Let’s Learn Together!
The world has just been a little bit crazier lately. Although we have older kids, they are still trying to figure out how to navigate the world so please take a listen to “Helping Your Child Through Crises” Episode 64 from the National PTA’s Notes from the Backpack Podcast Helping Your Child Through Crises – Podcast | National PTA. This article How to talk to your children about conflict in Israel and Gaza, Hamas : NPR is older and the crisis in Israel and Gaza has since expanded but it may be useful in talking about what is going on with your teen.
Let’s Observe and Celebrate!
November is National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. To learn more about the month long observance visit Native American Heritage Month 2023, and for more information about Indigenous People native to Virginia visit Virginia Indians.
November 1 All Saints’ Day is a Christian (Catholic and some Protestant churches) day in honor of the saints of the church both known and unknown. It is a celebration of connectedness of all Christians to the church. What is All Saints’ Day? Meaning and History of November 1st (christianity.com)
November 1-2 Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead a Mexican time of remembrance to celebrate loved ones who have passed on and to welcome them home again. For more information, please visit Day of the Dead – Wikipedia. Photos from a Dia de Los Muertos celebration, Day of the Dead 2023: See photos of biggest Día de Los Muertos celebration in the US (msn.com).
November 12 Diwali is celebrated by Hindu, Jain and Sikh followers, it is the Hindu festival of lights (also celebrated in other variations by other Indian religions). The celebration is symbolic of spiritual victory of “light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” For more information please visit Diwali – Wikipedia. If you would like to join in the celebration, Diwali Family Festival Tickets, Sun, Nov 5, 2023 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite.
November 23 is Thanksgiving for more information about this widely celebrated national holiday set aside for community and thanks, please visit Thanksgiving Day | Meaning, History, & Facts | Britannica.
November 24 is Native American Heritage Day is observed the day after Thanksgiving to honor the rich history, culture and accomplishments of Indigenous People. For more information, please visit NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY – November 24, 2023 – National Today.
We Want to Hear from You!
Please reach out by email at [email protected] to share any thoughts, ideas, events, topics to discuss, and/or feedback you’d like the Madison PTSA to explore or share with the wider community.
Does your child want to travel, explore the world, and experience other cultures? Your child can join our group of Warhawk students and teachers to travel on one of our exciting educational international tours! Information about current international tour offerings can be found at tinyurl.com/WarhawkWanderlust.
While these are not FCPS sponsored field trips, these tours foster the Portrait of a Graduate skills that JMHS and FCPS hope our students will develop by the time they graduate. As part of one of our tour groups, your child will embrace our Madison High School mission statement: To develop creative and resilient global citizens. Ms. Rachel VanPelt is the group leader for these educational international tours. These tours are open to all high school students in good standing. You can contact Ms. VP at [email protected]
Order your “Home of a Warhawk” sign now! Signs are $20. You will be notified when they are available for pick up at or near Madison High School.
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The World Languages Department pulled together to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in style this year! The top of the WL stairs will take students to a cemetery with ofrendas (offerings to honor loved ones who have passed away), followed by a showcase altar with more ofrendas and a hallway full of Monarch butterflies and even more ofrendas. Did you know their migratory route ends in Mexico around Dia de los Muertos? And according to traditional belief, the Monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.
The francophone country of Haiti joined in the celebration this year with “La Fête des Morts” known as “Fèt Gede” where Haitians have a similar practice of remembering the dead by lighting candles in cemeteries and playing music & dancing around tombstones.
Membership in the James Madison Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is an invaluable way to contribute to your child’s education and stay connected with them during high school. Specific programs include:
In addition to your PTSA membership, we suggest a donation of $50 per family. Your one-time, tax-deductible donation allows the PTSA to promote the academic excellence and well-being of our students. Donations are tax deductible. (Please check to see if your employer has a donation matching program.)
It’s so easy to join online! Alternatively, membership forms can also be downloaded and mailed with a check.
Questions? Contact Regan Morgan, President or Heather Buescher, PTSA membership chair.
The 2023-24 Madison High School directory is now online and accessible for Madison parents. If your family is listed in the directory, you should have received a welcome email on September 29, providing you with directions to access this digital directory and update/verify your family’s information contained in it (or create an account if you are a new user). Download the app, too, for those times you’re on the go.
This school directory, powered by Membership Toolkit, conveniently displays information at your fingertips — including students’ names and grades, along with parents’ email addresses, phone numbers, and home address. This information is only to be shared with our JMHS families and staff, and not to anybody outside of the Madison community. Please use the information contained in the directory responsibly.
Families can update their profile in the directory throughout the school year, so if any of your family data changes, you can just go on the website or app and edit your own information. We hope you enjoy the directory!
The Academic Boosters is a PTSA initiative dedicated to enriching the educational experience of all Madison students. Click here to join.
