From the Principal

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

How appropriate that our attribute this month is SERVICE! This is such a well timed opportunity to balance the many opportunities our children have to dream about what they might receive during the holidays, with opportunities to serve others as well. There are (and have been throughout this fall) many opportunities for our school community to contribute to the lives of others. Our on-going African-American Exchange Club led by BJ Stephenson has raised money to support children in Burundi, Africa. We have had a clothing drive for a Women’s Shelter, a wonderful contribution to UNICEF and a really outstanding canned food drive led by the students in the DaVinci Center. This month we have both the middle school Starbucks Star Light Star Bright Foundation gift drive AND our own Madrona Giving Tree tradition which provides gifts for families all around our school District. Such wonderful modeling of Service for our children both close to home and across the world! Thank you for the many ways you contribute!

This month report cards will be sent home (December 19th) so please be sure to sit down with your student(s) to talk about their goals and progress in school! If you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, don’t hesitate to contact their teacher(s).

Finally, I want to extend my wishes to every Madrona family for a wonderful winter vacation full of love and happiness! I look forward to seeing you when we return on January 7th!

Happy Holidays!

- Lynda

Attribute of Character for December

Service

”If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.”

- Loretta Girzartis

”Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily.”

- Sally Koch

”Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.”

- David Star Jordan

Madrona Integrated Team

MIT Co-Chair’s Corner

Madrona’s character attribute calendar is a great tool to help myself and my family concentrate on the qualities that make for a strong, honorable society. November’s attribute, gratitude, was of course appropriate, because of the Thanksgiving tradition. It also seems to fit with Autumn, as we all begin to gather in to our families, hunker down for the cold, dark days of winter, and are grateful for the roof over our heads and for the friends and families whom we cherish.

December’s attribute is service, which is also appropriate. While we’re all rushing around trying to get everything done before Winter Break and shopping like crazy, we also see the Salvation Army bell-ringers, the school kids collecting food for local food banks, our own kids collecting for the Giving Tree and the Starbright Foundation.

I love the culture of volunteering at our school. Because of it, our kids see examples of service all the time, and are encouraged to help out. By the time they grow up, they will have seen many instances of loved ones putting others’ needs before their own, so it won’t seem like a burden when they know that they are capable of filling a gap that they see, and they won’t expect that somebody else will step in to take care of the issue.

When you walk around the hallways at Madrona, you see the same faces everywhere. Sure, some are teachers and staff, but a lot are parent volunteers, who work tirelessly and cheerfully to make our school a great learning environment. And the behind-the-scenes volunteers – the moms and dads who can’t be at school during the day but take homework home to score, teach enrichment classes, edit this paper (thanks Nancy), keep the website current (Allan!!!), staff committees, participate on the MIT board – all of you enrich our lives so greatly. We try to keep a tally of the number of volunteer hours worked at and for the school, but I know I don’t record mine, and I’d bet there are lots like me. I would guess there are thousands of volunteer service hours worked every month. Do we think of it as a service or a duty when we volunteer? Probably not – we’re just helping out where and when we can. It’s what we do for our kids.

– Linda Hood

SCRIP

The Holiday Shopping Season is Heating Up - But M.I.T. Can Help Reduce the Stress

Yes folks, it’s here – the hectic holiday shopping season. Winter break comes early this year, so there are really only 3 weeks left until we need to have everything done! Here are some handy tips for taking care of many folks on your list.

The SCRIP program has gift cards from your favorite retailers, either in stock for immediate pick-up, or available on very short notice. Your scrip purchases contribute between 2 and 20% of the face value of the gift cards to Madrona programs. The scrip table is open 3 mornings a week before school, and you can order online through the Bear Facts website.

If you want to get those airline points by using your credit card, or just prefer shopping online, visit the BoxTops4Education.com website, through the Bear Facts website or directly. Sign up once – every time you do your shopping online at hundreds of your favorite stores, using the BoxTops4Education.com portal, we collect between 2 and 8% of your online purchases.

Make a donation to All For Kids, in the name of a friend or loved one, and let them know how much you care about your Madrona community. This gift is 100% tax-deductible! Order through the Bear Facts website, or pick up a brochure in the Family Room.

M.I.T. thanks you on behalf of our kids, who benefit from your generosity in countless ways!

