Eagle Connect: MHS December News
December 2022
A message from Principal Dr. Chris Botts
March 2024
Dear Maize High School Community,
As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring break, we also welcome the promise of warmer weather and the opportunities it brings for renewed energy and focus. With the end of the school year in sight, embrace the season ahead and make the most of the weeks to come! Here are a few notes and reminders:
Term 3 will finish on Thursday, March 7th with spring break running from Friday, March 8 through Sunday March 17th. I hope everyone has a great break!
Prom is coming up for juniors, seniors, and their guests. Again this year, Prom will take place at the Cotillion, from 8-11pm.
After Prom needs your help! Each year, parents organize and plan After Prom for our students in an effort to provide them a safe alternative after prom. We need lots of parents to help make this event possible. If you are interested in helping on the planning committee (it doesn’t matter what grade your student is in), please contact our After Prom chairperson, Brian Youngers, at maizeafterprom@gmail.com
Congratulations to our swimmers and coaches who finished in 8th place at state this weekend.
100 Yard Freestyle: Zachary Rife (3rd)
200 Freestyle Relay: Kooper Johnson, Aidan Turner, Kellen Doty, Zachary Rife (6th)
100 Yard Breaststroke: Kooper Johnson (6th)
400 Yard Freestyle Relay: Kooper Johnson, Owen Johnson, Kellen Doty, Zachary Rife (5th)
200 Yard Freestyle: Zachary Rife (3rd)
200 Yard IM: Kooper Johnson (3rd)
Zachary Rife and Kooper Johnson were named 1st team All-State.
Congratulations to our wrestlers and coaches who qualified for state. They will compete this coming weekend at Harman Arena: DeMoss, Tran, Tucker Verbeck, Rosas, Gomez, Braden Salisbury, Joyce, Ford, Flores, Wunsch, Villanueva. At the 6A state meet, the following students placed:
132 - Vincent Rosas - 2nd
138 - Daniel Gomez - 3rd
150 - Braden Salsbury - 5th
165 - Everett Joyce - 2nd
175 - Jayden Ford - 3rd
190 - Ayden Flores - 1st (Back 2 Back State Champion & 6A Wrestler of the Year)
215 - Ronan Wunsch - 3rd
Congratulations to the boy’s bowling team on their 2nd place finish in the league. The teams had a great season! Congratulations to freshman Elias Grajeda-Sisson on qualifying for the state meet.
Congratulations to our Business Professionals of American students and teachers at state! We had a successful showing with 6 of the 10 students who competed qualifying for Nationals. Students must place in the top 3 in a judged event, top 5 in an objective test event, or top 10 in an open objective test event to qualify. To put that into context, there are an average of 30 students in judged and objective test events and at least 150 who take the open tests. These students qualified for Nationals:
Carter Smith - State Champion Fundamental Desktop Publishing and State Champion Advanced Desktop Publishing
Ainsley Cramer - State Champion Health Admin Procedures and top 10 Medical Terminology open
Spencer Jones - 3rd Device Configuration, 4th Computer Security and top 10 Info Technology open
Charles Sharp - 5th Personal Finance and top 10 Management & Marketing open
Devon Short - top 10 Parliamentary Procedure open
Sophia Gardner - top 10 Parliamentary Procedure open
Congratulations to Ms. Barbara and the theater students for their outstanding of performance of “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.”
Students of the Month- Chloe Linville
Avery Elliott
Malia Taylor
Lily Cook
Jordyn Bird
Dashall Meyer
Parker Bender
Atticus Marcenaro
Quincy Burrow
Finn Arbogast-Megerdichian
Elizabeth DeWitt
Adley Pierce
Abi Cavazos
Caydence Tajchman
Devin Short
Bryson Hayes
Kynadee Sullivan
Our Mock Trial team competed well today. We finished 5th overall, and 4th in points. We were the highest finishing 1st year team in the Regional Competition. Very proud and appreciative of all the hard work of our students and attorney coaches, Andrew Chase and Roger Falk!
