Madison Middle School
January 14, 2022
MADISON UPDATE
Events coming up!
- January 17th NO SCHOOL-M.L. King Holiday
- January 19th at 6:00pm: Power of Parents (former cafecito con el director)on Zoom.
- January 26- ELAC at 6pm Zoom
REGISTER FOR A CAMPUS TOUR! REGISTRESE PARA UN RECORRIDO POR LA ESCUELA!!
Recorridos en persona de la escuela de Madison empiezan el 24 de enero para estudiantes nuevos. Haga click en el siguiente volante para registrarse.
CAREER FAIR GUEST SPEAKERS NEEDED
Dear Madison Families,
Madison Middle School is planning a Career Fair for our students on February 25 from 10:45am - 1:30pm. Our goal is for students to have the opportunity to begin thinking about their future careers. We would like to invite parents of our students to be a part of our Career Day weather that be virtual or in person.
Help inspire the youth of our community by sharing your career journey, a typical workday, education requirements and more. This is an opportunity for students to speak with someone whose career choice interests them and to explore areas they may not have considered before. All career opportunities are welcome!
The fair will last approximately 1.5 hours, with students in grades 6 - 8 listening to guest speakers, followed by physical booths or virtual breakout-rooms, to ask questions and learn about your career.
We appreciate your willingness to give back to the youth of our community. If you, your employer or someone you know might be interested in participating, please click on the flyer and fill out the form. You can also contact our counselors, Dea Rivera dearivera@vistausd.org 760-940-0176 EXT 62007 or Patty Swift pattyswift@vistausd.org at 760-940-0176 EXT.62008 or Joanne Cross EXT 62005. Thank you for your time.
LOOK AT WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE MAKING!
SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
It is deeply disturbing to us all to learn about the gun violence that took four young lives in Michigan last week. Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts are with the families and the community of Oxford Township. We are indeed facing difficult times throughout the United States as it relates to violence and the trauma that follows. Vista Unified remains steadfast in our commitment to creating and maintaining safe and secure learning environments for all students and staff. Starting at the beginning of this school year, we launched a comprehensive trauma-informed support professional development series for all administrators and social/emotional support staff. Just three weeks ago, we reviewed with all site principals the procedures for maintaining a safe, secure campus in the event of a possible threat. Immediately after learning about the incident in Michigan last week, we met with all principals to discuss emergency response plans. We have confidence in our security procedures and the effectiveness of our security staff, including our strong relationships with the Vista Sheriff Department and the Oceanside Police Department. We are also working closely with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to identify resources that our teachers and staff may use to support our students as they learn about traumatic experiences that have been happening nationally. SDCOE has created a Guidance for Parents, Educators Following a Shooting that offers information from mental health experts on effective ways for school staff members and parents to talk with students following traumatic events. It also includes links to training and support related to school safety, school climate and culture, and student mental health and well-being.
The safety of students and staff remains our top priority. In order for our school district to be as effective as possible, we need your help to keep our campuses safe. Please continue to encourage your child to inform a trusted adult (parent or school staff member) any time they hear, see, or read something they believe may not be safe. Administration and law enforcement investigates each concern of this nature to determine if there is a credible threat. Our response to any threat will be immediate.
Our district uses an anonymous reporting tool called PSST World. Using PSST World, students and families can anonymously report any range of concerning behaviors and incidents that they have seen, heard, or experienced. When a report is made, a message is immediately sent to our safety team and site administrators for follow up .
MISSED YEARBOOK PICTURE DAY?
UPDATED TESTING SITES
COVID TESTING ON MONDAY JANUARY 17TH
For COVID Testing on Monday, Jan 17th, the following three sites will be open for COVID testing:
Rancho Buena Vista, Mission Vista and Vista Innovation Center
Hours are 8am-4pm.
Monday, dia feriado, 17 de enero, los siguientes sitios estaran abiertos para la prueba de Covid
Rancho Buena Vista, Mission Vista y Vista Innovation Center
SPRING SEMESTER MUSIC CLASS PROXIMO SEMESTRE: CLASE DE MUSICA
DOES YOUR STUDENT NEED HELP? NECESITA AYUDA SU ESTUDIANTE?
Technology Addiction
Even though the problems associated with kids and technology seem to be getting worse rather than getting better, it has been a problem for many years. Over ten years ago, in 2011, we received the following from one of our customers:
“My typically nice and responsible kid turns into a monster after he plays his computer games.”
