SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE...It is hard to believe that the summer is coming to a close and the 2017-18 school year is about to begin. As I walk outside, I see our

soccer teams preparing for another season and our custodial crew putting some finishing touches on the exterior of our campus. This is an exciting time as we prepare for the start of school.

This summer has been very busy in the building as the construction project has begun. The finishing touches are being put on the new Art room and bathrooms as I write this letter. From here, the construction will focus on the new cafeteria with an anticipated finish date of December 30th. Phase 3 of the construction project will begin in January with the building of our new auditorium, instrumental music room and vocal music room. The final phase of the project will begin in June of 2018 with the gymnasium. Throughout phases 1-4, you will notice some improvements with our athletic fields and the exterior of our campus.

Currently our elementary teachers are taking part in a summer institute on writing with teachers from our neighboring schools. This experience will increase their knowledge in the area of writing and help to improve the abilities of our students. The teachers will con-tinue to interact with their colleagues throughout the school year as we all learn together.

Finally I would like to praise the work of custodial staff as they prepare our building for the start of school. This summer has been difficult keeping up with the excess dust from the project. Our summer custodial crew has done a fantastic job of working around the project as they get the building ready for the start of school.

In closing I would like to thank our community for your support as we continue to get our students prepared for college and career. Only by working together can we help our students reach their full potential.

Welcome Back

Sincerely,

Michael DavisMichael Davis • Superintendent

A MessAge FroM the PrinciPAl .............................................................................................................PAge 2FroM the eleMentAry ..........................................................................................................................PAge 2FFA news .........................................................................................................................................PAge 3District news ....................................................................................................................................PAge 4school MAP & cAlenDAr ....................................................................................................................PAge 5coMing events ..................................................................................................................................PAge 6Free & reDuceD lunch .......................................................................................................................PAge 7

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

September/October/November 2017

BOARD REORGANIZESThe Board of Education held its reorgani-

zational meeting on July 11, 2017. Mr. Steve Yancey was re-elected President and Mr. Jona Snyder was re-elected Vice President. The other 2017-18 Board Members are:

• Mrs. Mary Bartlett-Linden• Mr. Stephen Dodge • Ms. Beverly Biedermann• Mr. William Langbein• Mrs. Stephanie Clark-Tanner

The regular meetings for the 2017-18 school year will be held on the following dates at 6:30 p.m. in the LGI Room.

September 19 February 13October 17 March 20November 21 April 17December 19 May 15January 16 June 19

In addition to regular monthly meetings, the board will hold budget workshop meet-ings at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:

March 6 – Budget WorkshopApril 3 – Budget WorkshopMay 8 – Budget HearingMay 15 – Budget Vote: Noon-8:00 pmJune 5 - Workshop

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

From MCS Elementary

August 24, 2017,Dear Parents and Students,

It’s right around the corner…the beginning of the 2017-18 school year and what an exciting and productive summer it has been. MCS is physically transforming and will continue to do so throughout the school year with the flexibility of our wonderful faculty and staff.

Along with the building project, areas of continued focus this summer have been on the use of instructional technology, bal-anced literacy, and communication.

• Our faculty and staff continue to be life-long learners in our journey using our 1:1 devices, as teachers attended work-shops on the use of social media in education, robotics, and on taking virtual field trips anywhere in the world or Solar System!

• All K-5 teachers attended a week-long institute at MO-BOCES to increase their knowledge towards balanced literacy within the Writing Workshop.

• We developed a handbook, specifically for MCS Elementary parents and students. Please look for this coming home on the first day of school.

Please mark your calendars with the following important dates:

First Day of School – Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 8:10 am - 11:20 am

Breakfast begins at 7:50 am and students may enter their classrooms at 8:10 am.

Open House - Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Finally, as of this letter, we are in the process of adding new members to the MCS Elementary staff and some familiar faces will take on new roles.

• We will welcome a new special education teacher and teach-ing assistant to the Elementary.

• Mrs. Brenda Millson joins PreK and Mrs. Lisa Seeley joins Kindergarten.

It is going to be another special year for MCS Elementary. If I can answer any questions or concerns, please contact me by email at blatella@madisoncentralny.org, or by phone at 315-893-1878, ext. 265. Have a great day!

