Madison Place Message.....

Dear Parents,

Greetings from Madison Place Elementary. These last few weeks have brought a roller coaster of weather conditions. As they say about Kansas, whatever you like when it comes to weather, hang around for a few days and that particular temperature and or precipitation will come around. I guess you just have to determine that you will enjoy whatever comes our way.

There’s a lot going on here at our school. From a wonderful Scholastic Book Fair, Music Programs, Family Reading Night, and even an upcoming Bingo Night, you and your children have the chance to be involved in some fun activities here at school. Thanks for your support in helping your child be a part of these wonderful opportunities at our school.

Another way you can support both your child and our school is through your attendance at the upcoming February parent-teacher conferences. This important event will provide a great opportunity for you to learn more about how your child is currently performing in school and to learn more about how you can support your child’s success through your work with him or her at home. Please place your scheduled time on February 9th - 12th on your calendars. We’re looking forward to seeing you.

As I wrap up my comments in this month’s newsletter, I want to take the time to let you all know how much I appreciate the opportunity to work with your children and the staff here at Madison Place. It is an honor to serve our students, our community, and our staff. Likewise, please accept my thanks for your support of our school and staff as we’ve worked with you and your children to accomplish all we have. We appreciate it so much!

Sincerely,

Gary

February 6 - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Day)

Week of February 9 - Parent Teacher Conferences & Book Fair

February 10 - Early Childhood Valentine's Day Class Parties

February 11 - 1/2 day of classes (12:10 PM dismissal)

- Valentine's Day Class Parties

February 12 - NO SCHOOL

February 13 - NO SCHOOL

February 16 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

February 19 - PTO Meeting, 6 PM

February 23 - SPIRIT DAY - Maverick Monday! Wear school spirit wear or school colors.

February 26 - Family Reading Night (PreK-5th)

March - Youth Art Month, Music in Schools Month

March 2 - NEA's Read Across America Day

March 6 - BINGO Night 6:00 PM

March 8 - Daylight Savings - Don't forget to "Spring forward"

March 9 - Spirit Day - Maverick Monday - Wear your spirit wear or school colors

March 12 - 4th Grade Musical Performance, 6:30 PM

March 13 - End of 3rd quarter

March 16-20 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

March 23 - Staff Professional Day - NO SCHOOL

March 25 -Spring Picture Day - NO RETAKES

March 26 - PTO Meeting, 6PM

March 30 - SPIRIT DAY - Maverick Monday - Wear your spirit wear or school colors

In March 2026, registered voters who live within the Olathe Public Schools boundaries will have the opportunity to vote in a no tax rate increase $389 million mail-in bond election that would positively impact all Olathe students.

Building on Excellence: In Olathe Public Schools the educational experience extends beyond the four walls of our classrooms. We are committed to Building on Excellence to pursue more ways to serve our students. Through extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities such as fine arts, theater, and athletics, students enjoy a well-rounded experience. Maintaining updated facilities and safe sports fields ensures continued access to high-quality programs.

• Rebuild Meadow Lane Elementary to create a more equitable learning environment for our oldest school
• Safety and Security to implement weapon detection for large events, replace radios and install security film on windows
• High School Updates to address building renovations based on age, which includes weight room expansions
• Middle School Updates to update locker rooms and weight rooms
• Elementary Updates to add additional playground equipment and fencing

By strengthening the spaces where learning, creativity and teamwork happen, these projects help ensure students can fully participate in the experiences that shape who they become. Bond 2026 is about maintaining safe, reliable and engaging environments where programs beyond the classroom allow students to thrive for years to come.

To learn more about Building on Excellence, along with the other pillars of Bond 2026 visit olatheschools.org/bond2026.

The District Site Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday, February 23rd at Olathe East High School is being moved up to Thursday, February 19th at 6:00 PM in conjunction with the Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus community open house. This is a come and go event where students from each of the programs will be in attendance to highlight their academy and provide tours. Additionally, the eSports arena will also be open to the public.

The event will conclude at 7:30 PM so consider arriving early enough to take advantage of seeing this wonderful new addition to our district facilities and programs..

Olathe Gears Up for Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 16-20
Random Acts of Kindness Week is Feb. 16-20, and the Olathe community is coming together to show that kindness truly ties us all together. Every school in the district will take part in a kindness activity all week long.

ALL community members are encouraged to join in, share their acts of kindness on social media, and tag Olathe Public Schools.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, is a citywide spirit day reminding us that KINDNESS TIES US TOGETHER! Wear tie-dye or a necktie to celebrate.

This collaborative effort between Olathe Public Schools, the City of Olathe, and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce highlights the power of kindness and its ability to strengthen an entire community.

On March 12, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 PM Johnson County Mental Health will be screening the film, Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, at the Olathe Downtown Library. This documentary offers real-world stories from families and schools as well as practical solutions to build healthy tech habits during the early years. This event is free and no tickets are required. Snacks provided! See the attached flier for more information and to RSVP.

Calling All Future Kindergarten Students - By Kansas law, children who turn 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025, are eligible to attend Kindergarten in the fall. If you have a child that is going to be attending Kindergarten at Madison Place in the fall, you are asked to attend our Kindergarten Enrollment event! It will be held on April 9th. This event offers next-year’s Kindergartners and their parents a peek inside their school and is the official enrollment time for Kindergartners. Future Kindergarteners will get to meet Dr. Stevenson, hang out with their future teachers, and complete some activities while Mom or Dad fills out paperwork. Parents are asked to bring their child’s birth certificate, shot records, a copy of their latest physical records, and a copy of their social security card. If you don’t have all the information needed, please bring what you do have and plan on providing the rest to the school office in August.

