Madison Middle School

We had another great week filled with engaging classroom activities, athletic contests and fun events! During FLEX period with Mrs. Duncan, our amazing 6th and 7th grade students spread kindness by creating handmade cards for children in the hospital through Cards for Hospitalized Kids. Together, they made over 100 cards! We are so proud of our Mustangs for using their creativity and caring hearts to brighten someone’s day and remind children that they are loved and supported.

Also in the classroom, Mustang students used their science skills experimenting with flight by building and launching paper helicopters in Mrs Hartley’s FLEX class this week. After a trial flight, many experimented just like a scientist would by creating variations to see how well their changes flew.

October is Bullying Prevention Month! And last week, our amazing school counselors organized fun and meaningful activities during lunch to raise awareness about bullying prevention and encouraging kindness, respect, and inclusion across our campus. Together, we can create a bully-free campus where every student feels safe, valued, accepted, and free to be themselves.

Last Friday, our Mustang girls’ flag football club faced the VMMS Vipers. Although the team didn’t come away with a win, the players gave it their all: scoring touchdowns, making interceptions, and battling hard on defense. We’re proud of their effort and determination!

We ended the week with our third annual Haunted House, a partnership between Madison Middle School and Lake Elementary, held alongside Lake’s Trunk or Treat. Madison’s eighth-grade students created a family-friendly haunted house, and it was wonderful to see elementary and middle school students celebrating together in their Halloween costumes. Funds raised will help support the eighth graders’ end-of-year field trip.

We're looking forward to a fun spirit week, celebrating both Halloween and Red Ribbon Week. Be sure to read about other upcoming events, before and after school (ELO) activities, and parent education and community resources below.

Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

Tom Berger

Principal

October 26

• Normal Late Start Schedule: Students attend all classes (10:00am - 3:35pm)
• Halloween Grams on Sale During Lunch
• Red Ribbon Spirit Week (Wear Sunglasses)

October 27

• Regular Schedule: Odd Periods (9:00am - 3:35pm)
• Halloween Grams on Sale During Lunch
• Red Ribbon Spirit Week (Match with all your friends)

• Regular Schedule: Even Periods (9:00am - 3:35pm)
• Halloween Grams on Sale During Lunch
• Red Ribbon Spirit Week (Wear Super Hero Shirts)
• Girls Flag Football Game (vs. Viper 4:30pm / Field)
• Ballet Folklorico (4:00pm - 5:00pm)
• Boys Flag Football Game (vs. Braves 4:30pm / Field)

October 29

• Regular Schedule: Odd Periods (9:00am - 3:35pm)
• Halloween Grams on Sale During Lunch
• Red Ribbon Spirit Week (Wear RED)

October 30

• Regular Schedule: Even Periods (9:00am - 3:35pm)
• Halloween Grams on Sale During Lunch
• Red Ribbon Spirit Week (Wear your Halloween Costume)

November 3

• SSC Meeting (4:15-5:15 / Library)

November 5

• Coffee with the Principal " Disaster Preparedness" (9:30am / Room "B")

November 10

• Anxiety and Big Emotions Workshop (9:15am/ Room "B")

November 10 - 18

• Thanksgiving Food Drive (Drop off at Madison Front Desk)

November 11

• Veterans Day (No School)

November 18 & 19

• Minimum Day Schedule (9:00am - 12:00pm)
• Parent /Teacher Conferences

November 23 -27

• No School (Thanksgiving Break )

December 1

• SSC Meeting (4:15-5:15 / Library)

December 16

• ELAC Meeting

December 21 -Jan 5

• No School (Winter Recess)

Be sure to check out a message and special video from our counselor, Ms. Kathy, about bullying prevention month!

Don’t miss your chance to win a bag full of delicious Trader Joe’s goodies! You can enter by joining our MMS PTA if you’re not already a member!

Hurry! Time is running out! Our winner will be selected in October, so don’t wait!

See’s Candies makes the perfect sweet gift for family, friends, teachers, or anyone who deserves a little extra sweetness this season!

Shop online through our Yum-Raising shop until December 4th!

Every purchase helps support our school, so you can spread holiday cheer while giving back to our Madison Mustang community!

Join us for Cafecito with the Principal and enjoy coffee, conversation, and important information to help keep your family safe! Universidad Popular will offer a community class where you’ll learn 5 steps to prepare for an emergency and how to build your own emergency backpack.