Devin Short - Attorney
Isabella Browne - Attorney
Jordan Margrave - Attorney
Abigail Linton - Attorney
Lans Klein - Witness
Marley Vest - Witness
Adrian Sanders - Witness
Wyatt Case - Witness
Isaac Benjamin - Witness
Joaquin Foster - Witness
Peyton LaPoint - Witness
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!
Thank you to staff, students, and parents for collaborating on 24-25 enrollment decisions through Xello’s Course Planner. Now that the enrollment submission window has closed, students will not be able to make adjustments to their Course Planner for the 2024 - 2025 school year. They are still able to make adjustments to future years’ plans. Counselors and administrators will work together to create a master schedule based on student requests. Schedules will be completed in May, balanced over the summer, and visible in Skyward in early August.
Important Dates
March 6th & 7th - Cap & Gown delivery in Commons 10:30-1:30
March 7th - End of Term 3
March 8th - 15th - Spring Break
March 18th - Term 4 Begins
April 12th - FINAL day to turn in pictures for the Senior Slideshow
May 14th - Last day of classes for seniors
May 15th - Senior parade, breakfast, graduation practice
May 15th - MHS Graduation @ Hartman Arena, 6:30 PM
May 21st - Last day of school
Senior Slideshow Pictures
Senior parents/guardians are invited to submit pictures of Class of 2024 seniors for the senior slideshow that is shown before the commencement ceremony and during the senior breakfast in May. For each senior, one baby/toddler picture and one current picture may be emailed to mhsseniorpics@usd266.com. JPEG format is preferred. Please submit photos by April 12th.
Saturday ACT Test Date
Friday, March 8th is the last day to sign up for the Saturday, April 13th ACT test. 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, however, so at least one full test in addition to the one provided by Maize High is recommended.
To sign up for a Saturday ACT test date, students and parents need to create an account at my.act.org. The ACT is offered on Saturdays in June, July, September, October, December, February, and April. Juniors do not need to register online for the test dates provided at Maize High. Test locations typically include Maize High School during the months school is in session. 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 include on your transcript, use the high school code: 171-885. If paying for your student to take the 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.
Current MHS juniors took the official ACT test Tuesday, February 27 during the school day. Juniors who logged in to myact.org and completed the non-test information as directed will be able to log in to see scores within a month of testing.
General ACT Test 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 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.
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 .
AP Test Information
Thursday, March 7th by 3:00 PM is the last day to cancel an AP exam and receive a full refund. Please contact Mrs. Betsy Manning, bmanning@usd266.com, if you have questions about AP exams.
AP Testing Dates at Maize High School in the MHS Lecture Hall
AP Government: Monday, May 6th @ 8 AM
AP Chemistry: Monday, May 6th @ 12 noon
AP Statistics: Tuesday, May 7 @ 12 noon
AP Literature: Wednesday, May 8 @ 8 AM
AP US History: Friday, May 10 @ 8 AM
AP Calculus A/B: Monday, May 13th @ 8 AM
AP Biology: Thursday, May 16th @ 12 noon,
AP Physics 1: Friday, May 17 @ 8 AM
AP Physics 2: Friday, May 17 @ 12 noon
Summer Driver Education
Maize USD 266 will once again offer summer driver education. Any student who turns 14 on or before Monday, May 27, 2024 and has or will graduate 8th grade by June 1 will be eligible to enroll in summer driver education.
Students will have 31 days (April 10 through May 10) to complete the coursework online through Google Classroom. Students failing to complete the online portion by May 10 will be dropped from the class and forfeit the $200 enrollment fee. Students will also complete four one-hour driving sessions starting no earlier than May 27.
Summer driver education enrollment will be offered on a first come, first served basis with enrollment limited to the first 150 students to register. Enrollment registration will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024 and will close on Monday, April 8, 2024 or when enrollment capacity has been reached. Please enroll early, as the class will fill up fast. To register, go to https://forms.gle/FS5EVD4uKPzR3ZhH9. The form will not be accessible until 8 a.m. April 1.