Please help us spread the word to our school community by sharing this information with neighbors and friends who have children nearing this age.

Checklist for
Kindergarten Enrollment

• Birth Certificate
• Shot Records
• Copy of last physical
• Proof of Residency – (Utility Bill, lease agreement, or new housing contract )

Olathe early childhood programs and Olathe Head Start have started taking applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Check out the flyer linked below for details on how you can apply.

‘Tis the season for respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses! We always see a rise in Influenza and other respiratory viruses at this time of year, and an increase in stomach bugs like Norovirus. These illness typically peak between January-March and then slow down after Spring break. In addition to the graphic above, please check out the district Health Website where you can find information about when to keep your children home due to illness. Also , you can find a respiratory guidance sheet and a link to Norovirus: About Norovirus (CDC) here.

Even though spring is just around the corner, it is still, at times, very cold. The staff at Madison Place would like to remind you that it is District policy that all building doors should remain locked except for 8:35-8:55 AM Students who arrive before 8:35 AM, if given access, must have direct staff supervision. Because we do not have staff supervision for this purpose before 8:35 AM, district policy does not allow us to give access to students who arrive before 8:35 AM.

Unfortunately, this means that any student who is dropped off at Madison Place before 8:35 AM must wait outside without supervision. Please consider this before you drop off your child early and leave.

Please remember to contact the school in order to report that your child will be absent. You can do this through the following means:

• Call our attendance line at (913) 780-7520
• Email our attendance desk at mdattendance@olatheschools.org or jjromfo@olatheschools.org
• Click the Report an Absence link on our school homepage, just below the rotating images.

Thanks for your help with keeping us informed of your child’s absence.

Please remember to bring your ID with you when visiting the school during the day. For the safety of our students and staff, in order for us to allow guests to enter the building we require that photo ID be shown in order for entry to be allowed.

• Morning Drop-Off Reminders
• The two options for Morning Drop-Off Include:
• Using the AM drop-off line that goes around the back of the school.
• Parking in the front parking lot and walking your child across the bus lane. If you choose to park in front, keep the following in mind.
• Do Not drop off your child by driving through the bus lane.
• Do Not allow your child to walk through the front parking lot and cross the bus lane without an adult escort.
• Afternoon Dismissal Reminders
• The two options for PM dismissal pick-up Include:
• Using the PM pick-up line that goes around the back of the school.
• Parking in the front parking lot and walking across the bus lane to then escort your child back to the front parking lot before then walking them to your car. Please model for your child the importance of using the cross-walk when crossing the bus lane.

Our last party of this school year, the Valentine's Day party, is coming up this month! Our Room Parents are working hard to create a fun and memorable experience for our students! As a reminder, parents are asked to sign up on the PTO website to bring an item, serve as a party helper or photographer. Please keep in mind that in order to attend the party, you must sign up to help through the PTO website. Instructions on how to do so are available here… https://madisonplacepto.membershiptoolkit.com. We have a limited number of volunteer spots and this will help our Room Parents know how to plan the activities and snacks that will be provided to our students.

Thanks for your help with providing this fun experience for our Madison Place students.

Maverick Readers… It’s February and it’s an exciting month in the world reading.

First, we celebrated WORLD READ ALOUD DAY on Wednesday, February 4!

This fun day included so many activities. our students participated in a Spirit Day in which they were invited to dress up as their favorite character from a book. Additionally, virtual author visits were scheduled for all of our students in preschool through 5th grade. Additionally, our students got to participate in a whole school read aloud done by Dr. Stevenson and enjoyed some extra time reading while enjoying a snack.

Next up is the BOOK FAIR! - - Monday, February 9 – Wednesday, February 11

Book fair profits are the funding source for anything we purchase over and beyond the books. Proceeds fund library programming such as our whole school PAKRAT read of Wedgie & Gizmo, 3D Printing, Storywalks, our Makerspace including Coding and Lego, as well as materials for the organization and upkeep of the library. When you purchase in person, 50% of sales go to the library. However, when you purchase online only 25% of sales go to the library.

Finally, we will finish the month with READING NIGHT. – PK - 5th Grade – Thursday, February 26- 6:30-7:45pm

Our goal is to help each Maverick grow as a reader and to create lifelong readers. We are thankful for all that you do to partner with us in this endeavor!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Janelle Stigall – Madison Place Teacher Librarian

Email: jstigallmd@olatheschools.org - Library Website

Congratulations 5th Grade:

5th Grade Drumming Performance “Tropical Night” was Thursday, February 5th at 6:30 PM. We loved seeing so many of you in attendance. I am so proud of their efforts as they composed and produced this production!

Mallet ensemble is for kids with a passion for playing xylophones. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their mallet skills as they work on more difficult music. Mallet Ensemble is open to any 4th or 5th grader with an aptitude for playing xylophones and a willingness to attend rehearsals and performances. We will rehearse before school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Parents should have received enrollment information via e-mail. Please fill out the enrollment form by Friday, Feb. 6th. https://forms.gle/GRZyvVzm2ekRCp2UA

We have a limited number of xylophones available. Enrollment numbers determine whether I need to borrow additional xylophones or possibly have two ensembles. We will find an accommodating schedule for students that are in Math Wings and would also like to join Mallet Ensemble.

Maurica Bruning

Music

Madison Place Elementary

Phone: 913-780-7520

Email: mbruningmd@olatheschools.org

Email: gstevensonmd@olatheschools.org
Website: https://www.olatheschools.org/madisonplace
Location: 16651 Warwick Street, Olathe, KS, USA
Phone: 913-780-7520
Twitter: @Madisonplacek5