Eagle Connect: MHS December News
February 2024
A Message from Principal Dr. Chris Botts
The Botts Office
Dear Maize High School Parents/Guardians:
With the snow days we have had, January sure felt like it flew by! I know some have asked so I thought I would share…we are still ok on the number of days of school and do not need to make up any days at this time. Despite all of the crazy schedules, our students have done a good job of getting back into the swing of things for the start of the 2nd semester. Thank you for all of your support of our school and all of our students!
This semester, I am pleased to announce that we have added an additional administrator to our team. Mr. Mitch Linn has been with us since the semester started. We were able to bring him on this semester to help with the workload and to be an additional resource in the event that I am out of the office due to my ongoing medical issues. Please make sure you help give him a Maize High School welcome if you have the opportunity to meet him or see him at an event!
News & Notes
Enrollment for next school year is getting ready to begin. Please be on the lookout for information coming from our counseling office. All course request submission sheets will be due on February 21st. If you have any questions regarding enrollment or course selection, we encourage you to come to our parent/teacher conference on Thursday, February 22nd. Teachers, counselors, and administrators will all be on hand to help answer any questions you might have.
Mark your calendars now for our Maize spring parent-teacher conference. On February 22, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Maize High teachers will be available to discuss your student’s academic progress and help plan for future enrollment. It is our hope to have a great turnout from our parents! There will be no school on Thursday, 2/22 and Friday, 2/23.
A few reminders about the MHS attendance policy:
Students with excessive absences (7 or more in a school year) will be required to provide professional documentation for the absences to be excused. These absences are cumulative for the school year.
The accumulation of six absences in a block, per term/9 weeks, may result in no credit being granted. If a student’s grade is an “F” when he/she accumulates the sixth absence, and the student does lose credit, the “F” will override the “no credit.” Credit may be granted pending a decision by a review panel. The review panel is available upon request by the student or parent. These absences start over each 9 weeks.
There is always a need for substitute teachers. On any given day, Maize will utilize 30-130 licensed substitute teachers across the district. Some of these individuals take long term assignments and others work one day a month. Any amount of time is beneficial. Click here to apply to be a Substitute Teacher with Maize USD 266.
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
Please remember that there is no school on Monday, February 12th. This is a teacher professional learning day.
On Saturday, February 24th, Maize High School is hosting a screening of Not Alone: Human Trafficking in the Midwest. This event is sponsored by ICT SOS and is open to any student and/or parent who would like to learn more. There is no cost to attend. Register HERE to help us plan! The show will take place in the MHS Auditorium.
We are excited to announce that the MHS Theatre Department is presenting The Lightning Thief-The Percy Jackson Musical on February 15-17 at 7pm in the MHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Congratulations to the February Students of the Month: Alexis Southern, Lauren Jenkinson, Jimena Zambrano Reyes, Kevin Watkins, Alissa Ragland, Cyrus Sponsel, Alexis Elliott, Jazsen Raney, Luke Aaron and Ruby Williams.
Thanks for all you do!
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.
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
Greetings from the Maize High School Counseling Department!
The beginning of the spring semester brings the opportunity for a fresh start in new classes. As a reminder, if a student fails a required course for graduation they will need to retake the course in order to earn credit. Grade level classifications are determined by the number of total credits earned at the end of the school year. Four credits are required to be classified as a Sophomore, 12 credits are required to be classified as a Junior, and 18 credits are required to be classified as a Senior.
With credits on our mind, we are gearing up for the enrollment season. Students may adjust their Individual Plan of Study and explore course options now through our Xello platform. Students can log in through Class Link by clicking on the Xello icon. Please visit our online Student Course Guide for more information regarding course offerings. Counselors will be available to discuss enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year during Parent/Teacher conferences.
Important Dates
February 12th - No School - Staff Professional Development Day
February 13th - 15th - Enrollment meetings for 24-25 school year
February 22nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences 8 AM - 8 PM
February 23rd - No School - Conference Comp Day
February 27th - Junior ACT and Sophomore Pre-ACT testing
March 6th and 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 - Last 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
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 Juniors will be given the official ACT test Tuesday, February 27 during the school day and do not need to register individually or pay for it. If you have any questions, please contact your counselor.
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 Registration
For the 2024 AP exams, students at Maize High School will be registering online. Online Exam registration began in the fall and will end on Friday, March 1 at 3:00 PM. The AP exam registration process is two steps, but both can be completed in one sitting when the student and parent/guardian do this together. Even if you do not plan to take the AP exam, you need to complete both steps to access the College Board’s AP resources. Both steps must be completed in order to have AP exams ordered:
Step 1: Students have been sent an email for each AP class they are enrolled in this spring. The email contains a Google Form specific to each course with information on the official test date, AP Join Code, cost of the exam, and instructions on how to pay their registration fee.
Step 2: Students then use the join codes provided at the completion of Step 1 to enroll the student's AP courses and exams in the College Board's system.
This year each AP exam costs $100. Maize High School desires that every student be able to take their AP exams. Students requiring financial assistance should contact Mrs. Betsy Manning, bmanning@usd266.com, at Maize High School to learn more.
Here are the important dates for the registration process:
Friday, March 1st - AP Test Registration Ends - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.
Thursday, March 7th by 3:00 PM - Last day to cancel an exam and receive a full refund.
Please contact Mrs. Betsy Manning, bmanning@usd266.com, if you would like to register for an exam not listed or have any questions.
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; 5:00 PM 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 Meeting for Term 4:
March 4, 2024 at 6:00 PM 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.
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
From Diane Close - College & Career Advocate
Mark your calendars!
