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Dear Madison Community,

This has been an unprecedented week.  The nearly four feet of lake effect snow our district had has provided many challenges for our community.  The decision to close schools has been rooted in ensuring the safety of our students.  Many of our roads still remain inaccessible for buses.  As a result of this, and the storm warning through Friday morning,  I am going to close schools for the remainder of the week.  

Our plan is to reopen on Monday, December 9.  We will be adjusting some bus stops to ensure our buses and drivers can safely transport our students to school.  These adjustments will be communicated via email and phone as the information becomes available. We will also post the changes on the website by Friday morning.   While this is not ideal, we must put safety first and these changes will allow us to transport our students more safely given road conditions. 

As a result of the closures this week, we have had to reschedule some events.  Here are the dates for events that have been rescheduled:

• The Madison Middle School Choir Concert, originally scheduled for December 2, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
• The Madison Middle School Band Concert, originally scheduled for Thursday, December 5, has been rescheduled for December 12.  
• The Football Banquet scheduled for Thursday, December 5 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
• The South Elementary Santa Shop scheduled for December 6, 2024 has been rescheduled for Friday, December 13, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.    
• The North Elementary Santa Shop scheduled for December 6, 2024  has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 12-3 p.m. 

I appreciate everyone’s patience through this storm.  It has been a challenge for our staff and those who plow our roads.  Their efforts have been herculean to keep up.  I thank all of them and our village and township leaders for their communication as we have navigated this storm. The township has brought in outside help with ODOT and three local contractors to clear large piles that have accumulated around the township, and I appreciate everyone’s efforts.    

I hope everyone continues to stay safe, and I look forward to school resuming next week.    #MadisonStrong!

Sincerely,

Angela Smith 
Superintendent

 

November 22, 2024

Dear Madison Community,

During this month of gratitude, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of our schools. Our families and community members help to do so many wonderful things for our students.  It does not go unnoticed, and our board and our entire administrative team are thankful for all you do. I am especially grateful for the community’s support of Issue 4 – this levy will continue to help our students for another five years beginning in 2026.  

We have much to celebrate today with the conclusion of the fall sports season.  Since there are so many accomplishments to recognize, we will save those for the December 17 Board Meeting where we will be recognizing the accomplishments of our fall athletes.  The meeting will be in the High School Lecture Hall.  

If you are looking for something to do this evening, Madison High School Drama students will be performing “The Curious Savage” in the MHS Lecture Hall tonight and tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.  Ticket prices are $7.00 for students and senior citizens and $10.00 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.madisonschools.net/departments/athletics/departments/athletics/tickets.  

Last week, we celebrated our Veterans throughout the district.  Both elementaries held special Veterans’ Day programs.  As a district, we thank our veterans for their service and all they have done to protect the freedoms our country enjoys.  

The Board of Education met on Tuesday evening with our partners from the ESC of the Western Reserve, who are pursuing the superintendent search. The application period has been extended through January 31^st.  Stakeholder meetings will be held beginning in early January.  Look for additional information on the Stakeholder meeting before winter break.  

Please remember to check out the Good News Newsletter.  Our articles this week highlight the Day of Giving that area leaders participated in at the Salvation Army;  our Nutrition Services Department received a fruit and vegetable grant;  Senior football players surprise influential teachers; and our alumni feature focuses on Mrs. Jen Ayala. 

 I hope you have a great weekend and wonderful Thanksgiving.  Thank you again for supporting Madison Schools.  #MadisonStrong!
 

Sincerely,

Angela Smith 

Superintendent 

 

This week, our Madison Nutrition Services Director, Kelly Kaminski and Madison High School Kitchen Manager, Tammie Wollschleger, helped to plan and prepare the meal for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve’s Day of Giving at the Salvation Army.  

The ESC of the Western Reserve and local school leaders came together for the annual “Day of Giving,” supporting families in need with meals, educational kits, and community connection.  This is the third year for the event.  

ESC Superintendent, Jennifer Felker, said this community outreach is important, and being able to give back is vital to our work as school leaders.  

