Madrona Family Memo
Our Wildcat Motto: Be Responsible, Be Respectful!
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Greetings, Madrona Families!
Join us tomorrow - Sunday, October 18 for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk! Sign-up to walk in person or virtually! 100% of your donation goes directly back to Madrona programs to support student activities & supplies.
Support a Madrona Team! Select Register Now> Join A Team> School> Madrona>
- Madrona 6th and 7th-grade ($550 raised of their $1,000 Goal)
- Madrona PTSA 8th-grade ($720 raised of their $500 Goal)
- Madrona Leadership ($2540 raised of their $4000 Goal)
- Madrona PLTW ($1925 raised of their $3000 Goal)
Madrona School Teams! The Madrona PTSA and I will be gathering at the south corner of Ocean Ave & Manhattan Beach Blvd from 8:15 am-8:30 am and will begin walking at 8:30 am ahead of the crowd. Hope to see you there!
The Madrona Mid-Day Family Lunch hosted by our PTSA is next Friday, October 23! This a very well attended event where families are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy with their student. Check-in starts at 12:35 pm with priority entry for PTSA members. See info below regarding the required TUSD Raptor visitor clearance. A government issue ID is required for entry. Our school lunch break is from 12:49-1:30 pm
Highlights in This Week's Edition
This week: Quarter 1 Spirit Week & Yearbook Photo Make-ups
Save-the-Date: TUSD Early College Info Session (Nov 17)!
- eBike Laws & Safety
- Spotlights & Celebrations: Portrait of a Graduate & Student/Family Shout-outs!
8th-grade City of Torrance Students in Government Essay Contest is now OPEN!
- NEW! TUSD Family Tech Tip of the Week!
Have a fantastic weekend! Go Wildcats!
With gratitude,
Sue Key, Ed.D. Proud Principal
Madrona Middle School
Photo Make-Up Day: If your student was absent on picture day, make-ups are scheduled for this Wednesday October 21.
Direction donation/membership
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!
8th-Grade Committee Updates!
There are a few important ways you can support our 8th graders this year:
8th Grade Fundraiser
- Our 8th grade fundraiser helps support end-of-year celebration activities for our students. You can make a direct donation to 8th Grade Giving and share the link with family and friends who may also be willing to support your 8th grader.
- Now is also a great time to purchase your student’s promotion packet, which includes a lei and yard sign to help celebrate their big milestone at the end of the school year. Order yours here Leis & Signs.
- We are looking for parent volunteers to help sell and provide concessions at Madrona home games throughout the year and at the October 9 PTSA Trunk or Treat night.
- Volunteer Sign-Up
- Concession Supply Donations
- We also have an 8th Grade Skechers Team! When registering, simply select Madrona Middle School and then choose the 8th Grade Team. It's a fun way to support our school and our 8th grade celebration efforts. Register - SKECHERS Friendship Walk
- Stay tuned for more information! We are working on some fun fundraising opportunities throughout the year to help support our end-of-year 8th grade celebration activities.
- Thank you for supporting our students and helping make their final year at Madrona special. Please feel free to reach out to the 8th Grade Committee with any questions at 8thgrade@PTSAmadrona.org.
Mid-Day Mingle is a special opportunity for families to join their student(s) on campus for lunch! Families are welcome to bring a lunch and refreshments to enjoy with their students, as well as folding chairs and a picnic blanket.
Form Closes on Monday 10/19/26
Quick heads-up about security clearance:
Raptor System Clearance: All visitors must be entered into our Raptor system before attending. Please stop by the Madrona main office anytime between now and the event with a valid photo ID so we can scan it. Note: This must be done in person (it cannot be done online or over the phone). Getting scanned early will make check-in a breeze on event day!
8th Grade Chick-fil-A Fundraiser - Support 8th Grade at Midday Mingle!
Grab lunch at Chick-fil-A at Del Amo (21821 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503) and help support our 8th graders! On October 23 for our Midday Mingle, order in-store or through the Chick-fil-A app and look for the option to support our school at checkout. If you’re ordering in person, simply let the cashier know you’d like to support Madrona.
Tip: If you download the Chick-fil-A app on the day of the event, the school-support prompt may not appear right away, so ordering in-store and notifying the cashier is another great option. Thank you for supporting our 8th Grade Class.
