October 2023 Madison Memo
October 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Madison Families,
Welcome to the start of the 2023-24 school year! It was wonderful to see so many families at Open House and our Bingo Palooza events. I extend a special welcome to our new families at Madison. The "Madison News" will be available electronically each month. Thank you for reviewing the information.
Summer projects at Madison included the installation of new lockers, the painting of the staff lounge and the removal of ash trees on school property.
We welcome the following new staff to Madison:
- Kate Jensen - Kindergarten Teacher
- Jacki Huber - Kindergarten Teacher
- Angela Christen - Sp. Ed. Lead Teacher
- Joelle Lyons - Sp. Ed. Teacher
- Megan Drews - Sp. Ed. Teacher
- Stephanie Heitkamp - Speech/Language Ass't.
- Tori Hruby - Sp. Ed. Para
- Sophie Toner - EL Teacher
- Janet Gromek - Supplemental Programs Teacher
- Tamra Maroushek - Supplemental Programs Teacher
- Mike Arndt - Supplemental Programs Para
- Matthew Leshovsky - Phy. Ed. Teacher
Our 16th annual Mustang-a-thon will be held September 29. This is a fun experience for our students with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Madison. Our goal is to raise $14,000 towards our new playground project. Thank you for your support of this event!
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 2, 3 and 10. Parent involvement is an important factor for academic achievement. Please call the office at 763-506-3300 if you have not yet signed up.
"Responsibility" is the Character Strong word of the month for October. This is defined as "taking action and understanding how our choices affect others, ourselves and the world." This could be caring for a pet, turning in work or packing up things for school before going to bed each night.
The Madison staff is working hard to best serve our families. Our mission remains the same - to effectively educate each of our students for success. Together, we can make this happen!
Your principal,
Dorothy M. Olsen
Citizen of the Month
These students display the core character values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, Integrity and Appreciation of Diversity. Teachers select one Citizenship winner from their classroom each month.
Clementine Wood - KD, Lakeynn Trang - KH, Freddie Storck - KJ, Lana Amundsen - KK
Norah Murschel - 1F, Jayden Roeser - 1K, Steve Awad - 1P
Avery Lehman - 2A, Adriel Romero Quinones - 2C, Esmeralda Ortiz - 2J
Arthur Carter - 3D, Markon Fasil - 3G, Chase Thao - 3I
Cody Graphenteen Garcia - 4P, Myra Thunder - 4S, Macoy Stevenson - 4W
Charlotte Carlson - 5B, Yerin Kim - 5H, Bella Grahame - 5L
Calendar
September 29: Mustang-a-thon
October 2: No School for Elementary Students, Staff Professional Development
October 2: P-T Conference, 2:30-8:20 PM
October 3 & 10: P-T Conference, 3:30-8:20 PM
October 11: Picture Day
October 12: PTO Meeting, Media Center, 6:30 PM, in person or via Zoom
October 18: No School, Staff Development
October 19, 20: No School, MEA
Safety at Arrival and Dismissal
In the morning:
Please stay in the RIGHT lane and pull up as far as you can. Let your child out curbside and they will walk to their class line outside. Please DO NOT angle park from the left lane and walk your child across the traffic.
At dismissal:
Please pull in single file in the right lane along the curb. Drivers must stay IN their cars. For the safety of our students at arrival and dismissal, we kindly ask that dogs be left at home.
Thank you for your help in keeping Madison students safe!
Information from the Madison Health Office
Immunizations:
All students need their immunizations completed by October 1. If you have any updated shots for this school year, please send us an updated copy of your student’s immunization record.
Healthy Snacks:
We ask if you send treats for the class that they are healthy in accordance with the district physical wellness policy. In the health office, we are stressing the importance of getting enough sleep, exercise and the negative ways that sugar can affect our bodies. Sweet, sugary treats are high in fat and sugar but low in nutrients. Giving students healthy options makes it easier for them to choose nutrient rich foods more often.
Some examples of healthy snack options are 100% juice, flavored water, fresh fruit, fruit snacks, whole grain crackers with cheese, pretzels, popcorn and graham crackers. Granola bars are discouraged due to cross contamination of tree nuts and peanuts, as we have students with allergies to nut products.
Please remember that all treats must be brought to the office so that we may check for classroom allergies. No homemade food is allowed.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated. If you have questions, please contact us.
Madison Health Services Office / 763-506-3304
Character Strong = PurposeFull People
We are excited to share with you that we will again this year be using a program called PurposeFull People, the K-5 portion of Character Strong. This program teaches skills that will help students be successful in school and in life. The curricula and professional learning are grounded in research and focused on fostering the Whole Child with vertically-aligned lessons that teach SEL and character, side-by-side.
Character Development:
Character education involves developing thoughtful, healthy, and kind human beings. Our character is informed by our personal values and choices.
SEL Competencies:
Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
For more information:
PurposeFull People Family Letter
Volunteering at Madison
Madison has a wonderful community of volunteers. Please consider joining us this year! We’ve got a wide variety of opportunities for getting involved, so you’re sure to find something that suits your schedule and interests. Here are some ways you can get involved in the month of October:
- Help out at the Book Fair (during conferences)
- Join Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)
- Assist with Picture Day on Wednesday, October 11
- Lend a hand for the Halloween Dance on Friday, October 27, 6:00-8:00 PM
- Attend a PTO meeting
- Join Staple Club, Tuesdays at 2:00 PM
- Volunteer as a lunch helper
Be the first to know about volunteer opportunities by completing your volunteer paperwork today. Thank you to all of our volunteers who have helped out so far this school year! We appreciate all you do.
Emily Massey / Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC)
emily.massey@ahschools.us / 763-506-3340
PTO
The PTO is excited to welcome all new and returning students, staff and parents to Madison this year! The next PTO meeting is Thursday, October 12 at 6:30 PM in the Media Center. If you are interested in helping the PTO with our yearly activities, please join us in person or via Zoom!
Important Numbers and Links
Attendance
Any time your child will be absent from or late to school, please report the absence by 9:15 AM.
Reporting options:
- Call the Attendance Line at 763-506-3306
- Use a web browser (view the instructions)
- Use the ParentVUE app, which is free and can be downloaded to your mobile device.
Please provide the reason for the absence. If due to illness, please give the specific symptoms, such as fever, congestion, etc. If no contact is made, the student absence will be considered unexcused. Please note, if your child is experiencing a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, the district policy states that the student may not return to school until 24 hours after the last episode.
PTO
- Join the Madison PTO group on Facebook for the latest updates and reminders!
- Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly meetings! In person in the Madison Media Center or via Zoom.
Volunteer at Madison
- To start the process, please complete the Volunteer Application Form and the Criminal Record History Release Form.
- You will be contacted once the paperwork is processed. Please note some volunteer activities require additional processing, which can take up to two weeks.
- We appreciate that you share your time and talents with us. Thank you.
- Please contact Emily Massey, Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC), if you need assistance or have questions.
Contact Information
Main Office: 763-506-3300
Absence Line: 763-506-3306
Fax: 763-506-3303
Website: www.ahschools.us/madison
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AHMadison Elementary
Twitter: @AH_Madison
Additional Resources
This e-newsletter is published by Madison Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.