If you’ve noticed this or similar behaviors with your kids, you’re not alone. This week we will revisit why this is so common, as well as actions that we can take to protect our kids.
Electronic Games can be Extremely Addictive
Because most video games operate according to variable schedules of reinforcement (the user cannot entirely predict when something exciting will happen) our kids get hooked into thinking that they “need to play just a little bit longer” each to time.
Even educational games present these risks. To grab the attention of the learner, our kids’ favorite games are highly entertaining—and stimulating. Is it any wonder that kids who spend too much time glued to these games find everything else boring?
Real life is always a downer when you’re hooked on electronic uppers.
The symptoms of withdrawal also reflect the addictive nature of these games: Irritability, extreme moodiness, and attempts to get a “fix” even if it requires manipulating and mistreating those who love you the most.
Set Enforceable Limits
Children under 5 should spend almost no time playing video games, computer games, or watching television. This also applies to educational games and shows.
Many older children must spend a significant amount of time on computers and the internet due to school requirements. However, they should not spend an excessive amount of additional time each day playing video games or using the internet for entertainment purposes. Wise parents set the following limit:
I allow video games, computer games, or TV shows in our home only when they are causing no problems.
Wise parents also don’t hesitate to remove these items from the home when “problems” begin.
Replace Electronic Screens with Loving Relationships
Kids don’t miss their computers and TVs nearly as much when they have parents who spend plenty of time with them playing catch, riding bikes, sledding, or doing other sorts of good old- fashioned things that build relationships. When you build these kinds of relationships while kids are very young, and you will find that they are less likely to become addicted to technology.
In our new audio, Healthy Kids and Families in a Technology-Filled World, I talk about the critical importance of the relationship approach to handling technology addition, including topics such as limits, supervision, and accountability for kids’ use of technology. This audio will give you more tips on how to address technology issues with your kids.
Thanks for reading!
If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend. Our goal is to help as many families as possible.
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND
After a successful summer program and a great start to the year, the Madison Middle School Bands presented an amazing Fall Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 3rd in the campus quad. Both the Intermediate Band and Advanced Band performed. The music was exciting, varied, and included all things Fall. "Creatures in the Attic" and "Attack of the Cyborgs" brought the spooky while selections like the "USS Hornet March" honored our veterans. The concert also served as an official launch for the newly formed MMS Band Boosters who provided concessions during intermission and after the show.
The next concert will be on Friday, December 10th at 7PM at St. Thomas More. The Advanced Band will be performing winter themed selections with the bands from RBVHS. The Intermediate Band and Beginning Band will be presenting their Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 15th at 6PM on the MMS Campus. The MMS Band Program strives to impact our peers and community through high levels of music performance and academic achievement. It is our goal to share not only music, but also the friendship and creativity that comes along with making music. If you're interested in supporting the program, contact the booster president Jenni Matsumoto at jenni.matsumoto@gmail.com. You can also use the QR code below to make a direct
Yearbook on Sale
Clubs @ Madison
*****Older News*****
Team Up Against Hunger!
Thank you for your donations for the Annual Food Drive for the Vista Teen Outreach program. Our students worked hard to organize this event.
What Bullying is and is not
Bullying is a phrase we hear regularly and often: in the media, on TV shows and movies, in schools and in conversations among both adults and children. Parents, students and schools are rightfully worried about bullying. It is a problem and cause for concern but may not be as widespread as many think because the term “bullying” is often used as an umbrella to describe all kinds of mean behavior—from a rude comment to a conflict between two people to a one-time physical altercation. In the U.S., 20.2% (NCES, 2017) of students age 12-18 report being bullied at school and 36.5% (Cyberbullying Research Center, 2019) of 12-17 year-olds have experienced cyberbullying over the course of their lifetime.
Definition of bullying
Bullying is defined as follows:
The repeated actions or threats of action directed toward a person by one or more people who have or are perceived to have more power or status than their target in order to cause fear, distress or harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal, psychological or any combination of these three.
Here’s a definition to use for younger, elementary age children:
When a person or a group behaves in ways—on purpose and over and over—that make someone feel hurt, afraid or embarrassed.
It is important to distinguish bullying from other unkind, mean and harmful behavior. Calling someone a name or pushing someone once, being rude or having an argument with someone is not bullying. Of course, these behaviors should be addressed but may have different consequences and interventions, which is why the distinction is critical. To be defined as bullying, all three components must be present: (1) repeated actions or threats, (2) a power imbalance and (3) intention to cause harm. If bullying is identified correctly, there are various ways to address it.
