Husky Highlights
MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - November 2022
Stay Up to Date
Native American Heritage Month
Nov 10
Fall STEAM Night
Veteran's Day Assembly
Nov 11
Veteran's Day-No School
Nov 14-18
Kindness/Gratitude Week
Nov 15
Recycles Day
Nov 17
Picture Re-Take
Nov 18
National STEM/STEAM Day
Nov 18
LIF
School Dismissal @ 1:35pm
Principal's Message
Dear Parents & Guardians,
Welcome to November! I can hardly believe that November is already here; however, the weather does seem to remind us that winter is upon us. The time has flown by, and I am pleased with the amount of work and progress we have accomplished in the first two months of school.
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 31 – November 4. This week, Madison will be on an Early Dismissal schedule, dismissing students at 12:20 – lunches will be served. Parent-teacher conferences are a valuable opportunity for you to discuss your child's academic and social growth. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming conference meetings.
Student success and improving student achievement are a priority at Madison. We are focused on instruction that supports grade-level standards and engages students in the learning process. Instruction is structured where students do the thinking, their voice is elevated, and the students are supported and empowered. The goal of all literacy instruction is to foster proficiency, confidence, and a love for reading and writing. Reading instruction is guided by grade-level expectations as defined in the standards. Assessment practices are ongoing, and the data is used to inform instruction. A gradual release of responsibility is an undergirding principle of teaching and learning. Lessons are intentionally planned and include knowledge of students, learning targets, academic vocabulary, instructional outcomes (academic and social-emotional learning), knowledge of resources, a sequenced instructional design, and aligned formative assessment practices.
In the area of math instruction, we are in our second year of implementing the district-adopted Illustrative Mathematics Program (IM) in grades K-12. Our goal is to have an aligned system throughout the school district for all students. The goal is to ensure all students have a consistent math experience, no matter what classroom or grade they are in. Teachers consistently use a Launch–Work–Synthesis model across grade levels. The use of math language routines engages students in math learning, and the program includes IM centers, which provide additional practice and develops students’ procedural fluency.
Classroom science instruction in grades K-5 takes up to 120 minutes a week, using our current science curriculum. All instruction aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Student success and improving student achievement are a priority at Madison. Two of the essential questions we can ask ourselves are “What does success look and feel like for students?” and “How can we best help each child reach that potential?” These questions highlight our moral obligation as teachers—this is the essence of what we do at Madison.
As we enter into the holiday season, I continue to be thankful to be the principal of a school that cares deeply about the success of students—ALL students. Our work is hard, emotional, and passionate, and there is no other work that is more important.
Sincerely,
Proud Principal of Madison Elementary School
Family Support Resources Update
Dear Parents and Families;
For families who participate in the CHOW weekend backpack food program, the food will now be going on in labeled backpacks with your child’s name on them. The backpacks are to be returned at the start of the next week to be re-filled for the next weekend (they will be reused every week). It will say on the label which room to return it to (in the outside bin), and the teachers will give reminders. Thank you!
2022 Capital Levy update
We are grateful to our voters for approving the 2022 Replacement Capital Levy. As the levy funding is spread over six years, project timelines for the facility projects and technology improvements have been developed to align this work with the revenue stream. These timelines and the rational for prioritizing these projects and improvements, along with other information regarding the 2022 capital levy, is available at www.everettsd.org/CapitalProjects.
Native American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
November is Native American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 6, 2022, Daylight Savings Time Ends and we “fall back” one hour.
Calendar reminder
This is a friendly reminder that there is no school the day before Thanksgiving.
School performance report
Our school’s performance report is available online on each school’s website. More information is available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website. At the bottom under data and research, click on “School Report Card” and select Everett from the list of districts.
Receive information the way you prefer
This is a friendly reminder that parent and guardians can select your preferred method of communication so you will not get the same message in multiple formats unless you choose to. Below are some steps you can take:
· Download the district’s mobile app. One of the many features is to select your delivery preferences. Once you have signed into your account, click on your profile tile and then “Edit Delivery Preferences” at the top.
o Click on the icon for app, text, phone or email to turn off that mode. Green indicates the mode is turned on. Some modes are locked, as indicated with the lock in the upper corner of the icon.
· Keep your contact information current by updating the “Annual Student Update Form 2022-2023” in Home Access Center or by letting your school office know anytime there is a change.
· Please visit the communications department webpage for a list of timely and relevant information to strengthen connections among families, staff and community.
Is your family prepared?
Snohomish County Emergency Management has helpful online resources to help you create, and practice emergency response plans with your family and neighborhood in preparation for bad weather.
FAFSA season has begun!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an office of the U.S. Department of Education. FAFSA coordinates with postsecondary schools and financial institutions to help students and families pay for college. Watch for FAFSA completion events happening around the district. Find more information at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
2023 Prodigies for Peace Writing and Art Contest
The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee is proud to announce the 22nd annual Prodigies for Peace Writing and Art Contest for the Snohomish County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration in January 2023.
The Prodigies for Peace Writing and Art Contest helps students draw connections between the people and the events that shaped the civil rights movement and the social issues that influence their lives today. Participation in this contest helps our local community remember and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Contest categories include essays for grades 3-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12, as well as art for grades K-12.
For contest instructions and entry, please visit www.everettsd.org/DEI and click on Prodigies for Peace in the Quicklinks.
Online safety tips
· Keep the computer in a busy area of your home.
· Use an app to keep an eye on your child’s online activity on their device.
· Talking about cyberbullying; ask if someone they know has been a victim. Ask if they have been victimized.
· Set up email and social media accounts with your children. Know their screen names and passwords and explain the reasons for not including any personal information in profiles.
Know who is in the “buddy lists.” Get to know the cyberfriends as well as you do those who visit your home. Parents and guardians may find the following resources helpful to begin a conversation about the dangers of engaging in cyberbullying and how to stay safe online:
· Ms. Parry’s Guide to Correct Online Etiquette
Find out what Everett Public Schools students learn about digital citizenship on the district website.
Have a safety concern related to schools? Report it!
You can call, text or email your concern.
If there is reason for concern about safety on a designated walkway to school, call 9-1-1 immediately for authorized, quick help. We have strong partnerships with local law enforcement who share our interest in safe schools and neighborhoods.
Student safety is a priority for all of us. Working together, we can help make our neighborhoods and schools nurturing places for students to safely learn and grow.
Job opportunity
Reunification simulation held
Thursday October 6 district staff, community volunteers and 4 busloads of students and staff from Jackson High School participated in a reunification drill. The drill was an important part of practicing and testing the reunification plans of the district in case a school needs to be evacuated. Memorial Stadium serves as the reunification location for the entire district and the drill is practiced every two years, except during remote learning.
You can find out more information on the reunification process on the safety and security webpage. Useful feedback was received on ways we can continue to improve our processes.
News around the district
Like knowing what’s happening in the district? Follow us on social media! Visit our social media directory for a list of schools, club or teacher accounts.
Want eflyers of student and family opportunities? Go to Peachjar and register a free account to receive eflyers emailed directly to you!
News releases
2022.09.27 Jackson High’s robotics team ranked 2nd in world competition
2022.09.21 Jackson High students named National Merit semifinalists
2022.09.20 Rose Smith receives 2022 Ryan Ziegelmann Service Award
2022.09.20 World Language Assessment
2022.09.13 Everett Public Schools celebrates its AP Capstone diploma recipients
2022.08.23 Transitional Days into Kindergarten Supports Student Success