Madison Messenger - April 2026

Principal Message

Dear Families,

Part of the Madison School Improvement Plan is creating a building where every child feels a deep sense of belonging. Belonging is more than just being included, it is knowing you are valued, respected, and an important part of our community exactly as you are. This work shows up in our classrooms, on the playground, and in the way we talk with and learn from one another each day.

A big part of creating that sense of belonging is helping our students understand and appreciate the differences that make each of us unique. When we learn about one another’s experiences, strengths, and perspectives, we build empathy and begin to see how those differences make our community stronger, not weaker.

This month, we are highlighting Disability Awareness Month. Everyone has strengths, everyone has challenges, and every person deserves dignity and respect.

Our goal is not just awareness but understanding. We want children to grow into individuals who notice when someone might need support, who choose kindness, and who recognize that inclusion is something we all help create.

We invite you to continue these conversations at home. Talking with your child about differences, whether related to ability, culture, or experiences, helps reinforce the message that everyone belongs.

Thank you for being our partners in building a school community where every child is seen, valued, and supported.

Please take time some time to be in the moment with your child over spring break. Read a book, take a walk, do a craft, make a meal together and attempt at less screen time. When we head into April, we will be practicing, learning, and preparing for the testing season during the month of May. Please try not to schedule appointments during our testing window. This will help your child do their very best. Good sleep and being to school on time will give all of our students an opportunity to be their best.

Thank you for being our partners in building a school community where every child is seen, valued, and supported.

Heather Holter, Madison Principal

Important Dates

03/31 4th & 5th Grade Music Performance 1:20PM
03/31 4th & 5th Grade Music Performance 5:30PM, students arrive at 5:15
04/02 STEAM Night 4:30-6PM
04/03 Fun Friday! I need a Vacation Day
04/04-04/12 NO SCHOOL Spring Break
04/17 Fun Friday! Crazy Sock Day!
04/17 Kids Heart Challenge Assembly 2:15PM
04/17 Spokane Indians Baseball
04/24 Fun Friday! Black Day
05/01 Fun Friday! Super Hero Day

For up-to-date information please check the website www.spokaneschools.org/Madison and scroll down to the "Events" section.

Steam Night

Mark your calendars for STEAM Night on Thursday April 2nd from 4:30-6:00PM. We will be serving a Free dinner from 4:30-5:30PM and games and activities will be from 5:00-6:00PM. This is always a fun event. We hope your family can make it!

PTO will be at STEAM Night selling See's Chocolates if you missed our chocolate sale! Bring cash.

Crisis Drills

Crisis Drills: Schools are required to have monthly crisis drills throughout the school year. The types of drills practiced include: Evacuation (fire), off-site evacuation, lockdown and shelter in place. This is to help staff be best prepared for an emergency situation.

Spokane Public Schools uses the Raptor Technologies system during emergencies. Raptor allows for the quick launching of emergency procedures and the accounting for all scholars, staff and visitors in a building. Information communicated within Raptor is directly relayed to district leaders and first responders.

Doors: All doors at Madison remain locked at all times. A single point of entry system requires that all visitors be buzzed in at the front entry by the office. Staff have proximity badges that allow them to buzz themselves and their students through other exterior doors. Families are asked to help reinforce the safety protocol of never opening an exterior door for anyone with their students at home. Caregivers are also asked not to attempt to enter the building through other doors.

Spokane Public Schools App

Download the new SPS Mobile App and Subscribe to MADISON

The new SPS mobile app allows families to easily access news and information from the district and their students’ schools, as well as breakfast and lunch menus, upcoming events and more.

Watch this short video sharing how you can be connected to your school with the new SPS mobile app.

Search your App store for Spokane Public Schools.

