per term. The bookwork is available 24/7 online, and the driving done after school. Drive times are typically at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., or 5 p.m. for one hour. The course is pass/fail (.5 credit), and the course cost is $200. It is recommended that students obtain a learner's permit before enrolling in this course. The child and parent/guardian are required to attend the enrollment meeting.
Upcoming 2022-23 enrollment dates:
- Term 3 at 6 p.m. on January 9th in the Maize High School Commons. Student/Parent Enrollment Night MHS Commons
- Term 4 March 6th Student/Parent Enrollment Night 6:00pm MHS Commons
Questions: contact Joy Lewellen at jlewellen@usd266.com
College and Career
The month of October in the College and Career office has been all about encouraging our seniors to apply to the college(s) of their choice and complete the FAFSA process. If you have any questions or would like assistance completing either of these items please email your College & Career Advocate.
- We hosted an Apply KS day where students worked in the commons area applying to a college or to celebrate their acceptance. Seniors were able to celebrate with pictures to post on social media, treats and a gift card courtesy of Chick Fil A and Chuck’s Carwash.
- October 10th, the College and Career office hosted FAFSA Completion events. Seven Financial Aid representatives from area post-secondary institutions assisted families as they worked through the process of completing the FAFSA.
The College and Career office will host an information session for students and their parents on Tuesday, Nov. 6. This month the topic will be, Cost of Attendance Information Session. A Financial Aid representative will speak about the real cost of attending college. Making your dreams come true and attending the school of your choice can be a reality if you plan, prepare, and take all factors into consideration.
November Upcoming Events
- 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Maize Career Academy: Information Session over The Cost of Attendance
- Wednesday, Nov. 9: College visit to Emporia State University
- Wednesday, Nov. 30: Powercat preview day and Kansas State University Campus Visit\
If your senior has not completed their application and FAFSA please, encourage them to use fall break as a time to mark these items off their to do list.
From the Nurse
We have a new Nurse Para, Kylee Kwiatkowski, she will be helping me care for the students and staff at Maize High School, Maize Career Academy, and Complete High School Maize. She will be a great addition to our schools and the school nurse’s office.
COVID Updated procedures
- It is recommended if a student is ill they stay home and contact their physician or school nurse.
- Schedule a free COVID-19 clinical test with Joann Wheeler, MIS. Call 316-350-2013 for an appointment.
- A positive clinical COVID-19 test may excuse a Maize High School student’s absences. A positive home test is not accepted at this time per district procedure
- It is recommended a student who has tested positive with a clinical COVID19 Test remain home for 5 days and return on day 6 to school. Contact their teachers by email, and check Google Classroom, and Blackboard for their assignments.
- It is recommended a student who has tested positive for a clinical COVID19 Test wear a mask.
Immunizations:
- Please turn in your immunization record to the school nurse if you have recently received a vaccine.
Medication:
- If your student wants to carry or take an over-the-counter medication at school, please read, complete, and send the medication form to school with your child.
- Prescription Medications must have the same form completed by a parent/guardian and the prescribing physician. Parents/guardians must bring the medication to school with the signed med form. Call the school nurse if any questions, at 316-350-2137.
Drug Facts:
- Fentanyl is being distributed in lethal doses – 5mg of Fentanyl is found in knockoff pills. It only takes one pill for a person to lose their life. Do not take any medication that is not prescribed to you! If you have a drug problem, seek help from your family, doctor, school nurse, school counselor, church, and community drug programs. There is help and there is hope. Be SAFE.
Safe: Don't forget to buckle up
Maize High School Students who participate in the Seatbelts are for Everyone (SAFE) surveyed school to gauge the use of students wearing seatbelts. Students passed out free donuts to those who pledged to wear their seatbelts. Two lucky students who signed a pledge card won a gift card to Amazon. The other gift card was to our very own MHS Spirit Central store. The first unannounced SAFE Seatbelt Survey conducted on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 showed that 95 percent of students, parents, and staff buckled up. There were zero people distracted while driving.
Our next SAFE Seatbelt Survey is during Red Ribbon (Anti-drug) week. Stay SAFE, and Don’t Drive Fried! Let’s see if we can get 100% of students, parents, and staff to wear their seatbelts!
Important student resources
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
Many upcoming Eagle events are coming up:
- Please join us for our All-District Orchestra Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 1055 Academy Ave. in Maize. Maize String players from 5th through 12th grade will perform at this concert.
- KAY club is hosting a food drive the week of Monday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 18. More information coming soon!
- Quirks improv is taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Thursday, Nov. 11, at Maize High School. A $5 donation is suggested.
- Maize High School Boys Basketball Kids Camp is taking place on Saturday, Nov. 19. Visit the Online Bulletin Board to learn more.
Eagles in the News
Maize High School Girls Golf Places at State
The Maize Girls Golf team placed 3rd at the state championship, and sophomore Kinslea Jones won her second straight Class 5A individual golf state title! In addition to the strong team finish and Jones’ victory, sophomore Charlotte Kerbs tied for 14th. Junior Alexis Elliott and sophomore Abigail Cavazos finished in the top 30. MHS is proud of our golfers!
