News From The Nest🦅

As we turn the calendar page to March, we are stepping into a month filled with the promise of new beginnings, growth, and many exciting celebrations and experiences here at MES! March marks a special time of transition and transformation. With the beginning of spring just around the corner, we're thrilled with the expectation of warmer weather, longer days, more sunshine and the reemergence of greenery all around us! It's also the month where we celebrate reading, music and the many achievements of women throughout history, so be on the lookout for upcoming special events and activities!

March 1-National Reading Month, Music Month & Woman's History Month Begins

March 3-7 MES Book Fair

March 3-MDPS Board Meeting 6:00pm at MHS

March 5-Spring Picture Day!

March 6-Moblie Optometry

March 9-Daylight Savings Time

March 17-St. Patrick's Day

March 19-Literacy Day @ MES

March 24-28-NO SCHOOL-SPRING BREAK!

March 31-School Resumes

This month is dedicated to promoting literacy and fostering a culture of reading both at school and at home. Research consistently shows that regular reading not only enhances academic performance but also stimulates imagination, builds vocabulary, and cultivates empathy and understanding. Therefore, we're committed to providing our students with enriching experiences that ignite their passion for books and stories. Throughout March, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting activities and events designed to inspire their love for reading like "One School, One Book", the book fair, guest readers, assemblies and so much more! We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential in nurturing a lifelong love for reading in our children. Therefore, we encourage you to join us in celebrating March Reading Month by incorporating reading into your daily routine at home. Whether it's sharing bedtime stories, visiting the local library, or discussing books over dinner, every moment spent reading together strengthens your child's literacy skills and cultivates a deeper appreciation for the written word.

To celebrate that March is reading month, we are super excited to all participate in reading the same book, "A Whole New Ball Game"! Every family should have received one copy of the book and stickers, along with a calendar and a bookmark to log your reading over the next few weeks. We hope you can make some time to read because every student who returns their completed bookmark by Monday, March 31st, will earn a voucher for a free ticket to enjoy a baseball game at Jimmy John's Field and/or a student ticket to a Michigan Panthers football game at Ford Field! Parents and family members will receive discounted ticket options for helping their child meet their reading goal. More specific information and game details will be shared with everyone who returns their bookmark by March 31st! Happy reading!

The Scholastic Book Fair has arrived at our school and will run from Monday, March 3rd-Friday, March 7th to ensure that all students have an opportunity to shop! Each class has been given a scheduled time to visit so contact your child's teacher to find out when they should be prepared to shop and purchase books!

Our Book Blast event has just a few days left, and the response we’ve had is AMAZING! Thank You!

Already registered? Ensure you have sent at least 10 invitations, so your student qualifies for their prizes and are entered into our drawings!

https://app.booksarefun.com/MadisonHeightsSchs

Not registered? There’s still time to get in on the fun, earn books for your student, and have a chance to win a Treasure Chest stuffed with cash. Click the secure link above or the button below and invite at least 10 people who you think would want to help build your student(s) home library.

Remember, 100% of all contributions stay with the school in the form of books for our students, books for our school, and classroom supplies for our teachers.

Check out this fun activity at the Madison Public Library on March 13th! Use the button below to register!

March is also National Women’s History Month which is a month-long celebration of women’s contributions to our country and culture that have often been overlooked. The actual celebration of grew out of a week-long acknowledgement of these various contributions to our culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to last for the entire month. In honor and recognition of Women’s History Month, at MES we will be sharing stories of amazing women leaders throughout history that highlight their diligence and dedication to making our world a better place!

Spring Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, March 5th! Lifetouch School Photography will take our school photos again this year. You can place your order on mylifetouch.com before Picture Day, using the Picture Day ID: EVTVNM3KQ

For more information about Picture Day visit: https://schools.lifetouch.com/for-your-families/

Parents, get ready for our Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser! Be on the lookout for specific details on how to set up your own Pop-Up Shop or support our school by promoting and purchasing from our fundraiser. Double Good makes it super easy—there’s no handling of money or products! All sales are done online, and the delicious popcorn is shipped directly to customers, so all you have to do is share the link with family and friends. Stay tuned for more information on how you can help support our school! 🎉💜💛

Starting soon, MES will again have Girls On the Run and PACE teams that offer students in grades 3-5 (NO EXCEPTIONS!) an opportunity to build teamwork and communication skills through fun team challenges, all while discussing topics that kids face today. Through these interactive games and activities, students will explore important life topics, while participating in fitness and basic movement activities that will help them build stamina and confidence. This is a commitment! There are physical aspects to every session, so only join if you are willing to give 100% effort to being an active participant! Both teams will meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from 3:30-4:45. Students must be picked up at 4:45 to attend. All sessions will begin with practice on Wednesday, March 12th, and end with with a 5K Celebration Run on Sunday, May 18th at Lake St. Clair Metropark. All participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Healthy snacks will be provided, but your student is welcome to bring one of their own.

