Bear Facts

Email: billingsm@usd231.com
Website: https://www.usd231.com/o/madison
Location: 800 W Madison St, Gardner, KS, United States
Phone: (913) 856-0400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDEBears
Twitter: @MDEBears

Monday, October 24 - Madison Monday (Wear your Madison Spirit Wear)

Tuesday, October 25 - Vision and Hearing Screenings

Wednesday, October 26 - Vision and Hearing Screenings

Thursday, October 27 - Fall Picture Retakes

Thursday, October 27 - Paw Pals Gum Day

Thursday, October 27 - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Old Shawnee Town

Friday, October 28 - Fire Safety Presentations (k-4) for Fire Safety Month

On Thursday, October 27, we will have our first Madison Elementary Gum Day. Each student can purchase a gum pass for a donation ($1.00 is suggested). All of the proceeds from the gum sale will go to support our Paw Pals fund that is used to help Madison students in need. With the purchase of the gum pass, that student will receive a special stamp on the hand and be allowed to chew gum throughout the day. In addition to the stamp, each student will also receive two pieces of gum. No extra pieces of gum will be sold; however, students can bring gum from home to chew with the purchase of the pass.

In order for this event to be a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone, we have two expectations. Our expectations for the gum include: the gum is to be in your mouth or in the trash (we don't want any gum to find its way to the floor, desks, or walls) and if the gum is being played with, the student's pass will be removed for the day.

Thank you for your continued support of our Paw Pals fund at Madison!

Madison Elementary Lunch Menu

Just a reminder... Weekly balance reminders are sent to families whose students' account balances fall below zero due to purchases.

In an effort to avoid classes missing the same special on days of the week due to not being in session, we will continue to utilize a specials schedule that is on a 5-day rotation versus a day of the week rotation. Having this rotation, we will avoid the same specials always being on the same day of the week and avoid not having specials due to days off or snow days.

For a specific class schedule, please refer to the classroom information provided by the classroom teacher.

Monday - Specials Day #5

Tuesday - Specials Day #1

Wednesday - Specials Day #2

Thursday - Specials Day #3

Friday - Specials Day #4

We will have fall parties this year on October 31 (PreK-4). Classroom teachers will reach out to each set of families to discuss snacks and activities for the parties. Parents will be able to join us this year for the fall parties and all guests must check in, receive a visitor badge, and sign their child out if they will take him/her home at the conclusion of the parties.

Students will be able to wear costumes to school this day. Please review the costume guidelines listed below.

Costume Information:

• Costumes must be appropriate for school. At Madison, we serve students from three-years-old (Early Childhood) to Fourth Grade. Horror and gory costumes are not appropriate for school. A good rule of thumb is to consider if a three-year-old would be frightened by a costume. If so, then it should not be brought to school. Thank you for your help in keeping our costumes appropriate for a school setting.
• Costumes and accessories resembling weapons or weapon look-alikes are prohibited at school. This includes plastic/fake knives, swords, guns, spears, etc. and any item that resembles a weapon.
• Students should wear a costume that will allow them to learn throughout the day. For example, no masks or inflatable costumes should be worn to school.

Party Information:

Families are welcome to join us for the party and will check in at the tables located in the main lobby. We ask that families do not arrive prior to 2:15 as we don't want to interfere with the classroom environment. All family members will be allowed down to the classrooms at 2:25. The parties will run from 2:30-3:00 to allow time for staff and students to prepare for dismissal. Thank you for your assistance with arriving after 2:15.

*Early Childhood Families - Please consult your teacher's newsletter for more details on the Early Childhood fall parties and schedule.

Congratulations to these bears for receiving the September Character Counts Award for demonstrating our building-wide expectations.

Left to Right: Elias, Daniella, Anna, Ava, Maddie, Greyson, Caroline, Kaliyah.

Our school will be embarking on a special project, an all-school book club. This school-wide project is sponsored by our Library Media Specialist Mrs. Schmuhl and funded by our Madison Elementary PTA. Every child will receive a copy of a book- and will be asked to read it together at home. I am personally asking you to make the time so that your family can participate in this special activity. It will begin on Monday, October 24th.

Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. With this program, we aim to build a community of readers at our school. Everyone - students, parents, teachers, even administrative staff will all be following along together.

Your students will receive a copy. Along with the book, you will receive a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. Generally, you will be asked to read about 20 minutes each night.

Preschool through 1st grade will be reading the picture book Click Clack Moo Cows that Type each day for the week of October 24th. Grades 2nd through 4th will be reading The One and Only Ivan starting on the 24th of October and continuing through the 18th of November.

With this program, children in all grade levels will be listening to their parents read. Strange or daring as that may seem, it actually makes sound educational sense. Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child’s own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed and understood and enjoyed by younger students but will still captivate and stimulate older students.

-Your Madison Staff

The One and Only Ivan

Remember this program is all about bringing the whole family together to enjoy a book.

Date Pages

10/24 1-14

10/25 12 - 29

10/26 30 - 45

10/27 46 - 59

10/28 60 - 74

11/1 75 - 89

11/2 90 - 105

11/3 106 - 120

11/4 121 - 137

11/7 138 - 153

11/8 154 - 169

11/9 170 - 187

11/10 188 - 203

11/11 204 - 220

11/14 221 - 237

11/15 238 - 253

11/16 254 - 272

11/17 273 - 287

11/18 288 - 300

Thursday, October 27 is our Fall Picture Retake Day. This link will allow families to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals, and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, families should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

To place an order online, you can go to www.strawbridge.net and use our school code of FM390684.

Coming home this week was your child's custom catalog for the Square 1 Art fundraiser. This is an activity that was done in Bear Time. Students drew a picture and the Square 1 Art company can print the picture on items such as bags, pillows, pencil holders, trivets, pot holders, etc.

You can use the code on the order form or you can simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order online!

Order by: 11/3/2022

Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us! If you are a Johnson County resident struggling to pay bills, you may apply for an appointment to visit the Holiday Shop for Christmas gifts, clothing, personal care items and food. You can apply online at https://jccb.org/apply2022

If you do not qualify for this program, but still have need for help with holiday gifts or other needs, please contact Mrs. Hodson at hodsonj@usd231.com.

This week, several students received positive office referrals for taking care of themselves, taking care of others, and taking care of this place. We are proud of these outstanding Bears!

“I don't WANT to go to school!” Most parents have heard these words from time to time from their kiddo. When school refusal becomes an on-going problem, it can be very stressful for everyone. This school year, we are putting a strong emphasis on school attendance and arriving on time. We know when students are consistently at school, this sets them up for the greatest chance of academic success and social connectedness. Whether your kid struggles sometimes (such as after a long break!) or frequently, here are some tips that could help.

SNACKS!

Some students are needing extra snacks for school. If you would like to make a donation, please send those to Mrs. Hodson. We especially love options with protein such as protein bars and beef sticks. THANK YOU for being such a caring community!

With big hearts,

Jackie Hodson, social worker

hodsonj@usd231.com

913-856-0409

Allison Southerland, counselor

southerlanda@usd231.com

913-856-3313

If you would like to sign up to be a Watch DOG, sign ups are now available for half day slots. We ask that you sign up at least two days in advance so a schedule can be created and the teachers can prepare for your visit. Volunteers must fill out a registration form and submit it to the office one week in advance of their scheduled day. Thank you for making a positive impact on our Bears! if you have specific questions, please contact Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Billings at 856-0400.

We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click this link to see our SignUp: You can sign up to be a WATCH DOGS Volunteer here.
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: Signup does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact the Madison office and we can sign you up manually.

Registration Form

Watch D.O.G.S Apparel - If you would like to order and have the apparel shipped directly to you, please follow this link - DOGS Store

All elementary students are invited to dine in the cafeteria on Friday, October 28 for a chance to win an awesome locally-grown pumpkin from Bowlin Farms. We're giving away one pumpkin per grade level.