“I am thankful that our Nutrition Services team was able to help.  They work hard not only for our students, but also know the importance of community outreach and paying it forward,” said Angela Smith, Madison Schools Superintendent.  

Those who attended enjoyed a pasta dinner and scrumptious desserts, all served to them at their tables.  

The Salvation Army provides lunch meals year-round to anyone who needs them, no questions asked. They also operate a food pantry – offering free groceries to individuals and families in need. Please contact the Painesville Salvation Army to learn when meals are provided each week or to set up a food pantry appointment at (440) 354-3774. 

 

MLS is thrilled to announce the district has been selected for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), awarded by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for the 2024-25 school year. The FFVP provides a variety of free, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to children at our North and South Elementary Schools, encouraging them to try new foods, learn about seasonal produce, and set healthy eating habits to last a lifetime. 

The FFVP is funded by the USDA at the federal level, then overseen by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce at the state level. The program is open to elementary schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and have a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. “We were lucky to have both North and South Elementary Schools chosen for the program this year,” says Kelly Kaminski, Director of Nutrition Services. “Madison is the only district in Lake County participating in the program this school year.”

“The program provides fresh fruit and vegetable snacks two to three times per week, separate from regular breakfast and lunch services. It covers the cost of the produce, packaging, low-fat dips for veggies, and any additional labor costs that the program may require,” Ms. Kaminski explains. “This is a great way to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables as a healthy snack option for students in a low-pressure environment. It also gives them an opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables they may not be familiar with – for example, we have dragonfruit on the FFVP menu for next week!”

So far, MLS has been able to partner with two local farms: West Orchards in Perry and Brant’s Apple Orchard in Ashtabula to bring in a variety of local apples. The partnerships have received great feedback, with students loving the apples! MLS looks forward to continuing these partnerships. 

Ms. Kaminski adds, “One of the goals of the program is to help children learn more healthful eating habits and expand the variety of the fruits and vegetables that they experience. Our long-term goal is to increase their overall fruit and vegetable consumption.”

Ms. Kaminski applied for the grant in May, and MLS was notified in mid-August that our schools had been chosen to participate for the 2024-25 school year. All awarded funds expire July 1, 2025, as the FFVP is awarded annually. 
 

On October 28, the Madison Football Team started what will be a tradition for years to come: our senior football players honored teachers who have made an incredible impact on their journey throughout MLS with a jersey dedication. 

“I had seen the jersey dedication done on several different social media sites and wanted our seniors to have the opportunity to thank a teacher who had a big impact on their life,” explains Karen Radkowski, MHS Intervention Specialist. “Not only is it important for teachers to be reminded of how important they are – and the lasting impact they have on their students – but I thought it equally important for these young men to understand how one small show of appreciation can make such a difference. It’s important to remember to give back to those who have given so much.”

Sixteen of our senior football players chose teachers to dedicate their jersey to, with these individuals spanning across our MLS buildings. The players visited their chosen teacher, explained why they chose them as the teacher who has impacted them the most, and presented their jersey with a hand-written thank you note, as well as an invitation to upcoming events. The teachers were invited to the weekly team dinner and asked to wear their player’s jersey to walk with them and root them on for the playoff game. In addition, with the help of MHS Language Arts teacher, Chad Butler, a dedication video was created to capture the special dedications. 

“I think this dedication is so heartwarming, and a true testament to the connection and appreciation that students have for their teachers. Not only did this event honor the teachers, but it gave the players an opportunity to understand they can be an equally bright light in the lives of someone else, with just a small gesture of appreciation,” adds Ms. Radkowski. “The response from the teachers, administrators, students, and community has been so positive. One teacher was heard telling her player, ‘You have no idea how much this means to a teacher;’ and a community member stated that watching the video created on the dedication restored her faith in our youth and the positive impact they can have on others.” 

Mike Gilligan, Football Coach and MHS Social Sciences teacher, states, “This will be a tradition for years to come.”