From the Principal

We are at the mid-point of the school year already! As they say, “time flies when you’re having fun!” There is an audible hum of learning activity everywhere which is definitely fun to participate in.

Speaking of participation, this month we are delighted to have our Volunteer Appreciation recognition. The “hum” of Madrona is greatly enhanced by the day-to-day enhancement of parents in service to the children of this community! The list of parents, grandparents and other friends of Madrona to thank would be pages and pages long. I do hope that each and every one of you knows how much your contributions mean to the life of this school.

I also hope that you will be able to attend our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch which is the morning of February 14th in our library. How appropriate that it falls this year on Valentine’s Day! At the top of the very long list of folks to whom I am grateful will be our new-this-year Volunteer Program Manager, Kim Magana. Kim has done a tremendous job of keeping us organized and engaged in supporting the children of our school. I know that she represents literally hundreds of active, committed volunteers; but I am so grateful for her cheerful demeanor, her great organization and her “can do” spirit about it all! I hope you’ll take a minute to let Kim know how much you appreciate her as well.

Also high on my gratitude list is our new-this-year MIT Co-President Linda Hood. Linda has provided leadership that so clearly keeps our children as the priority in everything. I appreciate her sharp intellect, her “make-it-happen” spirit and her wonderful sense of humor. Her agenda for constant improvement and enhancement to our school is appreciated by so many. Linda also is joined by a dedicated, passionate Board of parents who truly “show up” for every need. Thank you, thank you everyone!

How appropriate that caring and kindness are the attributes of February. I do believe our children are inheriting a world that will benefit from more caring and kindness, making our support of this attribute so important. We’ve all heard of “random acts of kindness” which are so wonderful; but we are also emphasizing developing these attributes as habits of the heart as well. I hope you will join us in noticing and celebrating the kindness and caring our children demonstrate both at school and at home.

Finally, a favorite Madrona event is coming up on February 22nd – the Family Dance. I look forward to seeing you there!

- Lynda

Madrona Integrated Team

MIT Co-Chair’s Corner

Volunteers – the Glue that Makes Madrona Strong

This issue of Bear Facts is supposed to be distributed during the week of February 11 – 15, which makes it so easy to select a topic to write about – Volunteers! It is Volunteer Appreciation Week at Madrona. This is not to say that volunteers aren’t appreciated all the rest of the weeks during the school year: it is the week that formally recognizes all the hard work that volunteers do to make our kids’ lives better.

There are about 650 kids at Madrona, in around 450 families. Every year, family members who wish to volunteer at the school have to fill out paperwork. Because of this requirement, we know that around 400 people sign up to participate in their kids’ school lives, by attending field trips, running social activities and sports programs, helping in the classrooms, staffing committees and work parties, and so much more. That is a huge number, and it’s an indication of the commitment we all feel to our kids.

Many of you just get in and do the work, so you may not see how valuable it is to the community as a whole. But the teachers and staff know, and they tell their friends and colleagues at other schools how special they feel because of all the support they get. As someone who has spent quite some time here, I also get to see the end result of all the volunteer time that gets invested at Madrona. I see bright, inquisitive, confident kids. I see parents all over the place – hanging art in the hallways, working in the Family Room, pulling weeds in the gardens, doing art projects in the classrooms, herding kids on to buses for field trips, and I see the many eager families who take the tours and sign up for the lottery – and it makes me so grateful for the community where my kid spends so much of her time. You are all modeling the type of behavior I want my daughter to emulate, and I thank you so much!

At the same time, I’d like to invite each reader of this newsletter to try to recruit somebody new to volunteer for Madrona. This doesn’t mean they need to chair a committee, or spend hours and hours every week on an activity. Rather, it is an opportunity to get to explore a new aspect of the school that they might not know exists. And, as we know, the rewards are many: hugs and smiles, admiration from our kids, and familiarity with our kids’ daily school environment and the people who have an impact on their lives. Thank you again to all the volunteers who make Madrona strong!

- Linda Hood

MIT Business Meetings 2007—08

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

March 18th – Tuesday
April 15th – Tuesday
May 21st – Wednesday
(Nick Brossoit visit)
June 10th* - Tuesday

MIT Family Dance!

