Madison Memos
The Madison School Newsletter
Madison School
Email: jaime.kammerzell@gmail.com
Website: http://www.cusd200.org
Location: 1620 Mayo Ave. , Wheaton
Phone: 682-2095
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/653462651407851/
A Note from the Principal’s Office
Dear Parents,
I hope all of our students have had a pleasant first few days of the school year! I know that the Madison staff and I were excited to be back. There was an excitement in the air as we assembled for our Institute Day, Teacher Work Day, and the Meet and Treat! You may have seen and heard through social media, we:
- Took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of a long-time Madison community member, Susan Noll, and challenged the other schools and our new superintendent.
- Welcomed the students back with doors wrapped in ribbon so students could open the gift of learning.
- Began our rain-soaked first day with 450 students singing a silly rain song in the gym.
- Hosted an opening day assembly to introduce our new staff and garner some excitement about our Guidelines for Success (Respect, Responsibility, Ready to Learn).
The Madison “Late Start”… As our Professional Learning Communities (PLC) continue to team together, we are implementing an elementary school version of a “late start” each Thursday morning. This altered schedule will not impact families. Put simply, the only noticeable change is students will enter the building at 9:15 a.m. instead of 9:10 a.m. on Thursdays. This simple five minute adjustment will allow our PLC/grade level teams to meet from 8:30-9:10 a.m. each Thursday. In the past, PLCs or grade level teams met from 8:30-8:55 a.m. By allowing students to play for an extra five minutes each Thursday morning and scheduling staff members that are not within grade level teams/PLCs for Thursday supervision, our PLCs almost double their allotted to time to refine pre- and post- Common Formative Assessments (CFA) in math, define the “Essential Standards” in the English/Language Arts standards, and develop pre- and post- Common Formative Assessments (CFA) for the “Essential” ELA standards. I will explain our “late start” and our PLC process in depth at Curriculum Night.
Curriculum Night on Sept. 4 …
This year’s Curriculum Night will be much like last year. Grade levels will stagger their presentations and parents will be invited to attend a principal’s session as well. Here is the schedule:
6:35-7:10PM
Classroom presentation: Kinder, First and PACE
Principal presentation: Mr. Callahan in MPR
7:15-7:50PM
Classroom presentation: Second and Third Grade
Principal presentation: Mr. Callahan in MPR
7:55-8:30PM
Classroom presentation: Fourth and Fifth Grade
Principal presentation: Mr. Callahan in MPR
Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s education,
Tim Callahan, Principal
Madison Elementary
Join Madison PTA for 2014 – 2015
The PTA is a combined group of dedicated parents, teachers and staff who work hard to enrich the academic lives of our students. Your membership helps support the numerous programs and activities throughout the school year that enrich our children's experience at Madison.
Membership includes one copy of the school directory. This year we will accept payment via credit card in addition to cash or check. Please help us simplify our membership process by paying electronically.
• Go to http://www.cusd200.org
• Select Madison School from drop down menu at top
• On left side menu, select PTA
• On left side menu, select Join Madison PTA! – Family Membership
• Click on the link to register and pay online
If you prefer to pay by cash or check, follow the directions above and click on the link to print and complete the forms at home. Registration forms are also available in the school office. Submit with payment in an envelope labeled "PTA Membership" to the school office. All checks should be made payable to Madison PTA.
If you have any questions regarding PTA membership, please contact Monica Fahey at monicafahey@hotmail.com or by phone at 630-517-8187. Thank you for joining the PTA and making Madison a great school!
Madison PTA business membership
The Madison Elementary PTA is offering local businesses or individuals the opportunity to advertise in our school directory.
Space can be purchased in a choice of 3 sizes: Business Card $15 Quarter Page $25 Half Page $50 *Note: All ads & cards will be printed in Black & White. Color printing not available.
Your payment will help support numerous Madison PTA programs and will be great advertising for your business at the same time!
Please consider electronic payment via credit card:
o Go to www.cusd200.org
o Select Madison School from drop down menu at top
o On left side menu, select PTA
o On left side menu, select “Join Madison PTA! – Business Membership”
o Click on the link to register and pay online
If you prefer to pay by cash or check, please complete the form below and submit with payment.
If you have any questions regarding PTA business membership, please contact Monica Fahey at monicafahey@hotmail.com or by phone at 630-517-8187.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE SEPT. 12
Contact Name __________________________________________________________
Business Name_________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________
Email _________________________________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________________________________
□ $15/Business Card □ $25/Quarter Page □ $50/Half Page
Total Enclosed: ___________ Cash or Check payable to Madison PTA.
Send payment to school office: 1620 Mayo Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60189 Attn: PTA/Monica Fahey.
Sept. 10 PTA leader kickoff meeting
Attention PTA committee chairs, party chairs and room parents: Please plan to attend the Sept. 10 PTA leader kickoff meeting in the LLC at 7 p.m.
Questions? Contact Janet Mathis, janetmarkmathis@yahoo.com or Julie Ippolito at julieippolito3@yahoo.com.
Join Madison PTA Facebook group
Madison PTA invites all Madison parents and staff to join the Madison PTA Wheaton, IL Facebook group. Click here to join.
Thank you PTA volunteers!
A big "thank you" to all parents and grandparents and other Madison supporters who have already signed up to volunteer with Madison PTA. If you haven't already, please go out to the Madison PTA page of www.cusd200.org and choose where you'd like to volunteer.
Here are your PTA officers for this school year:
Janet Mathis, co-president, janetmarkmathis@yahoo.com
Julie Ippolito, co-president, julieippolito3@yahoo.com
Monica Fahey, vice president of membership, monicafahey@hotmail.com
Robyn Beres, vice president of ways & means, robynberes@hotmail.com
Jen Pashup-Graham, treasurer, jpashup@outlook.com
Amy Fiorato, secretary, afiorato@gmail.com
For a list of PTA committee chairs, please click here.
