Junior and Senior girls: are you interested in becoming the Madison High School Court Representative for 2020? For more information contact Ms. Schlicht in A4 or Ms. Hunt in the Counseling office.

Applications are now available on the Rose Festival website. Deadline for applying is WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18!

...time for a reminder on how to stay updated on school closures!

 

 

Meteorologist Rod Hill of KGW recently issued a winter forecast that projected 8 to 10 inches of snow, including possible early snow in November or December. If that turns out to be correct, that would be much earlier snow than last school year, when our first weather-caused disruption to the regular classroom schedule did not come until Feb. 5.

Whatever the accuracy of the forecast, it seems a good time for a refresher for the Portland Public Schools community about how we let you know about school closures and delays caused by weather, or school emergencies or other special events. Here are the ways we get that information to you:

School Messenger: You can get text alerts and auto-dialer calls on your cell phone with important news and updates. Text “Yes” or “Y” to 68453.

Website: Our website, www.pps.net, will have immediate updates. Look for a yellow bar across the top of the home page when there is an urgent situation or weather-related closures.

Twitter: We put out urgent communications on this social media platform. Simply follow our account to get updates.

Facebook: We also put urgent communications on Facebook. “Like” our account to get posts into your timeline.

Phone calls: Auto-dialer calls go to the primary numbers on the student registration form in all supported languages. Remember to update contact information with your school if your phone number changes.

The decisions about weather-caused closures and delays are made after a PPS transportation crew personally inspects roads starting at 2:30 a.m., and consultations with a large group of experts and district leaders. Read more about the process in a PPS Pulse story from March.

New Attendance Information! There’s a new way to report your student’s absence! You can now email the attendance office at madisonattend@pps.net .  You can email or call (503) 916-5220 option 2 -- twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week! 

Dear Madison Community,

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the new Principal of Madison High School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with a rich tradition of education and diversity! I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than 19 years. During my tenure at Madison High School I have served in various roles that will make this transition smooth; as a social studies teacher, football coach, athletic director, dean, and most recently as Vice Principal.

Along with Keylah, Travis, staff and teachers I will work hard to continue the legacy of success established by Madison by building strong relationships with parents, students and community partners.  I am excited and eager to bring my skills as an educational leader and work with you to ensure your student’s success.

The 2019-20 school year will be exciting as we continue to work hard to build and strengthen our programming to provide students with opportunities for both depth and breadth of offerings. Please make sure to visit the website at https://www.pps.net/madison to see updates, check out our course guide, and get the latest information about what is going on at Madison.

There are a few important event dates and times I would like to share with you before school starts. REMEMBER TO COME TO REGISTRATION AT THE MARSHALL CAMPUS IN THE CAFETERIA (see schedule below). This is the best opportunity to make sure that you are ready to go on the first day of school so don’t miss it!

August 15: Registration: Sophomores and Seniors, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 12:30 – 3:00 PM, closed for lunch.

August 16: Registration:  Juniors, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 12:30 – 3:00 PM, closed for lunch.

Students that are using Trimet to get to the Marshall campus:  Trimet has announced a new electronic fare card (Hop Pass) for TriMet’s transit system. This year, all Portland Public High School TriMet passes will be printed on cards compatible with Trimet’s electronic contact system “Hop”. This new card system means that all high school student ID’s will be printed at registration on an electronic card and the student will tap the card reader upon boarding every bus and entering any MAX platform. Students will no longer be able to just show their ID card to board transit, they will have to tap their student ID prior to every boarding. The tap validates their student pass for their ride.                                                    

This program is for 9th graders and their families only. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, staff, and other families. You will learn more about Madison to get the very important first year of high school off to a great start.

3-5pm: Lifetouch Picture, Student ID and Registration

5-6pm: Light Snacks and ParentVUE/StudentVUE Schedules in the Cafeteria

6-6:30pm: Welcome assembly in the Auditorium

6:30-7:30pm: Students complete a Scavenger Hunt and Parents attend workshops 

August 28: The first day of school for all students

FRESHMEN:  Orientation starting in the auditorium from 8:30-10:25 am, instructional day begins at 10:30 am.

SOPHOMORES - SENIORS: Our instructional day for all students begins at 10:30 am.

INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOL FEES/CONTRIBUTIONS:

All athletes participating in sports must pay athletics participation fees ($200 per sport/$400 annual maximum or $35 per sport/ $70 annual maximum for free and reduced lunch students). This can be done at registration. You may also pre-purchase your yearbook ($35), or pay for an all-seasons sports pass ($25 for all home games). These are not tax-deductible fees.

Additionally, students are asked for voluntary contributions of up to $25 toward general classroom supplies. Based on your class selections, you are also asked to contribute toward subjects that need additional support. These include art, science, engineering, computer science, and music. These contributions are needed to purchase the necessary resources for these courses. All contributions are tax-deductible (tax ID# 93-6000830) and we ask that you donate what you can. We can take payments by cash, check to Madison High School, or debit/credit card.

ATHLETICS:

Fall teams (soccer, volleyball, football, cross country) meet during the summer. Please see our Madison webpage at https://www.pps.net/madison for important registration information, forms, and summer workout times under the athletics tab. If your student wishes to participate in fall sports, tryouts begin August 19th. You must have a current sports physical to try out. The Athletics office reopens on Aug. 8. Email AD Tyler Kelleher at tkelleher@pps.net OR athletics secretary Kerry Graves at kgraves@pps.net if you have questions.

Don’t forget!

Please note that the bell schedule has slightly changed from the previous year.  All high schools will be on the same rotating A/B block schedule, with 4 class periods per day.  You’ll be able to pick up a calendar and bell schedule at registration and it will be posted on our website. You’ll notice that we have Extended Learning Time (ELT) for students the last hour of the day twice a week. This is an important time for students to receive support from teachers and complete homework. This is not considered an early release –all students are expected to be in school until 3:30pm every day. We anticipate having four two-hour early releases for professional development throughout the year. I will send reminders during the school year.  

Please follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PPSMadisonHighSchool/.  I look forward to having our current students return and would like to extend a special welcome to any new students joining the Madison community.  See you all on August 15^th and 16^th and Freshmen on the 21^st!  

Sincerely,

Adam Skyles

In this week's PPS Pulse: Harriet Tubman students watch the movie "Harriet" (title corrected from previous version); Kelly teacher appears on ABC baking competition

In a few short weeks, construction will begin to create a new Lincoln High School. Come join the community in a groundbreaking celebration on Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Lincoln field at the lower entrance to the school at the cafeteria. Lincoln will be the fifth high school to be modernized thanks to voter support and it will be completely rebuilt into a multi-story structure. Click here to view a groundbreaking event flyer.

Marissa Troeschel showed a promo for a television program to her Kelly Elementary School students without telling them what it was. “I just starting playing it, and they’re like, ‘Wait! Wait! Wait! Is that you?’”

The Portland Interscholastic League will stage two major basketball events in the next two months that will celebrate a sport that the league excels in, but also ideals that are so important to our students and athletes.