Thanks to local sponsors and donors (along with our school fundraisers and PTO support), students can participate for just $25. Payment plans are available if needed. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE REGISTRATION, IT WILL CHANGE THE AMOUNT BEFORE COMPLETION. If you have any complications with registering, call (248) 547-0030. More information specific to each team, along with the link to register can be found below. Click on the corresponding picture or button to register your student for the desired team.

Spring will be here before we know it, so we're looking for students who want to help MES get in full bloom! Mr. Fleming, Ms. Collins and Ms. Lisa (from 4-H) will start meeting with our Garden Club the first week in April and their looking for members. All grades are welcome to apply and it is free. You don't have to have a green thumb, just a willing heart! Garden Club will meet after school from 3:30-4:30 on the dates listed on the flyer below. Transportation will not be provided. Click on the link, flyer or button below to register your student!

You can register your child at www.4honline.com
It will ask you to create a free account (family). You'll put your child's name and then create an emergency contact list.

As we move into the second half of the school year, previous background checks have now expired. If you are interested in chaperoning field trips, volunteering in the classroom in any capacity, or even entering the hallways or classrooms while school is in session, you must have a valid background check on file here at the school. Use the button below to access the form that must be submitted electronically, along with a copy of your ID. Please plan accordingly to allow for at least 7-10 business days for the return of your results. Thanks you for helping us keep our students safe!

Please be mindful that dismissal is at 3:25 daily! Our staff is often involved in afterschool activities, meetings and other commitments that prevent them from being able to supervise students at the end of the day. With construction and bad weather, traffic can be heavy around this time, so please allow yourself adequate travel time so you can be here to greet your child when they exit the building. If you are in need of before or after school care, the Learning Tree school-age child care program is available at the Early Childhood Center for a small nominal fee. Students are bused to and from Learning Tree to MES. For more information contact Lisa DiGuilio at 248-543-5465 or click the link below to register. If there will be a change in your child's transportation home, please contact the main office by 2:00 so we have ample time to communicate changes with the teacher.

As we move through this season with fluctuating changes in temperature, we often see an increase in illnesses among students. To help keep everyone healthy and safe, we wanted to remind you of our sick and return policy. Please take a moment to review the graphic below for guidelines on when to keep your child home and when they can safely return to school.

Thank you for helping us create a healthy learning environment for all!

We are still looking for new members to join forces with our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)! Last year, a small group of dedicated parents stepped up to rebuild and rebrand the PTO, laying a strong foundation for its success. As our school community grows, we are inviting and strongly encouraging more parents to get involved and collaborate with our current members to provide additional support and resources for our students and staff.

Right now, the PTO is primarily made up of teachers, and while we greatly appreciate their dedication, we would love to have more parents involved! Your voice, ideas, and participation are essential to making the PTO as effective as possible.

Additionally, the PTO is in need of new leadership, as our most recent president has moved. Along with leadership roles, we are also looking for thought partners who can bring fresh ideas and energy to the team.

To make participation easier, meetings are offered virtually, and we are exploring the possibility of child care for in-person gatherings if needed.

If you're interested in helping, have questions, or want to share your ideas, please contact the main office or reach out to the PTO directly at madisonschoolspto@gmail.com.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our school community! 💜💛

Tra' Shona Ward stands out as someone truly special. Her kindness, dedication, and leadership make a lasting impact on our school community every single day. Tra' Shona is the kind of student every teacher hopes for—she is not only academically driven, but she approaches every task with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm. Whether tackling a challenging assignment or lending a hand to a friend, she does so with a warm smile and an open heart. She takes initiative, is always on top of her work, and serves as a role model for her peers. She is a consistent helper in the classroom, anticipating what needs to be done before she is even asked. One of the most inspiring things about Tra' Shona is her deep sense of compassion. When she noticed a classmate struggling to speak English, she didn’t just offer support—she started learning Spanish at home so she could better communicate with him. That level of empathy and dedication to others is something truly rare and remarkable. She never shies away from a challenge, whether it's pushing herself academically or finding ways to make those around her feel included and valued. Tra’ Shona embodies everything we strive to instill in our students—kindness, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

Keandre, better known as AJ, has had a superstar personality since he first walked through the doors of Madison schools! His kind, sweet, and loving nature makes him a joy to be around, and his enthusiasm for learning is truly inspiring. He strives to do his best each and every day, and his hard work and dedication have led to his recent reading achievements—he has become a master reader!