Identity-based bullying
Many bullying incidents can be described as “identity-based,” which is any form of bullying related to characteristics that are part of a person’s identity or perceived identity group, such as race, religion, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical appearance, etc. Because identity-based bullying targets who the student is—a core part of their identity—it can be especially harmful. It impacts not only the individual student but everyone else around them who identifies in the same way and who worries that they may be the next target. In discussing identity-based bullying with young people, it’s important to make the point that bullying happens because of an aggressor’s bias, not because of the target's identity.
Ally behavior
Because a great deal bullying takes place when and where adults aren't around and because young people increasingly (as they get older) don’t report bullying to adults, it is especially important to help young people learn how to be an ally which includes: supporting targets, not participating, telling aggressors to stop, informing a trusted adult, not judging people and getting to know them and being an ally online.
What can we do to help? What actions might make a difference?
Consider one of the six simple ways to move from being a bystander to being an ally when faced with a bullying situation.
- Support targets, whether you know them or not.
- Don't Participate
- Tell aggressors to stop
- Inform a trusted adult
- Get to know people instead of judging them
- Be an ally online
PARENTS: VISIT OUR NEW PTA WEBSITE
Passion Lab Highlight: Surf Life w/ Mr. Critchlow
Surf Life Design Lab is taught by Mr. Critchlow. For years he was the advisor for the MMS Surf Club. This class is an attempt to bring back as much of the old surf club as possible. The ultimate goal is to get the students to the beach and in the water. Since MMS is not near the beach the class can't go for daily surf sessions. Instead, students will explore other aspects of surf culture, including the history and science behind surfing. In addition, this class will try to find fun activities that many surfers around the world have found for those flat waveless days that are the opposite of SURFS UP.
See you in the line up.
Principal Bailey catching a wave!
Deep in the barrel!
Getting barreled!
STEM Club
Middle School Grading Periods 2021/2022
Is your student having to isolate / quarantine? Here is some info for you!
Call us if you have more questions!!!
Explore the Arts and Express Yourself PTA Reflections Program
Do you enjoy art? Do you have a talent for photography, dance, film, writing, or music composition? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year's theme is "I Will Change the World By...". Now is your chance to get creative. What does "I Will Change the Word By..." mean to you? Interpret this through your chosen art. Draw a picture, take a photo, compose a song, make a movie, or choreograph a dance. We want to see your talent shine. About Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through their district, region, council and state PTA programs to the national level. https://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/award-of-excellence-recipients/ How To Participate Think about what "I Will Change the World By..." means to you. How can you express that in your chosen art? Then, submit your final work via this link: https://bit.ly/MadisonPTA-Reflections. Deadline The submission deadline is October 29, 2021 by 5:00 pm. More Information
Questions?
Please email us at madisonmustangsreflections@gmail.com******************************Older News**************************
- Thursday, September 23rd: Title I Meeting 8:30 am Library
- Thursday, September 23rd: STEM Club Library after school
- Friday, September 24: Popsicles @ Lunch $1
- Tuesday September 28th: ELAC via Zoom 6:00 pm
- Friday, October 1: Back to School Get Together
- Tutoring and Clubs starting soon! More info coming.
Covid-19 Weekly Reporting:
In order to keep our families informed on Covid-19 cases in our school, we will be utilizing the following procedures:
All families will be notified weekly of our Covid-19 cases in this section of our Weekly Update (Smore). Our Smore will go out every Monday
If your student is identified as a "close contact" of a Covid-19 positive person on campus, you will be notified immediately by email, text, and phone and will be provided directions for quarantine.
To view Covid-19 cases for the entire district, visit the VUSD Covid-19 Case Dashboard.
Week of 9/13 through 9/17: 1 Total Covid-19 cases
Picking students up and dropping off on Lake Blvd and at the Palm Tree Plaza (Walgreens):
Parents, we are urging you not to drop off or pick up your student on Lake Blvd or at the Palm Tree Plaza. Picking up or dropping off on Lake Blvd. is dangerous and increases the chance of an accident. At Palm Tree Plaza, we are unable to supervise the parking lots at the mall. Furthermore, the high traffic of students and cars impact the businesses. Please consider picking your student up at school after 3:20 when the traffic dies down. Thank you.
Have an awesome week!
Welcome Back Party : 5-6:30 pm
Dress Code
Girls Volleyball Clinics
Boys and Girls Club Sports - Coming back soon!
