Madison Messenger - February 2025

Principal Message

Madison Families,

It was wonderful to see so many families at our recent conference week. What better way to continue building a partnership between school and home? We always aim for 100% attendance during conference week and understand that this is certainly a high bar, but also a worthy goal to shoot for because of how important one-on-one time with a young scholar’s teacher is.

During our most recent conference week, Madison saw 99% of scholars have families schedule conferences to discuss their progress.

Thank you again to all families who took the time out of their busy schedules to partner with their child’s teacher. And for those who were unable to attend during the designated days, it is not too late to contact your child’s teacher to set up a time to connect about your scholar’s progress and set goals for the remainder of the year!

We have recently noticed more issues with students and adults at our crosswalks before and after school. If you see an issue that is a problem outside, please contact our office so that we can address it properly and educate our crossing guard team. Please do not harass or yell at our student crossing guards. They are doing their best to ensure student safety crossing the streets. Please remind your students that when crossing the street, they need to walk and be respectful. We appreciate your help in keeping all of our students safe by driving carefully in our school zone and being courteous. Please also refrain from parking in our crosswalks and from jay walking.

As we partner with you to keep our students safe, please make sure you are monitoring what your students are posting on social media for example YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc. Spokane Public Schools is cell phone free, however when students use social media at home these problems often follow them to school. If this occurs, we will contact you and ask you to have your child remove any content about other students or staff. Cyber bullying is taken very seriously by the school district, and it is our sincere hope that Madison students do not participate in this form of online bullying on any social media platform.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to have a safe and successful school year.

Heather Holter, Madison Principal

Important Dates

01/31 NO SCHOOL Semester Break Day
02/07 Fun Friday! Superbowl/Football
02/07 PBIS Assembly HONESTY 2:00PM
02/13 Fun Thursday! Pink & Gray Day!
02/14 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Planning Day
02/17 NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
02/18 NO SCHOOL - Weather Makeup Day
02/21 Fun Friday! Polka Dots and/or Stripes Day
02/27 Class Picture Day, Leo's Photography
02/28 Fun Friday! Dr. Seuss Day, dress as your favorite book or Seuss character!
02/28 Dr. Seuss Community Cafe 7:45-8:15
03/03 PBIS Assembly COOPERATION 1:20PM
03/07 Fun Friday! Blue Day!
03/12 1st & 2nd Grade Music Program 5:30PM
03/14 NO SCHOOL - Weather Makeup Day
03/21 Fun Friday! College Day!
03/26 4th & 5th Grade Music Program 5:30PM
03/28 Fun Friday! Silver Day!
03/31 Scholastic Book Fair begins 9:00AM-4:00PM

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

Spokane Public Schools App

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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.

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.

Dr. Seuss Community Cafe

Mark your calendars for our annual Dr. Seuss Community Cafe on Friday February 28th! Join us from 7:45-8:15 and enjoy a donut and reading books. An adult must accompany students. School breakfast will still be served from 8-8:30.

School Counselor Appreciation Week 2/3-2/7

It's National School Counselor Appreciation Week and we are so lucky to have one of the best at Madison. Thank you, Ms. Kendra, for loving every single person in this building. Your kindness, compassion, and smile make Madison a better place.

We are SP

Feeder Pattern News

February 5th 8th Grade Parent Night at Shadle Park 6:00-7:30PM

February 15th Join us for a fun night, hosted by the Shadle Cheerleaders.

$35 per pre-registered Couple.

$45 at the door per couple. At Shadle Park High School.

February 20th 5th Grade Parent Night at Salk 6:00-7:00PM

After School Clubs

3rd Grade Art Club meets Thursdays from 3-4PM 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13,

K-3 Tumbling Club meets Thursdays from 3-4PM 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27

K-5 Yoga Club Meets Wednesdays 3-4PM 2/5-4/2

K-5 Bloomsday training will meet twice per week starting March 18th. Look for permission slips in late February.

2nd Grade Art Club begins in March.

If you or your student has an idea for an after-school activity or club, please reach out to our school.

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 initiations 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

If you or your family has had a loss of housing, remember that you may be eligible for the HEART program’s support and services. We work to provide educational stability for students that are staying in temporary or transitional living situations. Please give our office a call at 509-354-7302 or check out our website for more information:

HEART Program | Spokane Public Schools (spokaneschools.org)

New 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.
Cold weather is here. 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. Contact our office if you are in need of winter weather gear.
Lost and Found is filling up. Has your student lost a jacket or sweatshirt. Come check out the lost and found located by the office.
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

CEP Survey

School Choice & Registration for 2025-2026 School Year

School Choice Applications and New Student Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will open on January 1st. If you want to choice your student into a school other than their neighborhood school for next year please go online to do so. If you have a student who will be new to Madison for next year you can complete the online registration. Students who are currently enrolled in PreK-11th Grade do not need to complete New Student Registration and will remain at their neighborhood school for next school year. If you have any questions please reach out to our office when we re-open on January 6th.

The priority deadline for school choice is February 15, 2025.

Registration and School Choice

School Lunch Menu

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

PTO News

At the January 28th meeting the Madison PTO confirmed the dates for the annual chocolate sales fundraiser. The order forms will be sent home with your child on February 28th. We will be switching to See’s Candy for this year’s fundraiser. We are excited about this change! Many new products will be available, such as sugar free bars and variety packs. Also, the PTO has voted to purchase $600 of books for the library!

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

Human Growth & Development Preview Available

It’s hard to imagine but Madison is already planning for spring. As we always do, fourth- through fifth-grade teachers will deliver Human Growth and Development and AIDS/HIV lessons in March or April, as mandated by the state. The focus of this instruction is on making healthy decisions and highlighting abstinence as the healthiest way to prevent the spread of HIV. All materials were updated during the 2018-2019 school year, in partnership with our Human Growth and Development Citizens Advisory Committee that is comprised of representatives from across our community, including the Spokane Regional Health District, nurses, doctors, parents, faith-based representatives and district staff.

SPS will be hosting two preview events this winter at The Hive (2904 E. Sprague Ave.) for those interested in previewing the materials.

• Thursday, February 6th, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Hive

• Saturday, February 8th, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at The Hive

If you wish to exclude your child from the HIV/AIDS lessons, please plan on attending a preview opportunity. Staff will be available to answer questions as well as to make the appropriate opt-out forms available. (Excused students will be provided with appropriate alternative educational opportunities).

In addition, you can always contact our school counselor Kendra Denny Maurer with questions. Please call our office at 509-354-3600.

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Madison PTO Facebook

Madison Promise

Golden Award Winners

October Golden Awards

Golden Bell - Ms. Kamian

Golden Calculator - Mrs. Parish

Golden Book - Mr. Torline

Golden Megaphone - Ms. Bambi

Golden Drum - Mrs. Bishop

Golden Bookworm - Mrs. Zaro

Golden Heart - Mrs. Hendrick

Golden Sneaker - Mrs. May

Golden Magnet - Ms. Neis

Golden Paintbrush - Ms. Emily

Golden Spoon - Ms. Guerrero

Golden Plate - Mrs. Nunley

Madison Student Handbook!

We are currently updating the Madison Student Handbook and will get a new copy to you shortly! Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns.