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Our Wild Cat Motto: Be Responsible, Be Respectful!
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Saturday 4/27/2024 Newsletter
Hello, Madrona Families!
With 32 days left for the 2023-24 school year, we start in May with many celebratory events!
May 6-10 is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week at Madrona. Please see PTSA flier below for opportunities to sign-up and contribute to Teacher Appreciation Week.
During that same week - Tuesday, 5/7, is Madrona's Open House. We invite you to see all that your student has been learning this year. Join the Madrona PTSA meeting at 4:30 pm in the Cafeteria. Open House starts at 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 10 (12:50-1:30 pm) is our last Mid-Day Mingle of the 2023-24 School Year. Check-in is at 12:30 pm. RSVP for faster entry: https://may10madronamiddaymingle.splashthat.com/. Please see the flier for more information.
Madrona Families with students taking Torrance High School classes! THS has an unusual schedule next week. Make sure to review the Torrance High School Testing Schedule included below.
Don't forget! Tomorrow, 4/29, Torrance Unified School District will conducted an Emergency Text Alert - 1:30 pm (Test) & 3:00pm (All Clear) - Parents will receive an text for the test and all clear. This is only a test.
Please help to remind your students about Madrona's policy about leaving materials unattended, especially Chrome Books, left outside classrooms. We appreciate your support.
Go Wildcats!
Sue Key, Ed.D., Proud Principal
Madrona Middle School
Make sure to scroll through the newsletter and open the link to view all of our weekly updates.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week (May 6-10)
Madrona Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is the week of May 6, just one week away!
Our Madrona PTSA needs your to help to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff.
Madrona PTSA has shared two opportunities to sign-up and contribute to Teacher Appreciation Week!
- SignUpGenius link for families to donate gift cards and/or food: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044EA5AA2FA46-49140402-madrona
Please place gift cards in an envelope marked "PTSA-TAW" and drop off the envelope with a staff assistant in the main office. - SignUpGenius link for families to buy lunch for a teacher of staff member: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044EA5AA2FA46-49143654-buyamadrona
Academics & Activities
Congratulations Avish Banerjee, Invention Convention Winner - Moving on to Nationals!
On March 23rd many students competed at the California Invention Convention held at El Camino College in Torrance. More than 3,000 inventions were submitted throughout Southern California. Only the top 3% were selected to move on in the competition by representing our state at the RTX Invention Convention U. S. Nationals held at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan on June 5th-7th.
Congratulations to 6th-grader Avish Banerjee inventor of the "PATHFINDER,", on being named a National Invention Convention qualifier!
Avish's invention is intended to help people with dementia, assisting them in navigate back home if they get nervous and become lost. All of us at Madrona Middle School wish you the best of luck at Nationals! What an incredible honor!
Five Madrona Teams Competed in the TUSD 2024 Girls Cardboard Regatta!
Our five teams challenged themselves by working in collaborative teams to design, build, and test a boat that could carry two students across a 25-yard pool as fast as possible. Congratulations to Madrona Team 2 (Ali Kirsch, Emily Coyne, Carys Evans, Jenny Kim, and Abigail Kim) for their third-place win against multiple middle school teams from TUSD Middle Schools. Way to go, Wildcats!
Commendation to Gemma and Leana for making a speech about Autism Awareness Month to our entire school during our daily announcements. The girls wrote the speech (with support by Mrs. Spotts), approached Principal Dr. Key for approval, and then gave the speech. What courageous students to highlight Autism and discuss the importance of inclusion! Here is their speech
(The parents of both students approve the sharing of this update in support of Autism Awareness Month)
THS Testing Block Schedule
Attention all Wildcats taking THS classes - Next week, THS will be on Testing Block Schedule!
Torrance High will have a Block Schedule for Spring Testing next week. If you are a Madrona student who takes high school classes. Here's what each day will look like for bus pick up at THS:
Monday, 4/29
(no period 2 at THS)
THS Period 1 starts at 8:30 a.m.
Buses to Madrona pick up at 10:30 a.m.
Students will miss Nutrition and be a few minutes late to Period 3
Tuesday, 4/30
(no period 1 at THS)
THS Period 2 starts at 8:30 a.m.
Bus to Madrona pick up at 10:30 a.m.
With no Period 1, Madrona students with THS Period 1 scheduled will come to school right before Period 2 at Madrona (or) come first thing in the morning for study hall in the Cafeteria. Students returning at 10:45 will go to the Cafeteria until Nutrition - 11:03
Wednesday, 5/1
(no period 2 at THS)
THS Period 1 starts at 8:30
Buses to Madrona pick up at 10:30 a.m.
Students will miss Nutrition and be a few minutes late to Period 3
Thursday, 5/2
(no period 1 at THS)
THS Period 2 starts at 8:30
Bus to Madrona pick up at 10:30 a.m.