– Linda Hood

More Info

Our Children's Safety

Many thanks to Ellen Ernst and Nancy Duffy for representing Madrona at last week's meeting about safety at choice schools. Madrona was the only school with parent representation, and I think Ellen and Nancy conveyed our concerns about the District's role in keeping parents informed about safety issues. Ellen has contacted a representative of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department and asked him if he would be willing to make a presentation to concerned parents at Madrona. As soon as we have a date, we will let you know.

– Linda Hood

CPC Notes

In last month’s Bear Facts, I stated that the Edmonds School District CPC (Citizen’s Planning Committee) was not going to bring up the subject of altering bussing schedules for choice schools (which includes Madrona, Maplewood and the Challenge Program).

I was wrong.

At the next CPC meeting held December 3, the School District will be considering altering bussing schedules for the next school year to help reduce transportations costs. I will be bringing the details of this consideration to the December MIT meeting and would encourage all those interested to attend.

– Kory DeMun

Trick or Treat for UNICEF a Success!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Madrona's Trick or Treat for UNICEF program this year. We were able to reach and BEAT our goal by raising $675.00 this year. Your contributions and compassion in giving has made a difference in the lives of children around the world. Remember how much you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Thank you for all of your efforts.

- Deborah Binder & Jai Veilleux, 2007 Trick or Treat for UNICEF Delegates

MIT Business Meetings 2007—08

All meetings will be held in the library at 7:00 PM

• December 18th - Tuesday
• January 15th - Tuesday
• February 7th - Thursday
• March 18th – Tuesday
• April 15th - Tuesday
• May 21st – Wednesday
• (Nick Brossoit visit)
• June 10th* - Tuesday

Wintergreens

Thanks to everyone who purchased wintergreens from the ASB this year. We still have a few wreaths left if anyone is interested in purchasing one or more. $18/each. Contact BJ Stephenson @ 425-431-2940 or stephensonb@edmonds.wednet.edu

- BJ Stephenson

Parking Lot Safety Reminders

First some background about the Safety Committee at Madrona … This is my 8th year at Madrona, and for all 8 years I have been on the Safety Committee. The Safety Committee was originally formed to address problems in our parking lot, but has been involved in many other safety areas since then. We have developed (along with our Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Brad Proffitt) comprehensive emergency plans (and acquired a new shed containing emergency supplies), a lock down procedure, and playground emergency procedures to name a few. We have advocated for our Madrona community at the District Office regarding bus transportation and emergency preparedness, and collaborated with our school administration to develop our safety plans and find the best solutions possible for Madrona. Most recently, I attended a District meeting concerning sex offender notifications – watch for more information about this as it develops.

All of our meetings are open to the Madrona community, and we have several members who have been active for many years. We talk about emergency and day to day situations, and no area is off limits. I encourage anyone who has a concern to attend these meetings (12/6, 1/10, 2/7, 3/6, 4/10, 5/8 – 9:00 in the conference room adjacent to the Main Office). MIT meetings are also another way to learn about the school (especially if you are a new parent) and talk about safety concerns. MIT always welcomes new perspectives and ideas.

Having given you some background, I want to share some concerns about the parking lot. First of all, I want to thank all of the parents who allow enough time to navigate our parking lot and respect their fellow parents by following the guidelines. Although the parking lot is busy and crowded at times, our system is the best it can be considering our limitations (lack of parking, one main entrance for buses and cars), and most schools have parking lot challenges. We have evolved considerably over the last 8 years, and this system works if all parents follow the procedures.

Here are important reminders:

• Please drive slowly and carefully along the streets leading to Madrona and in the parking lot.
• Please obey all City of Edmonds traffic laws.
• Please actually enter the parking lot to drop off or pick up your child – THIS IS CRUTIAL TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY!
  • You put your child at risk by dropping him/her off on 236th or on one of the side streets.
  • You put your child at risk by having him/her cross 236th and the bus lane. A few years ago an Intermediate student was hit by a car crossing 236th, and several weeks ago; I almost hit 2 young children (2nd grade and Kindergarten age) who were sent running across 236th by a parent parked on a side street. But, because I drive very slowly, I was able to stop in time. Once my heart slowed down, I wondered why anyone would risk their child’s safety.
  • You disrespect other parents coming into the parking lot by making them wait while your child crosses the north end of the parking lot.
  • Your child will get over being ‘seen” with you in the parking lot if his/her friends are being seen as well!
• Please pull your car as far forward in the morning so that other parents can get to the drop off lane.
• Please ensure your child is ready to leave your car in the morning so you don’t block the line for other waiting parents.
• Please encourage your child to be prompt at the end of the day.
• Please do not ask for an early dismissal from school to avoid the parking lot and never just take your child from his or her classroom without stopping by the Main Office and signing them out.
• Please always be courteous and kind to your fellow drivers and the Madrona aides who work in the parking lot. It is a very stressful job and we’re very lucky to have them. When we first started this system, Safety Committee parents took turns guiding traffic!

