Madrona Family Memo
Our Wild Cat Motto: Be Responsible, Be Respectful!
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Dear Madrona Families,
Our students' safety and well-being are essential to upholding a safe and supported learning environment where all students can learn and thrive. This afternoon, I sent a Madrona Middle School Family and Community Alert. We are grateful to the caring students and families who contacted us to share their concerns.
The middle school years are when students need the most social-emotional support, and programs such as the Torrance Unified adopted Second Step Program, presented by our school counselor, Ms. Lujan, student access to our school-based therapist, Mr. Thomas, and clubs like the Friendship Club help build student competencies in self-control, managing feelings, and interpersonal problem-solving—skills related to executive functions that are important for success in high school and beyond. Additionally, in middle school, students begin to understand the importance of a growth mindset and self-efficacy as they gain a greater sense of boundaries, self-awareness, and others around them.
Your ongoing partnership and support of your student's academic and social-emotional development and resiliency are greatly appreciated.
With kind regards,
Sue Key, Ed.D., Proud Principal
Madrona Middle School
Be sure to scroll through and open the Smore link to view our weekly updates, ensuring you stay informed about the latest happenings at Madrona Middle School.
Madrona students are encouraged to confidentially report concerns directly to Madrona Principal Dr. Key, Assistant Principal Schiappa-Gobee, Counselor Ms. Lujan, School Therapist Mr. Thomas, or any trusted adult on campus.
We'd also like to remind students and families that the SaySomething Anonymous Reporting System is available for students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as a resource to confidentially report concerns related to the safety of themselves and other students. A link to the SaySomething resource is available on the front page of our website and every Madrona classroom has a poster with QR code which links directly to the reporting website.
The Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) adoption of the Sandy Hook Promise SaySomething Anonymous Reporting System has supported student safety throughout our district. All SaySomething submissions are screened for credibility and routed to the proper authorities.
We are grateful for TUSD's investment in this valuable resource which has helped us ensure a safe campus and learning environment for Madrona students.
Shout-out to our Madrona Soccer Players for tough games against Bert Lynn this past Thursday! Boys tied and Girls lost against Bert Lynn. Another Shout-out to Coach Amadio and Coach Lujan for coaching our Girls' and Boys' Soccer Teams in their first game. Join us for the next home game, which will be against Richardson. Go Wildcats!
Madrona Girls and Boys Soccer Schedule
Games are at 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm unless specified Girls and Boys alternate game order
- 9/26 vs Jefferson MS (Madrona home field - Girls first)
- 10/3 vs Richardson MS (Madrona home field - Boys first)
- 10/10 vs Casimir MS (away game at Casimir - Girls First)
- 10/17 vs Hull MS (location THS Zamperini Field at 6 pm - Boys First)
Athletic Clearance Packet & Physical Form
Student athletes must complete an athletic packet and have a physical prior to participation on an athletic team representing our school.
TUSD Middle School Athletics Packet
UPLOAD COMPLETED ATHLETIC PACKETS & ALL FORMS HERE
If your student does NOT intend to participate in Athletics next school year, then there is NO need requirement for the physical exam or any associated athletic paperwork to complete.
- Congratulations to my Super Science Students who scored 100% on both of their Lab Tools Quizzes. Soraya Ehsan, Miwa Nagase, Ray Nago, Audrey Ondatje, Wylliam Brazil, Aviana Evans, and Lillian Norgren. Great job!!! ~ Mrs. Miskimen
- Midori Yanone - thank you for helping out your classmates in Science! That kindness is appreciated. ! Mr. Freitas
- Arianna G for always leading great table group discussions during Do Now time! ~ Mr W
- All the soccer players (and their parents!) for getting their athletic clearance paperwork turned in! ~Mr W
- Miskimen's fastest mile times for the first week: Hako Ono (7:10) Tatum Salinas (7:30), Kayden Wall ( 7:31), Abby McCulloch )7:35), Reyli Anguiano (7:50), and Gavin Spangenberg (8:20), Henry Kim (8:21) Himeka Rokugawa (8:28) Midori Yanone (8:30) and JD Gerszewski (8:30) . Great job. Keep it up!
- Mrs. Fisher would like to thank Lori Cohen, Hannah Lavi, Mia Lopez and Lorenzo Rendon for their positive attitude and effort during Tutorial Thursday!
- Helen Mikael - Helping a student pick up their binder papers afterschool whose binder had fallen and everything had spilled out onto the ground. Thank you for helping without being asked!
- Great job girls and boys soccer team on their hard fought games against Bert Lynn!
- Thank you again , Hannah Lavi for welcoming a new student on campus that has some things in common with you! You really made her day to know that someone cared!! ~ Mrs. Brown
- Julian Sekiya for being willing to read aloud when others are reluctant in class. ~ Mrs. Brown
- Lorenzo Rendon for being willing to be understanding of a student who does not readily communicate with others. ~ Mrs. Brown
- Madelyn Gonzalez for being willing to share with a student during class this week what you had written. ~ Mrs. Brown
- Shout out to all the Art Club students who attended this year's first meeting! I look forward to seeing what you create this year! Additional shout out to Riot Mills, Elle Barns, Reagan Ryan, Damian Thompson, and Holland Hess for outstanding citizenship and participation in period 1 ELA. You make our class better! Thank you! ~ Mr. H.
