Two trimesters are in the books, with one to go! We’re in the final push with a lot of valuable learning still to come. Let’s take a moment to celebrate some accomplishments and success stories that have already occurred this school year.

Professional Learning Communities… PLCs are functioning at high levels at Madison. Each grade level PLC meets on Thursday morning from 8:30-9:10 a.m. Madison’s “late start” on Thursdays has allowed a great increase in student growth as grade level teams have time to design Common Formative Assessments for pre- and post-tests, plan lessons together, review student data and ensure that ALL Madison students demonstrate mastery of Essential Standards. Please remember that students enter the building at 9:10 a.m., instead of 9:05 a.m., on Thursdays. But students are still tardy at our normal time.

Common Core State Standards… Students are in the second year with our new math standards and there are positive reports. In our first year of implementing the Common Core math standards, grade levels had trouble keeping up with our new pacing guides and added rigor. But this year, teams report that students are persevering through more complex, real-life problems and have a firmer mastery of math facts. In English Language Arts, we are in our first year of implementing the Common Core. These standards ask students to read and analyze more complex texts. The standards ask students to read, write and speak using evidence from texts. Our new standards also ask that our elementary classrooms find a 50/50 balance between informational and literary reading.

Madison’s Guidelines for Success… Madison students have a firm understanding of our three Guidelines for Success (Respect, Responsibility, and Ready to learn) and practice them in and around our school. At the conclusion of our first trimester, each classroom awarded one student a Madison gold coin. Pictures of these students have hung on our Wall of “Paws”itive Behavior as well. The second trimester has now come to a close and we are preparing to award the next round of coins when we return from Spring Break.

Thank you for all you do to partner with us in your child’s education.

Tim Callahan, principal

Madison Elementary

Madison’s spring book fair is April 6-9 and we need volunteers. A green volunteer sheet was sent home with your child a couple of weeks ago. Please consider signing up for an hour or two during the times indicated below. You can send the sheet back to school with your child or email me at stephbrown04@yahoo.com.

Volunteers needed:

Mon.: 9:15 a.m. – noon (set-up)

Mon.: 1 -- 3:30 p.m. (wish list)

Tues.: 9:15 a.m.--3:30 p.m. (wish list)

Wed.: 9:15 a.m.--3:30 p.m.

Thurs.: 9:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

If you can volunteer, or if you have questions, contact Stephanie Brown (stephbrown04@yahoo.com) or Kristin Olson (kolson1@me.com).

At the general membership meeting held on March 19th, the PTA nominating committee announced their nomination slate for the executive committee to serve in the 2015-2016 school year. These individuals have accepted their nomination as follows:

PTA Co-President: Julie Ippolito, second term ending 6-2016

PTA Co-President: Kristin Olson, first term ending 6-2016

First Vice President of Membership: Monica Fahey, second term ending 6-2016

Second Vice President of Ways & Means: Suzanne Weber, first term ending 6-2016

Treasurer: Jennifer Pashup-Graham, second term ending 6-2016

Secretary: Louise Kirkman, first term ending 6-2016

The officer election will take place at the next general membership meeting on April 16 at 12 p.m. Anyone interested in serving as an officer on the executive committee may also be nominated from the floor at this time. The person seeking office must have been a member of the PTA for at least the last 30 days, and the person nominating them must have their prior consent. We welcome all PTA members to participate in the election of next year’s officers. We hope to see you there!

For questions, contact Sarah Johnson, skjohnson75@hotmail.com or 630-588-8468.

The Wheaton Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative is hosting a Family Day of Play for the District 200 community on Sat., Apr. 11 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hubble Middle School. This FREE event will feature activities for children and resources for their parents. Children, parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, and community members are invited. All children must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Questions? Contact Erica Loiacono at 630-682-2469 or erica.loiacono@cusd200.org

Madison's school nurse needs 1-2 volunteers to help with the dental clinic on Fri., Apr. 17. Hours would be 9:20-noon, and if there are any students left, it would resume at 1 p.m. Please email Janet Mathis if you can help,janetmarkmathis@yahoo.com.

Enrollment for the 2015 WW South Summer Recreation Camps is open. Programs available include badminton, baseball, basketball, cheer, track, cross country, dance, football, golf, softball, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics and swimming.

If you have a child who will be five on or before Sept. 1, 2015, please call the school office at 630-682-2095 to add your child’s name to our kindergarten list and to obtain information on registration. Please pass this information to any friends or neighbors with a potential kindergartener. Thank you!

Please have your student check the lost and found on the tables across from the gym. There are many very nice clothing items, mittens, hats, etc.

All items will be donated to Goodwill if not claimed.

Madison teachers have found many ways for refurbished iPads/other tablets /handheld devices to complement the curriculum. Simply take your old device into Madison’s office during school hours of 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the staff will make sure it’s put to good use in the classroom. Please let your friends and relatives know too! Donations are tax-deductible.

Click on the calendar on the Madison section of www.cusd200.org to view upcoming dates. See below for some highlights:

Mar. 26: Madison's 50th Anniversary assembly at 2:30 p.m. - 80s theme

Mar. 30 - Apr. 3: Spring Break

Apr. 6-9: Book Fair

Apr. 13-17: Roller skating

Apr. 16: PTA General Membership Meeting at noon

Apr. 25: New200 Foundation 5K

Apr. 29: 5th grade parent Edison orientation

May 4: Special Needs PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.

May 22: Explore More Day

Aug. 17: Meet & Treat

Sept. 3: Picture Day

Sept. 16 & 17: Run-a-thon (rain date is Sept. 18)

Nov. 12: Multicultural Day

Jan. 23, 2016: Pancake breakfast

View the 2015-2016 school calendar here.