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Climate and Culture Newsletter

September 16th - September 27th

Climate and CultureNewsletterSeptember 16th - September 27th

Upcoming Events 😺

September 19 - MES Family Roller Skating Night, Great Skate, 6:00pm-8:00pm

September 20 - MHS Football Game vs. Lincoln @ 7:00pm

September 27 - MES Fall Social, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Meet the MES Student Teachers

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Q: Why does Hispanic Heritage Month begin on September 15th, and not September 1st?


A: HHM was enacted into law in 1988, to honor and celebrate the contributions of people of Hispanic origin to our country's history. It begins on September 15th because many Hispanic and Latin countries celebrate their Independence on and between September 15 and October 15th.


Influential Hispanic Americans

Cesar Chavez: Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist who helped improve the

working and living conditions of farm workers.


Sonia Sotomayer: American of Puerto Rican descent who became the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme

Court Justice, and the 3rd female to serve on the Supreme Court.


Ellen Ochoa: American engineer and astronaut, who became the first Latina to go into space.

Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week (September 13-22) is a time to celebrate diversity in the classroom and ensure all students, including those new to the community or country, feel welcome.

Staff Spotlight/Shout Outs πŸ™Œ

Jaylee White

I want to shout out Jaylee White. During open house tonight, she was weaving in and out of the benches of families, interacting and just seemed to be having moments of joy with each person she interacted with. It made me feel lucky to know and work with her.

~ Abbey Collins

Abbey Collins

I would love to give a shout out to Abbey Collins! Abbey has been a rock star since she joined our family here at MES. Abbey is willing to help with anything and the first to want to share with others. She jumps at the chance to be inclusive with all of our students and staff. She has helped rewrite curriculum, report cards, lead ice-breakers and professional development. Most importantly Abbey has a heart of GOLD, she is truly the most empathetic person I know. Thank you Abbey for everything you do in helping make MES and Madison District better everyday!

Proud to be your colleague and friend,

~ Rusty Rogers

Cathy Gifford

I want to shout out Cathy Gifford. She’s one of the hardest working people I know. She not only services our kids for speech, but really takes all our students’ best interests to heart. I also appreciate her checking in on me :) We’re so lucky to have her!

~ Abbey Collins

Madison Heights Community Events

September 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 - Monday Quizzo Trivia, Celina's Madison Heights, 7:00pm - 9:00pm


September 21 - Trail Tunes Strolling Music Festival and Battle of the Bands, Madison Heights Civic Center Park, 2:00pm - 7:00pm

MSGCU supporting educators with $45,000 in grants

MSGCU was founded by educators 70 years ago and are grateful for the important work teachers do each day. To help them achieve their goals in the classroom, MSGCU offers Classroom Cash Grants worth up to $750 to fund innovative projects that otherwise wouldn’t be covered by school budgets. Educators use the grants to enhance their curriculum in science, math, literacy, and more, bringing fun and engaging lesson plans to life for their students.

Apply now through Friday, October 4, at 5 PM. The public will vote for their favorite projects and those with the most votes will win a grant.


Click HERE to apply!

πŸ† Exceptional Educator Recognition

Giroux Pappas Trial Attorneys recognizes an Exceptional Educator each month and donates $1,000 to their classroom, program, or school.


"We see educators giving back everyday and want to honor their immense contribution to our community. In our schools, extra-curricular activities and churches, there are people really making a difference in our children’s lives. We would like your help in recognizing some of these Exceptional Educators."


Click HERE for additional information.

Click HERE to nominate an Exceptional Educator.

Funny, Random, & Weird Holidays

September 16 - Guacamole Day

September 19 - International Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 21 - National Clean Up Day

September 24 - Punctuation Day

September 28 - Ask a Stupid Question Day

Did you know... πŸ’‘

Did you know it’s illegal to feed pigeons on the sidewalks and streets of San Francisco?

Sure, a sprinkle of breadcrumbs to feed hungry birds may seem harmless but in the popular Californian city, you could get into trouble. San Francisco's Public Works Department explains this law is in place because there "are dozens of reasons why" you shouldn't feed your new pigeon friends, "but mainly: feeding pigeons harm our neighborhoods and also harms the birds."

🎈 September Birthdays 🎁

Patricia Perry - September 2

Sarah Wilhoit - September 5

Maya Farhat - September 6

Tung Tran- September 7

Cat Vyse - September 8

Jodi Berger - September 9

Scott Labrash - September 12

Grace Voisin - September 17

Diamond Duncan - September 18

Cheri Detoledo - September 19

Crenia Stinson - September 22

Stacy Randolf - September 23

September Employment Anniversaries

Stacey Cauley - September 2 (16 years)

Sarah Wilhoit - September 2 (10 years)

Debra Cummings - September 3 (9 years)

Cheri Detoledo - September 3 (9 years)

Scott Labrash - September 3 (11 years)

Maureen Manzo - September 3 (21 years)

Crenia Stinson - September 5 (27 years)

Lea Leavelle - September 6 (1 year)

Katie Venditti - September 10 (12 years)

Michelle Hoogterp - September 15 (3 years)

Rusty Rogers - September 18 (24 years)

Tung Tran - September 18 (9 years)

Fadwa Dawd - September 19 (15 years)

Hunter DiJanni - September 20 (3 years)

Tracy Thompson - September 22 (9 years)

Megan Gates - September 30 (25 years)

Pontsho Kgope - September 30 (5 years)

Kimberly Ramsay - September 30 (3 years)

Click HERE to access the MDPS 2024-2025 Calendar.

πŸ’‘ Reminders

1. Staff Shout-Outs πŸ™Œ or Spotlights πŸ‘

If you would like to include a Staff Shout-Out or Staff Spotlight in the next newsletter (9/27), email the information to Pam Vermiglio at pam.vermiglio@madisondistrict.org. If possible, please include a picture.

2. Self-Care

Self-care for educators is an essential practice if you want to avoid chronic stress, burnout, and limited productivity. Banish any guilt you associate with self-care, and think of it as the only way to offer your best self to others. And remember, you deserve to be cared for too!


CARE Worklife Solutions is our Employee Assistance Program provider. They are staffed with experienced counselors to help with a variety of issues including:


  • Short-term counseling for you and your immediate family members
  • Child care, elder care, family worries, grief and loss
  • Grief and loss
  • Referrals to providers, specialists and resources to meet specific work, life or caregiving needs
  • Password access website resources and support


Please click HERE for more information.

3. Information for Newsletter

Use the Google spreadsheet to add building events/activities, personal "good news" (graduations, engagements, son/daughter college commitment, etc), staff spotlights/shout-outs, etc. for the newsletter.


The spreadsheet has tabs at the bottom for each month. Staff birthdays and employment anniversary dates should not be added to the spreadsheet (I already have those dates).


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O5IpTg6k9YR4tsO3hgO30t9uV-1SU08vgQQ8FaLKbws/edit?usp=sharing

Pam Vermiglio, Assistant Superintendent

Email: pam.vermiglio@madisondistrict.org
Website: www.madisondistrict.org
Office Phone: 248-399-7800 ext. 3407

Smore
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