MIT and Madrona Middle School will present “Madstock 2008”, a 60’s family dance. It will take place on Friday, February 22nd from 6:30-9:30 in the gym. Pizza will also be for sale from 6:00-8:00 in the cafeteria. Pre-purchase your tickets for the dance and pizza now! Tickets sales are going great and you won’t want to miss this fun family event. This is definitely the time to get out those old clothes and jewelry (remember the peace signs!) because we’ll be having a costume contest with prizes awarded for all ages! Tickets are on sale every morning outside the main office or you can send in the order form with your child. This is wonderful social event of the year!! - Linda Park

A Note From the Nurse

Why do children get sick so often? When can they return to school? Childhood illness may not affect your family life until your child starts child care or school. After that, though, it may seem like he or she is sick all the time. This pattern is normal as your child builds a robust immune system. Resistance to infection develops only after exposure to a multitude of germs. Young children in large groups are breeding grounds for the organisms that cause illness. Little hands rub drippy noses, and then transfer infectious agents to other children or to shared toys.

Prevention

Your child's sneezes and coughs spray germs into the air, sometimes landing right on other children, who are then infected. Or a child's hand can become a vehicle carrying viruses and bacteria from toys and other well-handled objects to the eyes, nose or mouth — the usual points of entry for germs that cause illness.

The single most important thing your child can do to prevent illness is to wash his or her hands thoroughly and frequently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wash their hands with soap and warm water for 15 seconds — about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also can keep hands clean. They come in disposable hand wipes or in gel form and require no water.

As a parent, you can help prevent the spread of illness by not sending a sick child to school or child care. Children should stay home if they have a fever of more than 100.4 F, are vomiting or have diarrhea. In addition, we require that children with strep throat or pink eye be on antibiotic therapy for 24 hours before returning.

Generally, though, children can return to school when they:

Have no fever
Can eat and drink normally
Are rested and alert enough to pay attention in class
Have completed any period of medically recommended isolation

Resistance comes with time. Despite your best efforts, your child is going to get sick — especially during his or her first few years of contact with larger groups of children. But a child's immunity improves with time. School-age children gradually become less prone to common illnesses and recover more quickly from the diseases they do catch. - Taken from the Mayo Clinic website 1/22/08.

- Jennifer May

Back by Popular Demand! Parent Literacy Night

Making Sense of Reading:

What You Can Do to Help Your Child Become a Better Reader

Are you interested in helping your child understand what they read and think more deeply about it? This evening our reading specialist Kendra Wagner and our literacy lead M. Wellman will share reading comprehension strategies Madrona teachers are using in the classroom. Our goal is to give you and your child tools to support the instruction they receive in the classroom. We will demonstrate how you can support your child in the following:

Connecting reading to your child’s background knowledge
Creating sensory images
Asking questions about texts
Drawing inferences from what your child is reading
Determining what's important – in a variety of texts
Synthesizing ideas and creating new insights

Thursday, February 21, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Madrona Library

Madrona students are welcome!

More Info

Box Tops/Soup UPC's

Thanks for continuing to bring in your box tops and soup UPC's (remember only the UPC is necessary - the front label is not enough). The next deadline is the end of February for box tops so get them in soon - they do expire! We collected over $480.00 for MIT in October thanks to your contributions.

- Tracy Langlie

WASL Information Meeting

The district is offering a parent WASL information meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, in preparation for the spring 2008 WASL. This meeting is open to parents of students in all grade levels. District staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

- Nancy Katims, Ph.D.

Compassionate (Nonviolent) Communication

Discussion Group meets February 13th

At the last MIT meeting, parent Erika Jennings presented a concept called Nonviolent Communication, or NVC, which is a method of getting past emotions and into the heart of issues that need to be discussed. After a brief overview of the philosophy behind NVC, she gave members of the group the opportunity to explore ways to redirect conversations so that core issues are addressed, and not the emotions that cloud our perception of those issues. It was a refreshing and energizing exercise, and just a taste of what awaits the discussion group that meets on Wednesday, February 13th for the first time.

- Linda Hood

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 is updated constantly with fresh information. Keep checking back throughout the year & don’t forget the online calendar for Madrona events.