With no Period 1, Madrona students with THS Period 1 scheduled will come to school right before Period 2 at Madrona (or) come first thing in the morning for study hall in the Cafeteria. Students returning at 10:45 will miss nutrition an be late a few minutes late to Period 3.
Friday, 5/3
Regular Schedule
Our next schedule changes with Block Schedule will be May 20-31. Attached is THS overall testing calendar and bell schedule for family reference (also posted on the THS website homepage).
Madrona Library End-of-the-Year Reminders!
Wildcats! Our Librarian Ms. Osejo asks that you prepare for end of the school year by being mindful of book and Chromebook turn-in guidelines and due dates.
8th-graders must turn in all books, Chromebooks, and textbooks before June 5.
Reading Stats!
April Week 2 Reading Stats!
Top reader = Lydia Tseng = 1,010 minutes
Top class = Mrs. Young P6 = 11,814 minutes
Everyone = 557,984 minutes
Wow - great reading all!
SHOUT OUTS
- Bravo to Madrona Band and Choir for their solid performance at the Central Area Concert. Your rehearsals resulted in excellent performances! I am very proud of all of you. ~Dr. Key
- Congratulations to our Smash Bro eSport team, Tyler Homma, Kei Nakanishi, and Jayden Daly, for their win against Magruder this week. - Mrs. Ton
- Good luck to our 5 Madrona Cardboard Regatta teams as they compete in our annual TUSD Cardboard Regatta competition at the Aquatic Center on Friday! Go Wildcats! - Mrs. Ton
- Congratulations to our Rocket League eSport team, Josh Montenegro, Kevin Upton, and Daniel Patel for a great season in the Play Vs League. I’m very proud of you! - Mrs. Ton
- Madrona Bands and Choir, Bavissimo, tutti!!! Your performance at the Central Area Music Festival was amazing!!! I'm am so proud of each of you for all of the hard-work you put in to personal practice time and ensemble rehearsal time. All of your hard work paid off! I can't wait for our Spring Concert! <3 Mrs. Snider
- Congratulations to our Science Olympiad Students for putting on a successful Family STEAM Night! We have gotten so much positive feedback about your sessions. And thank you to all the CJSF and Leadership Volunteers to helped out at our event! - Ms. Hallsted
- Leana Gaytan - how generous of you to offer to help Lydia Tseng with a crochet project! What a caring and selfless act!
- Shout out to the Science Olympiad Students. A great job on your STEM night! - Mr. Stuckey
- Shout out to the Band and Choir Students and your performance at THS. - Mr. Stuckey
- Thank you to Logan Joo for doing the right thing and turning in something he found that was valuable. - Ms. Miskimen
- To my 5th period new elective Public Speaking class - I am so impressed by your willingness and vulnerability during your speeches. You are off to a wonderful start. Connor Custodio is leading the way. Patrick Wang is right behind him. Great effort and keep working hard. Speaking in public is not easy, but you all are conquering your fears. I can't wait to see your creativity the rest of the quarter. - Ms. Miskimen
- Elijah Butler, Brayden Chen, Vivian Chun, Xavier Drummond, Julie Khela, Adam Lawniczac, Smita Amonchailertrat, Emily Gara, Abby McChulloch, Daniel Meehan, Dino Rachmand, Valentina Reascos, Leo Romero, and Jayden Tiangco for all acing their Greece Quiz. Way to go! - Mrs. Young
- Miskimen's Super Science Students who scored 100% on the Labeling of plant and animal cells: Sabrina Aoki, Dylan Chae, Mia Cortazar, Connor Custodio, Jonathan Guo, Waylon Hart, YehJoo Kim, Iso Margraf, Ryuji Miyanishi, Peter Park, Dino Rachman, Alina Shieh, Lydia Tseng, Estee Yang, Eli Hernandez, Maya Patel and Erin Shin. Great job!! - Ms. Miskimen
- Thank you to my science microscope lab helpers this week who did a fantastic job setting up: Sienna L., Noah M., Itzayanna S., Julianna K., Emma S., and Katelyn Y. - Ms. Wulpern
- To Ms. Fu's Period 3 Class: Thank you for being respectful, participating often, and staying on task. - Ms. Fu
- Thank you to my Algebra Students who helped others during our Stats activity on the chromebook. - Mrs. Bloomfield
- Final game shout out from Coach Miskimen....Congratulations to the girl's flag football team going undefeated this season 5-0 by beating Casimir by the score of 34-20. Abby Montenegro was the Quarterback with a great game. 4 different girls scored touchdowns. 8th graders Addy Wall 1 TD, Konomi Rokugawa 1 TD, Megan Wada with 1 TD and an extra point. Ilani Paul had a pick 6 for 1 TD, Ashley Haren scored 3 extra points. 7th grader Mia Fredericks scored 1 TD. To my 8th graders I will miss you all. Best of luck in high school. It was a pleasure coaching all you girls. You all have grown so much since try-outs. What a very talented team!!! Everyone one of you contributed to the success of this season. I am so proud of you all. To my 7th graders: Carys Evans, Abigail Mijares, Jillian Temblador, Mia Fredericks, and 6th graders: Emma Sandoval, Remi Kurata, Linsey Kato, and Somaya Velasquez. Next year will be your girls year to carry on the tradition and keep the winning streak alive. I believe in you all. Go Wildcats!!
