Community Bulletin Board

Effective Sept. 17, 2024, Maize USD 266 is implementing guidelines regarding the distribution of coupons, promotions, and freebies to students. While we greatly appreciate the generosity of our businesses and community partners, this ensures a strategic and equitable approach to distribution.

New practice
Starting Sept. 17, 2024, items such as coupons, promotions, and freebies that businesses donated to the district will not be distributed directly to each student. Instead, these items will be shared with school counselors and administrators for potential use as rewards and recognition for students in character programs, achievement awards, and other special recognitions.

Why the change?
Our goal is to ensure that student achievements and positive behaviors are meaningfully recognized through thoughtful distribution of these items. This approach promotes fairness and equity while minimizing classroom disruptions. The district frequently receives unexpected donations and requests for widespread distribution of paper offers, but this new practice aligns with existing flyer practices, which limits direct distribution of paper materials to students.

What this means for donors:

• Drop-off process: You may continue to drop off items at the district office or school offices. These items will be directed to school counselors or administrators for review and consideration for student recognition programs. Please include a contact name, email address, and phone number.
• Use of items: The donated items will be used at the discretion of each school for character awards, student achievements, or other special recognition programs. Items will no longer be handed out to every student.
• Targeted impact: This new approach allows us to ensure your donations are used in ways that most benefit students, while recognizing outstanding behavior and achievements.
• We value your partnership and ongoing support of Maize USD 266 students. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Executive Director of Communications Lori O’Toole Buselt at lbuselt@usd266.com. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us recognize the incredible character and achievements of our students!

Employee Promotions Advertisement Guidelines in Maize USD 266

Effective Oct. 1, 2024, Maize USD 266 is implementing guidelines regarding the distribution of promotions to employees. While we greatly appreciate the generosity of our businesses and community partners, this ensures a strategic and equitable approach to distribution.

New practice

Starting Oct. 1, 2024, promotions, coupons, offers, etc. that businesses provide exclusively for educators or district employees will not be emailed directly to each employee. Instead, these promotions will be shared via an online employee bulletin board, which will be promoted in our employee e-newsletter, distributed about once a month. (For internal use only: Click here to access the Special Offers/Promos for Maize USD 266 Employees.)

Why the change?

Regarding employees: We sincerely appreciate your support of Maize USD 266 employees! The district often receives generous donations and promotional requests, and this new approach better serves our educators by aligning with the district’s strategic plan to streamline communications and regular processes. This practice also reduces workday interruptions and centralizes all promotions, making them easily accessible for our employees.

Regarding partners: To maintain the integrity and value of our Superintendent’s Circle Sponsors, the district does not distribute promotional emails on behalf of businesses that are not part of this exclusive group. We encourage businesses interested in gaining this additional visibility to consider becoming a Superintendent's Circle Sponsor and enjoy a range of unique benefits, which include direct communication opportunities with district employees.

You may request inclusion in the Special Offers/Promos for Maize USD 266 Employees by providing the following information to Emi Simmons, Director of Community Relations and Maize Education Foundation, at esimmons@usd266.com:

• Two to three sentences about the promotion
• An accompanying graphic, no larger than 940 x 940 pixels or 6.5 x 6.5 inches.
• Contact name, phone number, and email address.
• Dates of the promotion.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Director of Community Relations and Maize Education Foundation Emi Simmons at esimmons@usd266.com. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us recognize the hard work and dedication of Maize USD 266 employees!

Maize USD 266 reserves the right to decline posting about your promotion for any reason. While we are eager to promote initiatives that benefit all educators, priority will be given to promotions specifically targeting Maize USD 266 educators.