Husky Highlights
Madison Elementary School Newsletter - December 2021
COMING UP:
Learning Improvement Friday (LIF) Early Dismissal @ 1:35pm
December 6
Family Game Night in our school cafeteria @ 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Games by grade level
Dinner served @ 6:00pm - 6:30pm
December 9
Madison PTA Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show @ 6:30pm - 8:00pm
December 10
Learning Improvement Friday (LIF) Early Dismissal @ 1:35pm
December 17
Half Day for Winter Break - Dismissal @ 12:20pm
December 20 - 31
Winter Break - No School
January 3
School back in session
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greetings Madison Families,
As we end 2021, I would like to thank you for your commitment to Madison. The success we have experienced since the school year's opening owes a great deal to parents/caregivers and our amazing MAE staff. I wish you a restful winter break, and I hope you enjoy this time with your child(ren). For the New Year, I wish you health and happiness and hope the winter recess provides a myriad of opportunities for you and your family to do things you might not be able to accomplish when school is in session.
This month, we will have an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with families through our Annual Holiday Light Show, which will occur on December 09th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and our Monthly Family Math Night. Our first family math night will be held on December 06th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. (You must register in advance to attend. Registration link- https://forms.gle/UeDFetLheZPcBBwA7) Join us for fun, laughter, and the opportunity to interact with our new math curriculum.
Finally, school is closed beginning December 20th. The holidays are good times for storytelling around the dinner table or routines like bedtime reading that cultivate connections between home and school expectations. Young scholars do best with regular schedules, and I encourage you to prepare for their return to school on January 3rd by instilling in them an understanding of the importance of being rested and ready to learn.
As always, thank you for your continuous support. Please don't hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or concerns, and on behalf of the Madison staff, I'd like to wish you and your family a healthy, happy winter holiday season!
In Partnership,
Dr. Jessica Corneille, Principal
FOLLOW MADISON ELEMENTARY ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
@EPSMadison (Facebook)
@EPS_MadisonES (Twitter)
PARENT UNIVERSITY "SUGGEST A TOPIC" FORM
We want to hear from our families! Everett Public Schools empowers parents and guardians to be engaged in their child's education. Parent University is a series of short informative on-demand videos and "how-to" guides, based upon parents' top concerns and areas of interest. We are seeking input from families as we develop videos this school year. Please visit the “Suggest a Topic” form and tell us about additional topics that will help meet the needs of you and your student(s).
REPLACEMENT LEVIES
Everett Public Schools board of directors voted to put two replacement levies on the February 2022 ballot. The 4-year replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy and the 6-year Capital levy would replace two levies expiring in 2022 and would start collecting in 2023.
Replacing both expiring levies within a stable tax rate, that also addressed the educational needs of all our students, was a primary goal in planning the renewal levies for the February 8, 2022 election.
Having good schools and facilities has a positive effect on our neighborhoods. Better schools help build a stronger community, which will improve our quality of life, keep crime down, and help increase the values of our homes. All students should be given the same opportunities regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or family income. This funding will ensure all students in Everett Public Schools have the same opportunities to learn, grow and succeed.
Local EP&O levy funding allows Everett Public Schools to provide the quality education our community expects for our children, which goes beyond the minimum funded by the state. The proposed renewal levy rate is $2.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value (AV). This is an increase of 27 cents per $1,000 AV. This covers basic operating expenses and includes:
· Special education services
· Additional program offerings such as summer school, early learning, elementary dual language, choice programs, orchestra,
family partnerships, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
· Additional guidance and mental health counseling services, nurses, health room assistants, staff mentors, and positive behavior coaches
· Student transportation
· Safety and security
· Extra-curricular clubs, sports, and activities
· Costs over state funding for full time, part-time and substitute staff
The $325.5 million replacement Capital levy provides funding to acquire, improve, or maintain school facilities in the following categories:
· Technology: Our students benefit from ongoing integration of technology into their learning. $96 million
· Increased safety and security: Our students will learn in buildings that are made to be safer and more secure. $2 million.
· Equal access, same experience: Every student will have the same opportunity to learn in well-functioning, safe and modern spaces. $172 million.
· Maintenance and mandatory upgrades: Our facilities are valuable community assets and must be maintained to increase their life expectancy and comply with state-mandated upgrades. $54 million.
The passing of both the replacement EP&O and Capital levies will increase your Everett Public Schools-related property tax rates by an estimated $0.84 per $1,000 AV when compared to 2022 and an estimated $0.33 when compared to 2021. However, the new tax rates will still be substantially lower than rates paid by district property owners prior to 2021.
