Vermillion Elementary School
February 2023
A Note from the Principal
Dear Chameleon Families,
It was great to see many of you at our annual VES BINGO Night. I appreciate your support of Vermillion by attending this event. We were able to give away some great prizes and enjoy a fun evening together. Thank you to the VES PTO for organizing this event again this year. Also, thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped make this evening a success.
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 9th from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Students, parents, and guardians are invited to meet with teachers to discuss student progress. If you are unable to meet in person or prefer to have a virtual conference, please visit with you child's teacher about setting up a Zoom conference. Due to conferences, students will not have school on Thursday, February 9th or Friday, February 10th.
Our Valentine's Day Parties will take place on Tuesday, February 14. Please RSVP online here. You will need to select each child's teacher's name and complete the form as directed. Each attendee will need to be entered on the RSVP form. We will stop taking RSVP's on Sunday, February 12 in order to complete the pre-event security check. If you do not RSVP by this date, that is fine, but please know there may be additional wait time for check in on the day of the event.
Please remember that with the increase in safety and security in our schools, we are requiring that everyone entering the school go through the Raptor security check system. All visitors will have an ID printed sticker that they will be required to wear while in the school. If you are already in the Raptor system or you enter the necessary information in the RSVP, your sticker will be pre-printed and ready for pickup upon your arrival. If you are not already in the Raptor system, we highly recommend that you stop by the office during Parent/Teacher Conferences on February 9 to get your driver's license scanned into the system so your nametag will be ready on the day of the event.
Sincerely,
Jenny Nash
Principal
Visit our school website at www.usd266.com/ves
Connect with Mrs. Nash at jnash@usd266.com or 316-722-0266.
Vermillion Elementary School is located 501 James Ave. in Maize.
Important Upcoming Dates
- 2/6: PTO Community Night at Pizza Ranch (4:00-8:00pm)
- 2/7: Spring Picture/Classroom Picture Day
- 2/9: NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences (8:00am-8:00pm)
- 2/10: NO SCHOOL
- 2/14: Valentine's Day Classroom Parties
- 2/16: PTO Carousel Skate Night (6:00-9:00pm)
School Safety
With the increase in safety and security in our schools, we are requiring that everyone entering the school go through the security check system. All visitors will have an ID printed sticker that they will be required to wear while in the school during school hours. We will be glad to scan your driver's license at our Walk-A-Thon event on October 7 or if you are in the vicinity of Vermillion Elementary and wish to have the secretaries scan your driver's license ahead of time, this will minimize your wait time for entry.
Your profile remains stored in the system for the school year and the system automatically updates based on your license information. Therefore, if we have scanned your driver’s license before, you are already in the system and we will simply input your name to print a badge. Please have your driver's license in hand the day of an event.
We appreciate your understanding with helping us maintain the highest level of security for our staff and students.
End of Day Transportation
For after school transportation changes, please leave your message on the transportation line by 2:00pm M/T/Th/F and by 1:00pm on Wednesdays.
For those new to Vermillion please watch our student drop-off/pick-up process video. If you need a QR code please contact the school office.
Staff Wish List
Thank you to everyone that has made donations to our teachers! We greatly appreciate your support. Here is a link to all VES wish lists. Teachers will continue to update these throughout the year.
WatchDOG Program
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement - educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering. WatchDOGS are fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. Click on the link below to view how the program works and how to schedule a date to be a WatchDOG. We are requesting only one WatchDOG per day.
Counselor's Corner
We are excited to celebrate Kindness Week February 13-17. Each day we will have a different dress up spirit day. On Wednesday of that week (February 15), students can wear a hat with a recommended donation amount of $1 - all proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House. Be watching for an email the week of February 6 for more details on the spirit days!
We want to welcome Greta Lies to our program for the semester. Greta is a Wichita State University school counseling student who is doing her practicum at Vermillion with Mrs. Shipman. She works at our school in the school psychology office - and will also be seeing individual students and small groups. We are very excited to have her working in the counseling department through May.
