November Already?
This year is flying by, and fall is in full effect! The leaves have transformed into vibrant, brilliant colors, and the air is crisp; it’s finally time for thick sweaters, cozy fires, and warm mugs of hot cocoa! It’s the perfect season to reflect on the beauty of change and to remember the importance of gratitude for all we have. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to watch your children grow and thrive here at Madison Elementary. Every day, they inspire and impress us with their curiosity and spirit, and I can’t wait to see all they accomplish in the months ahead. Thank you for sharing them with us and for being part of our Madison family!
📅 Important Dates & Upcoming Events!
November 1-Native American Heritage Month Began
November 3-Daylight Savings Time-Set your clocks back an hour!
November 4- Book Fair Last Call! MDPS Board Meeting 7pm@ MHS
November 5-Election Day-NO SCHOOL for Students!
November 6- Picture Retakes; Girl Scout Junior Parent Mtg. 4:00
November 7-Half Day for Students; Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 21-ALICE Training Pt.2; Madison's World Fair 5:30@MHS
November 27-29-No School-Thanksgiving Recess
Last Call for Purchases from the Book Fair!
The Book Fair started at MES last week and Monday will be the last day to shop! Please send money (CASH ONLY) with students in an envelope with their name and amount on it. You can also set up an eWallet to prepay ahead of time by using the link below.
Picture Retakes!
Picture retakes will be offered on Wednesday, November 6th! ALL students who were not present on our previous Picture Day will be photographed for the yearbook, along with anyone else desiring a retake. Please inform your student's teacher if you would like for him/her to have their picture taken again. New proofs will be sent home for viewing and orders will be placed on line just as before.
November is Native American Heritage Month!
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities across our country. Throughout this month, we will celebrate the resilience, traditions, and achievements of Indigenous peoples while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Native American heritage. In our classrooms, students will explore this heritage through books, videos, and activities, allowing us all to learn and celebrate together as a school community.
Let's Keep in Touch!
As we partner together this school year, consistent communication will be essential. There are two main methods we will use to inform, alert, or remind you of incidents and emergencies, upcoming events, good news and any other information pertinent to your child's educational experience. Getting these messages to you may be time sensitive and extremely important so please be sure to update your contact information with the main office any time a change has been made.
Phone/Email
If any staff member needs to speak with you directly regarding your student specifically, we will reach out via phone or email. Please be sure to check messsages regularly so you don't miss any important information. If you need to contact us, the number to the main office is 248-542-3414, follow the prompts and Mrs. Andrews will be happy to assist you. If it is an urgent matter requiring immediate attention, you may contact me directly via email at felecia.hemingway@madisondistrict.org or at 248-953-0298 which is my work cell.
Make Sure You're Connected to ParentSquare!
Since Parent Square is our primary tool for district-wide communication, it’s essential that you’re connected! Parent Square enables us to send reminders, updates, and alerts through text, voicemail, and/or email—not only from teachers but also from the front office and central office. Newsletters, emergency alerts, and all other written communications will be shared through this system.
To ensure you receive these messages, please activate your account using the email address and phone number you provided to the office. If you haven’t received a mass email or voicemail from us in the past week, contact the office to verify or update your contact information.
Teachers will also use Parent Square to share classroom updates, direct messages, and photos that give you a window into what’s happening at school. Be sure to connect so you don’t miss out on important information, photos and other fun updates!
Below, you’ll find a video explanation, a QR Code to download the app and activate your account, plus tips for staying connected!
Girl Scouts & Cub Scouts!
We already have an established Girl Scout Troop for Brownies (2nd/3rd graders), but are looking to start a troop for Juniors (4th/5th graders)! There will be an informational parent meeting in the cafeteria on Wednesday, November 6th at 4:00 to ask questions and discuss specific details.
We have also partnered with Lamphere to offer Cub Scouts for interested students! Contact pack leader Paul Timmins at
paul@timmins.net or assistant pack leader Amanda Brown at amanda.brown@madisondistrict.org for more specific information.
Cheer Club!
Shout-out to Ms. Braman for volunteering to teach our 4th/5th graders the fundamentals of cheerleading every Monday! While we do not have a sports team to officially cheer for, students will learn basic skills and chants, along with the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship. The club is currently full, but students can be added to the waiting list and will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
Ukele Club!