February events:
5th College & Career Fair
7th Friends and Newman University college visit (registration opening soon)
8th WSU Tech college visit
College visits are now open for students grades 10-12
Mark your calendar, the Spring College & Career Fair is scheduled for Monday, February 5th. We look forward to you joining us as we welcome over 40 college & career vendors who are excited to share the opportunities they offer.
March events:
Spring Break is a great time to have conversations pertaining to students post secondary plans and even possibly tour college campuses.
25th College Tour - Fort Hays State University
April events:
2nd College visit to Pittsburg State University
4th Career Fair for seniors during Flex & Block 3 in the MCA Hub
17th College Tour - Junior Days, Butler Community College
May events:
Senior celebration - Commons area during Flex
2024-2025 Fusion Newsmagazine
Fusion by OneMaize Media Recruiting for 2024-2025 School Year
Fusion Newsmagazine is seeking writers, reporters, photographers, designers and illustrators for next school year. Enrollment begins soon and journalism courses teach skills that are useful in a variety of careers. If you would like more information please contact Jodee Johnson in the Maize Career Academy.
2023-2024 Yearbook
Buy a yearbook
Time is running out to buy a yearbook, so make sure to purchase one now. The cost is $45 but will go up to $50 after spring break. You can purchase the yearbook by clicking on this link.
Recognize your senior
Celebrate your student's final year in high school with a senior recognition ad. You can purchase eighth-page, quarter-page, half-page and full-page ads by going to the Jostens website.
Nurses Corner
Health Matters by Dana Desjardins, MHS RN
Amongst the general signs and symptoms of the cold and flu virus we are also seeing the following: Strep Throat, Corona Virus, Influenza and Bronchitis. Please help keep our students and staff members healthy:
- Never send a student to school with a 100 or greater temperature.
- Take your child to the doctor, especially if not better on or after the 3rd day of being ill or if symtoms are worse and not better with over-the-counter medication.
- Students may return to school if they have been fever free without taking fever reducing medications for 24 hours.
- If you are unsure, always call the school nurse before sending an ill student to school at (316) 350-2123 or (316) 350-2137.
Over the Counter Medications NEWS Policy 2023-23 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 clock 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 along with the medication to the school nurse. The link is below.
Prescription Medications - Will your child be taking prescription meds at school? You will need to print the medication form, have the prescribing doctor fill it out and return it to the MHS nuse with the prescription medications. Parents or an adult must bring the prescription medications to school in their prescribed bottle. The link for the form is below.
Inhalers, EpiPens, Diabetic Medications and Seizure Medications - All need a signed medication form. Parents can print the medication form and have their doctor send the health plan to the school nurse. Again, the link for the form is below.
Immunizations OVERDUE! Please send any immunization your child gets to the school nurse as soon as they get them. We will make sure we add your child's immunization to your child's school health record.
Zero Reasons Why
You are no doubt a parent or caregiver who deeply cares about the wellbeing of a teenager. As an adult who cares, there are many ways you can help improve the mental health of the teens in your life.
Zero Reasons Why is a teen lead organization seeking to break the stigma of mental health. The teens involved in the campaign believe one of the biggest barriers to their mental health is when parents or caregivers don’t recognize mental health as a real or valid health concern. Having an honest, empathetic conversation about mental health with their parents can be challenging, let alone accessing additional support like therapy when needed. For information on the Zero Reasons Why campaign and for support in having conversations related to mental health with your teen please visit #zeroreasonswhy.org
Do you know the mental health supports available at Maize High School? Did you know there is a mental health intervention team member in each school grades 5-12? For more information on the MHIT program please email your behavioral health liaison Ashleigh Hughbanks at ahughbanks@usd266.com
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
Upcoming Eagle Events
MHS Theatre
The MHS Theatre Department proudly presents The Lighting Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical. Join us on this killer quest! Performances are February 15 - 17 at 7:00 pm in the MHS auditorium. Student tickets are $5 and adult tickets are $10. Hope to see you there!
MHS Girls Swim & Dive Meeting
Please plan to attend a parent meeting for the upcoming Girls Swim and Dive season. The meeting will take place in the audiorium at the MPACC building (Maize Performing Arts and Aquatic Center) at 6:00 on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
From the Athletic Office
There will be a mandatory spring sports meeting for Baseball, Softball, Boys Tennis, Girls Soccer and Boys Golf on February 21st at 6:00 pm in the MHS Auditorium.
There are two signing days coming up for athletics: Wednesday February 7th and Wednesday April 17th. Both signing days will be in the Main Gym during Flex.
Students In The News
MHS National Honor Society - Update
NHS has volunteered for 606 hours this school year in a variety of opportunities including the Dillons Operation Holiday, packing supplies for students and teachers, and helping at Family Nights at elementary schools.
Owen Johnson and Maleigha Johnson have both earned a Merit Community Service Award from the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
MHS Broadcasting
Four members of the OneMaize Media team (3 from MHS and 1 from MSHS) covered the Pop Tart Bowl in Orlando. What a great opportunity and experience!! Special thanks to Mr. Tarletsky and Dr. King for making this happen!!
Students in Action
National Honor Society
National Honor Society students gathered to make Get Well cards. They hope to bring a smile to some faces of patients in hospitals this winter.
MHS Student Council
Student Council arrived a day early in January to plan for the upcoming Winter Homecoming. These student leaders spent the morning planning fun activities for the upcoming homecoming week in February. More details to come!! After a morning of organzing, the group met up for bowling.
MHS Family and Consumer Science
Family Studies students took a brain break and had fun playing with shaving cream. The Foundations class worked on art projects. The art projects will be used with the kids at the ECC.
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