Welcome Reception
Please join the Board of Education in welcoming Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent of Schools.
Wed, Sept. 10 from 6 - 7 p.m.
Bower Elementary School
4s241 River Road, Warrenville
Light refreshments will be served.
To learn more about the event, click here. To learn more about our new superintendent, visit www.cusd200.org/superintendent.
Questions? Contact Erica Loiacono at erica.loiacono@cusd200.org or 630-682-2469.
New ongoing fundraiser: amazon.com
Save the Date for Trivia Night
Mark your calendars and book your sitters! Madison's first Trivia Night is scheduled for the evening of Sat., Oct. 18. More information to come. Contact Robyn Beres (robynberes@hotmail.com) with any questions.
Sell wrapping paper
Our first fundraiser kicks off on Sept. 8. Madison students will sell wrapping paper from Charleston Wrap this year. Watch for the brochure coming home in your child's Friday folder on Fri., Sept. 5. Questions? Contact Robyn Beres (robynberes@hotmail.com).
The Hospitality Committee Needs Volunteers
Please consider joining the Hospitality Committee. We provide refreshments for various events throughout the school year. It is an easy and much appreciated committee. We are in need of volunteers for as early as Curriculum Night, Sept. 4. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, contact Jen Doty (jendoty@hotmail.com) for more information.
Madison staff accepts Ice Bucket Challenge
PTA meeting Sept. 18 at noon
At Madison's first PTA meeting this year, those in attendance will vote on the 2014-2015 budget. If you would like a copy of the proposed budget, please contact Jen Pashup-Graham, treasurer, jpashup@outlook.com.
Show your school spirit!
Earn for Madison by spending at Target
Do you find yourself at Target once or maybe even twice a week or more? Did you know you could use that spending to earn money for Madison? By using your REDcard, Target's credit card or debit card, you can do just that. When you designate Madison as your elementary school, Target donates 1% of your total charge through their "Take Charge of Education" program.
Fourth/fifth grade parents: Battle of the Books seeks volunteers
Madison has had a long history of winning the Wheaton Public Library award for most students in Battle of the Books, and we want to win it again this year! We need a minimum of four volunteer Battle leaders; ideally we'd like eight. If your fourth or fifth grader is interested in Battle, and you can volunteer, please email Janet Mathis, janetmarkmathis@yahoo.com. Click here for the flyer that went home this week. Find it under the Forms and Flyers heading.
Participate in the Reflections program
Reflection time is here. This year’s theme is "The world would be a better place if… ."
All Madison students may act on the theme, create an original work, and be recognized.
Categories include: dance choreography, music composition, film production, photography, literature and visual arts. General rules will be posted in the main office.
An information packet will come home soon. Submit your entry to the school office by end-of-day Oct. 10.
Get creative Madison students!
Gaytana Morgan, gaytana@sbcglobal.net
Check out the LLC
Madison’s Library Learning Center (LLC) is ready for an exciting year. Students have already checked out books and learned about taking care of books and returning books on time. Fourth and fifth graders learned how to check out and in their library books. Fifth graders completed a “Library Boot Camp,” where they had 12 days of intensive library review to become independent library users and to help other students.
Your child will come to the Library Learning Center at a designated time with their class once a week. Students may also check out materials anytime during the school day with their teacher’s permission. No fines are charged for overdue books, but if a book is lost or damaged, a replacement fee will be charged.
Questions? Contact Diane Graham, LLC director, at diane.graham@cusd200.org.
Collect Box Tops for Education
Madison can earn ten cents for every General Mills Box top turned in to the LLC. Thank you to Mrs. Spires for heading up this effort. Last year we purchased many copies of the new Rebecca Caudill, Monarch, and Bluestem Award Book Nominees. Questions? Contact Diane Graham, LLC director, at diane.graham@cusd200.org.
Picture Day is next week
Order artwork keepsakes
Madison is participating in a healthy, creative fundraiser with Art to Remember. Your children are busy creating colorful, fun artwork and soon you will receive a personalized order form with over 30 keepsake products showcasing your son’s or daughter’s artwork. Please notify your child’s teacher if you do not wish for your child to participate in this program. Contact Gaytana Morgan (gaytana@sbcglobal.net) with any questions.
New opportunity for 5th Graders
Trellises installed
Connor Foley, Madison graduate, constructed and installed two trellises in the Madison courtyard as part of his Eagle Scout project. In August, Connor, along with two other Madison graduates, Phil Kane and Daniel Valentine, friend Neil Mamula and father Tim Foley completed the project. Thank you Connor!
Join Cub Scouts
Cub Scout Pack 335 is looking for boys in grades 1-5 who would like to join scouting. Come to our kickoff meeting at Gary Church, 224 N. Main St., on Friday, Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Lucas Kammerzell (lkammerz@aol.com) or Charles Clark (c.clark325@gmail.com) or visit www.pack335wheaton.org.
Save the dates
Click on the calendar on the Madison section of www.cusd200.org to view upcoming dates. See below for some highlights:
Sept. 1: No school
Sept. 4: Picture Day
Sept. 4: Curriculum night
Sept. 10: PTA committee chair/ room parent meeting @ 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: PTA meeting @ 12 p.m.
Sept. 25: Family movie night @ 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: No school
Oct. 18: Trivia night
Oct. 27 & 29: Parent/teacher conferences
Nov. 13: Multicultural Day
Jan. 24, 2015: Pancake breakfast
Feb. 6, 2015: Winter Carnival
May 22, 2015: Explore More Day