📅 Thursday, November 5
🕤 9:30 AM
📍 Room B

We look forward to seeing you there

The Vista Unified School District Board Policy 1005 (c) requires that all persons who work with children more than 20 hours be screened and found to be free of tuberculosis. School volunteers should not begin work until the tuberculosis clearance is completed. A tuberculin screening or test is valid for four (4) years. Please note that tuberculin test results, by law, may not be accepted as valid if they are older than sixty (60) days.

The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. To ensure a secure learning environment, we want to remind all visitors and families of our campus access guidelines:

• When visiting our school, please check in at the main office upon arrival.
• Visitors are not permitted to walk freely around campus, approach students, or take photos or videos of students unless the activity is pre-authorized and supervised by a staff member.
• Unless you are a cleared parent volunteer participating in an approved activity, you must remain with a designated staff escort while on campus.

Thank you for your cooperation and for partnering with us to keep our students safe!

In order for volunteers to help in classrooms, labs, or outdoor spaces, here are the requirements:

• Must complete the VUSD Volunteer Application and Sign the Code of Conduct
• Copy of your ID

• The Vista Unified School District Board Policy 1005 (c) requires that all persons who work with children more than 20 hours be screened and found to be free of tuberculosis. School volunteers should not begin work until the tuberculosis clearance is completed. A tuberculin screening or test is valid for four (4) years. Please note that tuberculin test results, by law, may not be accepted as valid if they are older than sixty (60) days.

• Must complete mandated reporting training for this school year. The training can be done through Keenan or any other approved company as long as we get a certificate of completion. For example, if you’ve completed the training for another district or their employer.

1. Keenan Option: Volunteers can create a Keenan SafeSchools account using a specific district Registration Key (4392b4f8 ) to complete the modules independently. You must share the certificate of completion with the sites prior to volunteering. **Important Procedural Note: For individual training, volunteer accounts are deactivated overnight due to database updates. Volunteers must complete the training in one sitting and download their certificate immediately, as they will lose access the following day. Please email your completion information to: betsabemahn@vistausd.org or bring your certificate of completion to our office.
2. California Department of Education Option: Volunteers can complete the training here: https://mandatedreporterca.com/. This option may offer more flexibility, is a 2 hour course that requires $10 for a completion certificate.

Join us on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, for a special cultural celebration honoring loved ones who have passed away! Enjoy fun art activities, Lotería with prizes, traditional snacks, live performances, community partners, and an opportunity to learn about the history of this beautiful Mexican tradition. Food will also be available for purchase!

📅 Date: October 27, 2026

🎉 Bring your family and enjoy an afternoon of culture, tradition, and community!

📌 For more information, please see the attached flyers. We hope to see you there!

2027 SUN Bucks Summer Grocery Benefits

Applications are now open for 2027 SUN Bucks summer grocery benefits!

Families are encouraged to apply to help ensure eligible school-aged children receive $120 per eligible child to purchase groceries for the summer.

***** Apply here *****

Please note: This application link is intended for current Vista Unified School District students only.

For questions or assistance, contact Student Support Services at studentservicesdept@vistausd.org or (760) 726-2170, ext. 92180.Thank you for helping us spread the word and support our VUSD families!

Looking for childcare or preschool? Educational Enrichment Services (EES) in Vista has options.

Families will have the opportunity to shop and select food at the new VCC Resource Hub! The new Resource Hub will be located at Vista Unified’s Olive property, to serve as a community resource where families can access food and other essential support throughout the week!

We are grateful for the support of the Vista Police Department, Vista Fire Department, and North County Ford, which recently contributed an incredible 4,992 pounds of food for local families to launch the Hub. We encourage families to take advantage of this wonderful community resource. Our Vista community is here to support you and your family.

For Brochures: Please click here for ENGLISH or SPANISH.

Vista Unified Families: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 11 am - 1 pm.

Questions? Please call or text: 844.308.5003

From exploring new interests and making friends to getting extra help and having fun, ELO has something for every Mustang!

📅 Getting started is easy!

• Check the ELO schedule below.

• Pick an activity and just show up—no sign-up needed!

• Students sign in when they arrive.

📢 The schedule is updated weekly, and activities may change. Encourage your Mustang to try something new and make the most of these amazing opportunities!

SSC is an advisory committee combined of parents, teachers, staff, and administration that reviews school goals, improvement plans, and funding.

Follow the Madison Mustangs and stay connected with our learning community journey! Join us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, Information, celebrations, and highlights throughout the school year.

• Facebook Official School Page:
• Madison Middle School VUSD
• Facebook Community Liaison Page:
• Madison MS Community Liaison

• Instagram:
• madisonmms_vista

Madison Activities Calendar

VUSD Calendar -- English

VUSD Calendar -- Spanish

Miss a week? Click HERE for previous newsletters.