- Allan Townsend, MIT Communications Director

Informal Parent of the Month Award

This month’s totally unsanctioned Informal Parent of the Month Award goes to Ellen Ernst. Ellen has been involved at Madrona for 9 years now, and has done everything at least once. She was MIT co-chair, was instrumental in forming the Safety Committee (including writing the proposal that got Madrona the replacement safety shed last year), ran fundraisers, staffed numerous committees, participated in a gazillion field trips, got Madrona involved with many community projects, and has been a tireless and enthusiastic supporter of the Madrona community. Ellen truly walks the talk.

- Linda Hood

Help Lighten Your Footprint on the Environment!

8 Million tons – the quantity of trees used every year in the production of paper catalogs. (Can you say “deforestation”?!). Go to www.catalogchoice.org. It’s a free service that helps you unsubscribe in just 3 easy steps.

- Real Simple Magazine

(Editors note: I just did this & found out I was getting 74 catalogs that I really didn’t want! You can always add them back if you change your mind…what would happen if we all did this…? Pass it on!

Get Involved in New Math Standards & Curriculum

As a parent at Madrona and in the Edmonds School District, I truly appreciate the dedication and hard work of our teachers, administrators and staff. They care for, educate and love our children. Recently the issue of math standards and curriculum in our state has come to my attention. I have been working on understanding the process and the stakes that are involved. I wanted to share what I see as a very important opportunity for parents to get involved with, both so they can voice their opinions and finally so they can help their schools move forward with support once curriculum is chosen.

Edmonds School District is currently in the process of choosing a new curriculum for math in K-5 and in High School. A letter from the district will be sent home with your child in the next few weeks indicating the three options that have been chosen by a committee of educators and administrators. It will provide dates for math nights where these choices will be presented and parents will be able to ask questions and give input. There are many parental opinions about the direction of math education in our district. It is very important that we take the time to review the materials and participate in the meetings. Once curriculum materials are purchased, they are generally in place for at least a ten-year period.

New Washington State standards in math were drafted earlier this year. The new standards are being revised and will be presented to the legislature by the end of February. New standards are being established to improve math education and align Washington with better performing states. Washington State has lagged behind in successful math education. According to studies cited by the Transitions in Math Project, a significant number of our high school graduates are required to take remedial math classes upon entering two and four year colleges and universities. More rigorous standards and a better curriculum will help our teachers in their efforts to prepare our students for their future. For more information on the state standards revisions process or to view the standards go to http://www.utdanacenter.org/wamathrevision/. To make comments to your legislators about the standards go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/.

Some of the many questions to consider include: How will the curriculum that is being chosen now align itself with state standards that are still being passed? Will the state recommend their own curriculum that is different from those currently being proposed in the district? Will the curriculum provide our teachers with the right tools to turn math performance around? As parents, how can we be helpful in this transition process? Will we be informed of any weaknesses in the curriculum that we need to supplement for at home?

Dr. Tony Byrd, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Division said in an email sent to me, “The best places for parent input are through SLAC (student learning advisory committee), another group called Math Advisory, and through the curriculum review nights. Parents should also feel very free to discuss issues with their school site principals, teachers, and me along the way.” The final decision- makers in this process will be Edmonds District School Board. Input to them would also be helpful. http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/board/members.cfm

These choices will have a lasting impact on our children. Please take the time to get involved.

Contact information for further questions or comments:

-Newly organized blog set up by parents for comments: parents4math.blogspot.com

-Annette Olsen, parent on Student Learning Advisory Committee: olsenmomm@gmail.com

-Jackie McDonald, Edmonds School District math specialist: mcdonaldj@edmonds.wednet.edu

- Dr. Tony Byrd, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Division: ByrdT@edmonds.wednet.edu The following is a list of the choices that are being considered. These are being narrowed to the three that will be presented to parents.

