Madison Public Schools

Please join Superintendent Mark Schwarz via Zoom at 7:00PM tonight, August 13, 2021 for a Superintendent Coffee. Please check your email or www.madisonpublicschools.org for the Zoom link.

Welcome to 2021-22, Dodgers! Please see the following update in preparation for the first day of school tomorrow: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/522801?org=mps

Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year! Please see the latest Dodger Update: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/514944?org=mps)

Calling all Football Fans, Get your discounted tickets to the November 14th Jets vs Bills game at MetLife Stadium and support Madison Junior School at the same time!!! Tickets sales are open to all! We hope to see you there! Click on the link below for ticket information. https://5il.co/xb94

August 16, 2021 Superintendent Coffee Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1orQXcfh8dwW9Hq828gvLGjhVhZSYIUeTWPVLph2RgA0/edit#slide=id.p1

Please join Superintendent Mark Schwarz tonight, Monday August 16th, at 7:00PM via Zoom for a Superintendent Coffee. Please check your email or www.madisonpublicschools.org for the Zoom link.

Happy Summer, Dodgers! Please see the latest MPS update: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/496819?org=mps.

For those who are interested in getting a early start on the Reopening Thoughtexchange which was presented at last night's Superintendent Coffee, you can access it here: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#526626129/hub More information regarding the exchange will be provided in the upcoming Dodger Update. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Please join Superintendent Mark Schwarz tonight via Zoom at 7:00PM for a Superintendent Coffee. Please check your email or www.madisonpublicschools.org for the Zoom link.

Please join Superintendent Mark Schwarz tonight, July 21 at 7:00PM via Zoom for a Superintendent Coffee. A link to the meeting will be sent out prior to the meeting.

DODGER UPDATE, 6/24 - END OF YEAR UPDATES AND CONGRATULATIONS MARK SCHWARZ THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 Madison Public School Community Members, Please join me in congratulating the MHS Class of 2021, the newly promoted Class of 2025 and our rising sixth graders who all completed their last year in their respective schools under the most unusual of circumstances. While this pandemic has left an indelible mark in all of our memories, it is my hope that all of our students, faculty and families can move on to our next chapter stronger and more resilient as a result of our community’s collective perseverance during this unprecedented challenge. As our students and faculty now embark on a much-deserved summer break, please take a moment to consider the following timely reminders and updates. Please complete your MPS End-of-year Parent Survey by Friday, July 5 Surveys were sent by email to the primary guardian of each student using our new data collection platform, Panorama Education. If you cannot find your survey email(s), please first check your spam, archive, or deleted folders. If you are unable to access your survey, please email Patti Cleary at clearyp@madisonnjps.org. When you take your survey, please note that we are now using Panorama Education’s research-based survey items that were established as valid and reliable in studies conducted through the Harvard Graduate School of Education (see this study example). Accordingly, the questions have a different tone than the locally developed survey items that we have used in prior years. The results, however, will allow us to norm-reference our community responses to survey responses from families of other public school districts across the country. In turn, this may help us to more effectively interpret our results. Return-to-school details will be provided in July after state guidance is issued. Our intention is to return to school on August 30 with minimal restrictions in place so that students can experience the full benefit of in-person learning. Unfortunately, the NJDOE and NJDOH have not provided formal guidance other than to require school districts to develop a “Safe Return Plan” to comply with Federal funding regulations. Accordingly, MPS has used the state’s template to develop our “Safe Return Plan” which reflects our operating procedures under the most recent 2020-21 guidance. Once new guidance has been issued (anticipated by June 30), we will review it with our local health official and provide clarifications to our community. As always, we will provide feedback opportunities for our stakeholders to share any concerns, questions or recommendations that you may have. All families (regardless of income) are encouraged to pick up federally funded meals this summer for their school-aged children. Pick up will be on Mondays from 10am-12pm. Families will receive 5 days worth of breakfast and lunch at a time. No registration or preorders are necessary. All meals will be reimbursed through the Federal lunch program. Accordingly, all families are encouraged to participate for the purpose of normalizing the practice of free lunch utilization. This meal distribution schedule will be in place for 6 weeks (6/21 through 7/26). Pick up locations are as follows: June 21, 28, and July 6th- Pick up will be at Madison Junior School by the cafeteria doors (back corner of the school). July 12, 19, and 26th- Pick up will be at Madison High School (regular location) by the doors going towards the football field. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Cummins at foodservice@madisonnjps.org. Congratulations and Thank You Congratulations completing one of the most historic school years that we will ever remember. One year ago, we faced incomprehensible uncertainty regarding what the coming school year would bring. Working together, however, we showed that we are Madison Strong. We remained continuously open for in person learning and even made progress in developing and implementing our new 2023 District Goals. Thank you for your partnership in staying safe to ensure uninterrupted services to the children of Madison. We will provide periodic updates to all community members as the new school year approaches. Please feel free to direct any questions that you may have to the appropriate school or district administrator. If you do not know who to contact, please reach out to Patti Cleary at clearyp@madisonnjps.org. In the meantime, please enjoy a restful and restorative summer break. You deserve it! Upcoming Events: Tues, July 20 - Board of Education Meeting, 7pm Wed, July 21 - Superintendent Coffee, 7pm Tues, Aug 17 - Board of Education Meeting, 7pm Wed, Aug 18 - Superintendent Coffee, 7pm Tues, Aug 24 - Board of Education Special Meeting, 7pm Mon, Aug 30 - First Day of School for Students Mon, Sept 6 - Schools Closed - Labor Day Tues, Sept 7 - Schools Closed - Rosh Hashanah Tues, Sept 14 - Board of Education Meeting, 7pm Thurs, Sept 16 - Schools Closed - Yom Kippur