Ms. Libstaff is expanding our students' musical repertoire by leading a Ukulele Club for 4th and 5th graders on Wednesdays! Interest forms were sent home by classroom teachers. If you have any questions or need another form, please contact her on Parent Square. She still has space for a few more students, so reach out ASAP!
Carrington Taylor-4th Grader
Carrington embodies exactly what it means to be Student of the Month! She consistently demonstrates empathy, self-direction, and teamwork—qualities we celebrate every month through Capturing Kids’ Hearts. Carrington is the perfect choice for our classroom job of Motivational Speaker, as she brings positivity and encouragement to everyone around her. Every morning, she greets her teacher and other staff members with a warm smile and a hug at the door, setting a bright tone for the day.
Carrington is always the first to raise her hand, even when she’s unsure of the answer, knowing that mistakes are part of learning. She has a natural gift for sensing when a peer is upset and always finds the right words to help them feel better, which strengthens both our classroom and school community. We are so proud of Carrington and grateful to have her here at Madison!
Barrington Philando-4th Grader
It is an honor to recognize Barrington as one of Madison Elementary’s Students of the Month. Since joining us, Barrington has quickly become an outstanding example for his peers, consistently making positive choices and demonstrating kindness and responsibility each day. With the highest percentage of positive behavior points among boys in his class, Barrington sets a high standard for respectful and thoughtful behavior. In the short time he’s been with us, Barrington has integrated beautifully into our school community, bringing a welcoming attitude and a cooperative spirit that makes him a joy to work with. His presence has had a positive impact on his classroom, and we’re grateful he has joined the Madison family. We look forward to seeing all the wonderful things he will accomplish this year!
Abbey Collins-3rd Grade Teacher
Abbey Collins is in her sixth year at MES. She transitioned to teaching 3rd grade this year after spending five years in 1st grade. Prior to her time here, she taught preschool and 4th and 5th grades in other districts. Abbey loves working at MES because of the amazing staff, students, and families she gets to connect with! Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to new places, and cuddling with her cat.
With a heart of gold, Ms. Collins is a dedicated and selfless team player who consistently goes above and beyond to support both staff and students. She is always the first to volunteer for any task, no matter how challenging, and actively contributes by leading the 4-H Garden Club, Science Club, Girls on the Run, and co-chairing the integrated studies committee. This summer, despite facing medical obstacles, she switched grades, furthered her education, and regularly updates colleagues on social studies and science guidelines and standards.
Abbey’s genuine care for her school shines through in her efforts to foster a positive culture. She makes it a personal goal to submit weekly “Cheers for Peers” and staff shout-outs, ensuring everyone else feels seen and valued. Her colleagues admire her unwavering positivity, her ability to see the best in every person and situation, and her commitment to creating a supportive, collaborative school family. Abbey truly embodies the spirit and heart of Madison Elementary.
One of the main purposes of Capturing Kids' Hearts is to help ensure that every student at MES feels loved, valued and cared for when they enter our building at the beginning of each day! It is important to us to know how we're doing with this goal. Please use the button below to complete the parent survey to inform us of the areas that are currently a strength for us, as well as the areas in which we could grow. We look forward to your feedback so we can make any adjustments needed for improvement. Thanks in advance!
At the end of each month, we celebrate selected students who have consistently exemplified the CKH character trait focus for that particular month. Our focus characteristic for October was "self-direction". Click the link below to see the students who were recognized for their ability to make positive choices and take intentional steps toward who, where, and what they want to be.
This Month's New Focus is Teamwork!
Teamwork is the ability to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.
Why focus on Teamwork?
- Teamwork improves communication: Teamwork helps us improves our verbal and non-verbal communication skills, conveying that we care and a relevant message.
- Teamwork builds interpersonal awareness: Growing a great team requires us to first build strong relationships through better understanding ourselves and others.
- Teamwork celebrates diversity. Teamwork thrives from diverse ideas that come from a mixture of different genders, cultures, expertise, experience, and problem-solving approaches.
Madison Elementary School
Felecia Hemingway, Principal
Tung Tran, Assistant Principal
Email: felecia.hemingway@madisondistrict.org
Website: https://es.madisondistrict.org/
Location: 27107 Hales Street, Madison Heights, MI, USA
Phone: 248-542-3414