Madison News

I seriously can not believe it is already December, although the weather hasn't been typical, but as I write this the winds are howling and the coldness is on its way. This is a great reminder to send your student to school with winter gear: hats, gloves, and coat (boots and perhaps snow pants when the snow falls). We will go outside this winter, but only if it is below 0, will we stay inside. Thank you for thinking of warm clothes when they leave in the morning.

I am thrilled to see such powerful engagement in the classroom. The teachers are pushing students to do their best and become more successful classroom citizens. When your student comes home, please start conversations by asking, "what did you learn today?", "what struggles did you have today?", "how were you successful today?". The teachers and I have had conversations on digging deeper with the students.

Read, Read, Read!! Our drive this year is to get more involvement from our students to read. Spending 20 minutes a day reading to your child or having your child read will build a strong vocabulary and make more connections in other content areas.

I am excited to see students helping other students in the building. I see the students setting great examples for others as they walk through the building, hold doors open for staff and students, and are engaged in the classrooms. There are students who inspire me with their eagerness to learn, their desire to please, their caring and curious attitudes, and their drive to become better.

Dec. 6: Circle the State Rehearsal (altos), 2:30-3:30

Dec. 6: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 7: After School Assistance for those signed-up, 2:30-3:30

Dec. 7: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 8: Food Drive: PJ/Bed Hair Day

Dec. 8: Circle the State Rehearsal (soprano), 2:30-3:30

Dec. 8: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec 11: 4th grade Art Smart 9:45-10:45

Dec 11: 3rd grade Art Smart 12:25-1:25

Dec. 11: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 11: After School Assistance for those signed-up, 2:30-3:30

Dec. 12: 1st and 4th grades hearing screening 8:15-9:45

Dec. 12: 5th grade Art Smart 10:00-11:00

Dec. 12 3rd grade Art Smart 12:15-1:15

Dec. 12: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 12: Girl Scouts 2:30-3:30

Dec. 13: Kindergarten Art Smart 12:45-1:45

Dec. 13: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 13: Circle the State Rehearsal (altos), 2:30-3:30

Dec. 14: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00

Dec. 14: After School Assistance for those signed-up, 2:30-3:30

Dec. 15: 1st grade Art Smart 9:45-10:45

Dec. 15: 3rd grade trip to Digital Video Theater 12:00-1:30

Dec. 15: Circle the State Rehearsal (soprano), 2:30-3:30

Dec. 15: Boys' basketball Intramural, 2:30-4:00 (play staff)

Dec. 19: Girl Scouts 2:30-3:30

Dec. 20: Circle the State Rehearsal (altos), 2:30-3:30

Dec. 21: Kindergarten JOYfest 12:45-1:15

Dec. 22: All-School Read: "Ugly Sweater Day" 12:00-12:30

Dec. 23-Jan. 7: Recess. No School.

Wednesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m., SMS Cafeteria, "Student Internet Safety." St. Joseph Co. Police Offc. Eric Tamashasky will present on what parents need to know and do to help keep their children safe online. This is open to all parents across the District and is presented by P-H-M's Forum.

I have heard Mr. Tamashasky speak before, and it was very informative, although alarming.

RIE is Monday, April 30th and the Rain Date is Wednesday, May 2. The event is not listed on the printed District Activity Calendar, but it is on the PHM Corporate Google Calendar.

Registration for kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year will begin at each P-H-M elementary school on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

This registration opportunity is for youngsters who live within the P-H-M district and who will be five years old on or before September 1. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child.

Penn-Harris-Madison has 11 elementary schools, each offering full-day kindergarten. You may use the 2017 P-H-M Street Guide and the District Map to verify which elementary school serves your neighborhood.

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Please bring the following documentation with you:

1. Original Birth Certificate

2. Two Proofs of Residency (e.g., recent lease/rental agreement and current utility bill showing address)

3. Immunization Records

4. Any legal documents related to child custody, restrictions, or restraining orders

We encourage you to register your student as soon as possible, on or after January 16.