Though there has been a delay at the beginning of this school year, we are working with Boys and Girls Club to get our middle school sports up and running as soon as possible. In the meantime, Boys and Girls Club is offering middle school girls volleyball at the Boys and Girls Club right now through November. Vista Parks and Rec has flag football openings right now as well. Updated sports info can be found at https://www.bgcvista.org/athletics
We will be starting boys basketball in October followed by girls basketball and co-ed soccer. We are working to see if we can get cross country as well. Thank you so much for understanding and support. We all know how important it is for our students to have as many positive outlets as possible!
Canvas for Parents
Select “Parent of a Canvas User? Click Here for an Account
Enter your name in the Your Name field.
Enter your email in the Your Email field.
Enter your password in the Password field.
Re-enter your password in the Re-enter Password field.
Enter a pairing code to link your account to your student in the Student Pairing Code field.
Agree to the terms of use by clicking the You agree to the terms of use checkbox.
Click the Start Participating button
Got the quarantine blues? We are here to help!
Vaccine Clinics
VUSD Health and Safety Call to Action for Parents
Action #1: Notify your school immediately if your child or any member of your household becomes ill with COVID-19.
Action #2: Keep your child home from school if they have ANY of the symptoms listed on the decision tree guidelines (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea).
Action #3: Keep your child home from school if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. They should NOT return to in-person learning until given a return date by our nursing staff. This includes exposure to someone living in the home who is positive.
Action #4: Do not send your child back to school if the child or anyone in the household is awaiting a COVID-19 test result. Only send your child back if they have a negative test result or if they have completed the entire quarantine period.
Action #5: Have your child vaccinated if they are 12 to 17 years old. Remember, your child will not need to be quarantined if they come in close contact at school if they are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. The vaccination will keep them in school and able to participate in all of the extracurricular activities like athletics, band, dance, ASB, etc.
If we can proactively respond to these five calls to action, then we can dramatically reduce the impact of quarantine on all students.
Important COVID-19 Information and Quarantine Updates
Q: Will we know if there is an active C19 case on campus?
A: Yes, If there is an active COVID + case on campus this year an email will be sent to the entire school community as a general notice (just like last year).
Q: Will I know if my student was or is considered a close contact?
A: Yes, If a student or adult is considered “Close Contact” to a COVID-19+ person, a notice to families in those classes will be sent to those families. Close contacts will be quarantined as determined by the COVID decision tree. Quarantine Exceptions would be for the student or adult that is fully vaccinated (defined as 2 weeks post-final vaccination). Proof must be provided in this case.
Close Contact: is defined as anyone who was within 6' proximity of a COVID-19+ person for a cumulative 15 minutes in 24 hours.
Q: How does my student access school if they are required to quarantine?
A: If your student is quarantined, then they will receive an email and phone call to set up support from our Academic Coach, Aimee Blanchard. Aimee will reach out to families and any student on quarantine to set up a plan for each students quarantine period based on the most updated Decision Tree.
If your child is quarantined, they are to access their coursework in CANVAS .
COVID-19 Prevention: 5 things to do to prevent the spread
- Wear masks indoors
- Don't eat inside or share food
- Bring your own water bottle everyday to fill up at the hydration station
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. Or, sanitize your hands often
- Stay home if you are sick
COVID-19 Testing Center
Madison Mustangs are Building Relationships
Got C-STEAM? Madison does!
BELL SCHEDULES
Student Handbook
Madison Virtual Tour
New Student Agreements
New Student Agreements for 2021-2022
New Vista Unified Student Agreements will be reviewed with each student on the first day of school. These agreements will provide guidelines and requirements for students that are designed to keep everyone safe, such as the use of face masks and reminders about social distancing and handwashing. CLICK HERE for a copy of the Secondary 21.22 COVID-19 Student Agreements that all students will review and sign.
VUSD Parents: Notification for Remind
Vista Unified School District is committed to engaging families as partners in education. We continue to refine our communication systems to provide up to date information about teaching and learning, collaboration, family engagement, and college and career pathways. One important improvement of our plan is to implement a more efficient and seamless communication platform called Remind. The information below provides a preview of this important new feature of our communication plan.....[READ MORE]
School Year at a Glance
VUSD Calendar
- This is the 2021-22 VUSD Calendar: CLICK HERE
- This will help you know when schools are closed, when there are Minimum Days, and when the school year ends.
Exciting New Opportunities for Students, Design Labs come to Madison!
