Madison Messenger - October 2026

Principal Message

Dear Madison Families,

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on September 15 and continues through October 15. This week I wanted to share some resources for families to explore together. The S pokane Public Library offers recommended books for children, teens, and adults. PBS KIDS features child-friendly videos celebrating music, dance, food, family traditions, and stories. Families can also visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino for bilingual activities and opportunities to explore the many histories and cultures represented within Hispanic and Latino community.

Parent reminders:

Please send you child to school on time. Research supports students at school on time each day increases their success and a productive student and adult.When they are at school, they perform better on testing and meeting their grade level standards.

Pease remember to dress your child appropriately for health and fitness, outside recess and cool weather that will be on the way soon.

As a reminder, if you want to allow your child an extra entree item for lunch, you can send money to school or upload to their lunch account. Please reach out to Mary if you have any questions.

PLEASE do not park in the crosswalks and respect the crosswalk captains as to when they blow the whistle and stop traffic They are learning and working on keeping us safe, which may mean that you will need to wait for a bit until they deem it safe to cross the street. We appreciate your partnership with this.

Don't forget to read the Madison Messenger once a month and to check the Madison website weekly as well as the Madison Facebook and Instagram page. This is how you can find information about spirit days and our calendar and monthly assemblies that you are invited to attend.

Also, please refer to the Madison Student Handbook for our policy on celebrations. We do not have birthday parties at school. If you want to bring something in for your child, it would need to be a non-food item that has been approved by the teacher or principal. And finally, parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child. We allow you to bring in food for that event, but out of respect for the other students and to keep student healthy, we are asking that soda, unhealthy food and fast food items are limited. Thanks for your attention this matter, please reach to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Heather Holter, Madison Principal

Madison Student Handbook

Learn About the School Levy on the Nov. 3 Ballot

Earlier this year, the School Board approved a resolution placing an Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot for voters residing in Spokane Public Schools boundaries.

This levy would replace the EP&O levy approved by voters in 2024, which collects funds for 2025, 2026, and 2027 budget years, to collect funds in 2028, 2029, and 2030.

The EP&O levy funds about 15% of Spokane Public Schools' budget, supporting academics, activities and athletics, and services for students.

Learn More

Spokane Public Schools Cell Policy

Madison Elementary is a Cell Phone Free School. Students who have a cell phone, smart watch, or other cellular devices need to keep them turned off and in their backpack during the school day. We understand that being able to contact your child before and after school is important, however during the school day they are not allowed. Students are able to use a phone in the office if they need to contact parents during the day. Students with a specific medical need or other documented needs may have accommodations made. For more information about the school districts cell phone policy, please click the link below.

Cell Phone Policy and Procedure

CEP Survey

Please complete the CEP survey. All students receive free breakfast and lunch, however completing the survey helps our school receive funding for things like the fresh fruit and veggie grant. Families who meet the requirement can also receive scholarships for athletics, camps, and students in middle school and high school receive a free GSL card and other benefits. Please complete one survey per household.

CEP Survey

Important Dates

10/02 Fun Friday! Yellow Day!
10/06 PTO Meeting 4PM
10/09 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Planning Day
10/15 Read Like an Eagle Assembly 10:00AM
10/16 Fun Friday! Green & Gold Day
10/17-10/25 NO SCHOOL - Fall Break
10/29 Fun Thursday! Kindergarten Color Day
10/29 Skate Night 6-8PM at Pattisons
10/30 Fun Friday! Book Character Day
11/02 PBIS Assembly GRATITUDE 1:20PM
11/04 Picture Re-Take Day
11/06 Fun Friday! Flannel Day
1110 Veterans Day Assembly 2:00PM
11/11 NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
11/13 Fun Friday! Disney Day
11/17 PTO Meeting 4PM
11/20 Fun Friday! Kindergarten Color Day
11/25-11/29 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

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

Back to School Reminders

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year. We are so glad you are at Madison.

School Schedule:

Monday 9:30AM-3:00PM

Tuesday- Friday 8:30AM-3:00PM

Please have students at school by 8:25AM (9:25AM on Mondays) so they are in class and ready to learn when school begins.

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE for all students.

Breakfast is served 30 minutes before school each day (9:00AM on Monday and 8:00AM Tuesday-Friday). Students who arrive after the bell can still receive breakfast until 10AM.

Students who wish to purchase extra breakfast or lunch items are able to do so. An extra lunch or "super" is $2.25, milk is $1.00, and an extra breakfast entree is $1.50. Students are able to pay with cash or check or reach out to the office for help setting up an online account. Please note that students do not have to pay for breakfast or lunch, only if they would like extra food. Adult lunches are $5.50 and include a milk.

Recess:

All students will go outside for recess. Please dress for the weather. It is helpful to label jackets, lunch boxes, etc with your students name so we can help lost items return to their people. The only exceptions to going outside are if it is pouring rain, below 20 degrees, or if the air quality is "unhealthy for all".

Parking, Before and After School:

Please do not park on Nebraska in front of Madison. This is a bus loading zone only. Please do not park in crosswalks or within 5 feet of them as this is a safety issue.

Crossing Guards:

Please be mindful of crosswalks and our student crossing guards before and after school. Please use the crosswalk to cross the street and do not block intersections or neighbor driveways with your vehicle. If you see a problem outside, please notify the school at 509-354-3600. If you notice a car driving unsafely or other safety issues, please report those to 911 or crime check when you see them.

Cross Walks:

Please utilize our cross walk located at Rowan and Wall when crossing the street. We have a dedicated crossing guard at the corner 30 minutes before and after school to help parents and students cross the street safely. Wall can be a busy road and we want everyone to get where they need to go safely. Say hi to Mr. Kevin next time you cross there!

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.

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)

School Lunch Menu

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

October Menu

PTO News

Join us for Skate Night on October 29th. Wear your costumes! Our next PTO meeting is on October 6th at 4PM. Please join us.

Tracy Caldwell

PTO President

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

Instagram

Facebook

Madison PTO Facebook

Madison Promise