- HUGE SHOUT OUT TO: Rachel Reyes for purchasing items from our Madrona Amazon Wish List for School Supplies! IT REALLY HELPS OUT OUR SCHOOL! ~ Ms. Janet in the Principal's Office
Madrona Math Homework Club will begin this Monday, September 23. This club is for students who want a quiet space afterschool to do math homework and get help from the supervising math teacher or peer tutors. Students will need to check in and check-out every session.
UPDATE! After School Math Homework Club has been adjusted to be open to all Math Content Levels- 3:30-4:30 pm ( three day a week, Monday-Wednesday)
- Mondays (Room 14 w/Math Teacher Mrs Bloomfield)
- Tuesdays (Room 9 w/Math Teacher Ms. Fu)
- Wednesdays (Room 6 w/Math Teacher Ms. Wulpern)
Use the PowerSchool App to Monitor Student Progress!
PowerSchool & PowerSchool app - Download and use the PowerSchool smartphone app to monitor your student's grades and attendance. Enable in-app alerts to receive real-time information on your student's progress. Android | Apple. The district code is TCXN. Students will need to use their student ID # and password to login. Families will need to use their PowerSchool login credentials.
Mental Wellness - School Counseling Referral Form
Anyone (student, staff, parent/guardian) can fill this out our Google Form to refer a student for counseling. Referrals will be prioritized by the level of urgency and responded to as soon as possible.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀/𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀
NOTE: All referrals are first sent to Ms. Lujan, School Counselor. The school counselor may refer the student to our school therapist, Darren Thomas. In either case, counseling is an optional service and completely confidential, unless there is a safety risk at-hand.
If this is an 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 and you do not have immediate access to the counselor, please call 911 and/or contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988.
Metro GoPass Program Continues for 2024-25 School Year
Our Board of Education voted to extend the free Metro GoPass program for a second year, and we are proud to offer this benefit to all our students. The program includes a Metro TAP (Transit Access Pass) card that offers FREE unlimited rides on Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) bus rail and subway lines, including Torrance Transit, Long Beach Transit, Culver CityBus, Gardena Transit (GTrans) and LADOT Dash.
If your student has a TAP card from last year, you will just need a new code, which you can pick up from our school office. We also have a stock of TAP cards for new riders or those who lost their old cards. New cards will need to be activated before being used. For more information, visit https://www.tusd.org/administrative-services/metro-gopass.
Join Us on Sunday 10/20 For the Skechers Walk!
Students and families, this year we currently have 2 Madrona Teams (see below) participating in the Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. Let's ignite our school spirit by joining 1 or BOTH of our Madrona School Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Teams!!! Remember you don't have to actually do the walking you can also join the teams as Virtual Walkers!!!
Madrona Wildcats!' Team
This fundraiser aims to support the Friendship Foundation and enhance our school. We aim to update our Cafeteria/Multi-purpose Room audio/visual system, which is frequently used for family meetings and student assemblies. We currently use an older model projector stationed on a rolling cart connected by multiple cables and power cords. If you have sat in one of our presentations before, you'll notice that this unit may hinder the view of school presentations.
- The Madrona Wildcats! Team fundraising goal of $18,000 is ambitious, but with your support, we can achieve it. This amount will cover the cost of purchasing and installing a new projector screen, ceiling-mounted digital projection system with a wireless connection, state-of-the-art speakers, mixer, equipment rackmounts, security cage, and ceiling-mounted drop-down microphone system for Drama class stage productions. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. Another goal is to have our cafeteria repainted with our new logo incorporated into a unique and eye-catching design, a project that we can all be proud of.
Madrona Leadership Team
We will be walking in the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk to help make a difference! This important event is organized to raise funds for Madrona Middle School's Leadership students. Our fundraising goal is $2,700 and our students will be using this money to organize our Spring Dance, purchasing birthday gifts for EVERY Wildcat and teachers, equipment and supplies for our assemblies, spirit supplies, and helping to keep our campus beautiful. Thank you for considering us as you donate. We are so grateful for your support!
This year we are hoping to raise $40,000 to go towards the purchase of music, instruments, sound equipment and field trips.
As the South Bay's Best Public Middle School, we have a reputation to uphold. This event is not just a fundraiser; it's a chance for us to come together, show our pride, and make a difference at Madrona Middle School. Let's show everyone why we are THE BEST by signing up to attend and participate in this exciting event!
We hope to see you walking with family and friends at the Skechers Walk on Sunday, October 20!
Shop at Ralphs and Support Us All Year Round!
Sign up for Ralphs Community Contribution Program ad NO added cost to you. Use Madrona's Organization ID UF902. Click here The program requires registration each September to stay active!
Madrona Middle School was voted the Best Public Middle School in the 2024 Daily Breeze/Beach Reporter South Bay Best Readers' Choice survey! Thank you to our families who voted for us. This recognition is a testament to the supportive and safe learning environment created through the collaborative effort of our student body, staff, and families.
The Daily Breeze / Beach Reporter published its annual Readers Choice Awards - link to the webpage and insert: https://dailybreeze.readerschoice.la/2024-south-bays-rc-on-issuu-com/