For more information about the upcoming replacement levies, visit www.everettsd.org/2022Levies.
VOLUNTEERS IN SCHOOLS
The district will begin allowing school-based volunteers who are approved and meet the Washington State COVID-19 vaccination requirement beginning December 6. Please visit the volunteer webpage under the Parents tab for information on the application update and vaccination verification process.
THE GIFT OF ATTENDANCE
Absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holiday as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. Just a few missed days here and there, even excused absences, can add up and lost learning time can put your child behind in school.
This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school. Put simply, too many absences at any age can affect a student’s chances for academic success and eventually for graduation. This holiday season give your children the gift of an education and the habit of attendance.
FAMILY RESOURCES
Could you or a family you know use some help? Find information and links to helpful resources on the district’s Parent Tools webpage:
· Washington State Library – local and regional information about services and agencies offering help to families in a variety of ways including food, shelter, clothing, childcare, legal services, employment opportunities, and counseling
· Everett Public Schools Kids In Transition (KIT) program – supports homeless children and youth to continue their education
· Snohomish Health District for Snohomish County community dental resources for children and adults
· United Way of Snohomish County – 2-1-1 is a free telephone number that is your best "first call" to quickly find the right source of help. The information line is staffed by trained operators from Volunteers of America Western Washington who can connect you to a wide range of community services
SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE IN ECEAP PRESCHOOL
Everett Public Schools Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a FREE preschool program for three- and four-year-old children from families with limited income. ECEAP prepares children for kindergarten and provides family support and health and nutrition services. It is funded by the Washington State Department of Early Learning.
The six ECEAP sites within our school district are Cedar Wood, Hawthorne, Jackson, Lowell, Madison, and Silver Lake elementary schools. Space is limited – apply early! For an application or more information, please visit the district ECEAP website or call 425-385-4628.
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
Everett Public Schools is offering Transitional Kindergarten for children who are not currently in an early learning program and are scheduled to begin kindergarten in the fall of 2022. This program will focus on foundational academic, social and self-help skills to jumpstart qualifying students toward success in school. Students will be screened in December and January and may qualify based on need.
The Transitional Kindergarten classrooms will be located at several of the elementary schools in our district. Sites will be determined based on enrollment. Transitional Kindergarten will start on Tuesday, February 1 and will run through the last day of school, which is currently June 22, 2022.
To be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten, children must:
- be 5 years old by August 31, 2022
- live within the boundaries of Everett Public Schools
- not be currently enrolled in an early learning program
- demonstrate academic and/or social-emotional needs through a screening process
The screening is an assessment used to determine your child's developmental strengths and needs. During this time, your child will draw, count, name colors, jump and have fun! Following the screening, you will have an opportunity to talk about the results and ask questions about your child's development. At this time, families will also learn whether or not their child qualifies for Transitional Kindergarten.
If you are interested in Transitional Kindergarten, please complete the interest form linked here:
Transitional Kindergarten Interest Form
For questions or assistance, please contact:
Helen Cooley, P-5 Instruction & Early Learning Programs Administrative Assistant: 425-385-4088 (or 425-385-4024)
Please visit our ECEAP page to learn about preschool opportunities that your child may also qualify for.
ACCEPTING HIGHLY CAPABLE NOMINATIONS UNTIL DEC. 17
The Highly Capable program in Everett Public Schools is designed to meet learning needs and challenge students who have advanced thinking and academic abilities. “HC” classes, as they are often referred to, are open to students in second, third, fourth and fifth grade.
HC students learn and study in self-contained classrooms with a fast-paced curriculum that encourages and inspires them to develop higher level thinking skills. HC classrooms are held in specific schools in the district, based upon qualified enrollment. The district provides transportation to students in HC classes.
Find forms, information and evening events on the Highly Capable website. Referrals are for students currently in grades one through four for winter testing, which will take place in February with more information to come.
DELAYED START OR CLOSED SCHOOLS
If we must cancel school or delay the start of school, we will use our parent communication system to call in the morning, typically around 5:30 a.m., with a brief message about the reason for closure or delay. We will also use local media and post the message on our website. If there is no announcement about Everett Public Schools, school is on the regular schedule. More information and resources for school closures or delays is on the district website under the Parents tab.
In cases of inclement weather or other emergencies, please:
- check your email or phone for district messages
- listen for media announcements
- view the district’s website at www.everettsd.org
- watch district Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts
SNOW ROUTES ARE ONLINE
BOARD OF DISTINCTION
REGISTER TO VOTE!
It’s easy! Visit the Snohomish County webpage for details on the three ways you can register to vote or update your registration.