Madison Elementary School Update

Dear Madison Upper Elementary Families,

What a great turnout at Open House on Tuesday night! It was great catching up with familiar faces and meeting many new students and families. The energy in the building made me even more excited to kick off the new school year.

Here are a couple quick reminders for the week ahead:

• There will be no school on the first two Fridays (August 28 and September 4).
• Our cafeteria will be serving Bosco Sticks as the main course for lunch tomorrow. You can find the rest of the menu linked at the bottom of this page.

• Don't forget your gym shoes! If your child has Mrs. Face, Mrs. Gonzalez, Mrs. Cessna, Mrs. Greenwood, Mrs. Bryant, or Mr. Nowak, they will have PE tomorrow.

Looking ahead, you can expect a quick weekly update from me every Sunday evening to keep you informed on everything happening at MUE. Please take a moment to review the important information below. Our team is excited to partner with you to make this the best school year ever!

Go Trojans!

Nate Pechaitis

Upper Elementary Principal

3rd and 4th graders will enter through the main Upper Elementary Entrance

5th graders will enter through the bus doors in the front of the building.

Doors Open: Our doors will open at 8:10 AM.

Breakfast: Students can drop off their belongings at their lockers and head to breakfast in the High School Cafeteria. We will have adults throughout the halls directing them. Breakfast is available from 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM.

Classroom Doors Open: Students may enter their classrooms at 8:15 AM.

Class Begins: Class officially begins at 8:30 AM.

Please adhere to our dismissal procedures for the safety of our students. If you are picking up your child, please park your vehicle and approach the designated pick up area for your child, but stay on the paved drive.

• Designated Pickup: 3rd, 4th, and 5th-graders' pickup areas are to the right of the main Upper Elementary entrance.
• Stay on the Paved Areas: When waiting for your child, please stay on the paved areas. We kindly ask that you do not stand on the sidewalks, grass, or near the bus area.
• Accessible Parking: Vehicles in accessible parking spots will be asked to wait until cones are removed by staff before exiting. Please DO NOT exit the wrong way. Cones will be removed at 3:35.
• Multiple Children: For families with multiple children, please pick up in order from youngest to oldest at their assigned locations.

Our goal is to create a sustainable and consistent set of expectations that allow teachers to teach and students to learn, that fosters a positive school culture.

To that end, the Madison School District has been dedicated to implementing our enhanced PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) system as a district wide focus for over three years now. Our mission is to cultivate a positive culture and climate where every student feels safe, valued, and confident.

At the heart of our system is a clear understanding of expectations. To help our students grasp these expectations, we emphasize “Leading The Madison Way.” This is encapsulated in the acronym L.E.A.D.:

L - Live Respectfully

E - Embrace Responsibility

A - Act Safely

D - Develop Healthy Choices

During the first week of school, students will engage in learning and practicing what L.E.A.D. means in various areas of the school, including classrooms, the cafeteria, the playground, hallways, bathrooms, on the bus, and during assemblies. We are committed to continuously teaching and reinforcing these expectations, celebrating students when they embody them.

Students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to earn merit trips—exciting field trips organized by each grade level team of teachers. Past merit trips have included fun activities such as roller skating, ice skating, trips to the movie theater, Toledo Mudhens and Toledo Walleyes games, visits to Corner Park, bowling, and more. Your child’s teacher will share specific details each trimester about the upcoming merit trip destination.

At the end of each trimester, students who meet the criteria will be eligible to attend. These trips are designed to reward students for developing the skills and mindset necessary for success both in and out of school. The criteria for earning a merit trip are as follows:

• No more than two detentions during the trimester
• No suspensions during the trimester
• No more than four countable absences for the trimester
• No E’s and no more than one D for the trimester (No more than two N’s for 3rd grade)

***Attendance is an important factor. Please note that students with more than 4 absences in a trimester will not be eligible for the trimester merit trip.

If attendance becomes problematic, we will communicate with you following these guidelines:

After 5 countable absences during a trimester, we will notify you with an attendance letter and alert. Only one letter alerting families of excessive absences will be sent per trimester. Once the letter has been received, it is the responsibility of the student and family to stay informed as to the number of absences they have accumulated.

After 7 countable absences during a trimester, we will notify you with an alert.

After 12 Countable absences during a trimester or after reaching 9 countable absences for a second time in a school year, a truancy meeting with administration and family will be held. The goal will be to address the root cause of the absences, offer academic or other supports, and develop an attendance agreement. A plan of action will be agreed upon and if the expectations are not met, a referral to the Lenawee County Truancy Specialist will be made.

Students who arrive at school at 8:40 or later, or leave at 3:20 or earlier will be marked absent for a half day. If your child is absent for any reason, please communicate with the school.

Together, we can work to improve attendance and support our students' success!

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