With Enthusiasm,

Brian J. Latella Brian J. Latella – Elementary PrincipalMadison Central School • www.madisoncentrany.org

Dear Parents and Students:

Welcome back to MCS! I hope everyone has had a safe, relaxing, fun-filled summer vacation. Our building renovation project is in full swing and will present unique chal-lenges throughout the school year. I would ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate through this in the coming months. I would like to take this opportuni-ty to thank Chris Post and his staff for once again getting our building ready for the new school year - job well done!

Our MCS teachers have been working diligently to provide our students with op-portunities to experience dynamic teaching and enriching curriculum. Not only are we focused on what we instruct, but one of our goals this year is to enhance how we instruct our students. We continue to strive to give our students the tools to experience success and become College and Career Ready.

This year also brings the transition from NYSED Common Core Learning Standards (NYSED CCLS) in ELA and Mathematics to the NYSED Next Generation Learning

Standards in ELA and Mathematics. Over the past year the NYSED CCLS were vetted by a group of teachers, administrators, parents, and higher education represen-tatives. That group helped develop and recommend changes to the NYSCCLS to create the Next Generation Learning Stan-dards. They are currently awaiting NYSED Board of Regents approval. Our 3-8 ELA and Mathematics testing window will also be modified as well this year. The NYSED Board of Regents voted to cut the number of testing days from 3 to 2 for both the ELA and Mathematics examinations.

MCS will also have some new faces this year. I would like to introduce Ms. Emily Dodd, our new Biology teacher. Welcome Ms. Dodd to our MCS family!

As I have done in previous years and strongly feel it warrants repeating, I want to take this opportunity to stress the impor-tance of school and community working together to ensure that our children can achieve their highest potential. A strong partnership with community and school

provide our students with an opportunity to do great things socially and academical-ly. It is our goal to produce graduates that can make immediate, positive, impacts when they leave M.C.S. for the work-force, armed forces, or higher education. I would ask you to help support your child’s learning through encouragement of daily attendance at school, putting forth effort to complete all homework assignments, and informing you if they need additional support/help with any of their subject areas or any issues in general that might arise in their life that could impact learning.

As we begin a new school year, I again want to welcome you and look forward to another exciting school year. As always my door is always open to you if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat about our school community in general!

Sincerely,

Larry H. NicholsLarry H. Nichols • Building Principal

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

MADISON FFA NEWSOur student leadership team for 2017 – 2018 was selected before the end of school. Congratulations to the following Officers:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Boss

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michaela Cochran

Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alyssa Russell

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mikaela Williams

Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emily Egan

Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brennah Curtis

Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Hatch

Student Advisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyleigh Carroll

Madison is also honored to have the New York State FFA Secretary, Lindsey Nassimos and the District 5 President, Taylor Rollins as Madison students. The leadership shown at Madison can be seen locally, regionally and across the state!

The Madison FFA had a great summer getting ready for a busy fall. Nearly 25 students participated in the FFA summer leadership camp at Oswegatchie Educational Center. Whether their first time attending, or fifth time, students had

a great time kayaking on the ponds, riding horses or on the High Ropes elements. The experiences and friendships that students form during their week in Croghan are experiences and friendships that will last

a lifetime.

We had a display at the Madison County fair highlighting the chapter, partnering with Madison County 4H, to bring one of our tractors to the Fair to help educate visitors about tractor safety and promote the Madison County 4H Farm Safety course offered in the spring. This past year, Madison had 5 students get certified.

This summer Madison students worked at Empire Farm Days parking cars and guiding visitors. For many of our students it was their first time at the largest outdoor agriculture equipment show in the northeast. The students who joined us enjoyed the time working at the show, as well as being able to walk around

and see the many displays, demonstrations and having the opportunity to interact with vendors.

Right after Empire Farm Days was Madison-Bouckville Antique Week! Thank you to our many friends and supporters who parked at Quaker Acres West, or who bought a water or Chipwich from us. Thanks to the great weather this year, and with your support, we had a very successful year in the field.

Speaking of field, our field crops have started to come in to harvest. In the spring, popcorn, sunflowers, zucchini, summer squash and pumpkins were planted. Although this was a challenging spring for growth with a lot of rain, the crops are hitting their growth. Zucchini and summer squash are already being harvested. So far the deer and rabbits seem to be thoroughly enjoying the pumpkins (unfortunately) and the popcorn and sunflowers are growing well. This fall we will evaluate our harvest and modify our crops, planting schedule and planting rotation for next year.

