Dear Meadows Families,

It is a busy time of year for many families and organizations, and Meadows is no exception. The end of the semester is rapidly approaching, and teachers are working hard to ensure that students are able to master required standards-based learning. As we enter the downhill slope of 2013, please help us to help your students be successful. Here are just a few suggestions:

★Ensure children are in bed at a time which allows them eight hours sleep.

★Encourage them to eat a healthy breakfast.

★Make certain that they arrive at school on time and ready to learn.

★Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.

★Enforce school rules (dress code, phones, attendance, and behavior).

★Do not allow your children to “opt out” of homework assignments.

★Enforce homework time at home before free time is allowed.

★Schedule holiday trips during allotted vacation time; including weekends, there are five days for Thanksgiving & Hanukkah and 16 days for winter break!

Many times students tell parents that there is no homework when that is simply not the case. Most teachers have websites for your convenience. Teachers also welcome email or phone calls for clarification or student “status” checks. However, we also want students to become more self-sufficient when it comes to their education. High school is fast approaching, and it is important that students take responsibility for their own learning and success.

As we enter the excitement and joy of the holiday season, we will continue to remind students that school, assignments, and learning will take place through December 20th. We hope you will remind your children of this as well, and encourage them to continue to be responsible and do their best. We expect all students to achieve at high levels and experience success. Your s u p p o r t i n p u r s u i t o f t h i s expectation is crucial and appreciated.

Happy Holidays!

With Ram Pride,

Susan Doyle, Meadows Principal

NOVEMBER 19, 2013 MEADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

MADISON MEADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL 225 W. OCOTILLO RD., PHOENIX, AZ 85013 (602) 664-7600

MED-O-GRAM

Upcoming Events!

• Nov. 21@5:30pm Spring Social Meeting

• Nov. 22 Staff Volleyball @ Madison #1 4:30pm

• Nov. 27-29th – Thanksgiving Break

• Nov. 30th – Last Day to order reduced price

yearbooks

• Nov 22 5:00- 7:00 pm Fall Black Out (7th &8th

Grade Dance )

DECEMBER • Dec. 2nd: Coffee, Tea &

I.B. @ 5pm

• Dec.5th thru Dec.11th : Book Fair

Winter ConcertDec. 9th 5th/6th Grade

Dec. 10th 7th/8th Grade

•Dec 11th: NJHS Toy Trot• Dec 13th: 8th Grade Ad

Deadline• Dec 18th: PTM Meeting

CONNECT

PTM

PRESIDENT’S CORNERA Message from your PTM President

Dear Meadows Parents,

The re-designed PTM website (www.meadowsptm.org) is a year old now. We went through a few struggles & bugs in the beginning (as all new websites do) but we are confident that the Meadows PTM site is now a fully functional tool for our parents. The site is an excellent source of information for our community. It is updated very frequently to reflect all that is happening at Meadows.

Sample of things you will find on our site:• A calendar of everything happening – click on an item in the calendar and you

will get event details• A volunteer page where you can see the PTM Committees and how you can

help• A PTM store where you can donate to the PTM, become a member or

purchase PE shirts (and more)• Links to previous Med-O-Gram Newsletter issues and Meeting Minutes• Sign up for eblasts to stay connected with communication via email• Committee Chair and Executive Board contact information• What’s happening with Camp Friendly Pines, Graduation, Athletics & more!

We know you can’t always make the parent meetings (and middle school students aren’t always the best at letting us know what’s going on). I encourage you to please use this resource to stay informed about what’s happening!

And….if you want even more frequent information, visit the PTM Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MeadowsPTM) where we give you almost daily insight on what is going on at your child’s school!

Sincerely,

Chris Goodfarb

2013-14 PTM Presidentchris@meadowsptm.org      

PTM MeetingsMedia Center 6:00PM (Wednesday) December 18January 29 March 26April 23

http://meadowsptm.org/ptm_home/meadows-calendar-2/

NJHS PRESENTS A NIGHT OF FUN TO SERVE ICM FOOD & CLOTHING BANK!

$2 Meal Deal includes a slice of pizza, a beverage, and dessert.  Glow bands available for 25¢. For every two items of canned food

donations you bring receive a chance to win a prize! Sponsored by NJHS, Donations go to ICM Food and Clothing Bank.

Volunteers wanted to chaperone: Contact Jennifer Funke at funke03@cox.net

$5 advance (before school and at lunch)

$6 at the door

FALL BLACK OUTDANCE

At ICM Food & Clothing Bank (formerly known as Interfaith Cooperative Ministries), we meet the basic needs of up to 150 families every day, six days a week. These are things most of us take for granted…

7TH & 8TH GRADERS

7TH & 8TH GRADE ONLYFRIDAY, NOV 22 5-7PM• LIGHTS OUT CAFETERIA

Donate Food Cans to ICM to serve

the working poor!

Donations Encouraged!

NJHS PRESENTS

2013 TOY TROTWednesday, December 11, 2013

starting at 2:20 pm

Please  bring  $5  or  a  new,  unwrapped  toy  to  run  around  the  field  to  earn  community  service  hours.    For  every  two  laps  of  the  course  you  will  receive  ½  hour  community  service  credit.    Eight  laps  maximum.

Your toy or money will benefit the families at ICM Food and Clothing Bank this holiday season. Join your classmates and help us support the under privileged in our community! Parents invited!

VOLUNTEERS Wanted!

This combined celebration of Madison Meadows and Madison Simis has been a tradition for many years and the tradition continues.   This is an ADULTS only party - Flip Dunk has agreed to entertain children for $5/hr for over 8 and $25 for the evening for under 8 - please call and make your reservation with them by Nov. 29, (602) 277-0067

About the Madison PTM/PATS Tradition

LocationHome of David and Pam Hannappel

5625 N. 4th StreetPhoenix, AZ

An Event you won’t want to miss!

Holiday  Party  Time!

Serving Sizes

Type of Food Appetizer Cold Appetizers Desserts

Qty 8.00 8.00 10.00

Per Serving 1 dozen people 1 dozen people 1 dozen people

Come when you can!Our annual PTM/PATS Holiday Party for parents, staff, teachers and administration is Friday, December 6th at the home of David and Pam Hannappel (5625 N. 4th St).    The party starts at 3:30 pm and ends when the party is over!  Simple Open House/happy-hour style.

8  BOTTLES  OF  WHITE  WINE10  BOTTLES  OF  RED  WINE1  BOTTLE  of  IRISH  CREME  1  Bottle  of  Brandy  

ENJOY A NIGHT FOR ADULTS ONLY

Friday, December 6th3:30 pm

Celebrate in styleWINE AND COFFEE BAR

MEADOWS PLEASE BRING

 Please  direct  any    questions  to  leah@meadowsptm.org  Please    sign  up  to  bring  your  item(s)  to  the  party  with  you  on  Friday  December  6th.    See  you  then!!  Over@low  parking  at  North  Phoenix  Bible  Church  -­‐  no  parking  on  Montebello  -­‐  tickets  issued  because  of  The  Yard  traf@ic.

p.s.    YES  the  AWESOME  Hot  Chocolate/coffee  bar  will    be  there!

Sign Uph#p://www.signupgenius.com/go/

20F0E4DA4A82CA13-­‐ptmpats

Meadows Goes Country Chili Cook Off Event!

This will be a fun event held on March 29th, 2014 from 6-10pm

It will be a Country & Western theme. (Think cowboy hats, boots, flannel, bandanas, chaps…you name it—get creative!)

Besides the usual silent auction & raffle items, we will have a CHILI COOK

OFF. We will encourage all our "cooks" out there to enter their best Chili recipe. Mark your calendars and be sure to plan on joining us for dinner, dancing & some good ‘ol fun!

Our next committee meeting is set for Thursday, November 21st @ 5:30pm; if interested in getting involved, please contact leah@meadowsptm.org

VOLUNTEERS Wanted!

Meadows Families and Friends

You’re invited...

We’re GOING COUNTRY!

Spring Social

Save the Date...6:00 pm -10:00 pmon Saturday, March 29

T

hi

nk

F

UN

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil,2 1/2 pounds ground turkey (85 percent lean) or ground turkey breast (99 percent lean), 2 packages

4 tablespoons dark chili powder, 2 palm fulls

2 tablespoons grill seasoning blend, any brand, 1 palm full

1 tablespoon cumin, 1/2 palm full2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce, medium to extra-spicy

1 large onion, quartered

2 large peppers, any color combination, red, green, purple, yellow or orange, chopped

1/2 bottle beer (the alcohol cooks out), about 1 cup

1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce1/2 cup smoky barbecue sauce

Chil i Recipe

chili cook-off, silent auction, raffles, dancing, dinner, etc.

Location will be announced soon...

