Madison School District #321

Attention!!! The Bobcat Fieldhouse will be closed to the public Thursday, October 6th, for a scheduled power outage to the area. Thanks!

The Red Cross has just announced an urgent need for blood donations due to hurricane Ian and its expected disruptions to patient care as well as cancellations of blood collecting efforts in the effected areas. There are still spots in our drive which is happening tomorrow, Thursday September 29 from 1-7pm and Madison Jr High. You can sign up by going to www.redcrossblood.org then search 83440. If none of the times work for you, just show up and we will fit you in. THANK YOU!

We want to give a HUGE shout out to MIkel Walker. Mike was recently inducted into the Madison High Hall of Fame! The MHS Hall of Fame was founded in 2017 as a way to honor retired alumni for their contributions and their dedicated service to Madison High School, their community of residence, and to the well-being of their corner of the world. From all of us here at Madison. Thank you Mikel for who you are! You can read a bit more about Mikel below: Mikel Walker was born on December 14, 1956, in Rigby, Idaho. His younger years were spent growing up in Rigby. When Mikel was 12 years old, his parents decided to move their family-owned restaurant to Rexburg. The family made the move from Rigby to Rexburg in 1968. He worked for his father in the family restaurant while growing up, learning business skills that would benefit him later in life. Mikel graduated from Madison High School in 1975. While in high school, Mikel became interested in Emergency Medicine and shortly after graduating began working part-time with Madison County Ambulance. He was hired full-time in October 1978, and worked with Madison County Ambulance and Madison Fire Department until his retirement in June 2016. He was serving as Assistant Fire Chief at the time of his retirement. Mikel loved his profession as a Paramedic-Firefighter and the people he served with. This time brought great joy and satisfaction as he served the people of Madison County. Mikel has been married to Barbara Walker for 41 years. They have four children and ten wonderful grandchildren. Mikel and Barbara have been business owners in Rexburg for many years, having the opportunity to work with the people of Rexburg, Madison County, and the surrounding area. They owned and operated Walker Medical beginning in 1990 until they sold the business in 2001. Presently, Mikel and Barbara are owners of Paul Mitchell The School in Rexburg. They have been active in church and community affairs throughout the years. Many great people have mentored Mikel throughout his life, which has allowed him to experience many great things. He has also mentored others and has left his positive influence everywhere he goes. He was elected to the City Council in November of 2017. Prior to being elected to City Council, Mikel served on the Traffic and Safety Committee and has served on several City, County, and State Committees throughout his employment with the Fire Department. His liaison assignments include Parks and Recreation, Trails of Madison County, and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board. Mikel and Barbara raised their family in the Madison School District, and they have been active supporters of the Madison Bobcats. They love Rexburg and the people who live here.

Did you know this month is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month? Did you now that YOU can help prevent suicide simply by becoming educated and informed on the topic? Madison Cares is providing an opportunity for YOU to learn more to protect the children and youth in our community and in your life. On Monday, September 26th from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Madison High School Performing Arts Center, they will be hosting a screening of the incredible film, My Ascension. After the screening, there will be a panel of mental health professionals and community members to answer questions about suicide, mental health, and suicide prevention. Please, plan to attend with your teens (14+) and become informed together. My Ascension is A Documentary Film and Movement to Spread Hope and Fight Suicide. A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader Emma Benoit paralyzed but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope and stay alive. Madison Cares has secured funding for the one time screening of this event.

Tiffanie Clark is the office secretary at Madison Junior High. When walking through the doors her smiling face is one of the first faces that you will see! Tiffanie spends her days helping people with whatever they may need and directing them where they need to go. #wearemadison #peopleofmadison

It's time to end Homecoming week with a BANG, or in other words, OUR HOCO PARADE! Nothing screams school spirt like this parade! Pull on your red shirt and bring the kids out to come support our BOBCAT NATION! ***The route starts in front of the Madison Education Center (former Jr. High 60 West Main), goes down Main street and turns down 3rd East (west side of smith park)

Just a reminder the Bobcat Fieldhouse will be closed all day tomorrow (Sept. 23) to the public for Homecoming. Normal public hours will resume Saturday, Sept. 24. Have a great weekend and go Bobcats!

Madison Stay-2-Play begins THIS WEEK and will run through December 1st! It will be held each Tuesdays from 1pm - 2pm and each Thursday from 10am - 11am (with the first one being SEPT 22) at the Madison Education Center (former jr. high) at 60 West Main. Stay-2-Play is the PERFECT opportunity to get out of the house, socialize with other parents and have your kids participate in a short organized activity followed by free-time play! This event is FREE to the public and applies to anyone with a child 6 months to 6 years old. Call 208-359-1256 with questions! No registration required, just show up!

Mrs. Bowden has been teaching 3rd grade at South Fork Elementary for two years! The thing she loves most about her job is the kids! She said, “The kids are just so fun to work with!” We are so thankful for all that she does. #wearemadison #peopleofmadison

Madison School District is excited to announce the district wide implementation of a new anonymous tip line to report bullying, violence, drugs or harm. The program is called SEE, TELL, NOW! There are THREE ways to make a report. Go to www.seetellnow.org to explore and become familiar with them all! When you SEE something, TELL someone, NOW! SEE When you are in and around your school, simply be aware of your surroundings. You may notice something that doesn’t seem right, looks odd or is simply out of the ordinary. TELL Tell someone at your school or call the police – but tell someone. We want to know what’s happening at your school, and your observations are important NOW Do it NOW. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. If something looks out of place to you, it likely is. When it comes to the safety of our children, it’s always a better idea to be safe rather than sorry.