PRESCHOOL Materials in Use:

High Scope – http://www.highscope.org

ELEMENTARY K-5 Materials under Consideration

Bridges – http://www.mathlearningcenter.org

Everyday Mathematics – http://www.wrightgroup.com http://www.everydaymath.uchicago.edu

Growing with Mathematics – http://www.wrightgroup.com

Mathematics Expressions – http://eduplace.com

TERC Investigations (revised) – http://investigations.terc.edu

MIDDLE SCHOOL Materials in Use (not up for change currently)

Connected Mathematics 2 – http://www.phschool.com/cmp2 http://wwwconnectedmath.msu.edu

HIGH SCHOOL Materials under Consideration

College Preparatory Mathematics – http://www.cpm.org

Contemporary Mathematics – http://www.glencoe.com

SIMMS Integrated Math – http://www.kendallhunt.com

Discovering Algebra and Geometry – http://www.keypress.com

Prentice Hall Secondary Math – http://www.phschool.com

McDougall Littell Sec. Math – http://www.mcdougalllittell.com

- Annette Olsen

Attribute of Character for February

Caring & Kindness

“When you carry out acts of kindness you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, yes, this is how I ought to feel.”

- Harold Kushner

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”

-Mother Teresa

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Philo

10 Ways to Start a Kindness Revolution!

A challenge to you -- choose just one action step from the list below and practice it once a day, every day for a week. At the end of the week, take a few minutes to notice the difference in how you feel about yourself and the world. For the second week, choose another action step from the list below and add it to your original choice. Practice both actions, once a day, every day for one week. Again, take the time to notice any changes in your attitude about yourself and the world. In the third week, add another action step from the list and practice it daily along with the others for one week. This is what it's going to take to change the world--each one of us choosing to practice acts of kindness, every day, and every week, everywhere.

Remember that small acts can have big effects.
Accept the kindness of others.
Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.
Listen, listen, and listen— instead of talking about yourself.
When action is called for, act!
Be unstintingly encouraging.
Offer companionship in whatever form it is needed.
Talk about the hard stuff in your life so others will feel able to talk about theirs.
Encourage laughter!
Above all, be kind to yourself.
LIVE KIND. CHANGE THE WORLD!

Music News

Congratulations to the following Middle School students for their selection into the Sno-King Honor Band & Orchestra:

Ivan Gaskin – Tenor Sax
Hannah Burson – Clarinet
Grace DeMun - Clarinet
Gina Anderson – Flute
Tiffany Jansen - Flute
Maria Zima – Viola
Keenan Sakamoto – Violin

Students from the Edmonds, Mukilteo, Shoreline, and South Whidbey School Districts comprised these groups. The performances were fantastic.

- Matt Edwards

On January 22nd, these above mentioned students from Madrona middle school participated in a full day of rehearsal and performed that evening along with students from 13 other middle schools from four school districts. A full day of practicing was tough on the fingers and lips, but it paid off in a splendid performance! Let's give a big round of applause for these exceptional musicians! And don't forget to applaud the teachers that helped them get to this level of performance, Mr Matt Edwards, and Ms. Jennifer Schillen. Thanks for bringing music to my ears!

- Gwen Anderson

Music Department: Upcoming Concerts & Reminders

SW Quad Orchestra Quad Concert & Field Trip

Middle School and Elementary Orchestras. Students will rehearse during the morning at EWHS.

February 25 – Monday, 7:00pm, Edmonds-Woodway HS

SW Band Quad Concert & Field Trip

8th Grade, Advanced, and Intermediate Bands. Students will rehearse at EWHS from 9:00 - 11:00am.

February 26 – Tuesday, 7:00pm , Edmonds-Woodway HS

(All band students except the beginning elementary band participate in this day field trip and evening concert. Remember to turn in permission slips. Chaperones will also be needed.

Tentative Band schedule

8:15 AM - Middle School Band student arrive @ EWHS (via own transportation)
9:15AM – Elementary Intermediate and Advanced Band students board busses @ Madrona
9:30-10:45AM – Groups rehearse @ EWHS (bring wire stand!)
11:00AM – Middle School & Elementary Bands arrive back at Madrona
6:40PM – Students arrive @ EWHS for 7:00pm concert

Sno-King MS Orchestra Festival

The Middle School Orchestra spends the day listening to other orchestras and performing for judges.

March 11 – Tuesday, All Day, Shoreline Center

Sno-King MS Band Festival

The Wind Ensemble spends the day listening to other bands & performing for judges.