If you travelled to the Great New York State Fair, hopefully you stopped by the FFA Building on the West End of the fairgrounds. In there, Madison FFA had a display of Chapter projects and activities. If you missed it this year, be sure you look for us next year. Or you may have stopped by when our mem-bers were educating fair goers on plant life cycles and demonstrating how to make a cutting from Spider Plants. If you visited that day, you had the chance to bring home a spider plant! Perhaps one of the days you were watching “UdderMiracles” in the Dairy Birthing Center and you saw Madison FFA Members volunteering to assist the herdsmen and discuss dairy with the public.

We continue to build on our past successes while developing new ones. The members of the Mad-ison FFA look forward to the National FFA Convention trip to Indianapolis in October. We will start September strong, and continue the year even stronger!

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

Parents Informational MeetingThe Madison Central School will be holding an informational meeting for parents of students receiving Title One services. The meet-

ing will be held during our fall open house on September 13 at 6:00 pm in the school library. This meeting is held pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This letter will also serve as your notification of your Right to Know and your right to request the qualifi-cations of your child’s classroom, AIS, and or RTI teachers. Also, this communication serves as your invitation to participate and provide input regarding our school year programs and information pertaining to Title One services. The following is the agenda for the meeting:

6:00 pm Welcome and Introductions

Overview of the Title 1 Program and Communications with Parents and Guardians: 1. School AIS/RTI/Renaissances Learning

2. Overview of Title 1 Grant Application and Use of Funds for 2017-18.

3. Parent or Guardian Input

4. Review of Parent or Guardian Right to Know

• Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;

• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualifications or licensing criteria have been waived;

• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and field of discipline of the certification or degree; and

• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications

5. Student and Teacher presentations

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 893-1878. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing our Title 1 programming.

BELL SCHEDULEPERIOD START TIME END TIME

Breakfast 7:55 8:05

Homeroom 8:05 8:10

Period 1 8:10 8:55

Period 2 8:58 9:40

Period 3 9:43 10:25

Period 4 10:28 11:10

Lunch 9-12 11:10 11:40

Period 5 (7-8) 11:10 11:40

Period 5 (9-12) 11:40 12:10

Lunch 6-8 12:13 12:55

Period 6 12:13 12:55

Period 7 12:58 1:40

Period 8 1:43 2:25

Period 9 2:28 2:58

MARKING PERIOD DATESFive week progress reports will be issued on the following dates:

9/29/17, 12/8/17, 3/2/18, 5/11/18

Report cards will be issued on:

11/3/17, 1/26/18, 4/6/18, 6/21/18

2017-18 STAFF DEVELOPMENT & CONFERENCE DATES

September 5 Superintendent’s Conference Day No school for students

September 6 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

October 20 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

November 20 Superintendent’s Conference Days No school for students

November 21 Superintendent’s Conference Day No school for students

December 8 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

February 9 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

March 16 Superintendent’s Conference Day No school for students

May 11 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

June 15 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

June 21 PreK-12 Staff Development Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

COMING EVENTSSeptember 5 Superintendent’s Conference Day - No School for StudentsSeptember 6 School Opens - Half Day Superintendent’s Conference Day - Students dismissed @ 11:20 amSeptember 7 4th grade beginning band meeting for parents – 6:00 p.m.September 13 Open House, 6-7:30 pmSeptember 19 Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 pmSeptember 21 School Pictures TakenOctober 7 MCS vs SVCS Soccer Games at MATC 6/8 pmOctober 9 NO SCHOOL-COLUMBUS DAYOctober 17 Board of Education Meeting - 6:30 pmOctober 18 Bloodmobile, 9:00 am-2:00 pmOctober 20 Superintendent’s Conference Day - Students dismissed @ 11:20 am

Halloween Dance, 7:00 pmOctober 21 PTO Trunk or TreatOctober 26 & 27 Student/Alumni Play, 7:00 pmNovember 2 Talent ShowNovember 8 Chamber Concert, 6 pm – Augusta Presbyterian ChurchNovember 9 Veterans Day Breakfast, 9:00 am

FFA Banquet - 6:00 pmNovember 10 No School - Veteran’s DayNovember 20 Superintendent’s Conference Day - No School for Students

Pre-K–6 Evening Parent-Teacher ConferencesNovember 21 Superintendent’s Conference Day - No School for Students

Pre-K–6 Afternoon Parent - Teacher Conferences Board of Education Meeti, 6:30 pm

November 22-24 No School - Thanksgiving RecessPlease check our website for updates .

