Madrona Family Memo

Greetings, Madrona Wildcat Families!

Wow! What an incredible first full week of school! Our students are settled into their middle school routine, managing lockers, snack and lunch breaks, navigating six classes, and meeting school and class expectations. We are proud of our Wildcats for how quickly they have adapted to the 2026-27 school year!

This week, students attended grade-level assemblies in our gym, where Assistant Principal Mrs. Schiappa-Gobee reviewed our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) schoolwide expectations. They learned about what it means to "Be Respectful, Be Responsible" at Madrona, in the classroom, on campus, and in their interactions with others. Students also learned ways they will be recognized for positive behavior and how to stay safe through the use of our school district-adopted See Something, Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. In addition, students learned about our Tutorial period, a dedicated 25-minute period (3–4 times a week) for extra support in Math, English, and Science.

This edition of our family newsletter includes invitations to our 9/15 Back to School Family Night and 9/18 Madrona PTSA hosted Aloha School Dance, PTSA updates, our new "What Was Homework" family resource, Portrait of a Graduate Spotlights and other resources.

Have a wonderful weekend, Wildcats!

With gratitude,

Sue S. Key, Ed.D., Proud Principal

Madrona Middle School

click here for access to the fillable Back to School Night Bell Schedule & Map.

• Dance tickets: https://madronaptsa.square.site/
• Permission form - must be completed by a parent/guardian for students to attend

The Trunk or Treat and Halloween Festival is a fun community event for Fern, Hickory and Madrona families and one of Madrona PTSA's biggest annual fundraisers. This event will take place on Friday October 9th. Sign up your business, community group, or family to host a trunk.

The PTSA needs you! Sign up to volunteer on a planning committee or at one of our events. Please note the Torrance Unified School District volunteer requirement updates.

Calling all Madrona families! The PTSA is holding our annual direct donation and membership drive and we need your support! Join the PTSA to benefit from our membership perks and have a voice in our initiatives!

Donate to the PTSA to support our events and programs for students and teachers! Certain donation levels will receive awards, including raffles for first in line entry and 5 minute student early lunch dismissal to Midday Mingle, Dr. Key and Mrs. Schiappa-Gobee's parking spots for Midday Mingle or other Madrona events, and a special fall gift basket!

All families must annually "register" & update info in PowerSchool

We request that all Madrona families fill out the Torrance Unified School District Educational Benefit Form. Please type "Torrance" in the search bar to select "Torrance USD (Torrance, California)" from the drop down menu. Completing this form take only a few minutes helps us secure vital funding for our students and can qualify your family for free resources!

Benefits for your family

• Qualification and fee waivers for expanded learning opportunities (ELOP)
• Discounts and fee waivers for college applications, admission tests and high school Advanced Placement (AP) tests
• Discounts on internet, electric, gas, and cell phone services
• Eligibility for SUN Bucks Benefits
• Fee waivers on summer programs
  
  

Benefits for Madrona

• Increased funding to support student's access to an exemplary education
• Enhanced support services which includes counselors, social works, instructional aides,
  and tutors.
• Discounted internet and technology costs to the district
• Provide grants to improve school meal quality

All Madrona students will continue to receive free snack & lunch for the 2026-27!

A new addition to the home page of our school website is a "What Was Homework" Button, which links to an easy to reference spread sheets.

Calling all students with a growth mindset! Homework Club is a quiet space open to ALL students to complete homework (or) get help from the supervising teacher or peer tutors. Get your homework done before going home!

3:30-4:30 pm - Sign-up for one, two or all three days!

• Mondays (Room 14 w/Mrs. Bloomfield)
• Tuesdays (Room 27 w/Mrs. Rokugawa)
• Wednesdays (Room 6 w/Ms. Wulpern)

Please note the location change for only the first week:

Monday, August 31 - Room 27 with Mrs. Rokugawa

Tuesday, September 1 - Room 14 with Mrs. Bloomfield

• Thank you to the family who generously donated Expo markers! The Amazon package arrived without a name, but we truly appreciate your support. ~Madrona Team
• Shoutout to Emily Fournier for helping our new 6th graders with their lockers! She’s been showing them how to use their locks, always with a big smile and such a kind attitude. ~Ms.Cynthia

Madrona middle school's soccer season is approaching! Attached is the Google form for tryouts - form must be completed using a TUSD Student Google Account.