The first 150 students to register will receive a Google invite to attend the mandatory enrollment meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the Maize South High School auditorium. The cost of summer driver education is $200, with payment due in full on the date of the meeting. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunches may apply for waived fees during the enrollment process.
Students and parents with questions are encouraged to contact Curtis Klein at 316-462-8510 or by email at cklein@usd266.com.
NCAA Eligibility for Student Athletes
Many student athletes wish to compete at the highest levels in college sports; however, NCAA Division I and Division II sports have high standards of academic achievement that require special attention to class selection and GPA throughout a student’s high school career. Please click on these NCAA Division I and Division II Fact Sheets for a quick overview of current standards, and contact your school counselor early on with questions regarding potential eligibility.
College and Career
College & Career Center Updates
Mark your calendars!
March Events:
Spring Break is a great time to discuss students' post-secondary plans and even tour college campuses.
19th Registration opens for grades 10-12 planning to attend the PSU college visit
26th Registration opens for grades 10-12 planning to attend the FHSU college visit
April Events:
2nd College visit to Pittsburg State University
4th GPACAC Signature College Fair for grades 10-11 from 9-11a in the
MCA Hub. This fair will host universities from out of state. Watch your email for additional information.
5th Career Fair, held in the MCA Hub — this fair is for seniors planning to enter the
workforce after graduation. Watch your email for additional information
11th College Tour - Fort Hays State University
17th College Tour - Junior Days, Butler Community College
May Events:
8th Senior celebration - During FLEX in the commons area
Scholarships - It is never too early for students to begin building their resume looking for scholarships. Scholarship information is available on the Counselor Corner webpage.
Volunteering - Spring Break and Summer are opportune times for students to give back to their community and possibly gain some professional experience. Volunteering can make a difference as well as build personal growth and self-esteem.
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
When surveyed, 91% of students, parents, and staff were buckled and only 1% were driving distracted during MHS's 2nd seatbelt survey the end of October. Last month 95% of students, parents, and staff were buckled and there were 0% driving distracted. No matter what the statistics are, many are affected when someone is killed or injured when not wearing their seatbelts or driving distracted. Please take the time to buckle up and drive with NO distractions.
Members of MHS SAFE attended the Kansas Teen Traffic and Safety Conference in October. This is where they learned about driving safely and beeing leaders in their school and community. Below are some of the photos from our 2nd seatbelt survey and the Safety Conference. The next seatbelt survey is March 2023. Thanks for being SAFE!
Emmayln Kohl, Senior
Pledge card winner
Basilio Wilson, Junior , Pledge care winner
Students pledging to drive safely – SAFE Week
Dayami Astroga, Freshman attending Teen Safety Conference
Landen Watson, Sophomore attending Teen Safety Conference
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
- MHS Band Concert - December 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. All are invited and the concert is free to the public
- South Central District Honors Orchestra - Congratulations to Jack Bowen, Mack Carlo, Elliot McCurdy, and Cooper Rentschler! They auditioned and made it into the South Central District Honors Orchestra. The concert will be Saturday, December 3rd at Wichita East High in the West Theater at 5 pm if you would like to come out and hear them play. The concert is free to the public.
- Maize High Orchestra Winter Concert - December 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. All are invited and it is free to the public.
Eagles in the News
Maize High School science teacher, Mr. Bergkamp, did an interview for his new book.
Click here to listen to the KMUW interview. https://www.kmuw.org/podcast/marginalia/2022-11-22/stan-bergkamp-on-loopie-and-making-a-difference-in-the-world
Eagle Updates
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 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.
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.
Maize High Eagle Band
Emma Dugan, Maverick Stevens, Kate Crisler, Nikki Hayes, Connor Sternberger, Morgan Nicholson, Ryan Bayliff, Jackson DeForeest, Jacob Froese, and Zeke Harper we’re all selected for the SCKMEA 56A District Band
Maize Journalism
Results from two separate journalism contest were announced at a St. Louis convention. Winners are below.