- From Coach Miskimen: Girl's flag football season stats. Addison Wall had 6 touchdowns and 1 extra point. Megan Wada had 5 touchdowns and 2 extra points, Konomi Rokugawa had 4 touchdowns. Abby Montenegro had 3 touchdowns and 1 extra point. Ilani Paul had 2 touchdowns. Ashley Haren had 1 touchdown and 3 extra points. Emma Sandaval had 2 touchdowns and 1 extra point. Mia Fredricks had 1 touchdown. Jill Temblador had 2 extra points. We scored a total of 154 points in the 5 games and only gave up 46 points. What a season!!
- Shout out to Meigan Partida for both outstanding fashion design and visual art skills. Bravo!! To Elijah Oropeza for level 4 analysis on the poem “My Papa’s Waltz.” Wow! Bravo! To Carissa Chang for outstanding art work in Art Club, sense of humor, and book recommendations! Thank you! - Mr. H.
Important Dates
April 2024
- 4/29 (TOMORROW) TUSD Emergency Test Alert - 1:30 pm (Test) & 3:00pm (All Clear) - Parents will receive an text for the test and all clear. This is only a test.
May 2024
- 5/2- Cross Country Meet at Hull MS 4:00 pm
- 5/6- 5/10 - Teacher Appreciation Week!
- 5/7- Madrona Open House 5:00 pm (Madrona PTSA Association Meeting at 4:30 pm, Cafe)
- 5/7- Tuesday Late Start
- 5/8 - Wednesday Late Start (due to Open House)
- 5/10- Our Last Mid Day Mingle for 2023-24 (12:30 pm parent check-in)
- 5/14 - ELMAC (ELD Parent Meeting), Room 14
- 5/16- 5/17 - CAST Science State Testing (Regular out, block schedule more info to come)
- 5/20- 5/23 - CASSPP Math and English Language Arts State Testing (1:30 pm Minimum Days, more info to come)
- 5/27- Memorial Day (No School)
- 5/29- Fern and Hickory Elementary 5th-grade students visit!
- 5/31- Music Program Performance 6:00 pm
Athletics - Final Flag Football Game & Cross Country
This past Thursday, our Wildcats played against Casimir Middle School at Home. Boys had a tough loss 7-20, while Girls won 34-20 (undefeated!) - Thank you for a great season, Girls and Boys! Boys went 3-2 to finish 3rd in all of Torrance. Girls went undefeated 5-0 to finish as TUSD champs!
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Madrona's Cross Country Team's meet is next Thursday, May 2 at 4:00 pm at Hull Middle School. Good luck, Wildcats!
TUSD Districtwide Emergency Alert "Text" Drill this Monday, April 29
Rising 7th-Grade Family Reminders from the Health Office!
The Madrona Health Office has sent reminders to all rising 7th grade parents regarding immunization requirements for the 2024-25 school year. It is important to send the health office your child's updated vaccination record now so there will be no issues with school entry or schedule delays in the Fall. Any questions, please email madronahealthoffice@tusd.org.
Rising 8th-grade (Current 7th-grade) THS Course Offerings
The THS request window closed yesterday Friday, 4/26 for all rising 8th-graders interested in taking advanced Torrance High School (THS) courses next year.
More information will be share sometime next month regarding student schedules for the 2024-25 school year. Thank you for your interest and patience while THS and Madrona admin review requests.
THS Language Level Placement Test Information
Rising 8th & 9th-graders (2024-25 School Year)
Students! Do you speak Japanese, Korean or Spanish at home and are interested in taking a higher level Torrance High School (THS) world languages classes? A Google Form Sign-up for a World Language Level Placement Test will be shared in May.
If you have general questions, please contact the following THS World Language teachers.
- Japanese - Mr. Stuart Jones (jones.stuart@tusd.org)
- Korean - Ms. Hannah Song (song.hanna@tusd.org)
- Spanish (for non-native speakers) - Ms. Maribel Torres (torres.maribel@tusd.org)
- Spanish for Spanish Speakers - Ms. Maribel Torres (torres.maribel@tusd.org)
8th-Grade (THS Rising 9th-Grade) Student Information
8th-grade End-Of-The Year Activities
Important Save-The-Date Info for 8th-grade Families!