Wildcats! Join Madrona's Homework Club!
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)
8th-graders! The City of Torrance - 2027 Students in Government Day Essay Contest is OPEN!
Attention 8th Graders! Want to run the city for a day?
The annual City of Torrance Students and Government Day is back! Around 20 to 22 students from across Torrance's 13 middle schools will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at local government.
What You’ll Do: Tour key facilities like the Torrance Police Department. Shadow city officials and department heads. Hold a live mock City Council meeting in Council Chambers!
How to Apply (Carefully Review Essay Instructions & Contest Details): Write an essay answering this year's prompt: "In June 2026, Torrance voters elected Sharon Kalani as the new Mayor. What advice would you give Mayor Kalani to make our city the best place to live, work, and play? How can students help promote her motto, 'One Torrance, One Community'?"
- Tsumugi Masuda and Aoi Muramatsu, thank you so much for helping our new Madrona student this week. ~Ms. Cassie
- To Nicholas Sonandres, Adam Sharza, Shabad Garg, Camila Navarro, Patricia Noelle Delgado, Yuri Jun, Teiler Costa, Safwan Ali, Calvin Liccup, Arav Shastry, Ean Kim, Audrey Ondatje, Haleina So, and Kaden Wall for outstanding citizenship and participation in ELA 8. Bravo! To Abraham Deck, Mason Chu, Emily Fournier, and Atlas Schaaf for outstanding communication, creativity, and collaboration in Drama. Bravo! ~Mr. Heussenstamm
- To all members of Debut, Vivace & Encore! for an amazing performance at Trunk or Treat. You made me so proud! ~ Mrs. Snider
- A huge Shout Out to Loren S. (Debut), Hana N. (Vivace), Loren S., Elliette C. and Emma A. (Encore!) for running rehearsals during my absence. You all did a wonderful job!!! ~ Mrs. S.
- Shout out to the family of Sean Simon for the thoughtful gift. It is much appreciated! -Ms. Cassie
10/15 Great Shake Out Drill!
Torrance HS Classes & THS Late Start Calendar
Madrona students taking classes at Torrance High School must follow the high school bell schedule, including on irregular schedule days. On these days, students returning to Madrona will report directly to their next class depending on when they return or join our designated supervised study hall.
Tuesday is Late Start schedule at Torrance High. The following Tuesdays are not scheduled as late start:
- 10/27/26 (College & Career Day)
- 1/19/27 (week of S1 Finals)
- 4/27/27 (week of ELA testing)
- 5/18/27 (week of MATH testing)
- 6/01/27 (week of Senior Finals)
- 6/08/27 (week of S2 Finals)
TUSD Family Tech Tip of the Week!
Each week, TUSD will provide a new, practical digital parenting tip, such as device controls, screen time, AI at home, and more! These tips are designed to help families support safe, responsible, and healthy technology use at home. Family Tech Tips
"What Was Homework?" Button on the Madrona Website!
A new addition to the home page of our school website is a "What Was Homework" Button, which links to easy to reference spread sheets.
i-Ready For Families Report Information
At the start of this school year, students completed the i-Ready assessment in Reading and Math. i-Ready Inform is an adaptive assessment that identifies student strengths and growth areas, helping teachers tailor instruction throughout the year.
To access your student's score report through their Clever login, please view our family guide in your preferred language:English | Spanish | Japanese | Mandarin
For more information about how to read your child’s results, please review this i-Ready Family Center Article: Understanding Your Student's i-Ready Inform Results.
SaySomething Anonymous Reporting System
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
TUSD Online Learning Resources (Clever and Schoology)
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!
Local Technology Resources for Students & Families
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.
TUSD DevELOPment Academy
The application for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) is open. The program provides after-school care, academic support, enrichment activities, and a safe environment for TK- 6th grade students outside of the regular school day.
Space is limited. Priority enrollment is given to students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, foster youth, and students experiencing homelessness.
Families interested in enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year will need to complete an application.
Application Link: https://tusd.arux.app/
For more information, please visit the TUSD ELOP website.
Ralphs Community Contribution Program
Sign up for Ralphs/Kroger Community Rewards Community Contribution Program at NO added cost to you. Use Madrona's Organization ID UF902. Click here
Madrona's Amazon Charitable Donation "Wish" List
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.
Thank you, Madrona Families!
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.