Madison Spirit Wear

Check out our spirit wear store! There are 3 designs to choose from. Click the green link below to view the store.

http://kcenterprisesapparel.chipply.com/MadisonElementary/

Late Students/ Breakfast at School

We have seen an increase in the number of late students each day. When students are late, they miss out on valuable instruction time and morning announcements. Please have your students to school by 8:25AM each day (9:25AM on Mondays). Breakfast is served each day until 10AM, however if your student is wanting to have school breakfast, please try to have them arrive at 8AM (9AM on Mondays) so they can eat with friends in the lunchroom. We appreciate your help.

After School Clubs

K-5 Fit for Bloomsday

03/24, 03/26. 03/31, 04/02, 04/14, 04/16, 04/21, 04/23, 04/28, 04/30 3-4:30PM

Check our Website or the SPS App for the most up to date information. If your student has an idea for a club have them talk to Mrs. Oas.

Spokane Indians Baseball Night

Get tickets for the Spokane Indians Game on Friday April 17th! It's Storybook Princess & Fireworks Night. Use the link below for tickets.

Spokane Indians Tickets

We are SP

Feeder Pattern News

SALK News

The Salk Music Department Spaghetti Feed and Auction is on April 22nd from 5-8PM at Salk.

FLETT News

The Pauline Flett Powwow is Saturday May 2nd from 10AM-10PM at Flett Middle School.

We are SP Spirit Wear

If you are interested in purchasing Proud to be SP spirit wear for your student or family please us the link below.

https://shop.game-one.com/washington/spokane/shadle-park-highlanders/proud-to-be

Birthday Parties/ Celebrations

Due to food allergies, health diagnosis, and cultural beliefs please refrain from sending food items to school for your child. If you would like to bring something, please check with the teacher. We recommend nonfood items such as pencils or stickers or a small craft for the kids to do.

If your child wishes to invite students to a party outside of school, please do not have them distribute invitations at school (unless it is for the whole class) as this causes hurt feelings and does not create a sense of belonging. Please work with the classroom teacher on how they would like to support you to invite some students.

SPS HEART Program

We understand that some families may have had a change in their housing situation. This may qualify your children for additional services through our district HEART (McKinney-Vento) Program. Please let us know if you are:

· Sharing housing with others due to financial hardship

· In a hotel/motel

· At a shelter or in transitional housing

· Staying in a car, park, campground, or other unstable situation

If any of these describe your current situation, please contact your school counselor or the HEART Program 509-354-7302. We can help with getting school clothing, school supplies, transportation to and from school, provide referrals to community resources, and more!

HEART Program | Spokane Public Schools (spokaneschools.org)

Cell Phone Policy

Thank you for helping your students follow the new Spokane Public Schools cell phone policy. As a reminder cell phones and smart devices are not allowed to be used during the school day and must be kept in a backpack and turned off or silent. Please click the link below for more information.

Spokane Public Schools Cell Phone Policy

Reminders

Please do not park on Nebraska as this is our bus loading zone only from 8AM-4PM.

Please do not send your child to school with toys or items that do not belong at school. We have had a large number of toys, etc turned into lost and found. Please leave these items at home unless the teacher has given permission to have these items at school.

Students will go outside each day for recess unless it is pouring rain or below 20 degrees. Please help your student dress for the weather. Labeling coats and outerwear will help us reunite your child with any lost items.

Consider sending your child to school with a change of clothes (to keep in their backpack or locker) in case of an emergency.

Each month our school practices emergency drills like fire drills, earthquake, or "shelter in place". We practice so that all students and staff know what to do in an emergency.

Volunteer Application

School Lunch Menu

All students get free breakfast and lunch each day! Check out Spokane Public Schools lunch menu below!

PTO News

Madison PTO is so excited to provide Madison Mustangs shirts to all students! Your child should have received their shirt. Also, See’s Candy fundraiser items will be sent home with your students the week of March 30th. We have a few additional See’s items that will be sold at Steam Night.

Tracy Caldwell

PTO President

If you have any questions about joining the PTO or attending a meeting, please email us at elementaryptomadison@gmail.com

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Madison PTO Facebook

Madison Promise

Madison Student Handbook!

Check out our updated Madison Student Handbook!

Madison Student Handbook