The Panther Post
April 14, 2023
#PHMExcellence
We are proud of all our excellent teachers and the tremendous work they do every day helping all students achieve their academic best. A special congratulations to Mr. James Howard, Discovery Middle School History Teacher, who was recently nominated as Indiana's middle school teacher representative for the "National History Day" Teacher of the Year. Click here for more details.
Important Dates
April 17th-May 4th
ILEARN testing for grades 3-5.
April 18th
PTO Meeting @ 6 PM
May 1st
Running is Elementary Event @ Elm Road @ 3:30 PM
May 6th
PTO Fish Fry and Silent Auction
ILEARN Testing
As the time for ILEARN testing for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students approaches, students continue to work very hard to master the standards, skills, and knowledge for which they will be held accountable. All students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade took the ILEARN practice tests this week and ILEARN specific assessments will begin on April 17th.
For more information about ILEARN, please visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
I encourage you to review the following tips with your children to ensure that they are at their best to give the ILEARN their finest effort! It is very important that students are getting a good night's sleep, eating breakfast, and are mentally prepared for test taking. Attendance is also critical. Testing will be completed in the morning, so it is very important that students are here on time. If at all possible, we encourage you to schedule any necessary appointments in the afternoon. There is a very limited amount of time awarded to us for make-ups so attendance on testing days will be very important.
Some tips for helping to ensure your children are at their best include:
- Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats a good breakfast every day, and has an outlet for their energy during test days.
- Encourage your child to review what has been taught at school and to ask questions if things are unclear.
- Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully.
- Encourage your child to do their best.
We look forward to a successful session of ILEARN Testing! Our students have been working very hard and we are confident that our students will put forth their best effort, particularly with your support and encouragement. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
We anticipate the following schedule for ILEARN. All tests will take place in the morning.
Monday, April 17 - Session 1: ELA Computer Adaptive Test
Tuesday, April 18 - Session 2: ELA Computer Adaptive Test
Wednesday, April 19 - Session 1: ELA Performance Task
Thursday, April 20 - Session 2: ELA Performance Task
Friday, April 21 - Make up ELA Assessments
Monday, April 24 - Session 1: MATH Computer Adaptive Test
Tuesday, April 25 - Session 2: MATH Computer Adaptive Test
Wednesday, April 26 - NO testing scheduled
Thursday, April 27 - MATH Performance Task
Friday, April 28 - Make up MATH Assessments
Wednesday, May 3 - Session 1: SCIENCE Computer Adaptive Test (4th Grade ONLY)
Thursday, May 4 - Session 2: SCIENCE Computer Adaptive Test (4th Grade ONLY) and Social Studies (5th Grade ONLY)
PHM Summer Enrichment Academies
Visual Arts Academy (July 10 – 14, July 17 – 21, or July 24 – 28, 2023) In this award-winning one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th grade students learn art history, art production and writing through a unique integration program. The program is based at Penn High School and in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame's Snite Museum of Art. Families may select the week that is most convenient for all of their children to attend, regardless of their grade. Click here to register.
Junior STEM Academy - In this one-week academy, current P-H-M K – 5th graders will discover how math and science are applied in the real world. Each week is reserved for specific grades and will be held at Penn High School. Click here to register.
- Kindergarten and 1st grade attend the week of July 24 – 28
- 2nd and 3rd grade attend the week of July 17 – 21
4th and 5th grade attend the week of July 10 – 14
Junior Foreign Language Academy (July 10 – 14) This academy integrates the French language, social studies, culture, visual arts and music into an intensive and enriching learning experience. The one-week camp is held at Penn High School and is open to current P-H-M 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students. Click here to register.
Safe & Healthy Learning Environment Winter/Spring 2022-23
High Ability Identification
In accordance with Indiana law, we are required to have an identification process in place to identify High Ability students. According to the Indiana Department of Education, ‘“High ability student” means a student who: performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared to other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.’
Indiana requires the screening of all kindergarten, second grade, and fifth grade students who are not previously identified as High Ability. A student may be labeled as High Ability in Language Arts and/or Math.
PHM uses two nationally-normed assessments to identify High Ability students: CogAT and NWEA. CogAT - Cognitive Abilities Test - testing will be done during the month of December. CogAT is an aptitude test that measures a student’s problem-solving skills and thinking abilities. There is no preparation that can be done for this test. Students will participate in a practice test to familiarize them with the type and format of the questions.