Did you know this month is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month? Did you now that YOU can help prevent suicide simply by becoming educated and informed on the topic? Madison Cares is providing an opportunity for YOU to learn more to protect the children and youth in our community and in your life. On Monday, September 26th from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Madison High School Performing Arts Center, they will be hosting a screening of the incredible film, My Ascension. After the screening, there will be a panel of mental health professionals and community members to answer questions about suicide, mental health, and suicide prevention. Please, plan to attend with your teens and become informed together. My Ascension is A Documentary Film and Movement to Spread Hope and Fight Suicide. A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader Emma Benoit paralyzed but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope and stay alive.

The Bobcat Fieldhouse will be closed all day on September 23rd for Homecoming. Thanks!

Mrs. Bisby is a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary. Something Mrs. Bisby loves about her job is seeing her students grow. “I love to see the progress that my students make throughout the year and how they grow academically and socially. The kids just make the job so fun. They are so cute and funny.” Mrs. Bisby is very appreciated for all the hard work that she puts into making her classroom a happy and fun environment. #wearemadison #peopleofmadison

We take your child's attendance at school seriously! So serious, in fact, that if your child was marked absent yesterday, our system called ALL of the phone numbers in your child's file to let them know! :-/ (face palm) When we get the kinks worked out, parents will receive a text and an e-mail from the school informing them of an unverified absence. Elementary age between 9-9:30 am and Jr/High between 6-6:30pm. Our apologize to you (and your emergency contacts who received the call) as we are navigating a new system! We appreciate your patience!

Hello Bobcat Nation! We hope you enjoyed the long (hot) holiday weekend! We continue to encounter unusually high temperatures this time of year. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a “heat advisory” for our area until Wednesday, September 7, at 9 p.m. We have been closely monitoring this advisory along with consulting neighboring districts. Below are things being done district-wide to beat the heat: * 9 of our 12 buildings have operating air conditioning that is running * Windows are being propped open in the early morning hours to cool off our classrooms * HVAC fans are running to pull heat out of the buildings * Teachers are encouraging and providing the added opportunity for students to hydrate often * Bus windows and roof hatches are being left open as students ride the bus * All busses allow and are encouraging students to bring a water bottle while riding We want to assure you that classroom temps are being monitored by district staff during this extended heatwave. The safety of our staff and students remains our highest priority. With Wednesday slotted to be the hottest day for parents/caregivers, we recommend you send your students with a water bottle and dress in light, loose-fitting clothing. We will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds and communicate any changes to affected students/parents/staff. As always, parents have the right to keep their children home if they believe it is unsafe to send them to school. Stay cool, Bobcats! Fall will be upon us soon! #wearemadison

Be sure to check out the fall athletics schedule and plan to support our BOBCATS! #wearemadison

Lesa Jackson and Debby Thompson are the first faces you see when walking into Madison High School. Lesa is the Office Manager and Administrative Assistant, and Debby is over attendance and helping people with questions, or whatever they may need. Both Lesa and Debby have loved working at the high school! “We have a great environment at the high school. It's lots of fun!” said Debby. “It’s fabulous! Like we love it, love it, love it!”, said Lesa. #wearemadison #peopleofmadison

The results are in! Our community has spoken! The Madison Levy Renewal was passed by a narrow majority Tuesday evening! "As a Board of Trustees, we are grateful to those who approved this levy and continue to support our efforts. As a Board and as a district, we will continue to turn to our community, patrons and staff for guidance and feedback. We recognize it is not easy committing to renew a tax in times like these. We take our fiscal responsibility very seriously and are grateful for your continued support. Thank you for being an active participant in our schools and community. Not only do we appreciate those who support us, we appreciate the guidance and feedback from those who don't. It is a great day to be a Bobcat!" -Madison Board of Trustees & Madison Administration

CONGRATS to the varsity football team in their 35-8 win over Tooele last Saturday! We are excited for the rest of the season with these amazing Bobcats! Be sure to check them out and cheer them on to another victory FRIDAY NIGNT at Bobcat Stadium against the Blackfoot Broncos!

It is our COMPLETE pleasure to announce that Kelsey Shumway has received the 2022 Creative and Innovative Teacher Award from the Idaho Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Association. (Insert horns, glitter, confetti, clapping and all the celebratory noises here) This award recognizes a teacher who has made a unique and creative contribution to the FCS curriculum in the past year, has developed or implemented a new teaching idea, strategy, or a new program designed to keep teaching current and relevant and meet the specific needs of the students. The individual that nominated her included in her narrative: "You don't have to follow Kelsey's school instagram account for long to realize how creative and innovative she is. From Fashion to Interior Design to Child Development her ideas are fun, engaging, and creative. She has developed a strong preschool program at Madison High School and her students, and the preschool students alike thrive in the program. Kelsey is always willing to share her ideas and it is obvious that she loves teaching." Congratulations to Kelsey and Madison High School. She is an (award winning 🥇) asset to the Family and Consumer Sciences community AND one of the reasons we claim to have the best teachers EVER! Congrats again on this well earned recognition! #wearemadison