Tryouts (3:30-5:00 pm, field)

• Boys soccer tryouts - Monday, August 31
• Girls soccer tryouts - Tuesday, September 1

Call Backs (2nd round tryouts, 3:30-5:00 pm)

• Boys - Wednesday, September 2
• Girls - Thursday, September 3

Students must have cleats and shin guards to attend tryouts. Students participating in interscholastic sports are required by state laws to have medical insurance.

The first order arrived yesterday Friday, August 29 - those will be sorted and delivered to PE classes this week.

This uniform order is optional. For families who would like to purchase a uniform, the online store is open! Orders will be fulfilled in 2-week batches during August and September. Items will be delivered to PE classes in labeled bags.

Note: Students enrolled in a Physical Education class are required to wear a red top (t-shirt or sweatshirt) and black bottoms (shorts or sweat pant), socks, and sneakers for PE. This can be any red t shirt and black shorts/sweat pants that appropriate for physical fitness/exercise that your student already has at home.

Student comfort and well-being are our priorities during warmer late-summer days. On days when temperatures rise above normal, proactive steps are taken to ensure our students remain safe, cool, and active in healthy ways:

• Limiting Outdoor Play and blacktop use during peak heat hours. Cool, indoor spaces provide welcome shelter during snack and lunch.

• Prioritizing Hydration: Encouraging students to refill waterbottles at one of our many water fountains and taking frequent water breaks throughout the day.

• Attentive Care: Monitoring students closely for signs of heat sensitivity and adjusting schedules as needed.

• Following Expert Guidance: Adhering directly to LA County Department of Public Health & TUSD heat safety guidelines.
  
  

How You Can Help at Home Please help us prepare your student for warm days by reminding them to:

• Wear light-colored, breathable clothing (cotton and linen).

• Bring a refillable water bottle every day - students can replenish them anytime using water bottle refill stations above the water fountains.
  
  

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in keeping our Wildcats safe, healthy, and ready to learn!

September

• Monday, 9/7 - No School/Labor Day
• Tuesday, 9/15 - Late Start Tuesday & Madrona Back to School Night - (5:15 pm/Admin & PTSA Welcome in the Gym, 5:30-6:30 pm Classroom Visits)
• Wednesday, 9/16 - Late Start (Period 1/9:20 am) Wednesday due to Back to School Night
• Thursday, 9/17 - Madrona Soccer vs Casimir, 4:15 pm/5:15 pm
• Friday, 9/18 - Madrona Picture Day (during PE class periods)
• Friday, 9/18 - Welcome Back Aloha Dance, hosted by the Madrona PTSA 5-7 pm, Cafeteria. Tropical attire is encouraged! (more info to be shared soon!)
• Monday, 9/21 - No School/Non-instructional Day
• Tuesday, 9/22 - Late Start Tuesday - 9:20 am/first bell rings (9:25 am start)
• Thursday, 9/23 - Madrona Soccer vs Jefferson, (Away, Girls 4:15 pm/Boys 5:15 pm)

October

• Thursday, 10/1 - Madrona Soccer vs Richardson (Home, Boys 4:15 pm/Girls 5:15 pm)
• Friday, 10/2 - No School/Staff Professional Development Day

• Thursday, 10/8 - Madrona Soccer vs Magruder (Away, Girls 4:15 pm/Boys 5:15 pm)

• Friday, 10/9 - Trunk or Treat Halloween Festival. Madrona PTSA fundraiser fall festival inviting the Fern and Hickory Elementary and Madrona Middle School communities.

• Thursday, 10/15 (TBD), Madrona Soccer vs Central Area Rival Hull MS (Boys First/Time TBA)

• Friday, 10/16 -No School/Non-instructional Day

• Monday, 10/19 - Friday, 10/23 - Madrona School Spirit Week, hosted by Student Leadership! (TBA)

• Friday, 10/23 - End of Quarter 1

• Midday Mingle Lunch, hosted by Madrona PTSA
  
  

More dates & events to be added during the school year. See TUSD 2026-27 School Calendar

Please review the i-Ready Parent Letter (with available translations) for helpful details on i-Ready and My Path, as well as information regarding our Beginning of the Year Diagnostic scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 (ELA) and Thursday, September 10 (Math).

Once the system rolls over for the 2026–27 school year, TUSD will provide a new access code for Family Reports. We will share this code with families as soon as testing is complete so you can view your student's results.

