Friday Update: January 14, 2022

Upcoming Events

January 17

No School- MLK Jr. Day

January 20

DEI Committee Meeting, 3:30 pm

January 21

No School- Grades Day

January 24

Fundraising Committee Meeting, 6pm, Rellik Winery

January 25

*Rescheduled* Picture Day

Cuneiform Ireland Englehart, 5th grade

Director Update

Greetings Madrone Trail Community,

I hope everyone is excited about the 3 day weekend!

As some of you may know, we have had some employees (me included) and some students test positive this past week for COVID. I sincerely I hope I never have to call to inform you that we need your child to quarantine due to the potential exposure to COVID or that your child tests positive. However, it may happen and I would like everyone to be aware of the updated guidance from the Jackson County Health Department. Click here to view the most recent protocols for various scenarios. This is exactly the guidance we will follow and there is no reason everyone should not be privy to it, especially given how contagious this latest variant is and the frequency with which the guidance changes.

If your child is sick or there is someone positive in your household, please let us know. I understand there is a perceived stigma associated, but there really shouldn’t be. All you can do is try, but if it gets into your household, the best thing to do is take care of yourself and prevent it from spreading to others. Don’t blame yourself or feel guilty. Having it pass through my house, leaving all of us with an added level of protection, especially our 3 month old, lifted a huge weight off my chest. I don’t think you always know when you’re scared of something, but you do know when you are no longer scared of something. Moving forward, I feel very optimistic as a father and as a principal of a school. I sure hope I don’t regret saying these words, but I’m no longer terrified of the viral consequences of having all our students together in person each day. The benefits far outweigh the risks. Simply hearing the laughter today at the assembly was evidence of that. No, they weren’t laughing at my dancing, I have been assured.

When I think that it was almost 2 years ago that we first encountered this virus as a community, the first notion I have is how amazing our teachers are in their flexibility and grace through this whole ordeal. It is strange how essential the computers seemed at the time and now I am trying to find a place to store all this electronic junk. At this point, I can’t imagine a scenario being thrown at them that they not only will handle, but handle with a smile as long as they are with their students. I also wholeheartedly believe there is no way we could be doing so well and be where we are without our Assistant Director and Games Teacher, Cori Royer as well as our Secretary extraordinaire, Sherrie Gasper. Appreciation always feels good to hear, so even if you have expressed your gratitude in the past, I implore you to send another email to your child’s teacher or let them know in person next time you seem them.

Again, have a great weekend and in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., try and spread some love, tolerance and compassion for one another regardless of skin color, religion, political views, vaccination status or bumper stickers. Turn off the news and love your neighbor.

-John Bissey

Director

Picture Day Reminders

Picture Day will be Tuesday, January 25. Reminder slips went home this week. The order forms will go home next week. You can order your picture packages before picture day by clicking the button below. You will be asked to enter the Picture Day ID: EVTPBJX28. You can also fill out the order form and have your student bring it with them to school on Picture Day. Order forms need to be given to the photographer at the time your student gets their picture taken. Do not send them to the office. You will also be able to order pictures after picture day once the proofs are returned to school.

We will also need a few parent helpers to help on Picture Day. They will receive a discount on their picture packages for their time. If you are interested in helping out please email Miss Sherrie and let her know, sherrie.gasper@madronetrail.org.

Order pictures

Ski Club Update

Hailing All Mountain Enthusiasts!!

Ski Club is ON this winter! It will take place on four Friday evenings from 4:30-9:00pm. Those dates are 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, and 3/11. It is available to 4th-8th graders.

Ski Club Registration begins tomorrow. Here's the link. Registration is open for two weeks. After January 29, registration closes and no more applications will be received.

Adults can sign up on the registration page for reduced rates for those dates too. The reduced rates are only available on those dates and through that page.

Here's the link to the Parent Contact List. Please sign up there, so that everyone has everyone else's contact information. Hopefully this will be helpful in creating carpools to get up to the mountain.

Dust off those skis and boards, it's time to ride!

~Mateo Tryllium

Quote of the Day

Handlettered by Ms. Cori