Just a reminder that our student Families meet once a month at 3:15pm (the first Friday of each month). If you need to pick up your child early on these days, please plan to pick up your child before 3:00pm. Having our Vermillion student Families is a great way to build a sense of community in our school!
Please check out the information below about our Caring Chameleons. This is a network of Chameleons helping Chameleons. Vermillion Elementary Counselors are often notified of families in need of basic necessities. There are many caring Chameleon families who want to help but do not know what the needs are. If you would like to help, please refer to the document below with more information about the program. We greatly appreciate your contributions!
To learn more about what the Counselors do and what guidance lessons are being taught in the classroom each month please visit the counselor's website below.
https://sites.google.com/usd266.com/vescounselors/home
Jolene Chapin - Counselor for Kindergarten, 1st & 3rd Grades
Email: jchapin@usd266.com
Counselor Andi Shipman - Counselor for Kindergarten, 2nd & 4th Grades
Email: ashipman@usd266.com
Music Matters
Important information regarding the First & Second Grade Music Concert:
Thursday, March 9th, 2023
- 1st Grade Time: 6:30 p.m.
- 2nd Grade Time: 7:45 p.m.
Location: Maize Performing Arts & Aquatic Center (MPAAC) (1055 Academy Avenue)
**Students should arrive in the warm-up area 15 minutes prior to their show time
(You should have received a printed parent letter as well as a digital copy through e-mail. Please contact me, if you did not)
Watch for more information regarding our Kindergarten Music coming soon!
Kindergarten Concert: Thursday, April 13th, 2023
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Maize Performing Arts & Aquatic Center (MPAAC) (1055 Academy Avenue)
Quaver Reminder:
We LOVE our Quaver music curriculum! In addition to lessons we use in the classroom, it also has an at home feature so that students can explore music through games and activities using any computer or mobile device at home. Currently our First – Fourth grade students are all registered for this year and should have brought home a parent letter with more information.
Quaver Login Instructions:
Go to www.quavered.com/log-in/
- User Name / Quaver Name: 9-digit Maize Student ID#
- Password: music123
If you have any trouble remembering the student ID# or if the login prompts you for a code, please e-mail your child’s music teacher at the address listed below.
Mrs. Merkel Music Star Prizes!
I'm looking for prizes for my music classroom. If you would like to donate some items, please sent them to school with your child or drop them off in the front office. Here are some ideas:
- Larger novelty candy; ring pops, full sized Skittles or other harder candy (no chocolate, please)
- Packs of gum
- Anything music themed except pencils (see note below)
- Colorful pens or markers
- Small games or puzzles
- ”Happy Meal” type toys or other smaller toys (clean out those toy boxes!)
Update from Coach
We have been busy in the gym. We have been reviewing motor skills and working on stations.
- Kindergarten and First grade have been working on hand-eye coordination stations. We will begin working on locomotor skills in the coming weeks.
- Second, Third and Fourth grade have been working on fitness components of flexibility, strength and cardiovascular endurance.
We have also been using our new hula hoops and other equipment that our PTO grant purchased for us. Be sure and ask your child what they have been up to in the gym.
Please have your child wear tennis shoes on PE days if possible.
If your child is sick or injured please let Coach Trail or Coach Schuette know and we can make adjustments for them.
If your child unable to participate in GYM activities due to illness or an injury, please let the coaches know.
Coach Trail
Coach Schuette
Library News
Our next Scholastic Book Fair will be February 2-9. Please stop by the Library during Parent Teacher Conferences.
Just a quick reminder that Yearbooks are for sale now thru March 10, 2023. The cost is $25 and you can order online at inter-state.com/order and enter code: 73429K
If you have any questions or need help with Library needs, please contact me at shills@usd266.com
From the Nurse
Dental screenings will take place Friday February 3. All students will be screened unless parents opt out. They can opt out by emailing the nurse or sending with their child a signed written note that says they opt out. Students will have hearing or vision screenings during the school year as required. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students will have vision screening. Kindergarten, 1st, and 4th grade will have hearing screening. Students new to the district will receive both hearing and vision screenings. Parents will need to write a note to the school nurse ONLY if they do NOT want their child screened. Results will ONLY be sent home if further testing is needed. Screenings are very basic and are not meant to take the place of professional evaluations.
