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Madison Memo

November 2024

Madison MemoNovember 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear Madison Families,

As we wrap up the first quarter, there is so much to celebrate! Our students and staff have found their rhythm, and every day we are seeing progress. Thank you for your help and support!

In the second quarter, we are focusing on respect. Fostering respect both at home and in school is essential for creating a positive and supportive environment. Here are a few ways we can encourage respect in both settings:


At School:

  1. Model Respectful Behavior: Teachers and staff can set the tone by treating students and each other with kindness and respect. This sets a clear example for students to follow.

  2. Create Clear Expectations: Remind students of the importance of respecting others’ feelings, opinions, and property. Reinforce this daily through classroom discussions and activities.

  3. Promote Active Listening: Encourage students to listen attentively when others are speaking, whether it's during class discussions, group work, or conversations with peers.

  4. Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate acts of respect by acknowledging them publicly. Highlight respectful behaviors during morning announcements or in classroom celebrations.

  5. Conflict Resolution Skills: Teach students how to resolve disagreements respectfully by expressing their feelings calmly and listening to the other person's perspective.


At Home:

  1. Lead by Example: Show your children what respect looks like through your own actions, whether it’s being polite to others, valuing differences, or using respectful language.

  2. Encourage Empathy: Help children understand how others feel by encouraging them to put themselves in others' shoes. This nurtures compassion and respect for different perspectives.

  3. Set Boundaries and Expectations: Clearly communicate family rules about respect – such as using kind words, taking turns, and respecting personal space.

  4. Teach Responsibility: Help your child understand the value of respecting personal and shared belongings by involving them in household tasks and reinforcing their role in taking care of things.

  5. Praise Respectful Behavior: Acknowledge and praise your child when they demonstrate respect at home. Reinforcing positive behaviors encourages them to keep it up!


By working together, both at home and in school, we can create a culture of respect that will help our students grow into compassionate and considerate individuals. Respect is a skill they’ll carry with them for a lifetime!


November also invites us to reflect on all the blessings we have, and the ways we can share them with others. With Thanksgiving around the corner, kindness and gratitude are at the heart of our thoughts. Let’s challenge ourselves to keep these feelings alive all year, spreading kindness wherever we go. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or making it a family tradition to reflect on the positives of each day. Maybe even surprise someone with a random act of kindness – a small gesture could make a big difference in someone’s day!


Together, we can make the world a better place for all. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!


Warmly,
~Mrs. Eichmeier

Dates to Remember

  • Sunday, November 3rd - Daylight Savings Time Ends
  • Monday, November 4th - No school; Staff Development
  • Tuesday, November 12th - Book Fair in the Madison Library 3:10p-3:40p
  • Wednesday, November 13th - Book Fair in the Madison Library 3:10p-3:40p
  • Thursday, November 14th - Book Fair in the Madison Library 8a-6:45p
  • Thursday, November 14th - No school; Parent/Teacher Conferences 8a-7p
  • Friday, November 15th - No school for staff or students
  • Wednesday, November 27th - Dismissal at 11:30am
  • Thursday, November 28th - Friday, November 29th - No school

Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin

Parents and caregivers,


As part of our school safety efforts, the Manitowoc Public School District continues to use the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT confidential tip line. Tiplines are used to identify threats to schools, and for concerns impacting school age youth such as bullying, drug use, suicidal thoughts and more. Schools that promote and use tiplines have less violence overall. The SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO) tipline is run by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety.


It’s time to break the code of silence. Who knows more about what’s going on, in or out of school, than students themselves? Individually and collectively, students play an essential role in keeping our schools safe. Caregivers can support school safety efforts by helping children understand the clear difference between tattling or “snitching” and disclosing concerning information to a trusted adult to keep themselves and their classmates safe. The SUSO threat reporting system aims to empower students to share their concerns safely and confidentially without fear of retaliation. We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of letting a trusted adult know when someone is struggling or demonstrating behaviors of concern. Early reporting of concerns prevents violence and allows us to provide interventions and support to the child that is struggling.


The SUSO threat reporting system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is free to all. Students, parents, school staff and community members can submit information about a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app (Android and iOS), visiting speakup.widoj.gov, by calling 1-800-MYSUSO-1, or by texting “SUSO” to 738477. SUSO Resource Center staff respond to reports and deploy a local response by communicating directly with school administrators; school counselors, psychologists, and social workers; and at times, law enforcement partners.


To learn more about the SUSO Resource Center and how to report safety concerns, visit speakup.widoj.gov or find them on social media @speakupwi.


Sincerely,

Manitowoc Public School District Administration

The Reading Corner

Read & Respond

★ What is it?

Your child’s reading homework


★ What is the goal?

Reading to an adult or independently for 20 minutes each night. Students then think about what they have read


★ What should your child read?

Any material that is on your child’s reading level and that he or she is interested in.


★ What should the listener do?

LISTEN! Also, give praise for a job well done. Sign the Read and Respond form, and make sure it is returned each evening


★ Why do Read and Respond?

Children need to practice reading and feel good about being a reader. This practice will help your child become a strong reader

Staff Spotlight of the Week - Mrs. Angela Blashka

Position: Special Education Teacher


How many years have you been in the district: 3


Favorite food: Italian


Favorite color(s): Green, grey, and black


Favorite quote: "Make each day your masterpiece" - John Wooden


Favorite book(s): Jodi Picoult Books


Hobbies: cooking, being with family, traveling


Fun fact about yourself: My parents owned a supper club while growing up. We lived right above it when I was a child.

PTO News

Mark Your Calendars!

  • Family Ice Skating Night at Expo Center – November 8th at 6:30-8:30pm
  • Scholastic Book Fair – Tuesday, November 12th and Wednesday, November 13th from 3:10p-3:40p, and Thursday, November 14th from 8:00a-6:45p in the Madison Library.

Nursing News

Fun Facts About November

  • November 2 is Election Day (U.S.). Don’t forget to vote in state and federal elections! Every vote counts.
  • November is the 11th month of the year and the last month of the Fall season
  • In the Roman calendar, November was the ninth month until January and February were added, causing it to move to the 11th month
  • November got its name from “novem” which is Latin for the number nine.
  • November 11 is Veterans Day (U.S.) and Remembrance Day (Canada).
  • November’s full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. Why this name? In the Colonial Era, this was the month to set one’s beaver traps before the swamps froze and beavers retired to their lodges, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs
Dani Delsman
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