By taking the time (and making the time – by getting to school early enough to be careful and safe in the parking lot), we will ensure that all of our children are safe. For a complete list of our parking lot guidelines, please refer to the handout distributed in the first day packets or visit the Family Room to get another copy. Thank you.

- - Ellen Ernst, Madrona Safety Committee

More Info

The Writing On The Wall

Excerpt taken from article by Raina Kelley | NEWSWEEK

Many educators say handwriting is important because research shows that when children are taught how to do it, they are also being taught how to learn and how to express themselves. A new study to be released this month by Vanderbilt University finds that a majority of primary-school teachers believe that students with fluent handwriting produced written assignments that were superior in quantity and quality and resulted in higher grades—aside from being easier to read. The College Board recognized this in 2005 when it added a handwritten essay to the SAT—an effort to reverse the de-emphasis on handwriting and composition that may be adversely affecting children's learning all the way through high school and beyond.

How much instruction do kids need in cursive writing? In the 1960s and 1970s, the Zaner-Bloser Co., which has been publishing penmanship curriculum since 1904, recommended 45 minutes a day. By the 1980s, it was suggesting just 15 minutes. Today the average is more like 10 minutes, according to Handwriting Without Tears, whose penmanship curriculum is used by 5,000 school districts around the country. "We haven't added more hours to the school day or the school year, yet we've added more content, and something had to give," says Dennis Williams, national product manager for handwriting at Zaner-Bloser. And, he says, educators are noticing a significant decline in the quality of students' handwriting and an increase in the frequency of problems such as letter reversals. We've forgotten one of the first rules of pedagogy: mind your p's and q’s. All this matters, educators say, because evidence is growing that handwriting fluency is a fundamental building block of learning. Emily Knapton, director of program development at Handwriting Without Tears, believes that "when kids struggle with handwriting, it filters into all their academics.

No one is predicting, or even recommending, a return to the days when children obsessively practiced the curlicues on their Palmer Method capitals. Beauty seems to be less important than fluidity and speed. Studies have shown that from kindergarten through fourth grade, kids think and write at the same time. (Only later is mental composition divorced from the physical process of handwriting.) If they have to struggle to remember how to make their letters, their ability to express themselves will suffer. The motions have to be automatic, both for expressive writing and for another skill that students will need later in life, note-taking. "Measures of speed among elementary-school students are good predictors of the quality and quantity of their writing in middle school," says Stephen Peverly, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University's Teachers College. "I don't care about legibility."

Predictions of handwriting's demise didn't begin with the computer; they date back to the introduction of the Remington typewriter in 1873. But for at least a generation, penmanship has seemed a quaint and, well … schoolmarmish subject to be emphasizing. Now, backed by new research, educators are trying to wedge it back into the curriculum. After all, no one has suggested that the invention of the calculator means we don't have to teach kids how to add, and spelling is still a prized skill in the era of spell check.

Campbell Soup Labels

I’ve had to throw away many soup labels since the UPC was not included. In the case of Campbell’s labels, look for the Campbell’s Kid near a UPC code, and cut off this part of the label, with the full UPC code intact. Please note that the front labels for Campbell’s without the UPC doesn’t work. The UPC is the only part that is needed. Please don’t give up – keep collecting! Just remember to include the UPC! Your efforts directly support our school’s health & fitness department.

- Tracy Langlie

Media/Technology News

Yearbook Sales December 17 – 21!

Yearbook Sales start soon! Watch for more info to be sent home in the next week. Sales run December 17th-21st. Books and DVD will be available by pre-order only. Last year we sold out. Great holiday gift idea.

- Madrona Media

Bear Facts Newsletter:

New Email Address

The Bear Facts Editor has a new email contact. Please send all articles, photos, etc., to me at nancykaris@comcast.net. Also, with winter break interrupting our schedule, the January issue of Bear Facts will come out a week later. Our deadline will be Jan. 12; however you are free to send me your news at any time. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to this newsletter -- it’s your articles that keep the Bear Facts interesting!