We are excited to announce the expansion of our PLC (Personal Learning Communities) initiative to offer 7th and 8th grade students a content or subject specific Design Lab where they can pursue a skill or passion outside of the main core classes. In a way, this class is their second elective! The class will maintain a few of our PLC elements such as mentoring, character building, advisory, etc. but for much of the week students will explore and learn in their Design Lab content!
Students will begin by showing their interest in classes they would like for their design lab. Based on what students select, Madison will determine which design labs to offer next year. Students will then be scheduled into design labs with consideration of their interests and academic needs.
What do I need to know?
Students will have the opportunity to enroll in a Design Lab each semester.
Most design labs are 1 semester in length, but there may be some that are a full year.
The purpose of Design Labs is to support the expansion of our PLC initiative by allowing students to pursue a skill, passion and/or real world problems outside of a main core class!
Descriptions will be sent out to students next week.
Madison will work very hard to match students with their interests; however, we cannot make any guarantees due to student demand and staffing. Design Lab switches may not be accommodated once the semester begins. Students will switch Design Labs at semester.
All interests are due by Wednesday 5/26/21. Students who don’t select by the due date will be placed in a design lab that has available space.
Sneak Peak: Design Labs
Advanced Coding and 3D Printing
Video game design/coding and 3D printing- what could be better? Computers II builds upon the concepts learned in Computers I. Explore various types of coding software, including Scratch, Gamestar Mechanic, Code Warriors, Code Avengers, and others. Learn to code games through object oriented programming as well as JavaScript. 3D design through Tinkercad and SketchUp with real-world applications. Keyboarding is practiced daily
Entrepreneur Study
In this course, students will learn the ins and outs of running a business, from ordering products, managing a schedule, working as a cashier, managing employees, and dealing with money such as taxes and deposits. Students will also learn how to prepare for interviews and how to make yourself stand out for an employer.
This course would require time outside of class so that we can sell products such as school supplies and food to everyone on campus.
Mixed Media Arts
This class gives students a chance to explore a wide range of media including fiber and textile arts, collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, and more. Projects are developed for students to express themselves through their work and vary from session to session. This course will also offer in-depth exploration of techniques and new ways to see, use, and interpret found objects. Students will create multi-directional compositions with a variety of materials, paint, images, found objects, and other materials. Students will develop technical skills and personal style.
Topics include:
- Dyeing, batik, shibori (indigo), tie-dye, natural dyes, resist dyeing, cyanotype.
- Stitch Arts: Hand and machine sewing, quilting, embroidery, samplers.
- Paint & Pencil: Acrylics, watercolors, graphite.
- Yarn and Fiber: Knitting, crochet, weaving, macrame, friendship bracelets.
- 3D Arts: Wire-working, jewelry and beading, stuffed plushes, clay, candle-making.
Video Game Design
Study the aspects of video game design and examine the successful and unsuccessful traits of a large variety of video games. Then as a class embark on the process of designing the ideal game. Including art, character design, Storyboarding, dialogue scripting, game mechanics and level progression, marketing, music, sound effects etc. If time and resources permit use Unity software or other programing tools to make a basic version of the game.
Creative Writing
In this course, students will learn to share their thoughts in a fun and creative way. Students will learn how to write characters, plot twists, and genre specific pieces.
Aspiring Authors
Do you dream of becoming a published author someday? Well, Christopher Paolini wrote his first novel, Eragon, when he was fifteen years old. So “someday” can start NOW! In this course, you will learn the fundamental strategies and techniques used by published authors for planning and writing your own novels!
Book Club
What’s better than reading? Reading with friends! In this class, you will group up with friends to read and discuss the books that interest you most.
World Explorers
This is a class for kids who dream of traveling the world. We’ll explore the cultures, sights, and histories of the world’s coolest travel destinations as well as the practical requirements that it takes to get there. We’ll finish up the semester by applying what you’ve learned to plan your very own Bucket List trip to a destination of your choice.
Mysteries in History
Was King Tut murdered? Did the Trojan Horse actually exist? Was King Arthur a real person? Who really discovered the Americas? In this class, we will investigate some of history’s greatest and most pervasive mysteries.
Race Cars and Roller Coasters
On 3 different engineering projects, students will use design thinking in order to create a product. Students will create carbon dioxide dragsters, prop racers, and very large marble roller coasters from cardstock and other materials. In addition to using design thinking, students will also enrich their understanding of the physics principles involved in motion.
Madison Middle School
Email: vivianaboring@vistausd.org
Website: https://mms.vistausd.org/
Location: 4930 Lake Boulevard, Oceanside, CA, USA
Phone: 7609400176