Depending on your child’s results and grade level, he/she may participate in NWEA testing in February. That information will be forthcoming.
*This testing impacts all kindergarten students and many second and fifth graders*
Reporting Student Absences
If your child will be absent for any reason, please notify our office as soon as possible! Our office staff records all absences beginning at 8:00 am and must phone any student's home who does not report to school without notice.
Another option is to go to your Skyward Family Access Account and follow these steps:
- Click on the Attendance Tile for the child who will be absent.
- Click on the Absence Requests Tab
- Click Add Absence Request on the right side of the screen
- Enter Start and End Date
- Check All Day if the absence will be the entire school day
- Attendance Reason - Choose from the drop down menu
- Comment - Add any information regarding the absence reason
- Click SAVE in the upper right hand corner
Student Fee Update
Student fees are uploaded into Skyward. Parents have the option of paying by cash, check, or online. If paying by check make sure the check is made out to Madison Elementary. If you are interested in paying online please follow the directions below.
To get started, follow the following steps:
Step 1: Ensure that you have login credentials to Skyward Family Access
Step 2: Follow this link to e~Funds for Schools
Step 3: Select “Pay for Student Fees”
Step 4: Select “Login to retrieve my information”
Step 5: When prompted, click to sign in to Skyward Family Access
Step 6: Select “Pay for Student Fees”
Step 7: Select your students, add all fees to the cart, then follow prompts to online checkout!
Note: There is a flat fee of $1.50 for payments made when using a checking account. For payments using a credit or debit card, there is a fee of $2.85 for every $100 increment
All student fees are due by March 31st.
Visitors and Volunteers
At Madison we are encouraging all of our visitors and volunteers to preregister with Safe Visitor for EVERY school event. Pre-registration is available to make the check-in process at the school run faster. Click here to utilize SafeVisitor’s Online Pre-registration process.
What to expect when you arrive at the school:
- All visitors will now be required to present a valid photo ID, which may include a driver’s license, State issued photo ID, or passport every time you enter as a school visitor.
- All approved visitors will have a picture taken at each visit and receive a temporary badge that must be visibly worn at all times.
- All visitors must return to the main office and check-out at the front desk, returning their badge.
Looking forward to celebrating with you all throughout the year!
Community Fitness Opportunities:
As the weather quickly shifts from fall to winter, the school district is happy to pilot free fitness opportunities for the P-H-M community. This will take place four (4) days per week at the sites listed below.
Who is eligible to participate: The P-H-M Adult Community and Staff (no students). This includes residents of the school district and non-resident parents/guardians of attending students.
What: Access to walking/jogging tracks, open gym/basketball courts, and weight room
When: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the sites listed below. Note: The fitness centers will be closed during designated school recess dates.
Outside Organizations
P-H-M no longer distributes paper flyers or other promotional items of outside organizations through our schools. Please do not print and send flyers to our schools for distribution.
Instead, we now post digital flyers on our Community Events & Activities section of P-H-M District website at this link: https://www.phmschools.org/community-events-activities (linked below, as well) There is also a link back to this page off all 15 school websites.
Social Emotional Learning
P-H-M is committed to helping students reach their fullest potential, which includes the whole child! Please visit the PHM website HERE for various valuable parent resources to help you in supporting your child.
Helpful Links
The Safe School Helpline® is a confidential way to report student concerns about threats, suicide, drugs, bullying or anything that threatens the safety of our schools. It's Available 24/7. Click to watch a video on how to get in touch with Administration anonymously 24/7/365.
Four Ways to Report to the Safe School Helpline®
Call: 1-800-418-6423 ext 359
Text: TIPS to 66746
Online: SafeSchoolHelpline.com
Mobile App: Download the FREE app from the GOOGLE PLAY STORE and the APPLE APP STORE
The app makes it easy to anonymously report a safety or mental health concern using your mobile device to text, call, or submit an online form.
PTO Officers:
President: Mary Schori
Vice President: Julie Mattison
Secretary: Brittany Fox
Treasurer: Betsy Bartholomew
Madison Elementary Contact Information
Email: lschirripa@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://madison.phmschools.org/
Location: Madison Elementary School, Dogwood Road, Wakarusa, IN, USA
Phone: (574) 254-2816
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonPanthersPHM