Family Bulletin: February 10, 2025
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Note From Principal Frank
Dear Mustangs,
Happy Black History Month! At Midvale, our classrooms focus on our core values and beliefs towards our vision statement, “I belong, you belong, we belong!”. We do this through celebrations across the year and also through lessons that focus on honoring the unique heritage, history, and intersectionality of all of our students. This month, we specifically celebrate our students' Black and African American heritage. You will see this in lessons, activities, and our Read Your Heart Out! Celebration on 2/10.
Important Dates
- 2/14-2/20 Friendship week! Wear Red on 2/14
- 2/16 MMoCA Young at Art exhibit! Opening 1PM, featuring 3 Midvale artists!
- 2/17 2nd ELI to Planetarium 10-11:30
- 2/18 Spring Primary- Midvale is a Voting Site
- 2/18 100th Day of School
- 2/21 Staff Only Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Read Your Heart Out! (RYHO)
Midvale celebrated Read Your Heart Out on 2/10! RYHO is a yearly event to celebrate and uplift reading volunteers, especially from our Black and African American Heritage families. We will had coffee and light snacks for readers and a variety of books to choose from! We focused on books celebrating our Black and African American Heritage students, history, and excellence for this event. Thank you to all who supported this wonderful event!
MMSD and Madison Community Responses, Resolution, and Supports for Immigrant Families
MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard sent out an important message to our community, copied here: Dr. Gothard wrote:
We know the current presidential election has caused concern, fear, and uncertainty among many of our students, their families and other community members. We want you to know that we are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe and supportive for all.
All students and families, regardless of race, faith, national origin, immigration status, political views, sexual orientation and gender identity belong to our community. You are important and valued.
Below are resources that may be helpful:
- Immigrant students and families
- Mental health and well-being
- Student services
If you have questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school or through Let’s Talk.
In partnership,
Joe Gothard, Ed. D. Superintendent
Additionally, see a summary of the Board of Education Resolution, along with additional resources, from Principal Watson at Lincoln here:
In response to executive orders signed by President Trump related to immigration, I would like to provide the information below to families adapted from an MMSD Board of Education resolution. The full resolution can be found here:
Summary of the BOE resolution:
- We do not permit Iaw enforcement agents to contact or interview students unless a parent or guardian permits it. Teachers and other staff will not ask for or share the immigration status of any student or family member without the consent of the parent/guardian.
- Students are protected in our public schools from immigration enforcement action by decades of case law, such as Plyer v. Doe and the 14th Amendment.
- To the fullest extent of the law, the school and the school district will deny entry to and refuse to share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The Superintendent and MMSD Legal Counsel will determine the course of action.
- All students will be treated equitably in MMSD schools regardless of immigration status.
- The school district will not voluntarily enter into any agreement with ICE, except as required by law.
What can you do now:
- Families should ensure that the emergency contact information in Infinite Campus is up to date
- You can do this in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- Or, call the Midvale office staff.
We encourage families to take advantage of these resources. Visit the MMSD Immigrant Student and Family webpage for more information about the resources listed below:
- For immigration-related emergencies, call or text the Voces de la Frontera 24/7 hotline (414) 418-940
- Centro Hispano: micentro.org | 608-255-301
- Voces de la Frontera: vdlf.org/ | 414-643-162
- Dane County Immigration Affairs: https://danecountyhumanservices.org/Children-Youth-and-Family/Immigration-Affairs
- Community Immigration Law Center (CILC): https://www.cilcmadison.org/ | 608-257-484
- Immigrant Justice Clinic: law.wisc.edu/eji/ijc/ | 608-890-375
- RISE Law Center: riselawcenter.org/ | 608-256-101
- Madison Path to Citizenship: Madison Path to Citizenship| 608-263-673
- Legal Action of Wisconsin: legalaction.org/ | 608-256-330
- Multicultural Student Center: msc.wisc.edu/ | 608-262-450
- Neighborhood Law Clinic: law.wisc.edu/eji/nlc/ | 608-265-244
- Unión de Trabajadores Inmigrantes: https://www.facebook.com/utimadison/ | 608-345-9544 or 1-866-476-088
- Wisconsin American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) www.aclu-wi.org/ | 414-272-403
- Workers’ Rights Center of Madison: workerjustice.org | 608-255-0376
SCO Communications
The SCO has moved our meetings to fully remote in hopes it will make it easier for our community to join our meetings. Our next meeting is February 4th at 6:30 p.m. All families are welcomed and encouraged to attend, the meeting is not only for board members.
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86138341932?pwd=0aboxYn3HSBWvZjtt5HtsMmLX1eYSq.1
- Meeting ID: 861 3834 1932
- Passcode: 816330
The SCO is always looking to grow our board - check out our open positions. Not ready to commit to a position? Consider signing up for a volunteer shift at an upcoming event.
- Feb 7th Friendship Dance
- April 12th Rummage Sale
Stay connected!
"Like" our Midvale Facebook page to receive school updates and to view photos of student learning and celebrations!