Happy Friday, Dodgers! Today is a great time to rate everyone's thoughts in our District Goal Conversation: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#809812218/hub Be sure to check back in over the weekend. The exchange closes on Monday, June 14.

Hey, Dodgers! Don't forget to participate in our Fed Funding/District Goals Thoughtexchange. We want to hear from you! https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#809812218/hub Your contributions will shape our future decisions. Thanks to those that have already begun sharing!

MPS Families, Over the next two days, high overnight temperatures and increasing humidity are expected to compound the adverse conditions currently being experienced within our classrooms. Accordingly, for the safety and welfare of our students and faculty, the following schedule changes will be in effect tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, and Wednesday, June 9, 2021 MHS - All students and staff will be dismissed at 1:00pm (for most MHS students, this will not reflect a change). Extracurricular activities, including athletic competitions and the National Merit Scholar Induction Ceremony, will continue as scheduled. MJS - All students and staff will be dismissed at 12:40pm (for most MJS students, this will not reflect a change). All afternoon sessions will be cancelled. Elementary Schools - All students and staff will be dismissed at 12:45. No virtual sessions will be held after dismissal. Additionally, all students are encouraged to dress in comfortable and breathable clothes for the next two days. Students should also bring a water bottle with them to school everyday.

Please see the latest Dodger Update which includes an invitation to provide feedback related to District Goal Priorities and newly awarded federal stimulus funds: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/475939?org=mps

MPS Travel Advisory Update, 5/21 On May 17, 2021, Governor Murphy announced an end to the NJ Travel Advisory related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note, however, that the NJDOH continues to recommend that individuals follow CDC guidance regarding domestic and international travel. Accordingly and effective immediately, Madison Public Schools will not require students to quarantine on the basis of travel. However, the district does recommend that families follow the CDC guidance regarding travel and will accommodate quarantining needs for unvaccinated children who travel. If a parent determines that a quarantine is necessary for any unvaccinated child(ren), the district asks that the parent notify their child’s school nurse.

The latest MPS Dodger Update is now available at: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/462380?org=mps

Happy Weekend, Dodgers! Your update from MPS can be found here: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/451569?org=mps. Don't forget to thank a faculty member this week!

Hey, MPS! We hope you had a great Spring Break. The new Dodger Update has just been released: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/436639?org=mps

Hey, Dodgers! Just in time for Spring Break, please see the latest Dodger Update: https://www.madisonpublicschools.org/article/428472?org=mps