Mustang Memo: Family Edition
August 12th, 2025
December 12, 2025
Dear Madison Mustangs,
It's hard to believe we are approaching our final week before the Winter Break!
Next week is our last full 5-day week of the 2025 portion of the school year. Please remember we will have school on Monday, December 22nd, and Tuesday, December 23rd, before we begin the break.
Thank you for your dedication to maintaining our comforting routines as we head into this final, exciting stretch. We recognize that this time of year can be challenging for many. Thank you for consistently offering grace—to your colleagues, our students, and most importantly, to yourselves.
Our community is incredibly fortunate to be so full of connection and collaboration. Please know that we are here to support you in any way we can.
Stay warm this weekend, Mustangs!
~Jean and Meredith
Mark Your Calendar
December
24-31: No School
January
19: No School Martin Luther King Junior Day
20: No School Staff Professional Development
27: 5th Grade to Great Theater
29: Family Literacy Night
Important Information
Immunization Reminder for Selected Students
Families who have already been contacted MUST submit updated immunization records or a notarized exemption form by Jan. 5. Minnesota state law requires this paperwork for school attendance. Students without required documentation will not be allowed to attend school after break until forms are complete.
Questions? Contact our school nurse Lisa Doucet.
It was an impressive Madison Spelling Bee this week! Way to go Mustangs!
Congratulations to our first place Knowledge Bowl winners!
Congratulations to our growth mindset Knowledge Bowl winners!
Below are the supports available across our district as we work together to ensure food stability for our school community.
Resource Support through 742
Food Distribution at Family Conferences
What: Food pick-up available during upcoming family conferences.
Where: Kennedy, Katherine Johnson Education Center, Discovery, Madison, Lincoln, Talahi, Oak Hill, Clearview
Who: Available to all families in our school district
Elementary Food Distribution Sites
What: Drive-up distribution of pre-packed food boxes, gallons of milk, bread, and potentially produce (serving up to 75 families). Future plans include adding toiletries and essentials.
Where: Talahi & Madison Elementary (Door 1)
When: 3–5 PM, every week beginning November 11 through end of 2025, Tuesdays at Talahi and Thursdays at Madison
Who: Available for all 742 families
FACT (Feeding Area Children Together) Weekend Food Packs
What: Pre-packed food bags for individual students to take home over weekends
Where: Discovery, Lincoln, Madison, North, South, Talahi
Who: Available to any family in need at participating schools — sign up through THIS LINK
School Pantries & Backpack Support
What: Food items, toiletries, and clothing
Where: All 742 schools, access by contacting your principal or school counselor
Who: Available to all students and families
Thanksgiving Dinner Give-Away
What: Thanksgiving dinner
Where: Pick up in St. Joseph, Sartell or limited delivery - view more through THIS LINK
Who: Available to any family in need — sign up through THIS LINK
Ways to Help Support Our Community
Make a Financial Donation
Support food purchases by making direct donations through LEAF (Local Education & Activities Foundation) using the QR code provided below.
Volunteer Your Time
Support school pantry organization, deliveries, and food distribution efforts by contacting Christopher.Erickson@isd742.org or Peggy Carlson: cnpc747@tds.net
Donate Items
Provide food, basic life necessities, or new clothing items (particularly socks and underwear) to support our school pantries by contacting Sang.Maxwell@isd742.org
Purposefull People
PurposeFull Pursuit:
Review Empathy as a family! Remember that Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you’d like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss Empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to Empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.
Conversation Starters:
How have you practiced using the Tree of Choices at school recently?
Why is it important to pay attention to how someone else is feeling?