Madrona Monthly Newsletter
September 8, 2023
Hello Madrona Parents and Guardians,
This week has been AMAZING! Our scholars are focused and doing what they do best - energizing our community with joy and demonstrating that they know how to follow the P.A.T.H. (Professional, Attentive, Thoughtful, and Hardworking).
On our first day of school, Superintendent Jones visited our school. This was his first visit with us since he became Superintendent. During his visit, he walked through our halls, met our students & staff, and witnessed the joy and brilliance that exists here at Madrona. He also promised to come back and visit us during one of our schoolwide events. 😀
This year, one of our schoolwide goals is to increase student achievement at all levels. To reach this goal, we will:
- Engage in quarterly Data Team meetings to analyze our collective literacy and math data.
- Collaborate in grade level teams to analyze assessments and determine our instructional next steps.
- Engage in Instructional Cogens/Walk Throughs to highlight the effective instructional practices that are occurring across our community.
- Regularly share our instructional goals, strategies, and practices with our families.
Please read the rest of our newsletter to learn more about our school-wide operating systems/procedures, and what's happening in our great community this month.
In Partnership,
Principal Carter
School-Wide Procedures
Student Arrival
Our playground gate will open at 7:35 am and close at 7:55 am. During this time, our Madrona staff will welcome our students and guide them inside the building to eat breakfast. Students who do not want to eat breakfast, will be encouraged to walk the labyrinth, or line up behind their teacher's name on the playground and wait for the bell to ring.
Our first bell will ring at 7:50 a.m., this is when teacher will walk their scholars into the building. Our second bell will ring at 7:55 a.m., this is when all students/staff are expected to be in the classroom engaged in meaningful learning. If your student arrives to school after 7:55 am, please bring them to the office to receive a pass to class.
How you can help:
- Please make sure your student arrives to school between 7:35 - 7:50 am to eat breakfast and walk with their teacher to class.
- Please drop your student off at the back gate along 32nd street prior to 7:55 am.
- Please make sure your student is dressed in their school uniform and ready to learn.
Student Dismissal
- Kindergarten: Will be dismissed from their classroom doors; NW side of the building along 32nd Avenue.
- Grades 1st - 3rd grade: Will be dismissed by class from the playground. They will exit through the playground gate, along 32nd Avenue. Ms. Taylor-Perryman's class will be dismissed from this area.
- Grades 4th - 5th grade: Will be dismissed from on the SE side of the building along 33rd Avenue. Mr. Moss's class will be dismissed from this area. If students need to pick up a sibling, they will be escorted around the school building to the playground gate. They will wait outside the gate for their sibling.
This year, we have a new dismissal policy.
If your scholar has an early dismissal, please pick your child up prior to the last 30 minutes of the school day. We are implementing this policy because last year it was extremely difficult to navigate the number of early dismissal requests within the last 30 minutes of the day.
How you can help:
- Please stand on the outside of the cones next to the playground gate.
- Please communicate with your student who will be picking them up prior to the end of the school day.
- Please make sure you are on time to pick up your student. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, school will be dismissed at 2:25 pm. On Wednesdays, school will be dismissed at 1:10 pm.
- If your child has an early dismissal, please plan to pick them up prior to the last 30 minutes of the day.
Kindergarten Pick up Location
1st - 3rd Grade Pick up Location
4th -5th Grade Mr Pick up Location
Stay Home When Sick
Please keep your student at home if they have one or more of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough (new, changed, or worsening)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore Throat
- Congestion or runny nose
Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and get tested for COVID-19. Additional Guidance includes:
- A person who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for five days. After five days, if symptoms improve and the person does not have a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medications), they can return to school.
- Anyone returning to school or work after isolation should wear a well-fitted mask from day six to 10. These students should also remain masked for sports and other extracurricular activities.
- If a student is unable to wear a well-fitting mask, they should continue to isolate for a full 10 days.
Breakfast and Lunch Procedure
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. All meals will be served and eaten inside our cafeteria. Here is our lunch schedule:
- Kindergarten and First Grade: 10:20 am - 10:40 am
- Second and Third Grade: 11:00 am - 11:20 am
- Fourth and Fifth Grade: 11:40 am - 12:00 pm
How can you help:
- If your student brings a home lunch, please encourage them to eat their home lunch first before taking a hot school lunch. This will allow us to ensure equity for all students.
- Please remind your student not to share food with their classmates. Some of our students have severe food allergies.
- Please do not pack food that needs to be warmed up.
Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Headphones
According to our schoolwide data, cell phone, smart watches, and headphone usage were one of our top 5 issues for our community. In order to resolve this issue, we will implement the following expectation around personal electronci devices.
- Cell phones and headphones should not be visible or used during the school day. Please speak with your scholar about this new expectation and remind them to properly store their items away in their backpack for safe keeping. They will not be allowed to have their phones in their pockets during school operating hours. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please contact the Main Office at (206)252-3100 and we will gladly relay the message to your student.
- Smart Watches should be powered off or on do not disturb during the school day.
If students need additional support to adhere to this new policy, we will follow these steps:
First Instance - We will engage the student in a conversation about our electronic device procedure.
Second Instance - We will contact home to seek support from the family.
Third Instance - We will work with the family to develop a Check-in/Check-out cell phone plan for the student.
Fourth Instance - Schedule a follow-up meeting with the family to discuss next steps.
The goal of this policy is to remove all distractions and barriers, so that every student is able to focus, achieve at their full potential, and enjoy their school experience.
School Uniforms
Important Information
Back to School Packets
Thank you for your support!
Device Distribution
Street Closure Notification
Please note that 32nd Avenue will be closed during school operating hours. This will allow our students and adults to walk, roll, and bike safely to and from school. Please review the attached notification from Seattle Department of Transportation. If you have any questions, please reach out to Principal Carter.
Thank you
Upcoming Events
Oct 5th - Curriculum Night - 5:30 - 7:00; Dinner will be provided
Oct 9th - Student Picture Day, Details to follow
Oct 13th - No school - State In-Service Day
Oct 23 - 27th - Spirit Week, Details to follow
Our contact information:
Email: recarter@seattleschools.org
Website: https://www.seattleschools.org/schools/madronaes/
Location: 1121 33rd Avenue, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: (206)252-3100