MJS Weekly Reflection
February 5 - February 9
John Marshall the Weatherman Assembly
On Wednesday morning, our 6th grade had a great assembly that focused on weather education with Meteorologist John Marshall. Students were able to connect all of the great things that they learned in their Science class while also getting to see and experience what it was like to work with a green screen. We even learned that if you wear green in front of a green screen you become invisible!
Thank you to our science teachers, Ms. DeRosa and Ms. Angelli for the great work they do in class with our students, which truly shined during this assembly. A big thank you to the Madison Education Foundation for sponsoring this enriching and engaging assembly.
Our students had a moment after the assembly to reflect on what they learned. Below are some of the responses.
"I learned that you were pointing at a green screen instead of the actual weather."
"I learned about the formation of tornadoes and hurricanes. It was amazing!"
"Tornados are super loud and the eye of a hurricane is super calm."
"You should do something you have passion in."
"I learned a lot about how passionate people should be when doing their jobs."
"How hard it was to actually use the green screen and trying to know what the computer actually has on the screen."
"That the weather predictor’s answers get less and less accurate as you go through the weather for the week day by day."
"I thought they had the screen behind him like an actual big screen but it was a green screen. He must be really good at it."
"I learned that over 200 weather balloons are released every single day a week."
High School Music Offerings
On Wednesday our High School Music Department came to MJS to speak with our 8th grade students about the Music Department Course Offerings. The High School Jazz Choir, Chamber Strings and Jazz Band performed a few selections for our students to demonstrate what they would experience at the High School. Below is an overview of the course offerings.
Culture Club at MJS
Culture Club is a new club that started a few weeks ago at MJS. Ms. Baff (6th grade ELA teacher) is the advisor. The main goal is provide opportunities to learn about and promote the different cultures that make up our MJS community. One of the first activities occurred on Thursday.
The group learned about the Lunar New Year with Christine from Dao Madison, a local Chinese restaurant. Students ate dumplings, got special red envelopes representing good luck and the year of the Dragon, and tried some Chinese candy. Everyone is now ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend!
The Culture Club meets two times per month on Thursdays 3:00-3:45, organized by Ms. Baff and is opened to all MJS students.
District Choral Concert
On Thursday night, the District Choral Program had their District Chorus Concert. This concert featured ensembles from all three levels. Our District Arts Coordinator, Ms. Stacy Snider, summed it best during her opening remarks:
"The most amazing thing about this concert is to witness the progression from elementary school to high school. For our elementary families, you’ll see in the faces and voices of our high schoolers what awaits your child in just a few short years. Our middle schoolers represent the merging of our three elementary schools and the rapid change and growth that occurs during this pivotal time in a child’s life. The journey from 6th grade to 8th grade is nothing short of transformational. And for our high school families, I know you’ll look at these little 4th and 5th graders and remember your child was in their shoes not so long ago."
It was a beautiful evening filled with music and celebration. The concert concluded with a grande finale that featured the entire district choral program singing a beautiful selection. Congratulations to all of our students and directores for a great concert. Thank you to our directors for the passion and dedication they bring to our music programs on a daily basis.
A Visit from the HS World Language Department
On Thursday and Friday, all of our Spanish Novice-High Students (8th graders) had the opportunity to speak and learn from a few of our High School AP Spanish students. Our HS students came over to share about the seal of biliteracy, the Language Honor Society, and to answer questions our students may have about the World Language Department at Madison High School. Thank you to all those involved in making this happen! It is always great when we have our students talking about the wonderful opportunities they have within the Madison School District.
Green Team and Art Club
On Thursday our Green Team and Art Club came together to collaborate on a ceramic project that will utilized in our courtyard. The Courtyard renovation is being led by our Green Team and we are getting excited for the Spring weather!
Additional Information
Our Peer Leaders are still collecting boxed or canned food items for our Souper Bowl Food Drive. As of Friday, we have over 300 items collected. Let's see if we can reach our goal of 750 items!
