Madison Memos
The Madison School PTA Newsletter / December 4, 2020
Madison School
Email: memos@madisonschoolpta.org
Website: http://www.madisonschoolpta.org
Location: 1620 Mayo Ave. , Wheaton
Phone: 682-2095
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/653462651407851/
Madison Christmas Sharing: Donate to the Mitten Tree Today!
There are so many Madison families in need, and we want to continue Madison’s generous tradition of helping them have a special holiday. We hope you will help us support these families through Madison Christmas Sharing. All of our gifts this year will be in the form of a Target gift card. Each family will get gift card(s) and a food package. If you'd like to donate, please purchase a Target gift card (any amount) and give it to Lisa Parrilli, Madison’s social worker, by Friday, Dec. 11. Thanks for your support and generosity! Questions? Please reach out to Mrs. Parrilli at lisa.parrilli@cusd200.org.
Fridays Just Got More Festive! Here's December's Spirit Schedule
In lieu of our traditional in-person winter party the Madison PTA is hoting "Festive Fridays" to keep the spirit high during the month of December. Below is the fun Festive Friday schedule.
Some VA room parents are also coordinating virtual activities for VA classes that have Madison students. If you would be interested in leading a game or activity the week before break, please contact your room parent or Debbie McCraw at debra.mccraw@gmail.com.
Virtual or in-person, remember to take photos of your participation and post them on Facebook or email them to yearbook@madisonschoolpta.org. (Madison students only, please – no siblings.)
Run, Run Rudolph! Two More Days to Register for the Reindeer Run
For every registration Madison will get $5! Make sure to register (and use the code "Madison") by December 6 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Presented in partnership by the Wheaton Lions Charities and Wheaton Park District.
Pick a route or jump on your treadmill in your best Santa hats or assortment of jingle bells and "Run Run Rudolph" to the finish line of your choice! Runners receive a long sleeve tech t-shirt. A finisher certificate is available for download after the runner submits their time online.
More information and sign-up is here.
Attention VA Students! Tuesdays at 2: Holiday Party Edition on Dec. 15
Thank You for Your Support! Together We've Made This Possible
The Madison PTA would like to thank you for your support this year.
In a challenging year, with all of your help, the Madison PTA has raised an amazing $20,800 so far. Some of these funds have been used to enhance the educational experience for our students as well as foster a stronger Madison community as we find ourselves learning differently this year.
Along with Madison seat cushions, water bottles and staff appreciation, the PTA was able to grant 19 teachers their wish list items for their classrooms. Just over $3,000 in learning enhancements, such as diversity book bundles, Every Day Speech subscription for in classroom and virtual students, Monarch and Blue Stem Award Nominee books, STEM bins, Teachers Pay Teachers funds to support virtual teachers, Theraband resistance bands to help kids release extra energy, Geoboards and more will be provided to those teachers that submitted a wish list. These enhancements were all thanks to your generous donations, PTA membership, and fundraising efforts, so THANK YOU!
District 200 Updates and Resources
In November, the District 200 board of education decided to keep elementary students in person while sending middle and high school students back to remote learning. The board monitors conditions weekly and should provide an update at their December 9 meeting. Board meetings are typically broadcast live on YouTube if you would like to tune in.
For in-person learning to continue, the district asked the community to follow mitigation, health and safety protocols both during and outside of school hours. The district thanked those families who are doing so and urged everyone to do their part to flatten the number of COVID-19 cases.
Stay up to date with these District 200 web resources:
- District 200 website
- District 200 newsroom
- COVID dashboard - Stay up to date on quarantine and confirmed case numbers
- Food service - All students can receive free meals, whether they learn in person or virtually
- YouTube channel - Watch board meetings live or on demand
- Student Excellent Foundation Essential Needs Fund - Donate to the emergency fund that provides resources to District 200 families facing food insecurity and other needs
Join the PTA and Gain Access to Directory Spot
Directory Spot is Madison's school-wide directory. All current Madison PTA members can access it via the Directory Spot mobile app or website. You can look up contact information for every student and staff member at Madison, see which students are in every class and even view the school calendar.
Virtual Academy also uses Directory Spot. (You do not have to be a Madison PTA member to access the Virtual Academy directory.) To switch between viewing the Madison directory and the VA directory, use the Directories tab.
If you haven't joined yet, it’s not too late to do so and get access to this great resource!
You can support the Madison PTA when you shop:
- Box Tops for Education: Scan your grocery receipt in the Box Tops app, and Madison will earn 10 cents from every qualifying item. Download the app.
- AmazonSmile: Join AmazonSmile and select Madison, so when you shop Amazon - on the website or through the app - the PTA will get 0.5% of your eligible purchases. Learn more on the PTA website.
Upcoming Events
- December 9: Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
- December 6: Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) Virtual Meeting, 7-8:30 p.m.
- December 15: Madison VA Student Tuesdays at 2: Holiday Party Edition, 2 p.m.
- December 21-January 1: Winter Break - No School
Madison PTA 2020-2021 Executive Board
President: Beth Tatro
President-Elect: Lauren DeReus
V.P. Membership: Keri Widmer
V.P. Ways and Means: Heather Button and Kate Kessler
Treasurer: Meredith Sharpee
Secretary: Jessica Houston