Madrona Family Memo

Greetings and Happy Saturday, Madrona Families!

Thank you to all of the families who attended the Winter Concert last night! Our band and guitar musicians, and show choir singers and dancers delivered outstanding performances. Bravo!

This Thursday 2/6 (5-7 pm) is our Madrona PTSA hosted PAL'entines Dance. Students are encouraged to "dress in their best red and black!" Please see flier below for the link to the parent/guardian permission slip and to purchase tickets. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Madrona PTSA hosted school events, programs, and community efforts. Would you like to chaperone the dance? A parent volunteer sign-up form is included in the link.

Please note that all TUSD students have the following three days off this month:

• this Friday, 2/7 - Student-Free/No School due to Staff Professional Development
• next Monday, 2/10 Lincoln Holiday/No School
• the following Monday, 2/17 - President's Holiday /No School

Important Updates!

• FOR ALL STUDENTS - The last day to order a 2024-25 Madrona School YEARBOOK is TODAY 2/1! Please see the flier below. Note: Yearbooks will not be available for purchase after today.
  
• 8th-grade FAMILIES - Here is the link to the much anticipated 24-25 Madrona 8th grade Important Dates Calendar, which includes Torrance High School welcome events, transition meeting info and 8th-grade promotion details.

Have a wonderful weekend! Go Wildcats!

Sue Key, Ed.D., Proud Principal

Madrona Middle School

Madrona's PTSA is seeking interested volunteers to serve on our board for the 2025-2026 school year. Serving on the board is a great way to learn more about the school and the programs that the PTA offers, as well as give back to the teachers, students, and community. If you are interested or have someone in mind that would be a great fit for a board position, please fill out this google form straw ballot to help the nominating committee build the election slate.

Please submit the form by this Monday, February 3rd. https://forms.gle/YvpE2uNoWKTdn4PX6

Have family and friends who are interested in having their student enroll at Madrona next year? Missed the meeting last week? We are holding another 2025-26 Incoming 6th-grade Preview Meeting this Tuesday, February 4 - 5:30 pm via Zoom.

We will also be holding our Annual Incoming 6th-grade Family Welcome informational meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2025, 6pm, in our GYM.

are reflected in Madrona students as they grow in their ability to demonstrate academic literacies and continuous pursuit of interdisciplinary knowledge, welcoming challenges as pathways to growth, and craft solutions by leveraging innovative ideas, critical thinking skills, evidence-based insights, technology, and diverse perspectives -TUSD Portrait of A Graduate!

This week, students in Mr. Freitas' Science classes started a chemistry unit, exploring the periodic table of elements and learning to identify elements by name.

Mr. Heussenstamm's English 8 students created graphical analyses of The Two Worlds of Charlie Gordon. Charlie is the protagonist of Flowers for Algernon, a science fiction book that explores themes of human intelligence.

Calling all students with a growth mindset! Come to Madrona Homework Club for a quiet space to complete homework and get help from the supervising math teacher or peer tutors. Students will need to check in and check-out every session. Sign-up HERE. The club is limited to 35 student per session.

The Club is open to all grade levels and for content support - 3:30-4:30 pm (three days a week, Monday-Wednesday).

• Mondays (in Room 14 w/Mrs. Bloomfield)
• Tuesdays (in Room 9 w/Ms. Fu)
• Wednesdays (in Room 6 w/Ms. Wulpern)

Reader of the week = Aidan Pham = 1,243 minutes

Top class for January = Dr. Torres P4 = 11,105 minutes

All readers = 284,731 minutes

are reflected in Madrona students as they grow in their ability to actively listen to understand others, seek common ground, and effectively articulate ideas, positions, and stories in ways that build strong interpersonal relationships and collaborations for mutual benefit -TUSD Portrait of A Graduate!

Students in Mrs. Ton's 7th-grade PLTW Computer Science Inventors/Makers App Creators class are wrapping up the second-level of their video game programs. They've been hard at work designing, coding, and troubleshooting their games, applying their skills in block-based programming to bring their creative ideas to life. From character movements to interactive challenges, each level of their game reflects their problem-solving abilities and innovation. Excitement is high as their peers test out their game and give feedback to their hard work.

are reflected in Madrona students as they grow in their ability have a positive influence of others with a style of leadership that models integrity, responsibility, resilience, empathy, and respect for others. -TUSD Portrait of A Graduate!

WINTER CONCERT!
Student leaders from Ms. Snider's Band & Show Choir, along with Mr. Freitas' Guitar students, shined as announcers between upbeat musical performances. Bravo to our talented musicians & singers/ dancers! What a fantastic way to kick off February with a Valentine’s theme, featuring love songs.

A heartfelt thank you to Music Teacher Ms. Snider and to Science Teacher Mr. Freitas (upright bass), Math/Science Teacher Mr. Khan (drums), and Student Supervision Assistant Mrs. Janet Shieh (piano) for their dedication to our students, attending rehearsals and accompanying student performances at the concert.

are reflected in Madrona students who prioritize self-care by developing healthy habits and life skills that ensure long-term physical mental, emotional, social, and financial well-being. -TUSD Portrait of A Graduate!

Girls' and Boys' Intramural Basketball games start in TWO weeks!

• 2/13 - Madrona at Casimir (Boys first)
• 2/20 - Madrona (home) vs Jefferson (Girls first)
• 2/27 - Madrona (home) vs Magruder (Boys first)
• 3/6 - Madrona at Calle (Girls first)
• 3/11 - Madrona vs Hull at THS/gym, 6 pm (Boys first)

Games are at 4:00pm/5:00 pm unless indicated

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.To try out for a team, you must have a 2.0 GPA or higher and no more than 1 U in citizenship the previous Quarter.

TUSD Middle School Athletics Packet | Upload Completed Forms Here

Cross Country

Run Club continues to meet weekly* on Wednesdays from 3:30 to ~3:50 pm on the blacktop for runs in the neighborhood. (*Check with Mr. Estefan, Room 22)

Our next competition - Spring Meet: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4PM, Hull Middle School

• Leana Gaytan - Huge shout out and thanks to you for being such a welcoming friend to our new students this past week. ~Ms. Schiappa-Gobee
• Alex Anguiano - Thank you for picking up other peoples trash, without being asked, during snack time. You are appreciated. ~Ms. Schiappa-Gobee
• Miskimen's Super Science Students who completed ALL 70 assignments from Quarter #2: Cash Abraham, Safwan Ali, Soraya Ehsan, Aria Gallegos, Simon Kakitani, Gregory Lagrimas, Calvin Licup, Aniela Magtalas, Ray Nango, Liam Nassif, Gavin Spangenberg, Camyrn Yuki, Anirudh Balakrishnan, Jack Conner, Aviana Evans, Caleb Garcia, Dawit Miller, and Celeste Saucedo. Great job. I'm super proud of you all!
• Miskimen's Science Students who scored 100% on their Weather and Climate Unit Test: Ben Chapman, Ryan Kim, Gregory Lagrimas, Kaspar May, Murilo Saraiva, Ray Nago, Audrey Ondatje, Aviana Evans, and Adam Sharza. Great job!
• Shout out to Anayeli and Calogero for helping some new students this week! Thank you to Kaden and Aoi for always being great helpers in the classroom. ~Ms. Fu
• Thank you to Emily C. Mika T., Ali K., Noah D., Noah W., Jennie L., Ben A., Ginny M., for helping to set up our sound equipment for our concert. You're awesome! Mrs. S.
• Amazing concert Guitar Class, Andante (Beg. Band), Vivace (Adv. Band) and Encore! (Show Choir). You are all amazing. I'm so proud of you and all of the hard work you have put in to make an amazing show possible! ~ Mrs. S.
• To all the students who showed good manners and respect while coming to the cafeteria and the snack cart, thank YOU for making our day! ~Cafeteria Staff

are reflected in Madrona students as they grow in their ability to passionately champion civic engagement and global citizenship, proactively contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and interconnected world through dedicated actions, advocacy, service, and environmental stewardship. -TUSD Portrait of A Graduate!

The City of Torrance will be hosting the 19th Annual Students and Government Day on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. 8th-grade students interested in participating must complete the form by this Monday, February 3, 2025 to be considered. One student will be selected per TUSD middle school.

Please note the Basketball Club is postponed until AFTER Madrona's Intramural Basketball season is over. Thank you for your understanding!

February

• Thursday 2/6 - Madrona PTSA Hosted Pal'entine Dance (5:00-7:00pm, more info to come)
• Friday, 2/7 - No School/Staff Development Day
• Monday, 2/10 - Lincoln's Birthday - No School
• Thursday, 2/13 - Basketball at Casimir, 4 pm
• Monday, 2/17 - President's Day - No School
• Thursday, 2/20 - Basketball (Home) vs Jefferson, 4 pm
• Thursday, 2/27 - Basketball (Home) vs Magruder, 4 pm)
• Friday, 2/28 - 3/2 - Pali GATE Field Trip
  
  

March

• Thursday, 3/6 - Basketball at Calle, 4 pm

• Tuesday, 3/4 - School Site Council Meeting #4 via Zoom, 3:30 pm

• Tuesday, 3/11 - PTSA Board Meeting, 5:30 pm

• Tuesday, 3/13 - Basketball vs rival Hull, 6-8 pm at THS

* more events & dates to be added each week.

8th-grade families! The Madrona PTSA needs your help and contributions ensure your student's 8th-grade class activities are fun and memorable. Click here to learn how to help.

So far, the Madrona PTSA has raised $9,971 of their $25,000 goal for 8th-grade student activities.

Donate directly to the Madrona Middle School PTSA via the DONATE link below (or) Download the Donation Form and drop off donations to the PTSA Box located in the main office. 100% of membership goes back to our school.

Donate directly to the Madrona Middle School PTSA via link above (or)
Download the Donation Form and drop off donations to the PTSA Box located in the main office

Interested in having your student take the test for placement in acceleration? Please complete the following TUSD Sign Up Form. The placement test for current Madrona Students is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 (The test for incoming 6th-graders/2025-26 school year is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23).

Here are links shared during a TUSD Math Acceleration Zoom Meeting, also posted on the TUSD Parent/Student Mathematics Website

• Acceleration by Defense (Pathways and FAQ)
• Math 6 to Accelerated 7th (Presentation Slides - 2023-24 version is still current, Sign Up Form, sample assessment, learning targets, and links to Khan Academy)

TUSD is happy to provide different acceleration opportunities in math for students.

1. 6th graders - independently practice 7th grade content on Khan Academy and then take a test in April (date TBA) in order to enroll in Accelerated Math 7 or Algebra 1 in 7th grade.
2. Students currently in Math 6 can study 1st Semester 7th Grade content and test into Accelerated Math 7 as 7th graders.
3. Students currently in Accelerated Math 6 can study 2nd Semester 7th Grade Content and Math 8 content and test into Algebra 1 as 7th graders.

There are other acceleration opportunities available to 6th, 7th and 9th grade students. If your student is not ready for independent practice/testing as a means of acceleration, they will have additional acceleration opportunities in the future.

All students access the online version of textbooks and educational resources through the TUSD CLEVER portal

Have your student log in to CLEVER (https://clever.com/in/torrance) using their TUSD email and password to show you all of their learning tools.

• Schoology - an online learning management system where teachers post agendas and assignments.
• iReady - a resource teachers use to support learning in essential Reading and Math domains.

The iReady Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that identifies students’ strengths and opportunities for growth during this school year. This information helps teachers determine how best to support their student learning, and families can monitor their student's growth over time. Watch this video to learn more.

How can I access my student’s results?

1. Log in to your student’s i-Ready Dashboard through Clever.
2. Click the "For Families" dropdown and select the "For Families report".
3. Enter the Torrance Unified School District’s Report Code: 40497Y.
   
   

For more information:

• Madrona_iReady-Communication-to-families ( Spanish | Japanese | Chinese )

PowerSchool & PowerSchool app - Download and use the app to monitor your student's grades and attendance. Enable in-app alerts to receive real-time information on progress. Android | Apple. The district code is TCXN. Students use their student ID # and password to login, while families use district assigned login credentials.

Anyone (student, staff, parent/guardian) can fill this out our Google Form to refer a student for counseling. Referrals will be prioritized and responded to by the level of urgency.

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.

TUSD students are encouraged to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System offered through the Sandy Hook Promise to keep our schools secure and our students safe.

This life-saving service empowers you, our students, and our community members to anonymously report any concerns, including potential threats, bullying, or individuals who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. There are three ways to make a report:

• Call the 24/7 crisis hotline counselors at 1-844-5-SayNow (1-844-572-9669)

• Download the mobile app at Google Play or Apple Store

• Submit a tip through their secure website
  
  

We encourage you to remind your children about the importance of speaking up if they see or hear something troubling so that we can partner to address issues before they escalate. By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

As a California public school student, your child may be eligible to receive a CalKIDS scholarship of $500 to $1,500 for college or career training. Funded by the State of California, a CalKIDS scholarship can be used for qualified college and career training expenses such as tuition and fees, books and supplies, computer equipment, and some room and board expenses. Checking a student’s eligibility and claiming a CalKIDS scholarship is easy. It only takes a minute. All you need is your child’s 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), which can be found at the top of the page when you select your student in PowerSchool. For more information and to check your child’s eligibility, visit CalKIDS.org.

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.

Looking for a way to help out our school? We are ALWAYS in need of school supplies! Any help we can get is ALWAYS greatly appreciated. If you do purchase an item(s) please have it delivered to:
Madrona Middle School 21364 Madrona Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 310-533-4562. Thank you!
If you have it delivered to your home, please drop off at the front office (or) have your student bring it in. Madrona Middle School Wishlist Link

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!

As you may have seen in the Back to School Highlights from TUSD Superintendent Dr. Stowe, this year, we have unveiled an updated vision for our District. After more than 18 months of input, best practice research, and development, we have published our "Portrait of a Graduate." Our Portrait describes the key skills that we want every student to have developed by the time they graduate from Torrance Unified.

At Madrona Middle School, we take pride in preparing your student for the transition to high school and beyond. Our focus on rigorous, relevant, and engaging academics and enriching activities ensures that your student is well-equipped for their next journey.

Madrona Middle School was voted the Best Public Middle School in the 2024 Daily Breeze/Beach Reporter South Bay Best Readers' Choice survey! 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/

School Website: https://www.tusd.org/schools/madrona

Address: 21364 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA, USA

General Email: madronainfo@tusd.org

Attendance Office: madronattend@tusd.org

Main Phone #: (310)533-4562

Visit our school website and follow us on Instagram for updates on school events and activities.