Eating breakfast AND lunch that day? That DOUBLES your chance to win! Come hungry and get those pumpkin carving tools ready!

The Madison Elementary health room is available if your child becomes ill or injured while at school. Please familiarize yourself with the USD 231 Parent Handbook with details of our Health Services guidelines and procedures. Kansas law requires all students to have on file evidence of required immunizations prior to attending school. The Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian for all medications given at school. It is recommended that medication NOT be sent to school with children. Parents should bring the medication to the health room (8:15 am to 3:45 pm).

A student will be sent home from school with any of the following:

• Temperature 100 degrees or greater, or with incidents of vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Symptoms related to a possible communicable disease.
• Excessive drainage from eyes, ears, persistent earache, constant cough, or painful sore throat with enlarged lymph nodes.
• Students with acute infectious disease or parasite

Mrs. Angie Serrano, Madison Elementary’s Health Room Nurse, is available to answer any additional questions you might have and you may contact her directly at 856-0450.

Birthday treats can still be brought to school and we encourage them to be store-bought or pre-packaged items (think Little Debbie type snacks) to help our students celebrate in a safe and healthy way. In addition, the USD 231 Nutrition Services department offers birthday catering options. Please see the image above or this link for more information about these services.

Did you know your Amazon purchases can benefit the PTA? AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select Madison Elementary Gardner to find our school!

Hello MDE families! We’re looking forward to the return of our Bears for the 2022-23 school year!

Madison Elementary PTA Executive Board Officers

President: Leah Bates

Vice-President: Jessica Grimes

Treasurer: Heather Musselman

Secretary: Andrea Satterfield

Membership Chair: Diane Owen

Madison Elementary PTA Meeting Dates 9/6, 10/3, 11/14, 12/12, 1/9, 2/13, 3/20, 4/10, and 5/1. All meetings will occur in the Madison cafeteria at 7 pm

Email us at: Madisonbearpta@gmail.com Like us on Facebook "Madison Elementary PTA Gardner, KS"

Interested in the Madison PTA Happenings? Stay in the know!

We invite everyone to join the Madison PTA Facebook page. By searching Madison Elementary PTA Gardner, KS under Pages, you will be able to join the group and receive updated PTA information.

If you are interested in joining the PTA, please see the membership form.

Nominate a Deserving Student or Employee Today!!!

The GESD recognition program has been established to recognize students and employees who exceed expectations.

"Gardner Edgerton Students of Distinction" (GESD) nominees can be any current student in the Gardner Edgerton School District who exemplifies traits of outstanding character and serves as a positive influence on their peers and the community-at-large.

"Great Employees Serving the District" (GESD) nominees can be any certified or classified employee in the Gardner Edgerton School District who exemplifies traits of outstanding customer service and is a positive influence on students, parents, co-workers or members of the community. The award will be presented on a weekly basis.

Answers to a few questions you may have:

• Nominations from previous years have been removed from the database.

• Even if a student or staff member has been selected as a GESD in previous years, they are again eligible.

  
  

We will recognize our first student and staff member sometime in September. This will allow time for nominations to be submitted.

Nominate a deserving STUDENT by clicking HERE.

Nominate a deserving EMPLOYEE by clicking HERE.

Little Blazer Cheer Clinic -- Students in Grades K - 6 grade

GEYCP Theater Academy Presents: High School Musical Jr -- Students in Grades 5-8 grade

Youth Experience: Volleyball with the GEHS Blazers -- Students in Pre-K-2nd grade

Youth Experience: Basketball with the GEHS Blazers -- Students in Pre-K-2nd grade

GEHS Boys Fall Basketball Academy -- Students in 3-8th grade

GEHS Girls Fall Basketball Academy -- Students in 3-8th grade

Fall 2022 USD 231 Driver Education – Students must be 14 years of age on or before September 17.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter - @MDEBears and on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MadisonElementaryBears. We will use our twitter and facebook accounts to share information, pictures, and classroom happenings throughout the school year so you can have a window into the classrooms and experience the learning with your bear.