AJ’s excitement for learning shines through in everything he does. He eagerly engages with new ideas and challenges, always pushing himself to grow. His love for books and stories fuels his imagination, and he often brings those stories to life in creative ways.

Beyond academics, AJ is a wonderful friend who enjoys interacting with his classmates. His playful and comical side keeps those around him smiling, and he has a special talent for making others laugh. And, of course, he remains Sonic the Hedgehog’s number one fan! He can quote countless lines from the movies and has even created his own Sonic episodes during play.

Keep up the amazing work, AJ! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see all the great things you will continue to accomplish. 🚀✨

We are thrilled to recognize Rasha Essa as our Employee of the Month for March!

Rasha joined us this year as an ESL paraprofessional, but she has seamlessly become a part of our staff and culture—you would never guess this is her first year with us. She brings with her a Child Development Associate degree and five years of experience from her time at the Madison Early Childhood Center. Outside of work, Rasha enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and listening to music. Some of her favorite things include tea and ice cream, and her favorite colors are purple and black.

Rasha exemplifies ethical behavior in every aspect of her work. She is truthful, fair, and honest, always acting with integrity in her interactions with both students and colleagues. She respects the rights, dignity, and diversity of every individual, ensuring that all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed in their classrooms. She upholds the highest moral standards of professionalism, consistently demonstrating compassion, honesty, and loyalty in her role.

Rasha’s flexibility and willingness to assist in any capacity make her an invaluable team member. Whether working directly with students or stepping in to help wherever needed, she always puts the needs of others first. Her sweet and pleasant demeanor brings warmth to those around her, and her ever-present smile makes her a joy to work with.

Congratulations, Rasha! We appreciate all that you do for our students and our school community.

At the end of each month, we celebrate selected students who have consistently exemplified the CKH character trait focus for that particular month. Our focus characteristic for February was "kindness". Click the link below to help us celebrate the students who were recognized for their willingness and ability to express care and compassion for others.

Courage is the ability and strength to face something that may be difficult or challenging. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather perseverance in the presence of fear and the willingness to stand up for what is right or to try something new even though it may be uncomfortable or uncertain.

Why focus on Courage?

• Courage encourages engagement. Courage helps students raise their hand, participate, try new things, and voice their opinions.
• Courage builds self-confidence. Courage is the choice to act. By doing something, students increase their belief in themselves and their ability to do difficult or challenging things.
• Courage can help reframe a negative. When something does not go as planned or a student gets upset about a mistake or failure, courage can help reframe the event in a positive light.

We are pleased to offer a free and confidential website for Madison families called ParentGuidance.org. This site was developed by licensed therapists to provide trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents, to learn how to support your child. Parents can also get answers to mental health questions, regarding specifics such as anxiety, depression, self-worth, grief and loss, suicide ideation, self-harm, bullying, family strife and other mental health concerns. One popular course you may want to explore is “Parenting with a Purpose.” There are over 50 e-courses, free to families, led by licensed therapists as well as an "ask-a-therapist" section on the website. The courses within ParentGuidance.org will provide you with tools to form stronger bonds with your children.

In addition to the free website, our district is offering Parent Coaching to all families within the

district. Parent Coaching is a confidential service provided to parents and families. If you or your

family is in need of extra support, go to ParentGuidance.org, select “Parent Coaching” and select "Register for Coaching" to get started or use the QR code on the flyer above. A coach can meet with you as often as weekly for a 30-minute session to discuss your concerns or needs. You will also be able to message your coach if other concerns arise before your next scheduled meeting. For more information about the coaching process, click the links below:

● Coaching for Parents

●How Does Coaching Work

Click the button below or look for the ParentGuidance.org logo on our homepage to access this free service available to all families within our district.

We are all on the same team, working toward the same goals! Thank you for trusting us with your students and allowing us to be a part of their educational journey. We look forward to continuing this partnership, consistently celebrating their growth and working together for their success!

Felecia Hemingway, Principal

Tung Tran, Assistant Principal

Email: felecia.hemingway@madisondistrict.org
Website: https://es.madisondistrict.org/
Location: 27107 Hales Street, Madison Heights, MI, USA
Phone: 248-542-3414