Student Incentives

1. Student of the Month- Each teacher will select a student of the month from one of their classes. That student will be recognized in their class period with a certificate and invitation to join Ms. Doyle and Mrs. Webb for donuts in the library the following week. Teachers should collaborate with team members in order to “share the wealth” and not double up on names. The idea is to recognize students for a wide range of reasons- academic performance, academic improvement, caring attitude for others, willingness to help, improved behavior in class, increased participation etc. It would be great for grade levels to pick a date that the award is given so all teachers award it at the same time. Teachers please select and award a student of the month for September by Fall Break. The first donuts with Admin will be on October 23rd. Please select your Student of the Month hereafter by the end of the month with donuts planned for the first week of the next month.

2. Quarterly Assemblies- Grade level assemblies in the library will begin next week during Guided Study. At the assemblies, Laura will discuss any behavior expectations and/or reminders that teams would like her to talk about. Also, we will randomly draw 5 names for $10 gift cards. We are thinking that students will get their name in the drawing by the number of RAMS stickers they have in their planner. For every 10 stickers, they get their name in once.

Staff Incentives

1. It’s All About You! Message board- Please take the time to read the message board to see what great things are happening around campus. The positive note board is designed to spread good feelings and thanks for those we work with. This includes all staff- both certified and classified. Publicly sharing the good works our peers do can be inspiring and up-lifting.

2. Staff Team Player Award- Two staff members each month will be recognized at the staff meetings as the team players of the month. Those staff members will receive a traveling team player poster to put on their door and public accolades from their peers. The recipients of the award then choose the next month’s honorees to pass the posters onto. The names will also be read on the announcements for students to congratulate.

3. Staff Gift Cards- Staff members may anonymously recognize peers through a RAMS pride card located in the office. The PBIS team will read the cards at the faculty meetings and then put them all in a hat and draw two names for gift cards.

PBIS Rewards for Students and Staff

The PBIS team has been working on creating and implementing new student and staff rewards/incentives for students. The following events are planned with the help of PTM to encourage positive behavior and attitudes across Meadows.

"I think, therefore IB".

IB Corner of the World

Thank  you  Meadows  families  for  serving  our  community.    ~  Britton Sanchez CAC Chair

Charitable Acts Committee

GIVES!

A  Message  from  Charitable  Acts  Commi#ee…•Meadows  is  signed  up  for  one  Wednesday  per  month  at  Growing  Garden  on  Glendale  Avenue  from  3-­‐5:00pm  on  TCT  days

• Students  are  encouraged  to  donate  to  the  Holiday  Turkey  Drive  to  support  Park  families.  Goal  100  Turkeys!    Contact  Bri#on  on  where  to  bring  in  your  turkey  donaSon!britton@meadowsptm.org  |    Britton  Sanchez  

Charitable  Acts  Committee  NewsNeed  community  service  hours?    Sign  up  for  these  upcoming  CAC  events:

And the WINNER is....1st. Cohen 6742nd. Vakula 5783rd. Bloom 353 Ms.  Cohen  is  the  @irst  place    winner  and  gets  a  restaurant  gift  card  and  the  class  gets  snack  shack  tickets                                                    Thank  you           Angie  Gulick

APPRECIATION IN ACTION!

The teacher Apprec iat ion committee served a fall dessert Nov. 19th to the Meadows staff. Hot apple cider and carrot cake was enjoyed by all. A belated thank you to Sarah Conyers for being one of our bakers during conferences .Thanks,Kari Blakley

Raised over $350

Mrs. Webb thanks the PTM for pizza and

salad during Parent conferences on behalf

of the Meadows staff!

Photo Credit: Mr. Murphy

A Big Thank You to all that made The Gold Canyon Candle Fundraiser such a  great success.Congratulations to Kaitlyn Rodriguez and Eston Brauer for being the top sellers.

Thank you to Debbie Hinds and Andrea Brandt for all of you help with the fundraiser.

Also, thank you to all that came out to Let It Roll Bowling.  We had a great time.  Thank you to Heidi Blair and Kerrie Wallace for all of your help. Thank you to the 5th grade team for always helping.

Thank you,

Staci Csizmadiascorwick@cox.net (602)486-6161

Look out for the next Camp Friendly Pines fundraiser in January The Yard, $5 for 2 drinks

The Meadows Snack Shack is open after school and during RAMMS sporting events on campus (some nights & Saturdays).   Groups on campus can “sponsor” the snack shack for the month and proceeds for that month will help your group!  Parents (with student helpers) are needed to staff the

snack shack.  Student helpers gain community service time. Fun and easy! Check out the online schedule and submit your time on line. Contact Snack Shack Coordinator Theresa at MeadowsSnackShack@yahoo.com to learn more!

