Madison Middle School

The NBA took over Madison this week!

Our students met and played basketball with retired NBA players at the Friday pep rally, and on Saturday, several came back to participate in the inclusive basketball camp! In partnership with Vista Unified's Special Education PTA and Synergy Youth and Community Inc, students had the unique opportunity to practice, learn skills, and play with professionals while engaging with peers of various ages and ability levels. It was an inspiring event that reflects Madison's mission to make school a place where all students feel safe, welcome, and included. Events like these are another avenue for student for students to thrive in a supportive environment.

This week, we invite you to join us for two opportunities to connect, share your voice, and learn more about the great work happening at our school:

School Site Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 10 | 4:00–5:00 PM | Library

Dessert with the Principal

Wednesday, February 11 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Library

Please email me if you would like a Zoom link to either of the meetings.

Thank you for reading!

Tom Berger

Principal

Feb. 9

• Late Start (School hours from 10:00am to 3:35pm)
• Field Hockey (4:00 - 5:00pm / The Field)
• BGCV Boys Basketball (3:45 -5:45 pm /Gym)

Feb. 10

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)
• School Site Council Meeting (4:00 - 5:00pm / Library)
• Field Hockey (4:00 - 5:00pm / The Field)
• BGCV Boys Basketball (3:45 -5:45 pm /Gym)

Feb. 11

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)
• Field Hockey 4:00 - 5:00pm / The Field)
• Ballet Folklorico (3:35 - 4:45pm / GYM)
• Dessert with the Principal Updates and Open Forum (4:30pm-5:30pm / Library)

Feb. 12

• Regular Schedule (School hours from 9:00 am to 3:35 pm)
• Field Hockey (4:00 - 5:00pm / The Field)
• ELAC Meeting (6:00 pm / Library)

Feb. 13

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

• February 16 -20 President's Week (No School)
• February 25 Minimum Day Schedule
• February 27 Winter Ball Dance (only 7th and 8t grade)
• March 11 & 12 Parent / Teacher Conf. (Minimum Day Schedule)
• March 18 Spring Band Concert
• March 19 ELAC Meeting
• March 30 to April 3 Spring Break (No School)

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

Congratulations to our band students who represented Madison in the 78 Honor Band who performed earlier today at San Marcos High School! Thank you to Mr. Squibb for your leadership and dedication to our music program!

Ms. Hartley's period 1 students tested their hypotheses to discover what design changes helped their paper helicopters fly better. They compared three different helicopter designs, analyzed their results, and explored which features led to the best flight. Their inspiration came from Ingenuity, the first helicopter to successfully fly on Mars—bringing real-world science and engineering to life right here in our classroom! 🚁✨

The cost is FREE! Parents are welcome!

The conference will open with a keynote by Dr. Nikki Elliott (University of San Diego), From Intention to Impact – Equity-Driven Leadership for Meaningful Inclusion, followed by a featured panel focused on postsecondary pathways for students with special needs, facilitated by CSU San Marcos faculty and partners.

happening Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM at California State University San Marcos.

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION LINK.

More Info on Conference Website: SDNCSEC 2026

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!

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.

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.

Our 8th graders had a great time visiting Mission Vista High School and seeing all the opportunities they have to offer. Our next trip will be to Rancho Buena Vista on February 12th. We hope these trips will help you and your student make an informed decision when selecting their next school. There's one more scheduled tour for Mission Vista high school, and you can always reach out to any of the schools for any questions about their programs.

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. If your child is interested in Mission Vista High School, please complete the application found on the Magnet Schools page of the VUSD website: Application for Magnet Schools. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026 by 4:30pm.

This year is BIGGER and MORE FUN with more than 70 museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums and more starting February 1!

Pick up a free Museum Month printed pass at any of 80+ San Diego City or County public libraries, five libraries in Imperial County, or at select educational libraries. Starting February 1, you can download a digital pass from here to your mobile device.

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.

Miss a week? Click HERE for previous newsletters.