Medication
If your child needs to take an over-the-counter medication at school, please read, complete, and send the medication form to school with your child. Prescription medication must have the same form completed by a parent/guardian and the prescribing physician. Parents/guardians may bring the medication to school with the signed medication form.
- The medication must be in the original container.
- The medication must be current. Expired medication will not be administered.
- The medication must be age appropriate. Any medication for a person older than the child will require a signed form from the doctor.
- All prescription medications require a signed form from the doctor.
- All prescription medications must have the pharmacy label with the student's name on the bottle box.
Students may not self administer medications in the elementary schools. If I can be of any assistance this year, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. My office number is 316-350-2810 and my email is jsmith@usd266.com.
Select to access Health Forms for Maize students
Nurse Jaime Smith
Email: jsmith@usd266.com
Phone: 316-350-2810 / Fax: 316-722-5020
STEAM Lab News
Reminder:
Please consider us before tossing out your gently used and recyclable items. We can put those items to good use in the name of learning! Ex: small toys, games, building materials, bubble wrap, rocks, art supplies just to name a few. Students can bring in items and place in the donation tub outside the STEAM lab.
Check out our Amazon Wishlist!
PTO News
Become a PTO member/volunteer - it's FREE! If you are interested in supporting our students and staff, please complete the online PTO Volunteer Enrollment Form or you may email the Vermillion Elementary PTO at vermillionpto@hotmail.com.
PTO is looking for assistance for several of our annual fund raising committees. If you are interested please contact PTO at vermillionpto@hotmail.com.
Upcoming PTO Event Information
On January 13, 2023 Vermillion PTO hosted the 6th Annual Family Bingo Night with Raffle Baskets. Eighty-eight families participated in the evening, with 390 players. Families enjoyed 10 rounds of bingo, along with pizza, and snacks, and had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of thirty five raffle baskets. Thanks to your help and the generosity of those listed below, we were able to raise over $2,500 that will be used to help support the students and staff at Vermillion. Thank you to those that joined us for the evening!
A very special thank you to all our donors of raffle baskets and bingo prizes, parent and teacher volunteers, bingo and raffle committee members, Mrs. Nash, Mr. Dome, Mr. Christensen, Officer Gabel, and Tony Hansard.
Our generous donors are listed below. We hope you will tell them “thank you” next time you see them or visit their businesses!
Donors:
Kendra Scott, Dave and Buster's, Casey's, Carriage Crossing, Color Me Mine, Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Exploration Place, The Alley, Texas Roadhouse, Paint the Towne, McAlister's Deli, Botanica, Wichita Art Museum, Kid to Kid, Andy's Frozen Custard, Carousel Skate Center, Aviate, Fidelity Bank, Chick-fil-A, Wichita Thunder, Tanganyika, Trader Joe's, Rib Crib, Costco, Iseman Photography, Chicken and Pickle, Amanda Wen, Rock River Rapids, Fit Physique Fitness Center, and Patton Pest Control.
In preparation for next year’s Family Bingo Night, we invite anyone who has unused/leftover holiday gifts, baskets, bows, filler items that could be used in raffle baskets to turn them in to the school office. We greatly appreciate your support!
Walk-a-thon cause funding recently purchased a Chameleon Character prize vending machine! You can see pictures of this on our PTO Facebook page. We have finished up purchases for our nurses and counselors and are working on our playground enhancements! We can’t wait for spring! Thank you for all your support!
PTO Newsletter
Be sure to check out the February PTO Newsletter which will give more information about our February 6 Pizza Ranch Spirit Night, February 9 Parent Teacher Conference Meal sign-up and store, and the February 15 Carousel Skate Night! February is going to be awesome!
PTO can be reached at:
- Email: vermillionpto@hotmail.com
- Facebook: Maize Vermillion Elementary School PTO
- Website: maizevermillionelementarypto.com
*Be sure to tag all the fun you are having at VES with #VES