September Non-Student Day

Our non-student day on September 21st was packed full of learning for our staff! In the morning we read a professional article about teaching thinking skills in all content areas.  We discussed how this currently looks in our instruction and ways that we can further develop this. Teachers then broke out into groups to share strategies for conducting individual student conferences in reading and writing instruction. These conversations were led by our district literacy Coach, Kim Copeland and our building literacy coach, M. Wellman.  Lynda led a middle school team discussion about the thinking strategy of synthesis and how that is used in all of the middle school content areas. The afternoon provided First Aid/CPR refresher training for Para educators and teachers who needed that opportunity.

We so appreciate the time to further our learning and to improve our work with our students!

STUDENT EMERGENCY FORMS

Student emergency forms went home last week. Please return them if there are any changes that need to be entered into the system.

CARNIVAL CHAIRPERSON STILL NEEDED!

Unless we find a chairperson in the next 5 weeks we will be forced to cancel the carnival for this school year. Call Kim Magana at 425-431-2911 to volunteer.

NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR

Maybe you’ve heard us sing on movie soundtracks or on your favorite video games. Or perhaps you have friends who are already members. Now’s your chance to be sure you can join in the fun, Auditions for the Northwest Boychoir will be held on Saturday, October 13. Boys between the ages of 6 nd 9 are eligible, and no prior musical training is required. Boys age 10 or older with significant choral or other musical training may also audition. Our auditions are friendly and positive and parents are encouraged to attend. Financial aid is available for those who qualify for the choir. Learn more at www.nwchoirs.org or 206-524-3234.

BEAR SCARE HELP NEEDED!

The stores are already selling Christmas stuff be we can’t forget one other wonderful holiday: Halloween of course! Please join in the fun for MIT’s annual Halloween celebration, the BEAR SCARE! We need lots of help. If you can head up a committee or take a turn at the cookie decorating table that would be great. Come to our first planning meeting at 4:00 pm this Friday, September 28th. If you can’t make it to the meeting please sign up at the family room or contact Felicia Seubert at ken.seubert@verizon.net or by telephone at (425) 745-9845.

EVACUATION DRILL A SUCCESS!!

Always weather dependent - the annual rehearsal of evacuating the building in a disaster was held last Thursday morning.

We located all of our “injured” and “missing” in 45 minutes! This rehearsal is a comprehensive exercise that prepares us to take care of everyone on campus if we were to have an earthquake that left the buildings damaged and caused injuries.  Brad Proffitt, the Madrona Safety Team Lead, planned the exercise utilizing all of the response teams needed in the event of a real emergency.  Triage/First-Aid, Search and Rescue, Fire Suppression, Structures Evaluation, Security, Parent Facilitation and the Command Center all were included. Some student volunteers agreed to be “injured and missing” making the exercise real in terms of organizing to locate and rescue people. Parents who happened to be on campus were put to work just as they would be in a real evacuation. Later in the year the various teams will receive more training and/or engage in a table talk exercise to further refine our skills. As a result of the exercise the Safety Committee of parents/staff will make revisions, purchase some additional supplies and continue to augment the materials in the Safety Shed. If you have questions or would like to join the Safety Team our first meeting is Thursday, October 4th at 9:00 am.