SPORTS SCHEDULES

SPORTS SCHEDULES CAN BE FOUND ON THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE:

www.madisoncentralny.org

PLEASE KEEP US INFORMEDIn order to effectively communicate with parents/guardians, it is

important that you notify the school whenever there is a parent/guardian name change, child name change, address or phone number change so that we have the most up-to-date information, including names and numbers of other individuals for emergency contact purposes. We also welcome current e-mail addresses to foster communication between home and school.

IMPORTANT NOTICESAbsences: Any time your child is absent from school or missing

part of the school day for an appointment we are REQUIRED by the State Education Department to have a written excuse on file. This is extremely important. Please send a note in with your child when he/she returns to school after any absence whether it be illness or an appointment.

Transportation: If your child is dropped off at a location other than your home, please send in a note each year, even if it is the same drop off as the previous year. One note for the year is suf-ficient if this is your child’s daily routine. Changes in your child’s transportation via telephone will not be honored after 2:00 pm each day

FREE/REDUCED PRICED MEAL APPLICATIONSEnclosed in this newsletter is an application and guidelines for

the 2017-18 Free/Reduced Priced Meal Program. Please complete this application, whether or not you feel you are eligible, and return it to school by Monday, September 11, 2017. The district has implemented a new School Food Service Program and Meal Charge Policy. Please refer to our website or your child’s student handbook for the complete policy.

Please remember that a great deal of grant funding is based on the number of families eligible to receive free or reduced priced meals in each school district. All information on the application is totally confidential. The SNAP lunch card system makes it im-possible to distinguish any child receiving a free or reduced lunch from any other.

With game dates subject to change because of the weather etc., this will ensure the most up-to-date information.

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Madison Central School District • “Home of the Blue Devils”

Madison Central School DistrictMadison, NY 13402

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Madison, NY 13402

Permit #1****** ECRWSS Local Box Holder

Rural & Star Routes

Madison Central School District Mission Statement

The mission of the Madison Central School’s Student’s, Staff, Faculty, Administration and Board of Education, in cooperation with the Community, is to provide a safe, healthy environment, commit to a high level of academic achievement, develop leadership and good citizenship, and promote a positive

attitude toward success in life-long learning.

PESTICIDE NOTICEThe Madison Central School District uses Integrated Pest

Management practices to reduce the use of pesticides in the build-ings and on the grounds. It may be necessary, however, to use pesticides periodically during the 2017-18 school year. New York State law requires that schools maintain a list of staff and parents who wish to receive written notice forty-eight (48) hours prior to a pesticide application at their school facility if the school building will be occupied within seventy-two (72) hours of an application. If you wish to be included on this notification list or would like further information on the district’s pesticides program, please contact Ms. Melanie Brouillette, District Treasurer at 315-893-1878, extension 209.

CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS, EARLY DISMISSALS

All cancellations, delays, and early dismissals are announced on the following radio and TV stations and can also be found on our website

www .madisoncentralny .org

• WSYR • WMCR • WUUU • WFRG • WSTM - TV • WHEN • WRUN • WUTR • WTVH - TV • Spectrum News 10

• WIXT - TV • *WKTV *WKTV has text notification . This would be helpful in times when there are

power outages . Check WKTV’s website for more information .

Broadcasts of school closings and/or delays begin with the 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. news. Please utilize these means of communication, leaving the school phones open for emergencies. Thank you.

You may also receive a “Blackboard” call with this information. If you do not receive this call and would like to, please contact Linda Wood at 315-893-1878 ext. 201.

Are you or is someone you know homeless? If so, you have rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. For more information, please contact Jan White at 315-893-1878 ext.320.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE NUMBERS3115-893-1878/315-893-1879

District Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 201

Secondary Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 202

Elementary Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 207

Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 206

CSE Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 207

Nurse’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 214

Bus Garage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 215