Madrona Health Office emailed a reminder to Current 6th-graders / Rising 7th grade parents/guardians regarding their student's required Tdap and 2nd Varicella Immunizations for the 2026-2027 school year. If you received an email, it is important to send the Health Office your student's updated vaccination record now so there are no issues with school entry or schedule delays in the fall.

Please Note: If you did not receive an email from the Health Office, your child is up to date on their immunizations and all set for 7th grade. Any questions, please email madronahealthoffice@tusd.org.

TUSD students are encouraged to use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System offered through the Sandy Hook Promise to keep our schools secure and our students safe.

This life-saving service empowers you, our students, and our community members to anonymously report any concerns, including potential threats, bullying, or individuals who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. There are three ways to make a report:

• Call the 24/7 crisis hotline counselors at 1-844-5-SayNow (1-844-572-9669)

• Download the mobile app at Google Play or Apple Store

• Submit a tip through their secure website
  
  

All TUSD students access the online version of textbooks and educational resources (including textbooks) through the TUSD CLEVER portal

Have your student log in to CLEVER (https://clever.com/in/torrance) using their TUSD email and password to show you all of their online learning tools.

• Schoology - an online learning management system where teachers post agendas and assignments. Family accounts are sync'd from PowerSchool, and families only if they have made an access account there - Here is our help page for families.
• iReady - a resource teachers use to support learning in essential Reading and Math domains.
• and more!

Options for students without access to computers at home:

• The Madrona Library - computers are available for student use before school (8:15 am-8:35 am) and during lunch (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays)
• The Madrona After School Homework Club (3:30-4:30 pm) - Monday (Rm 14), Tuesday (Rm 9) -Wednesday (Rm 6)
• Madrona ELOP Program (3:30-6:00 pm)
• City of Torrance - Katy Geissert Library (located on the corner of Torrance Blvd/Madrona Avenue) - Monday, Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  

eBike Safety - A Message from the Torrance Police Department

Calling all K–6 students! The Water Replenishment District (WRD) invites students to showcase their creativity in the 12th Annual Student Art Contest. Winners receive a $75 Amazon Gift Card, a Certificate of Achievement, prizes, and will have their artwork published in the 2027 Water Awareness Calendar!

• Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM

• How to Enter: Submit online at WRD's Art Submissions page, mail, or drop off your entry at WRD Headquarters in Lakewood.

For full contest rules, flyers, and submission details, visit the WRD Student Art Contest page.

Sign up for Ralphs/Kroger Community Rewards Community Contribution Program at NO added cost to you. Use Madrona's Organization ID UF902. Click here

Looking for a way to help out our school? We are ALWAYS in need of tissue boxes, reams of paper, and school supplies! Donations are greatly appreciated. Madrona Middle School Wishlist Link

If you purchase items online, please have it delivered to:
Madrona Middle School 21364 Madrona Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 310-533-4562. Thank you! If you have items delivered to your home, please drop off at the front office (or) have your student bring items in.

can be made payable to “Madrona Middle School” and dropped off to Madrona Staff Assistant Cynthia Chavez. We value your generosity and are committed to honoring your intentions. All contributions will be thoughtfully allocated toward meaningful initiatives, such as instructional resources or ongoing improvements to our campus facilities. Thank you for considering a gift that helps support our students and school community.

A school donation receipt can be provided to acknowledge your generous donation, serving as proof of the donation for tax purposes.

Madrona was named South Bay’s BEST Public Middle School for 2026!

Following our FAVORITE spot in 2025 and BEST recognition in 2024, this single-award honor belongs to our entire school family. Thank you for your continued support and for making the Wildcat community extraordinary.

Torrance Unified School District's Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) is a collective vision that articulates the desired outcomes of all K-12 students in Torrance Unified, including competencies and personal qualities that positions them for success in life and career.

At Madrona Middle School, we take pride in preparing your student for the transition to high school and beyond. Our focus on rigorous, relevant, and engaging academics and enriching activities ensures that your student is well-equipped for their next journey. Each week, our weekly newsletter spotlights some of the many activities that reflect our students' growth in competencies aligned to the TUSD Portrait of a Graduate.

Follow Us On Social Media & Online to keep up to date on events and activities at our school, please follow us on Instagram or visit our school website.

School Website: https://www.tusd.org/schools/madrona

Address: 21364 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA, USA

General Email: madronainfo@tusd.org

Attendance Office: madronaattend@tusd.org

Main Phone #: (310)533-4562