- Nancy Karis

Bear Facts Web Site

The Madrona Bear Facts Web site (http://madronabearfacts.com) is YOUR reliable source of information about Madrona! Please contact Allan Townsend, if you have suggestions or concerns about the Web site. It will be updated constantly with fresh information. Keep checking back throughout the year. And don’t forget the online Calendar -- it's a great way to check on Madrona events and meetings.

- Allan Townsend, MIT Communications Director

Madrona Monday Broadcast

The Madrona Monday Broadcast is on the Internet!

Check it out at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/MadronaMMB

or search for MMB in iTunes podcast directory.

Battle of the Books Club

Do you love to read? Want to make new friends? Come join the Battle of the Books club! Meetings are 2:45 on Fridays in the Library. We will form teams and have a competition at Madrona in the Spring, and the top two teams will go to the District event in May.

We have discussion groups, read from the "Top 20" district book list, work together, and have a lot of fun. Participation in the competition is optional. Contact Ann Devight or Cheryl Kaler for more info. Happy reading!!

- Cheryl Kaler

Madrona Theater & Music News

With auditions and casting done, we are excited to start rehearsals this month. Congratulations to the 82 students that auditioned this year, you will make this our best production yet! There will be rehearsals every Monday this month, with 3-day-a-week rehearsals beginning in January. If your child signed up to help back stage, the backstage crew leader will be contacting them in February.

Tickets will go on sale to Madrona parents and staff in February. You won’t want to miss this production! Performances will be at the Mountlake Terrace High School Theater on Thursday March 20th, Friday March 21st, and two performances on Saturday March 22nd.

If you have any questions, please contact producers Sharon Quiring at 425-742-1083 or Sarah DeMun at 425-775-6027.

- Sarah DeMun

Music Department

Upcoming Concerts

Fall Orchestra/Choir Concert

• Middle School Orchestra & Choir
• Dec. 6 – Thursday, 7:00pm at Madrona Gym

Winter Band Concert

• Middle School Bands, Adv. Elementary Band, Jazz I, & Jazz II
• Dec. 11 – Tuesday, 7:00pm at Madrona Gym

Middle School Honors Festival

• Selected students will participate in an all day rehearsal and night concert.
• Jan. 22 – Thursday, All Day at Shoreline Center.

- Matt Edwards

News from the Music Room

The Madrona Intermediate and MS Choirs will be performing twice this month. First, on Dec. 11th with the MS Orchestra and Bands. Next, for the community of Edmonds at Edmonds Landing Retirement Home and downtown businesses on December 13th.

The Music Room is humming with instruments, song and dance as intermediate students finish their 1st trimester projects and primary students continue with rhythm games to hone their music reading skills, sing winter tunes and keep warm with folk dancing.

- Barb Jensen

Center News

Kindergarten News

Ms. Rust’s Class

The a.m. kindergarten has been enjoying the sunshine of our "Indian Summer," and many kids have been playing out at the "Kindergarten Tree" between buildings #2 and #3 after school -until their parents finally drag them home for lunch. They try to climb the tree, hide in the bushes, and collect leaves while we chat and get to know each other as well. Soon it'll probably be too cold for the Kindergarten Tree (at least for the grown-ups!), but for now it's a nice way to extend the time they have to explore together. The children are also getting to know the full time students who share their recess time. After a few weeks of regrouping students in order for each child to experience the other teachers with students from those classes, he teachers have reorganized the classes into three regular reading placements. As a result, some of Mrs. Rust's students are now with Mr. Kelly or Mrs. Barber two hours per week.

– Erika Jennings

(Plea to Mr. Kelly’s & Mrs. Barber’s parents: please volunteer to write for your classroom! We miss hearing about you! Send Bear Facts articles to nancykaris@comcast.net)

TriCenter

The Tricenter kids have been enjoying their science explorations of liquids and solids with Mary Ellen and Mr. Stee. Mrs. Zavala has been teaching them all about nutrition and the human body. One of our parents brought in a model of the spine that all the kids thought was pretty cool.

On November 30th they had their monthly birthday celebration, followed by Fun Friday. Earlier in the month, 4th year students, Maddy Greenwood and Nichole Roundy, (Tricenter alumni) taught the 3rd year students how to finger knit. It was so much fun that on Fun Friday the 3rd year students taught some of the 1st and 2nd year students. Now everyone can knit up some special scarves for their loved ones this winter!

Everyone is anxiously awaiting the end of the trimester and winter break. Stay tuned next month to find out what fun activities the teacher’s have planned to help celebrate!

-Joyce Wheeler

Ohana

Ohana wishes every Madrona family a happy & healthy holiday season! Here is some sharing of family holiday traditions:

Rylie: “My family comes over & we eat with candlelight & have crab. We open presents & play with my cousins.”

Taeana: “We usually go skiing or tubing, then have hot chocolate in the lodge. Then we go home & watch movies really late.”

Matt: “Almost every holiday we have orange rolls for breakfast. They're like cinnamon rolls but they have orange frosting.”

Lauren: “We go to my grandma’s house & someone (I think it’s my grandpa because he’s always gone when this happens) dresses like Santa & brings a sack of presents. Me & my brother get to sort the presents.”

Mackenzie: “I get to pick out my own tree. We go to a Christmas party & my mom makes pumpkin pie & we watch movies.”

Annika: “We go skiing & celebrate Santa Lucia with my cousins & open presents. I can’t remember what it’s called, but if you get the piece with the almond in it, you get a wish.”

Kyle: We put up the tree, string popcorn & this year we are making yarn chains to put on the tree. We always give Kris Kringle sugar cookies & warm milk. And we build our gingerbread house & put the train around the tree. And me & my mom never help my dad put up the tree.

Lily: “We get a tree & my mom gets us pajamas for Christmas Eve & then we decorate it. And we make our Christmas lists.”

Ryan: “I invite half my family & put the presents in order from A to Z. We wait to see if Santa comes & we decorate our tree.”

Emma: “We wait for everyone to wake up & we empty our stockings & open presents. Then we go to my Grandma’s house to have dinner & celebrate.”

Hannah & Jackie: “We have family over to help decorate our tree. Then we go to our Grandma’s for Christmas Eve, & our mom’s family comes for Christmas dinner.”

SND

In a recent Science activity in the SND class students developed a classification system to group items with similar characteristics into categories. Kevin Chase, Matthew Park, Anthony Edwards & Michael Epoch (L-R) take a break while discussion their strategy.

SND students have also kept busy studying parts of speech, designing visual posters of adjectives to display in the room. And after learning about Picasso, they created self-portraits of themselves with paper medium. Edmonds Art Grant recipients, Sue, Nancy and Nina will soon be using newly acquired materials in future art lessons.

– Monica Edwards

Renaissance

It has been a great month in the Renaissance Center. Students have been studying Ancient Cultures and Science. The older language arts groups are beginning to create “Digital Stories” based on personal narratives while the younger language arts group continues writing about personal narrative “seed” moments and building their vocabulary.

– Anne Garing

Paw-Sal-Cha’l

The B.F.G. fieldtrip was WhizzPoppin fun! Thank you to all the parent chaperones involved in this trip. Students are inspired this month by earning a well deserved ice cream party in November! Visualization is being taught by Deborah as a technique for creative writing and reading skills. Johanna is introducing the students to a variety of cultural art forms. The children are designing their own kente cloths from Ghana which have complex designs of very bright colors and traditionally worn on important occasions.

The children were also very eager to share their contributions to the Gratitude Wall in the cafeteria. We visited the wall together reading each one. So much love, gratitude and appreciation fill this holiday season! Happiness to you from Paw Sal Cha’l!

- Shellette DuBois

The view from the Summit

This trimester in Summit center we made an egg-speriment in science, as an exercise in observation and scientific method. To do this, we got an egg, Starbucks cup, string (to measure the egg), and vinegar. The vinegar we poured into everybody's cup, then put the egg in the vinegar and kept an accurate observation of the egg for about seven days. After about seven days we changed fluids, so some people would have their egg in water, corn syrup, or still in vinegar. The corn syrup group’s eggs were all collapsing and shrinking, but the center (yolk) was hard. The water group had a medium/hard yolk with a medium shell. Lastly the vinegar group had a yolk that was soft with a medium hard shell. We learned that experiments let you understand things you didn't know before. Have a happy winter break!

– Liz Hood

da Vinci

Da Vinci students planned and coordinated a school-wide canned food drive. Over 1000 cans were delivered to the Edmonds Food Bank. Thanks to all who contributed!

On Friday, Nov. 30, da Vinci went to the University of Washington for a field trip with several of the other intermediate centers. Students learned about constellations and their stories at the Planetarium, and at the Greenhouses, they learned about plants and how they adapt to survive in their ecosystems. One cool hanging plant they saw was a pitcher plant. These plants make a syrup that attracts and captures bugs; then they digest the bugs as food.