Solar Project Update
Another solar array is nearing completion in the district! The 488 panel array on the roof of Pray-Woodman Elementary is expected be fully operational by Christmas and is projected to save $25,000 annually. The project is jointly funded by the district and the Maize Solar Foundation!
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
Maize High Spanish 2
Spanish 2 made ofrendas to celebrate El Día de los Muertos. The ofrendas are made to honor those who have passed away - celebrating their lives and accomplishments. Students chose to honor family members, celebrities, artists, actors, and the Queen of England. We enjoyed learning more about Latino culture, food, and traditions.
Maize FCCLA- Join Now!
FCCLA is a student-led organization that focuses on empowering individuals to better families and strengthen the community. This year Maize FCCLA is working hard to get more students involved and make a difference in the school and community.
Maize FCCLA had its first community service project in October called “Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat”. FCCLA members walked throughout neighborhoods in the Maize district collecting food and toiletries for Maslow’s Pantry. FCCLA plans to have a community service project once a month and focus on making an impact in Maize!
Maize also had the opportunity to attend two leadership conferences this year, Take AIM and the District I Fall Leadership Conference. Take AIM was hosted by Kansas FCCLA in Manhattan where members had the opportunity to meet other members throughout the state and learn how to get involved in FCCLA this year. During their time in Manhattan, Maize members were able to drive around K-State’s campus, participate in the “Take AIM Glow Run”, and much more!
In October, Maize members attended the District I Fall Leadership Conference at Butler County Community College. District I President, Alexis Elliott, is a Junior at Maize High and hosted this conference. Members had the opportunity to meet other members in the Wichita area, hear from workshop presenters including Maize superintendent Dr. Greer, and participate in the District I community service project. Maize also plans to attend the District I STAR Event Competitions and Elections at Maize Performing Arts and Aquatic Center, the State Leadership Conference at Century II, and the National Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado.
FCCLA has many opportunities to get involved, including STAR Event competitions. STAR Events stand for Students Taking Action with Recognition. There are over thirty STAR Event projects that students can participate in that focus on their interests. From working with children to taking a closer look into a certain career, FCCLA STAR Events has something for just about anyone. FCCLA also has leadership opportunities in our school, District I, the State of Kansas, and even the Nation. Maize FCCLA officers for the 2022-2023 school year are President Brelee Long, Vice President Emmalynn Kohl, Vice President of Recreation Chloe Pauls, and Vice President of Public Relations Alexis Elliott.
Maize FCCLA hopes that they can get more students involved before registration is due on December 12th. Students from Maize High School, Maize South High School, and Complete High School are all welcome to join. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact advisors Cara Poole at cpoole@usd266.com or Anne Cordell at acordell@usd266.com!
Consumer and Personal Finance Class uses Dave Ramsey
The business department is utilizing the Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance for High School Students program in the Consumer and Personal Finance class. This is a great class for Maize High students to take in order to learn how to manage their money and become financially secure. The class will cover things such as saving, budgeting, checking accounts, debt avoidance, investing for retirement, and insurance.
Dave Ramsey is the best-selling author of Financial Peace. He is on more than 500 radio stations and heard by more than 6 million listeners. He teaches his 7 baby steps which will enable students to be responsible with their money so they can remain debt free and gain wealth.
Consumer and Personal Finance Class Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction to Personal Finance
Chapter 2: Budgeting Basics
Chapter 3: Saving Money
Chapter 4: Credit and Debt
Chapter 5: Consumer Awareness
Chapter 6: Career Readiness
Chapter 7: College Planning
Chapter 8: Financial Services
Chapter 9: The Role of Insurance
Chapter 10: Income and Taxes
Chapter 11: Housing and Real Estate
Chapter 12: Investing and Retirement