CFP snack shack month of Nov!

High Five to our favorite community partners who provide NJHS support!

p.s.����������� ������������������  ����������� ������������������  NJHS����������� ������������������  rais

ed����������� ������������������  approx.����������� ������������������  $90

0����������� ������������������  

for����������� ������������������  Boo����������� ������������������  Gram

s����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  Costume

����������� ������������������  

day!����������� ������������������  Spook-ta

cular!

NEWS FROM

THE HEALTH

OFFICE

ITEM OF THE MONTH:

Please help us offset the

high cost of supplies by

donating feminine products

and hand sanitizer.

NURSE  SHARON

HEA

LTH

Every  year  we  come  together  as  a  community  here  at   Meadows   to   help   those   in   need   during   the  Holiday  Season.  

Please   help   us   make   this   holiday  a   little   brighter  for  some  Meadows  families  in  need!

Gift  Card  Collection  -­‐  Through  December  11th

Bring   a   gift   card   to   the   office   this  week!    We  will  help  Meadows  families  with  grocery  store  and  box  store   gift   cards   (please   refrain   from   restaurant/boutique  type  gift  cards).    There  will  be  a  collection  box  in  the  office.  Nurse  Sharon  will  distribute.

                                                                                                                                                             

Meadows Athletics

David VibberAthletic Director

Friendly Reminder: Madison Meadows requires all students that participate on an athletic team to pay an athletic fee of $100 to offset the cost of operating our athletic program. The fee pays for coaches, referees, conference dues, transportation, uniforms and equipment. The fee is “given back” in the way of a Tax Credit for the same amount.

Please pay the $100 athletic fee online: www.msd38.org• Click “Tax Credit” on the top right hand

side. Scroll down and click “Donate Online”.

• Forward the tax credit confirmation email to dvibber@msd38.org and include player’s name and sport.

• Credit card payments also accepted in the office.

Meadows has not turned away a student who meets the academic and behavioral criteria from playing a sport due to financial circumstances. If a student/family is in need of a financial consideration; volunteer assistance to our school and/or athletic program may be considered instead of the $100 payment. If the student meets all of the academic and behavioral requirements, then we will consider providing a waiver that will enable him/her to participate.

Thank you for supporting your son and daughter by encouraging them to participate in our athletic program. We truly believe that the investment will enrich their lives from the experience they have in practice and games.

Sincerely,David VibberMeadows Athletic Director

GO RAMS!ATHLETICS3

Meadows Staff Volleyball Game! Show your school spirit! Meadows Faculty plays Madison #1

@Madison #1 on Friday, November 22 at 4:30pm. Rivalry cup is being

transferred amongst the winning teams!

Support Class of 2013!

Designate your 2013 tax credit dollars toward Meadows 8th Grade Graduation. Allocate $400 (couples filing jointly) or $200 (individual) tax credit dollars. Tell Grandparents, friends, and relatives about the way to donate.

We need your help! This is our last time for our eight grade parents to consider earmarking your 2013 tax credit dollars toward our Eighth Grade Graduation. These funds will go a long way in providing your child with the best graduation experience possible.

If you can allocate all $400 (couples filing jointly) or $200 (individual) tax credit dollars toward 8th

Grade Graduation, that would be fantastic! And remember, any amount would be appreciated. Grandparents, friends, and relatives may also contribute their tax credit dollars. Contributors will have special recognition in the commencement program.

Ways to donate:

• Online www.madisonaz.org -Click where it says “Tax Credit” on the top right hand side -Scroll down and click where it says “Donate Online” -School: Madison Meadows; Activity: General – general

• Come in to Madison Meadows Office. Donations can be made by credit card or debit card in the office.

• PTM Website – Donations through the PTM Web site will not qualify for the tax credit but are automatically tagged for graduation so may be an easier way to donate. Visit www.meadowsptm.org and select Donate to the PTM on the right side.

Forward the tax credit confirmation email, Office donation or PTM donation information to jdebenedetti@cox.net. Your name will be listed in the Commencement Program as a contributor.

We are already putting exciting graduation ideas and plans in motion and would greatly appreciate receiving the contributions as quickly as possible. For more information on graduation or to volunteer visit the graduation page at www.meadowsptm.org under “What’s Happening.”

Thank you for your support! Jeni DeBenedetti & Kim Wickey Graduation Fundraising Co-Chairs

8th Grade Graduation!

First Place Winner!