In social studies, students have been studying ancient civilizations. To learn about the first kinds of human art, students created pictographs. They drew simple objects and animals, and then used a variety of techniques to make the drawings look like cave paintings.

– Valerie Kelley

Grants for da Vinci!

Last week was a great week for the da Vinci center. Siri Haugen received a $500 dollar grant from the Snohomish County P.U.D. for science books and materials. She worked with Judi from the Summit Center, Penny from the Renaissance Center, and Vicki from the Epicenter to develop four $500.00 grants. These materials will help to integrate science with the social studies unit on ancient civilizations.

Lynn McCabe received two art grants the EdmondsArts Festival Foundation. Both grants will bring an artist-in residence into the da Vinci Center. One of the grants will enable students to make “ancient Greek pottery”. The other will give students the opportunity to learn basic sketching skills.

Lynn also received a $200.00 grant for social studies materials from the Sno-King Retirees Association. These materials will focus on ancient civilizations and will be used by all intermediate centers.

– Valerie Kelley

Epicenter

Epicenter has been busy as the trimester wraps-up. We continue our year-long study of ancient civilizations: Rome, Greece, India, Egypt, Meso-America and China. Students have formed study groups to work on projects that will be presented at art walk. They also individually made time lines of their civilizations. The study of space has included an astronomy night at Madrona during which a local astronomy club displayed their telescopes and a few stars peeked out from behind the clouds. Also a recent field trip to the planetarium at the University of Washington was termed "awesome" by one student. Finally, in language arts, students have been working hard on a personal narratives as they write and edit stories that detail personal experiences.

– Doug Fair

The Comets

The whole DHH program preschool-12 went bowling on Nov. 21 for our annual DHH Turkey Feast. We bowled for two hours and then we ate pizza. In the Comet Center (K-3) we have been learning new sight words, reading books and learning some new math concepts. We are looking forward

December and all the excitement that comes with it. Happy Holidays from the Comets!

– Rebecca Anderson

TXT Center

Thank you for your interest in TXT (The Extreme Team/DHH Intermediate). On November 21st, we had our annual DHH get together. This year the entire DHH program from pre-school through high school went bowling at Majestic Lanes. We had fun bowling and consuming a lot of pizza and pop! We want to thank all of the parents who came to support this event and join in the fun.

We are developing our technology skills in TXT. Cheryl Kaler, an interpreter at Madrona, is meeting with students to help develop their skills on the VP (Video Phone). VPs have basically replaced the TTY, which is how DHH individuals access the telephone. With VPs, instead of typing back and forth to a correspondent as with the TTY, there are cameras set up in order that two people can see each other and sign to each other. The video component to the VP captures the grammar of ASL that is conveyed through facial expression and other movements of the body. Cheryl has coordinated with another teacher of the deaf in Oregon who has DHH students that are quite isolated. All have enjoyed getting to know new friends while learning to use the VP. Thanks Cheryl! In addition to the VP, Janeen Steele, one of our assistants, has been working with students on their computer skills. The students enjoy these opportunities on the computer. Thank you, Janeen!

Across all academics subjects, our goal is to implement a bi-lingual/bi-cultural approach to learning. While we sign in ASL, which does not follow English word order, we write everything in English. We take the time in all subject areas to compare the two languages. We first sign the desired concepts. Then we study and practice how to express these same concepts using written English.

– April McGill, DHH Intermediate Teacher

Aqua Center

We all had a blast on our DHH bowling get together. It is always a neat experience for deaf kids of all ages to come together to play and socialize... Older kids helping younger and young ones looking up to the older role models.

Aqua Center is working on measurement. We have measured ourselves, each other, and even measured the average length of an Orca whale out on the playground (33 feet!)

– Rebecca Anderson

Madrona's Vineyard

DHH Kickball Club

Next club dates: December 14, January 18

ASB News

ASB distributed new playground equipment to all elementary centers on Tuesday. The first middle school dance is being held on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to participate by volunteering to help with the chaperoning. If you would like to chaperone, please contact B J Stephenson @ ext.2940 ASAP.