Here is a list of our 8th-grade students' End-Of-The-Year Activities.
Please keep in mind that although the majority of dates and times are set, dates and times are subject to change as needed.
8th Grade Panoramic Picture
You can still place an order! If you did not get a chance to order an 8th Grade Panoramic Picture - order online!
- Cost for picture is: $25 or $30. There will be a $7 shipping fee.
- Picture will be sent to your shipping address (not to the school)
Students! Join Madrona Clubs
Questions about Clubs? Students, please check in with the teacher advisors listed below. All students are welcome! (Meeting Dates Are Subject to Change) Thank you, Gardening Club for the beautiful poppies in bloom in your planters!
- Run Club (occasionally, after school with Mr. Estefan, 3:20 - 3:50 pm)
- Gardening Club @ lunch, Room 22, Mr. Estefan
- Ultimate Frisbee @ lunch on field, Mr. Freitas
- Chess Club @ lunch, Room 14, Mrs. Bloomfield.
- Basketball Club after school, Gym 3:30-4:45 pm
- Cinema Club @ lunch, Rm 25, Mr. Snow, Films begin at 1:00 pm
- Ultimate Frisbee after school 3:30 - 4:30 pm, meet in SC1
- Art Club after school 3:16 – 4:16 pm, Room 26, Mr. H.
- Math Club after school 3:16 - 4:16 pm, Room 24, Mr. Khan
- Cinema Club @ lunch, Room 25, Mr. Snow, Films begin at 1:00 pm
Late Start Tuesdays - Free Student Tutoring in the Cafeteria
Starting this TUESDAY! Free Student Tutoring in the Cafeteria on Late Start Tuesdays, sponsored by Madrona California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF).
Students! Get help from Madrona students while YOU help them earn their service hours for CJSF. Students will be there to answer questions about classwork and help you with your homework!
Not Returning Next School Year? We Need Your Help!
- If you have not already done so, please send an email to madronainfo@tusd.org if your student will NOT be attending Madrona Middle School or Torrance High School next school year. Please be sure to include the name of your student, school/city/state where your student will be attending.
- This is necessary in order to make sure records are forwarded to the correct school and to help with class schedules.
- Your 8th Grader will not be attending Torrance High School in the Fall/August 2024
- Your 6th/7th Grader will not be returning to Madrona Middle School in the Fall/August 2024
Madrona PTSA Fundraiser - May 9!
Madrona PTSA News
8th Grade Activities - 85% to our goal!
We have raised $4680 of our $5500 goal so far. Although the original deadline has passed, the direct donation link will remain active so you have not missed out if you have not had a chance to contribute yet!
Your donation will help fund:
8th Grade Dance at Ken Miller Auditorium - June 7th
8th Grade Picnic - June 12th
8th Grade Promotion - June 13th
Expenses include the dance venue, food & drinks, decorations, games, photo booth, music and more!
Madrona PTSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donation may be tax deductible. Suggested donation amount: $25
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
TUSD News and Community Resources
Districtwide Wellness Week May 13-17
Our 2024 Wellness Week is quickly approaching and will be held throughout our District from May 13-17. We invite students, families and our staff to join together to practice wellness habits. In addition to activities planned at many of our schools, we encourage you to view our Torrance Unified Family Guide for activities to do at home, including a chance to set and track personal goals for a chance to win prizes! For more information, visit: WellnessWeek.tusd.org.
5/4 El Camino College Dual Enrollment Workshop!
ECC Dual Enrollment Workshop - On Saturday, May 4th, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi in partnership with El Camino College will be hosting a Dual Enrollment Workshop open to all K-12 students and their families. Click flyer for more information & Spanish translation
City of Torrance School Crossing Guard Application
Do you know an adult (parent/guardian/grandparent) interested in becoming a school crossing guard? Our Torrance Police Department School Resource Officer informed us they are short staffed and asked us to help share their application.
Please see the following application link:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/torranceca/jobs/4140678/crossing-guard-at-will
Does Your Family Need to Travel During the School Year?
- Vacations or any travel for 5 school days or more: notify us at least one week in advance to madronaattend@tusd.org so Independent Study Contracts may be prepared.
- Specify the exact dates the student will be away from school.
- Students must bring in completed work upon return to have the absences excused.
- If you have any questions call310-533-4562 Ext 8791 Or email at madronaattend@tusd.org
SUPPORT US ALL YEAR LONG!
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!
Contact Us!
General Email: madronainfo@tusd.org
School Website: https://www.tusd.org/schools/madrona
Address: 21364 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA, USA
Main Phone #: (310)533-4562
Follow Us On Social Media & Online to keep up to date on events and activities at our school, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook or visit our school website.