Madison Middle School

Last Tuesday the Mustang Band represented Madison at California Adventure where they played to park guests! They performed a medley of songs from popular Disney films and other compositions including The Great Rubber Chicken Gallop! It was great opportunity for our students to display their talent and show off their hard work.

Also last week, in Ms. Smith's seventh grade science class, students explored the chemical and physical reactions of house hold items (Salt, Sugar, Baking Soda) when mixed with water and then vinegar. Students used a balloon to show the gas produced when mixing baking soda and vinegar. Science labs like this keep students engaged while having fun.

We have several events coming up in the next few weeks. Please read below to learn more about girls' basketball, girls' flag football, and boys' soccer tryouts, on campus dental exams, the Mustang Marathon, STEM 2 Career Expo, bike education opportunities, the Strawberry Festival and more! As always, we publish our ELO schedule at the end of this newsletter where you can find up to date information about our before and afterschool tutoring and other enrichment opportunities.

Thanks for reading!

Tom Berger

Principal

March 2

• Late Start (School hours from 10:00am to 3:35pm)

March 3

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)

March 4

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)
• VCC Dental Van at Madison
• Ballet Folkflorico (3:35 pm to 4:35pm / Gym)

March 5

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)
• VCC Dental Van at Madison
• Mustang Marathon Registration Opens

March 6

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)

March 7

• Madison Mattress Fundraiser (10:00 to 4:00pm / Gym)

• March 10 SSC Meeting
• March 10 & 11 Spring Athletics Tryouts (Girls Basketball, Girls Flag Football and Boys Soccer)
• March 11 The Tortilla Lab (Parents Workshop)
• March 11 & 12 Parent / Teacher Conf. (Minimum Day Schedule)
• March 18 Spring Band Concert
• March 19 Coffee w/the Principal
• March 19 ELAC Meeting
• March 24 PTA Mustang Marathon Fundraiser
• March 24 8th Grade Parent Night (High School Transition Information 6pm to 7pm in the library and on Zoom)
• March 30 to April 3 Spring Break (No School)
• April 24 Spring Fling Dance

Just a quick reminder that VCC Dental will be on campus March 4th & 5th offering FREE dental screenings for students!

This is a great chance to make sure your child’s smile is healthy and bright, all during the school day.

If you haven’t already, please click the link below to complete the consent form and sign up your child.

Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

https://www.vistacommunityclinic.org/health.../a-teeth/

At Vista Unified School District (VUSD), we value our partnership with families and invite you to share your thoughts through our LCAP Parent Survey. Your feedback helps us understand what is working well and where we can improve to better support our students and schools. Your input will directly shape the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Thank you for taking the time to share your voice and help us continue to grow together.

To see previous broadcasts, visit Madison's Vimeo channel.

📅 Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (3/24/26)

A school-wide PTA fundraiser that gets students moving and motivated!

This isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s an event that encourages and rewards exercise.

✨ Prizes Just for Registering!

🏆 Individual prizes

🏅 Whole class prizes

🥇 Grade-level prizes

Last year, we gave away hundreds of prizes

💥 How Can You Help? What can you do?

👉 The most important thing: MARCH 5th, REGISTER YOUR CHILD!

We’ll also have volunteer opportunities, and we’re looking for additional prize
donations to reward our amazing students.

If you own a business — or know one that would like to donate prizes — please
contact Bill McDonell. VPFundraising@madisonmiddleschoolpta.org

We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization.

✔️ All donations go directly to student participants.

✔️ All funds raised support prizes, recognition rewards, and student incentives
like PBIS (Minga Rewards).

✔️ Funds also support programs such as 8th grade promotion, educational
programs, and extracurricular activities.

Let’s make this year’s Mustang Marathon the best one yet!

Join us on March 11 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make delicious homemade tortillas!

Come connect with other parents, share some laughs, and leave with new skills and maybe a few warm tortillas, too!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Spots are Limited so Register now HERE

Important Information for Parents: E-Bike Safety and City Regulations

The Oceanside Police Department (OPD) has shared updated information with middle and high schools regarding recent changes to the Oceanside Municipal Code related to e-bike use. These changes are in response to an increase in safety concerns, calls for service, and community complaints.

Beginning February 28, 2026, e-bikes may be temporarily seized under certain circumstances, including:

• Riding an e-bike recklessly or without proper regard for safety

• Receiving two or more e-bike–related citations within a 12-month period

• Double-riding on bikes that are not designed or equipped to carry passengers

OPD has noted that many e-bike violations involve middle and high school–aged students, often with little or no formal traffic safety training. The primary goal of these changes is education and safety, not punishment. In many cases, violations may be resolved by the student completing a bicycle safety course.

To support families and students, OPD has created a new e-bike safety brochure available in English and Spanish. The brochure explains:

• E-bike laws and rules of the road

• Important safety tips for young riders

• What families should know if an e-bike is seized

We encourage parents to review this information with their students and talk together about safe and responsible e-bike use. Working together helps keep our students and community safe.

STEM2Career Expo is coming up, March 25th from 5:00-7:00pm at Rancho Buena Vista High School. This free event will showcase all schools in regards to Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) as well as all of our Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. Come see what Vista Unified has to offer in regards to STEM, CTE, and Careers!

All 8th-grade students were recently given a letter during their math classes that reviews behavior expectations and eligibility requirements for end-of-year activities, including the Knott’s Berry Farm trip. The letter is linked below for your reference. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, and thank you for partnering with us to support students in meeting academic expectations and making positive choices. Also linked below are the details for the Knott's trip and another link for payment options.

During the first week in February, you will be receiving a message via Parent Square with information for the high school your student is assigned to next year. If you would like to apply for a different high school in the district, the necessary information will be provided in that letter. You can also click this link: Intra-District Transfers, on the VUSD website for transfer requests.

Mental Health Matters and at Madison, we want to do our best to support your child's social and emotional growth! We are excited to inform you of the following Free Mental Health Webinars for parents and caregivers that is sponsored by a partnership with San Diego County Office of Education and Rady Children's Health. We hope you might be able to participate in these great opportunities!

Yearbooks are now available for online ordering! Capture all the special memories from this school year — friendships, events, and milestones — in one keepsake your child will treasure for years to come.

Order yours today using the link below before they sell out!

CalKIDS is a statewide California program that provides scholarship savings accounts for eligible children and students to help families take an important step toward college, career training, and future opportunities. Many students may already have free money available through CalKIDS, and families can check eligibility and claim funds online. Universidad Popular, a community-based organization in North County San Diego, offers FREE enrollment support to help families check eligibility and apply at no cost.

Contact Angelica Santiago, Universidad Popular, for support and resources at angelica@unipopular or 760.845.2791.

🔗 Learn more: CalKIDS.org/OCPSC
🌐 Universidad Popular: unipopular.org

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