News and information for staff members and the Madison community
Vol. I No. 3 - January 19, 2006
Sennett Middle Engages in the Power of Literacy
Submitted by Lori Hillyer, Sennett Middle
On December 14th, House 6 held their first Read-A-Thon. Students arrived to school in their pajamas, clutching a pillow and/or stuffed animal, and carting their favorite literature (books, magazines, newspapers, comic books, etc.). They spent a rewarding day engaged in the power of literacy, as they read silently, shared books, and listened to administrative or office staff read their personal favorites. The many students who requested another Read-A-Thon in the near future further strengthened their teachers' positive evaluation of the experience!
New Book Highlights Hmong Journey: Mai Ya Xiong and Sheila Cohen Visit Randall
Submitted by Mary Rasmussen and Michelle Reis Olsen
Author and former Randall teacher Sheila Cohen, and former Randall student Mai Ya Xiong, talked with Randall students, teachers and parents about the book Mai Ya's Long Journey. The book follows Mai Ya from her childhood in Thailand's Ban Vinai Refugee Camp to her current home in Wisconsin.
Mai Ya and Sheila spoke about Mai Ya's parents fleeing Laos during the Vietnam War, and about the many challenges Mai Ya faced as she tried to balance the traditions of her Hmong heritage with American culture. Students enjoyed the slides and stories as many of them could related to Mai Ya's journey to a new country. The book is published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
Leopold Holds 3rd Annual Spanish Night
Submitted by Tammy Klaproth, Cherokee Middle
On December 5th, Aldo Leopold Elementary School celebrated its 3rd Annual Spanish Night with over 100 people from the Leopold community in attendance. Spanish Night is an evening where the Spanish culture and language are celebrated. During the evening parents were able to observe and to participate first hand in mini-Spanish lessons. They were also able to visit the bilingual classrooms and learn about a trip the students took to the Governor's mansion.
Leopold is the only elementary school in Madison that offers Spanish to all kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade students. Students in these grades have Spanish 3 times per week in their classrooms and once a week in a special class - gym, music, art and computers. Students also have opportunities to play games in Spanish during recess. These classes are taught by UW Spanish education student teachers. Due to the large number of Spanish speaking students at Leopold, there are also six classrooms with a transitional bilingual program.
In addition to visiting the classrooms, those in attendance were able to enjoy a dance performance by one of Leopold's students who dances with the Ballet Folklorico. A group of Spanish speaking families also taught the audience the traditional Mexican birthday song, Las mañanitas, and a popular Mexican preschool song, Los elefantes.
Leopold is able to offer Spanish to the three grades because of a three year federal grant awarded to Madison Metropolitan School District and the University of WI-Madison.
Anahí Herrera dancing with her uncle
Food and conversation being enjoyed in Leopold's cafeteria
Thoreau Elementary School was given a donation by a retired art teacher to have an artist-in-residency. Local artist Susie Tierney was selected to work with art teacher Andy Mayhall (pictured below) and Thoreau students to create self-portrait paintings. The finished portraits were put together to form 22 murals. The murals are on display in the hallway between the LMC and classrooms on the upper floor (pictured). The unveiling of the murals was held on the evening of December 12th at Thoreau Elementary. The public and MMSD community were invited to the event.
MULTICO brings important messages to students
MULTICO, a company of twenty three West High School students chosen to reflect the diverse ethnic and racial population of Madison's schools is in its ninth year of touring to elementary and middle schools with an original thirty minute production focusing on the concerns and experiences of children and adolescents in a multicultural, multilingual urban environment.
Following each performance, company members meet with classes, providing a chance for students and actors to respond to and reflect on the issues, themes, and ideas within the play as they relate to the lives and beliefs of the students both in the audiences and onstage.
MULTICO is directed by Rebecca Jallings, teacher and director of
theater at West High School. Jallings has over 38 years of experience
teaching and creating theater with children and teenagers. The group is
booked for the 2005-06 school year, but contact Jallings to reserve a
date for 2006-07.
Last Updated: Tue Mar 28 12:16:55 2006
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