Morning Hoops
We are super excited for a new morning program called Morning Hoops to start up at the end of the month. The Morning Hoops Program will provide middle school students with an engaging basketball program before the school day begins. This initiative will focus on physical activity, teamwork, and providing a positive start to the day. Our goal is to support a climate and culture that fosters a strong school community. A permission slip will be required for students to attend this program. Depending on the interest, we may have to limit the number of students. If you child is interesting in attending, please complete this permission slip.
We will be collecting permission slips until February 19th. A confirmation email will go out to all registered families after the collection window closes. Our anticipated start date is Tuesday February 27th.
STUCO Hot Chocolate Fundraiser - February 12 - 16
The MJS Student Council is organizing a hot chocolate fundraiser after school next week from February 12th to February 16th. We are rallying together to support a Madison police officer who tragically lost his home and loved ones in a devastating fire. As a tight-knit Madison community, we believe in extending a helping hand to those in need.
If you are able, please provide your child with $3 to purchase a warm cup of cocoa, complete with marshmallows. Students will be able to purchase hot chocolate school hour by the main entrance or at Britton Street. Feel free to visit us at the Britton St. entrance to treat yourself to a delicious afternoon indulgence and to show your support for our student council members and their noble cause.
Thank you for your generosity and for standing with us in solidarity during this challenging time for one of our community members.
The Madison STEAM Academy
Lost and Found
Our lost and found continues to gather many items. A big thank you to our office secretary, Ms. Kelly for taking the time to continue to organize these items so we can get them back to their owners. Below are pictures of all the items we currently have in our lost and found. If you notice a item that belongs to your child please have them go to the office during their cycle period and check in with Ms. Kelly before picking up their item. Thank you for your assistance in getting these items back to their owners.
2024 Yearbook Information for MJS Parents and Guardians
Yearbooks are available for online ordering. The flyer for information about how to order is below! All yearbooks must be ordered online at www.jostensyearbooks.com.
In Our Community
From SEPAG
The Madison SEPAG will be holding a virtual parent meeting on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:30pm. The Madison Special Education Parent Advisory Group represents parents of children with disabilities who are eligible for or receiving services under an IEP or 504 plan. To join and receive meeting information, please register via our directory at www.madisonsepag.com (http://www.madisonsepag.com/)
From MEF
Prepare to be amazed!
Turn an ordinary Friday night into something magical! This exclusive fundraising event, sponsored by The Spelker Real Estate Team to benefit the Madison Education Foundation, is a drop-off event for kids in 5-8th grade. Drawing from over 25 years as an award-winning magician, Will Fern will change the way you think about magic and have you asking “How did he do that?” all night long. Buy your tickets now.
Project Community Pride of the Madison Area YMCA
Upcoming Events
On Thursday, February 15th at 6pm, Project Community Pride will be hosting a Teen Topics focused on exercise and nutrition with specific conversation on protein supplements appropriate for youth. We will be featuring the Y's very own Grace Kennedy who is a registered dietitian. She's one of the Mariners swim coaches and works with local sports teams.
Madison Public Library Newsletter
If you are interested in receiving the virtual newsletter from the Madison Public Library so that you can stay up to date with what the public library is offering , please click this link to sign up.
From our PTO
To our MJS community,
Your dues are important to the success of our mission. Please help support your children, the MJS Staff and our PTO with a donation of $50-$75 for every 6th-7th grade student and $75 for every 8th grade student. Dues are not mandatory and any dollar amount donated above or below our suggested amounts will be much appreciated. Feel free to use the square link or the venmo QR code attached below.
https://madison-junior-school-pto.square.site/
Stay in touch with all up to date news and information by following us on instagram
Looking ahead
February
February 19 - School Closed: President's Day
February 20 - School Closed for Students: Staff Inservice Day
February 29 - Pickleball Tournament, 3:30pm
March
March 11 - School Closed for Students: Staff Inservice Day
March 14 - Staff vs. Student Basketball Game, 6:30pm
March 22 - Spring Musical, 7:00pm
March 22 - Spring Musical, 2:00pm & 7:00pm
March 22 - Spring Musical, 2:00pm
March 27 - All City Band/Orchestra Concert
March 29 - School Closed: Good Friday
FOLLOW MJS ON INSTAGRAM @MJSONE60