March 13 – Thursday, All Day, Shoreline Center - Matt Edwards

Theater News

The Madrona Children’s Theater production of “Seussical, The Musical” will be shown at Mountlake Terrace High School:

7 pm March 20th
7 pm March 21st (ASL Interpreted)
12:00 pm March 22nd (ASL Interpreted)
5:30 pm March 22nd

The first month of rehearsals has flown by. The actors are all working hard and doing very well. Many, many wonderful parents are also working hard on sets, costumes, advertising, fund raising, helping with rehearsals, and so much more. It definitely takes a village to put on an MCT show! The chance to watch and be part of the coming together of another MCT musical is a wonderful experience.

A big thanks to the winners of the Seussical T-shirt and poster contest: Lilly Campbell, Sammy Fleenor (MS). Lenara Litmanovitch (MS). Valerie Ragsdale (Renaissance), Cole Conefrey (Renaissance)

Pieces of art from all 5 students will be incorporated into the designs on the T-shirt and poster for the show.

If you would like to advertise your business to the Madrona community, there are opportunities to advertise in the Seussical program. Please take a look at our business ad information included in this Bear Facts issue. We always welcome donations for the raffles that will be held during each performance - if you or your business have items that you are willing to donate to our productions, please let us know.

One last request comes from our costume department - if you would like to help sew costumes for this production please contact Beth Mahmoud-Howell howelldesign@msn.com our costume mistress. She needs willing hands to help put together the many costumes that our required for our performance!

Ticket sales for the general public begin on Wednesday February 20th. Ticket sales will be held outside the office from 8:50 to 9:15 on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of February, and from 3:40 to 4:00 pm on the 21st of February. A flyer will also be sent home if you want to order your tickets for will call and you can always call Debbie Hargrave at 425-774-8639 with your ticket questions.

Performances are at Mountlake Terrace High School: 7pm on March 20th and March 21st; Noon and 5:30 pm on March 22nd. ASL interpreted performances are on March 21st and the noon show on March 22nd.

Thanks for everyone’s help! - Producers Sharon Quiring (425-0742-1083) and Sarah DeMun (425-775-6027)

$35

The cost to get your business card size ad (2 ½ x 3”) in the program of the Madrona Children’s Theater production of “Seussical, The Musical.” A quarter page ad (5 x 6”) is $60, a full page ad is $100. The program will be printed on a paper size of 8 ½ by 11”.

Let us help you spread the word about your business to the Madrona community. Your ad has the potential to be seen by 1,600 potential customers and the money will help us pay for costumes, makeup, sets, props, and rental fees for the use of the theater.

Ads must be received by Monday March 3, 2008.

For questions, or to email artwork to be used in your advertisement, please contact Ann Garing at anne.garing@swedish.org , phone number 425-774-4059.

Use this form to Advertise in the Seussical Program.

Madrona Children’s Theater

Madrona K-8 School

9300 236th St SW

Edmonds, WA 98020-5637

425 431-7979 Fax 425 431-7985

Name of Business:_________________________________________

Business Phone:___________________________________________

Contact Person:___________________________________________

Authorization Signature:____________________________________

Please make checks payable to Madrona Integrated Team (MIT

Please attach your business card here!

Staff Star

Penny Nichols joined Madrona this year as a new partner teacher with Steve Escandon in the newly named Renaissance Center. Penny has 16 years of teaching experience and is enjoying her new position at Madrona. When asked what she most appreciates so far about Madrona (besides the wonderful kids), she says that the staff collegiality is exceptional. When not at school Penny enjoys gardening, travel, languages, theater and baroque music. Penny has a strong background in math and science and we are so happy to have her special talents at work for our students at Madrona!

Center News

ASL Community Events

ASL Storytelling

Deaf Connection presents ASL Storytelling at the Barnes & Noble in University Village (Seattle) on Saturday, February 16. Storytelling begins at 11 am. Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing children are welcome! *Special thanks to the Childs Hearing League and Barnes and Noble for their support! Next dates - April 19, May 17 and June 14.

- Rebecca Anderson

Madrona's Vineyard

DHH Kickball Club

Friday, February 29th, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm (Date change) Activities will include games and crafts. Dinner will be served at 5 pm. This is for all deaf, hard of hearing, CODA and hearing signers. The club meets in the gym. This year we are asking for a donation of $5 per child to cover cost of dinner. Please come and join in the fun! For more information/ questions, or if you want to help or have a story you want to share, contact Joanna Clearbrook (daisyjo@tmail.com) or Cheryl Kaler (KalerC@edmonds.wednet.edu. Please RSVP to teachers.