Maize High School first-time cross country runner places
Maize High School junior Kaleb Glazier ran his way to the top during his first year of running cross country for the Eagles. He's become one of the best high school runners for the state of Kansas.
Former student Chris Leon honored at the Goodwill Industries awards ceremony
Former Maize High School Eagle Chris Leon received the Goodwill Industries of Kansas Achiever of the Year Award. For years, Chris was the #1 fan at all Maize High School Eagles Events.
2017 graduate helps out disabled veteran
Spencer Bosley, a former Maize High School student, and owner of SB Mowing, was in the news for mowing a disabled veteran's yard for free. While working, he filmed a TikTok video, which has gained over 20 million views and thousands of comments from people wanting to help. With the attention he gained, Bosley decided to start a GoFundMe and raised 10,000 dollars, which he gave to the veteran. Read the full story below.
Eagle updates
Boys Swimming and Diving Parent Meeting
The parent meeting for the Maize High School boy's swimming and diving team is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center, 1055 Academy Ave, in Maize.
The meeting will discuss coaching staff introductions, team policies, required forms, fundraising information, and volunteering. The meeting will combine with Maize South High School. The schools will then separate into different classrooms to discuss apparel and swimsuit orders. For new swimmers, there will be swimsuits available to try on. The goal is to get the orders entered ASAP to receive them before the first swim meet in December.
Fusion Newsmagazine: A OneMaize Media publication
OneMaize Media released issue one of Fusion Newsmagazine, which is written, illustrated, and designed by Maize High and Maize South High students in the Converged Media class at Maize Career Academy. Students can pick up a copy in the library at either Maize High or Maize South or in the front office at Maize Career Academy.
Maslow's Pantry Update
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Coat and Hoodie Drive. We had a great event. A big thanks to Ashlee Prebble for running the drive and David Coffey for helping. Also, thanks to Mrs. Poole and the FCCLA club for a successful neighborhood food drive, which replenish Maslow's food staples. Maslow's is accepting food donations, hygiene items (we need deodorant), clothing needed is: athletic wear, tennis shoes, and socks. Thanks to all who help support Maslow's Pantry.
Robotics team qualifies for world championships
Evan Rogerson and Adria Dumler of robotics team 67101C, Centrifuge, traveled to a signature event in Tennessee where they won the Amaze award, posted the #8 highest score in the world, and are now qualified for the world championships, which will be held in Dallas this spring. Anyone interested in robotics should contact Mr. Helgesen at zhelgesen@usd266.com.
Get your 2022-23 yearbook
Time to buy a yearbook
- The award-winning Regal Red yearbook is on sale. Books can be purchased for $40 until Dec. 31, when the cost will increase to $45. Yearbooks can be purchased by going to the Jostens website or by check. Checks can be delivered to yearbook adviser Dan Loving in Room D14 and must be made out to Maize High.
Honor your senior
- Help your Class of 2023 graduation remember their senior year with a senior recognition ad in the yearbook. Ads can be purchased for as low as $50. Go to the Jostens website to place an ad. It's a simple process.
Be a Yearbook Angel
- If you would like to donate a yearbook to a student in need, you can sign up to be a Yearbook Angel. You can go to the Jostens page and click on donate a book or send a check to Dan Loving. Questions can be directed to dloving@usd266.com.
Free/reduced yearbooks
- Students who demonstrate a financial hardship are eligible for a free yearbook. There are a limited number of free books, and first priority will be given to seniors. The price can also be reduced if you are able to pay a portion. To be considered, fill out this form before Dec. 31.
Student Section of the Year award
Maize High School won KFDI's Student Section of the year! Through the online voting, we were able to beat Mulvane by 6 points and now we will receive a trophy. Thank you to everyone who voted for MHS!
District Jazz Band
Maverick Stevens, Ryan Bayliff, and Mark Fanning were selected to be a part of the South Central Kansas Music Educators Association District Jazz Band. Congratulations to these students!
eSports Livestream
The MHS eSports Team competes at 3 p.m. every Thursday this semester. For updates and links to all things eSports, follow @MaizeHighESports on Instagram.
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.
Students in Action
Students go fishing
Students in the 3rd block Outdoor Education class went fishing at the BlackBird pond during the week. Many students had success in catching fish!
Students Take a brain break during class
Students in the Maize High School child development class had brain break time, which included shaving cream!
Foundation class working on preschool songs
Students in the Maize High School foundation class are currently learning about and working on developing their on preschool appropriate songs and movements.
Math department gets creative during homecoming week
The Maize High School Math Department turned their hallway into a math gauntlet during Homecoming week for students to take part in on their way to class:
- Molten Monday: Floor is Lava
- Tight Rope Tuesday: Tight rope walk
- Wired Wednesday: Dodge the wires
- Through the air Thursday: Keep balloons up while walking down the hall
- Fighting Friday: Dodge pool noodles
College Algebra students work together to determine the type of variation between two variables
College Algebra students collected data from different activities to determine the type of variation between two variables. Students discovered there is a direct relationship between circumference and diameter (pi!), an inverse relationship between length and width of area of a rectangle, and a direct relationship between the original height and the rebound bounce of a tennis ball.
Students at the Pumpkin Patch
Maize High School Eagles went to the pumpkin patch for a field trip activity.