Our very own, Meadows student, Mallory Buisker, won a first place blue ribbon for her mixed-media sculpture she entered in the Arizona State Fair this year. Last Spring break, when Mallory was in 5th grade, she had traveled to New Mexico and worked with an local artist/sculptor, Susana Erling (www.susanerling.com) as a mentor of her talents. The paper Mâché process to sculpt a figure requires great attention to detail and patience, focus and vision.

Congratulations to this young artist for her talent in creating this stunning piece of art work.

inspire STUDENT

ACHIEVEMENT

Photo Credit: Brigette Rapatz

Tuesday’s  “A4er  School  Art”  Program

On   Tuesdays   from  3:45  pm  –  4:45  pm,  the  art   room  will   be  open  for  “aXer  school   art.”    This  FREE  a4er  school  program  is  open  to  all  students,  regardless  if  they  are  in  art  class.  This  will  be  a  Sme  for  any  Meadows  student  to  come  into  the  art  room  and  work  on  projects  of  their  choice  or  conSnue  on  projects   that  have  already  been  started.  The  only  requirement  is  a  note  from  a  parent  or  guardian  indicaSng  how  the  student  will  be  transported  home  (walking,  riding  a  bike,  parent  pick-­‐up,  etc.).

  The   next   “aXer   school   art”   meeSng   will     conSnue   every   Tuesday   unSl   May   2014.     Any  addiSonal   informaSon   and   updates   can   be   found   at  www.mistervoss.com.     If   there  are   any  quesSons,  please  contact  Sco#  Voss  at  svoss@madisoned.org.

Each  5th  &  6th  grade  class  will  have  six  presentations   from   late   January   to  early   May   for   the   Art   Masterpiece  program.   An   art   background   is   not  necessary  as  training  is  provided  for  all  volunteers.     The   Phoenix  Art   Museum  wi l l   host   the i r   annua l   D is t r i c t  Orientation/Training   on   Saturday,  January   11th   (2014!)   from   9-­‐11:30am.    This   opportunity   is   especially   helpful  for  newer   art   guides,  but   I’ve   been  to  the   training   a   number   of   times   and  

learn  something  new  each  time.    More  details  to  follow!  

All   materials   are   provided   to   the  volunteer.     At   a   later   date   we   will  schedule   an  AM   orientation  to   answer  any   questions   you  may  have   after  we  find  guides  for  all  the  5th  &  6th  grades.    Nancy  Stouffer  Art  Masterpiece  Committee  Chair    nbstouffer@cox.net  |    602-­‐770-­‐8724  cell

Please consider being an Art Masterpiece

Guide!

GUIDELINES & EXPECTATIONS1. Attendance will be taken each day. 2. Students are expected to be on time and

prepared to work. 3. Students will read quietly once his/her work is

completed. 4. Planners should have specific assignments listed for each subject area. 5. Student will not leave the media center during Homework Club.6. Students may not leave homework club early unless parent/guardian provides written consent or picks

them up from front office.

PAYMENT$20 weekly payment is expected on the Monday of the week of attendance. If payment is not received by Tuesday of the week of attendance, the student may not attend Homework Club until payment is received.

Please pay your Homework Club fee online by going to: www.madisonaz.orgClick “Tax Credit” on the top right hand side. Scroll down and click where it says “Donate Online”School: Madison Meadows: Activity: General – general. Forward the tax credit confirmation email to lmeyer@msd38.org (Include student’s name and specify Homework Club.)

Parents  and  students  please  sign  and  return  form  to  the  school  office.

Madison Meadows Homework Club has been established to provide a consistent opportunity to complete daily homework with staff available to encourage and assist. Mr. Lee Meyer, 7th Grade Social Studies teacher is the coordinator.

SCHEDULE: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday ( No homework club on TCT or early release days.)3:40 Dismissal3:45-4:45 Homework Club in Media Center4:50 Bus departs from the front of the school

I  would  like  my  student,  who  is  in  grade  ______  to  be  enrolled  in  the  Meadows’  Homework  Club.    My  child’s  homeroom  teacher  is  ____________________.    I  understand  that  Homework  Club  will  meet  Monday,  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Friday  from  3:45  to  4:45pm.    The  charge  is  $20  per  week  and  if  my  student  is  a  bus  rider,  transportaSon  will  be  provided.

_____My  student  will  need  bus  transportaSon.    

His/her  regular  stop  is  ____________________________

_____My  student  will  not  need  transportaSon.    

Please  indicate  mode  of  transportaSon._____________________

Between  3:45  and  4:45pm,  I  can  be  reached  at:  _________________________

Student    Signature    _______________________________________  

Parent/Guardian  Signature    _______________________________________