- Rebecca Anderson

Kindergarten News

Ms. Rust’s Class

Learning has been proceeding apace, and the children have been experimenting with math concepts regularly of late. They have been counting items and making graphs, learning to recognize small number groupings visually (such as on dice) and associate them with the numeral, adding small amounts of different colored items, and of course, gaining practice at writing their numbers. There has been a lot of excitement in anticipation of performing for the parents in the Kindergarten Music Concert. The kids have also been busy making volunteer appreciation valentine cards for all the parents who help out in the classroom and provide snack. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

- Erika Jennings

Mr. Kelly's Class

The month of February is off to a great start! All the kindergartners began the month with a musical performance. The evening was a great success as we sang with our hearts and voices to our families and friends. February means its time to remind our friends and family how special they are to us. On the 14th we will be sharing valentines, decorating cookies, making heart animals and don’t forget dancing and singing together. Bears are everywhere in the kindergarten classes. Come visit our display outside of the Kindergarten classroom. Choose your favorite from wide a selection of Ninja Bears, Ballerina Bears, Dancing Bears, Baseball Balls and even an Autumn Bear. It is also the time of year we begin preparing for the annual Rain Forest Field Trip. We are excited to be learning the secrets of the rain forest.

- Doreen Hocraffer

Renaissance

The children in the Renaissance Center are focusing on self-management and positively progressing in all character traits. As part of this focus, the Renaissance Center is taking a field trip to the Northwest Film Forum on February 22, for an hour long presentation of short children's films focusing on honesty, respect and other character attributes. The older LA group is bringing together their narratives, storyboards and voice recordings to create a Digital Story.

- Anne Garing

Paw-Sal-Cha’l

This month Balobbies have moved into the Paw Sal Cha’l center. They are tiny mythical people only a couple of centimeters tall. The students have designed entire neighborhoods for them called Balobbyland. This math unit activity developed an awareness of measuring with centimeters. Working in groups they used graph paper to define the area and perimeter. Then they measured the dimensions for well planned town habitats. In addition to beautiful homes these little Balobbies now have dance floors, hot tubs, basketball courts, trampolines and even a recreational lake.

In their science unit the children are exploring the concepts of balance and motion. Using wires and counter weights to balance various objects. Students are drawing and sketching in art; concentrating specifically on facial features. A new computer project will soon have all the students in Paw Sal Cha’l WANTED for some very interesting reasons. WANTED: for saying the ABC’s backwards. WANTED: for using their brothers video games without asking. The children are creating these posters learning to add their own text and photos with Photoshop software. It will prove be another REWARDing lesson when they are finished!

- Shellette DuBois

Center News

da Vinci

Jill Neunamaker is back with daVinci helping with art this year. We’ve been using personal sketch books and learning about gesture drawing and contour lines. We’re enjoying having the T.X.T. Center join us for art this year. Ancient civilizations are our focus in social studies, and we’ve been studying Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. We’ve learned about trade, surplus, and irrigation. In science, we’re studying astronomy and the solar system, learning about the different motions of the Earth and how they cause day and night, as well as the reasons for the seasons. Next month, we’re looking forward to a field trip to Seattle Children’s Theater to see 100 Dresses, a play about bullying and intolerance during the 1930’s.

- Valerie Kelley

Epicenter

Though it is winter, spring will be coming soon--heralded by leaves, blooms and the tulip project. Vicki is trying to figure out a way to perform time-lapse photography on the tulips as they start to awaken from their winter slumber. Soon we shall see how our spring compares with the rest of the country. Students continue to work on their ancient civilization project by sharing articles about their civilizations with the class. In math, geometry and measurement are the focus of current learning. Finally, in language arts, students are working on writing essays.

- Doug Fair

ASB News

ASB Valentine candy-gram orders were taken outside the office Feb. 4 - 12. They will be delivered Feb. 14 to classrooms. Also, the ASB annual food drive will occur the last 2 weeks of March with prizes going to the primary, intermediate and middle school classes that collect the most cans.