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2031

Yearbook pre-order envelopes were distributed earlier this school year. Cost is $13.84 per book with your child's name free on the cover. The cost of a year book after January 31 is $16.84.

Call the office to see if you have ordered your yearbook yet or to request a payment envelope to place your order before January 31.

Recess Day

Get on your jammies, bring your pillow, and your favorite book—its time for a family read in. Look for games, snacks, prizes, and the great book trade to make this a night to remember.

I believe our students do a great job in the cafeteria, but there is room for improvement. Our goal is to give the students time to eat and have conversations. We have been checking on the students to make sure they have eaten their lunch, as they need the energy for the rest of the day. I believe there needs to be time for the students to talk to one another with controlled volume while eating lunch. How often do adults eat lunch/dinner and have conversations with those around them (and how much do we look forward to that)? I have begun to notice an increase of volume in the cafeteria, as we are trying to get the students to self-monitor and decrease the volume by themselves. Yesterday, I overheard a 5th grader say, "wow, it is loud in here." Talking should happen, and we want to encourage that, but there should not be unnecessary noise like screaming, random animal noises, or banging on the tables. Last year, I had lunch duty with 350 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, so I have heard loudness, but we are not near that at all.

We have also spoken with the students about picking up after themselves at the table and on the floor. It is awesome to see how often other students offer to help. Thanks for instilling in them the importance of helping out, working together, making your area clean.

This has worked out quite well for us. Thanks for following the directions of the supervisors, as we get the students inside safely. I love hearing the good-byes, words of encouragement, after school plans as they exit the vehicle. Remember, we have a line of cars, so we will have quick conversation exchanges, but I certainly wish I could chat with all of you.

On Drop-off:

1. Pull all the way up.

2. We need the students to get out of the car on the curb side only, as it is much safer than walking around the car, especially when it is dark.

3. We are getting the kids out from only 2 cars by the curb. Please wait until we give the go ahead to release the students. I appreciate the patience you have shown so far.

4. Please use the front entrance, if you arrive after 7:50 am.

On Pick-up:

1. Pull all the way up.

2. We will be able to load the first 2 cars on the curb side.

3. We have been telling students to keep eyes ready to see who is next. Please have that conversation at home as well.

4. We will keep the students on the sidewalk, until you have pulled up in one of the first 2 spots.

5. If you are later than 2:35, please pick up your student at the front entrance.

It's getting COLD outside! Remember, kids go outside for recess as long as the temperature is zero or above. We'd like to share a good "rule of thumb" during the cold weather months...

* If the temperature is below 60 degrees, kids should have a jacket/sweatshirt.

* If the temperature is below 40 degrees, kids should wear long pants, shirts with sleeves, closed shoes (no sandals) and for girls who wear skirts or dresses, they should wear tights/leggings underneath (no bare legs). At these cold temperatures, kids should have a COAT/winter gear.

In accordance with the Indiana high ability law, we are required to have an identification process in place to identify students of high ability in the general intellectual and specific academic domains. We identify students who have high ability in language arts and/or math.

Every kindergartener, second and fifth grader who has not been previously identified in a subject area is considered for high ability identification.

Testing for the high ability identification process will begin in November and early December. Contact your child's teacher to confirm testing dates.

Learn more about our identification procedures by visiting our high ability website at this link

Remind your children to read to get points to shop at the AR "store" at the end of each quarter.

Please think about getting involved with the PTO and its many opportunities. You will meet some hard-working, passionate parents.

Our push this year is to get all students engaged in reading every night. We would, of course, love for the whole family to join in as well. Take some time to read as a family or use the time to read silently.

Thank you for donating food to Madison's drive!! What a sight to see so many food items.

Location: Wakarusa, IN 46573, United States
Phone: 574-254-2816
Facebook: facebook.com/MadisonPanthersPHM
Twitter: @MrMcMillenPHM