Climate and Culture Newsletter

Rita F. Pierson spent her entire life in or around the classroom, having followed both her parents and grandparents into a career as an educator. Click HERE to watch her inspirational TED Talk.

February 12 - COUNT DAY

February 13 - MES Family Formal Dance 5:30pm-7:30pm @ Club Venetian

February 17-21 - Mid-Winter Break

Week of March 3 - Mobile Optometry Services

March 4 - Kindergarten & GSRP Round Up @ ECC 5:30pm - 7:00pm

March 24-29 - Spring Break

April 17 - MES Family Game Night

April 18 - Good Friday (No school for students and staff)

This February, we honor and celebrate Black History Month, a time to reflect on the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black Americans throughout history. Our schools will feature special events, including guest speakers, classroom activities, and art displays highlighting the work of prominent Black leaders, artists, and innovators.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement works to help women beat heart disease, the number one killer of women in America. First celebrated in 1964, it is essential as it is a leading cause of death for both men and women globally.

Ethnic Equality Month promotes understanding and equality among all ethnic groups. It aims to highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing ethnic disparities and fostering an environment where all ethnicities are valued and respected.

National Random Acts of Kindness Week encourages us to put kindness first and share it everywhere we go. Everyone needs a little kindness sometimes, and we never know when to expect it. Be the unexpected gift to someone this week.

Here are some ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Week at school:

• Kindness challenge: Challenge students to perform random acts of kindness.
• Kindness rocks: Paint kind messages on rocks and hide them around the school.
• Compliment someone: Compliment a classmate, teacher, or someone in the parking lot.
• Hold the door: Hold the door open for a classmate or someone else.
• Pick up litter: Pick up litter around the school to protect the environment and wildlife.
• Thank you note station: Set up a station with construction paper, markers, and other materials for students to write thank you notes.
• Volunteer: Volunteer at a local charity, animal shelter, or food pantry.
• Write positive messages: Write positive messages around the school with chalk.
• Help clean up: Help clean up the classroom or common areas of the school.
• Practice active listening: Practice active listening with a friend.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTINGS

Part Time Lunch Aide @ MES

NEWSLETTERS - Previous Climate and Culture Newsletters can be accessed on the district webpage under Staff Links > Staff Resources or click on the title above.

February 10 - Umbrella Day

February 12 - Darwin Day

February 14 - Library Lovers Day

February 17 - Random Act of Kindness Day

February 19 - Chocolate Mint Day

February 22 - Be Humble Day

February 24 - Tortilla Chip Day

February 26 - Tell a Fairy Tale Day

February 28 - Public Sleeping Day

The Spanish city rejected the design, considering it too ugly. Gustave Eiffel then pitched it to Paris, where it was constructed as a temporary landmark for the 1889 International Exposition. Upon its completion in Paris, many prominent French artists and intellectuals criticized the tower, calling it an eyesore. Today, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and a symbol of French engineering and culture.

Michele Curtis - February 2

Megan Gates - February 5

Madeline Davis - February 8

Kayla Bartlett - February 9

Lisa Alexandrowicz - February 14

Jessica Crowell - February 15

Deanna Hall - February 18

Margaret Nelson - February 22

Nathaniel Ketcham - February 23

Christina Hurt - February 25

Lauren VanNess - February 29

Haley Gregory - February 14 (1 year)

Tracy Broomfield - February 25 (12 years)

Lisa DiGiulio - February 26 (32 years)

Michelle Munoz - February 26 (1 year)

Justin Reed - February 26 (1 year)

Katie Zeoli - February 26 (1 year)

Diamond Duncan - February 27 (1 year)

Deanna Hall - February 28 (3 years)

Click HERE to access the MDPS 2024-2025 Calendar.

If you would like to include a Staff Shout-Out or Staff Spotlight in the next newsletter (2/28), email the information to Pam Vermiglio at pam.vermiglio@madisondistrict.org. If possible, please include a picture.

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.

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