- BJ Stephenson

Mariners’ Game Field Trip

All intermediate students will be going on a P. E. field trip on June 4 to see a Mariners' baseball game. It is the only daytime, week day game in the school year. Details will go out to families after Spring Break.

- BJ Stephenson

Ohana

Ohana kids had a great time at Third Place Books meeting author David Carter. He was absolutely charming as he read his newest book, “Horton Hears A Who” & discussed his craft of how he actually creates these amazing books. They are all ready for Valentine’s Day, the paperwhites have started blooming & Ohana just had a Popcorn Party/ Reading Marathon to celebrate earning over 200 points from their specialist classes. “CONGRATULATIONS” to Jeanice! She & her husband just purchased their first house!! We’re all thrilled for them!

- Reported by Ohana student Hannah Karis

Kids’ Corner

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

Did You Know…?

1. Upper and lower case letters are named 'upper' and 'lower' because in the time when all original print had to be set in individual letters, the 'upper case' letters were stored in the case on top of the case that stored the smaller, 'lower case' letters.

2. By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you can't sink in quicksand.

3. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.

4. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos.

5. The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan; there was never a recorded Wendy before!

6. Leonardo DaVinci invented scissors. Also, it took him 10 years to paint Mona Lisa's lips.

7. The mask used by Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" was a Captain Kirk's mask painted white.

Madrona Cooks!

In time for Valentine’s Day – a quick, easy & VERY chocolately dessert!

– Nancy Karis

Chocolate Decadence

Serves 8

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8” cake pan with parchment, or waxed paper.
Melt together in microwave or over a double boiler:
1 lb. bitter sweet chocolate chips
1/3 lb butter (unsalted is best)
Meanwhile, beat in mixer until tripled in volume:
4 eggs (room temperature)
1 T. sugar
Fold chocolate and eggs together. Pour into pan.

Bake for only 15 - 20 minutes. Cake will not look "set", but do not bake longer. Cool in pan, and then chill. To remove cake easily from pan: warm bottom of the cake pan by placing on stove burner over med.heat, until chocolate just starts to soften (only several seconds), flip out, remove parchment & place on serving dish. Cut into serving pieces while still chilled with hot knife. Let come to room temperature for 1 hour before serving. Serve with whipped cream & fresh raspberries (or raspberry sauce – see below).

(Raspberry Sauce: thaw & strain 1 pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, bring to boil in saucepan, thicken with a little cornstarch dissolved in water).

Submit recipes to: nancykaris@comcast.net

Bear Facts Newsletter

Many thanks to all who contributed to this newsletter! It’s your articles that keep the Bear Facts interesting. Our next deadline is

March 8 & issue will come out on March 12. Send to nancykaris@comcast.net.

The Back Page

Important dates and events to remember…

Save The Date!

Feb 14 Valentine’s Day
Feb 14 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch – 9:15
Feb 15 Non-Student Day
Feb 15 ASL Storytelling
Feb 18-19 President’s Day – no school
Feb 20 Seussical Tickets go on sale
Feb 22 Family Dance
Feb 22 8th Grade Registration
Feb 25 SW Quad Orchestra Concert (MS & Elem)
Feb 26 SW Quad Band Concert (8th Gr, Adv, Int)
Feb 29 DHH Kickball Club
Mar 9 Daylight Savings Time begins
Mar 10-13 Support Staff Appreciation Week
Mar 11 Sno-King MS Orchestra Festival
Mar 13 Sno-King MS Band Festival
Mar 14 Non- Student Day
Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Mar 18 Edmonds Elementary Honors Concert
Mar 20 K-6 early release day
Mar 20 First day of Spring!
Mar 24-28 Scholastic Book Fair
March 25&27 Primary Concert
Mar 31-Apr 4 Spring Break

Scrip News

Every time you purchase Scrip, you are earning money for Madrona and your children’s education. The term Scrip means substitute money” – or gift cards! If you have never purchased Scrip gift cards, please stop by the Scrip table in the morning outside the Main Office and we’ll explain how easy it is! Remember Valentine’s Day this month with a gift card to a restaurant, Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, or a movie card! Call Linda Park at (425) 672-9485 if you have any questions about this easy fundraising program. --

- Linda Park