– BJ Stephenson

Staff Star

Jamie McLean has been a Para-educator at Madrona for six years! She chose to work with children after being involved in a co-op preschool with her own daughter (who is a Madrona student!) Jamie’s favorite thing about working at Madrona is her daily interactions with our students. When she’s not at school, Jamie enjoys scrap-booking, reading, and remodeling her home. We appreciate so much Jamie’s kind and supportive work with our students!

Just For Fun

The Bear Market

Madrona’s own “classified ads”

JOIN A CSA NEXT SUMMER!

Would you like to support local agriculture by becoming a part of a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) farm next year? CSA’s are farms that ask you to purchase a share in them and in return, each week from June through October, you will receive a box full of produce. This year I have been getting weekly boxes of certified organic produce from a farm called Boistfort Valley Farm located in Curtis, WA. www.boistfortvalleyfarm.com The cost is $550 for 20 weeks which works out to $27.50 per week. You can split a share with a friend - if you’d like. They do have a 3 month payment plan which works out to about $180 per month and take Paypal for payments. If you’d like more information or would like to talk to me about this call or email me, Sarah DeMun, at 425-775-6027 or sdemun@comcast.net.

If you’ve got something to sell, or a service to provide, post it here! Send ads for “The Bear Market” by the end of each month to: nancykaris@comcast.net

Ski & Snowboard Instruction!

Don't waste away on the flatlands when you could be sliding and riding the great white at Stevens Pass! Edmonds Shoreline Snowsports (ESS) offers excellent ski and snowboard instruction at Stevens Pass for 6 weeks beginning January 5th/6th. Instructors are trained, certified and work well with a wide range of student skills and abilities. ESS will be operating under the umbrella of another outstanding organization, Olympic Ski School, now in its 45th year. Registration for all lessons will be handled through Olympic Ski School. Transportation packages also are available so sign up now as they are filling up fast. Online registration available at www.olyski.com or call 425-741-9467. You may also get more information from ESS Director Maurine Jeude at 206-546-5788.

Madrona Cooks!

Spicy Good Gingerbread Muffins

Makes 12

½ c Shortening

1 c sugar

½ c molasses

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

½c buttermilk (stir in 1-1/2 tsps lemon juice to 1/2c milk if you don’t have buttermilk)

2 c flour

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp allspice

½ tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together shortening, sugar, and molasses until light and fluffy in a big enough bowl to eventually hold the entire recipe. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a measuring cup, stir baking soda into buttermilk, set aside. Mix flour and spices in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture, slowly stirring until all ingredients are moist. (The batter can be held in the fridge for up to 3 weeks at this stage). Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full, bake for 20 minutes.

– Sarah DeMun

Submit recipes to: nancykaris@comcast.net

Did you Know?

• Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
• A. Their birthplace
• Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
• A. Obsession
• Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
• A. One thousand
• Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
• A. All were invented by women.
• Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
• A. Honey
• Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
• A. Father's Day

Save The Date!

• Dec 6   Madrona Safety Meeting - 9AM
• Dec 6   Fall Orchestra/Choir Concert – 7PM
• Dec 7   Non-Student Day
• Dec 11 Winder Band Concert – 7PM
• Dec 13 Hearing Rechecks
• Dec 14 DHH Kickball Club
• Dec 14 Middle School Dance
• Dec 18 MIT Meeting – 7PM
• Dec 19 Report Cards go home
• Dec 22 – Jan 6 Winter Break
• Dec 22 First day of Winter
• Jan 7    Back to School!
• Jan 12  Deadline for Bear Facts (for Feb. issue)
• Jan 14  Kindergarten Registration begins
• Jan 18  DHH Kickball Club
• Jan 21  Martin Luther King, Jr Day – no school
• Jan 24  Early release day – no AM Kindergarten
• Jan 25  Non-Student Day

Scrip News

Scrip: the Perfect Gift! Need a great gift for the gift giving season? Think gift cards for everyone on your list. Gift cards are a great idea for stocking stuffers, Teachers, co-workers, relatives, babysitters, the Madrona Giving Tree and anyone on your list. The Madrona Scrip program has gift cards for everyone. No need to battle the crowds this year at the mall, come and order gift cards from Madrona and earn money for your school at the same time. An order form will be in the Wednesday mail each week until Winter Break. Please take a few minutes and read through all that we have to offer.

The Scrip Table will be open daily from Mon., Nov.26th until Friday, Dec. 21st for your shopping convenience. Take advantage of the great Madrona fundraiser that can save your time during the hectic season and support our school at the same time! Call Linda Park at 425-672-9485 if you have any questions about placing an order.

– Linda Park