Academic Boosters has proudly sponsored the following programs and initiatives:
The JMHS PTSA Hospitality Committee will have “Fall Treats” for teachers and staff Wednesday, November 15. We will leave baskets of fruit and snacks in the staff lounge that include muffins, apples, clementines, bananas, granola bars, popcorn, chips, candy, and trail mix along with apple cider for our teachers to enjoy throughout the day. There are still a few more volunteer and donation opportunities yet to be filled; please sign up here.
Thank you for your wonderful support. Questions? Email us at [email protected]
The PTSA is proud to partner with Madison High School in supporting our students who need additional support. Items especially needed currently include hygiene items including shampoo, soap. toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant. Any donations can be dropped off in the Main Office at Door 1 or you can place an order through our Amazon wishlist.
We are always asked, what do we need? Our most requested items are toiletries from the list below.
– Shampoo/Conditioner
– Body Wash
– bar soap
– deodorant
– dish soap
– sponges
– small size laundry detergent (37 ozs or less)
– sanitary pads (no tampons please)
We are always collecting nonperishable food items. Some of our most requested items are –
-shelf stable boxed milk
-small size cooking oil (16ozs or 40 ozs)
– salt and pepper shakers
– ramen cups
– canned fruit
Thank you for your incredible support and generosity!
The Madison High School PTSA Tax Id is: 52-1289266
Congratulations to the JMHS Marching Ensemble on their State Competition performances at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA this past Saturday, October 28th. They received 2nd place for both group ranking and overall champions. We are all so proud of these amazing kids!
The 2023 Vienna Turkey Trot 5k/10k/fun run is on Sunday, November 19th Please register through https://www.viennaturkeytrot.org/ for this fun and festive Vienna holiday tradition!
White House Ornaments This year’s ornament represents the Ford Family’s selection of handmade crafts to inspire the public to incorporate thriftier items into their holiday decor amid rising inflation. They used handmade patchwork quilted ornaments created by women of Appalachia, ornamental balls made by senior citizens and handmade toys by craftsmen.
We will be selling the ornaments on Election Day, November 7th , at Flint Hill and Cunningham Park Elementary Schools, and James Madison High School.
Please email [email protected] to make a purchase for porch pickup. Order 5 or more and get free local delivery! Cash or Checks to: JMHS Band Boosters; Credit cards email for instructions.
Tickets are on sale for the Annual Tiny Tots Holiday Concert in the JMHS Auditorium:
Thursday, November 30th at 10am and again at 7pm (wear PJs)
Friday, December 1st at 10am
Please join us for this exciting concert tradition featuring a wide array of music with very special costume performers! Please see below flyer for ticket purchase.
Thursday, November 9 at 7:30
Friday, November 10 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
In the Old Western world of heroes, of black hearted gamblers, and of the never ending “Game of Gold” an American Robin Hood of the Dakota Black Hills named Deadwood Dick leads the way in a blood and thunder melodrama with long lost daughters, stolen gold mines, kidnapped heroines and hairbreadth escapes!
James Madison High School Tickets (etix.com)
Buy your tickets in advance – SAVE $2!
Website: www.madisondrama.com
Parents’ Group Email: [email protected]
Instagram: dramamadison
Facebook Groups:
MAD Drama Parents’ Association (closed group – for parents)
MAD Drama (public page – student driven)
MAD Drama Thespian Troupe #2541 (closed group – for MAD Drama Students)
James Madison Crew Boosters Organization, Inc. Vienna, Virginia
WINTER CONDITIONING BEGINS NOVEMBER 18
Open to any student interested in Crew. No Cost. No Obligation.
Join us as we get in shape for Spring Season! To improve strength, speed, and endurance students will employ various training methods including indoor rowing and weight lifting.
Meet at the JMHS Crew Shed: M-F (4:00-6:30 pm) and Saturdays (8:00-10:00 am). ALL ARE WELCOME!
Register here or contact [email protected] with questions.
Warhawk crew is a competitive club sport open to all JMHS students. Find out all about us at WarhawkCrew.org.
All Night Grad is making plans for the class of 2024! Get a ticket for your senior here! Prices will increase later in the year, so purchase today! Come join the fun in planning this epic night. The ANG committee welcomes all who want to have fun and make this a great night for our seniors. We especially love having undergrad parents on this committee who can continue to make this event better each year! Our next (30 minute) meeting is on Tuesday, November 14, at 6:30pm in the Madison library. Come see what we are about! Email our chair at [email protected] to join the planning crew, or have questions about the event.
Lawn Signs celebrating the class of 2024 are on sale!! The senior class is designing their own sign and will be distributed in early spring. Buy yours today and check it off your list! Orders must be placed by March 15 to guarantee availability.
The James Madison Orchestra is currently rehearsing for their two winter concert events:
December 6, 2023: Winter Concert
December 9, 2023: The Snowman Show (see the flyer above!)
We hope to see you there!
Greetings from the Madison Choral Department!
We have quite a few events coming up in the next few months:
All our concert dates are listed on our website (www.madchoir.org). We are so excited to get on stage and share live music with our community!
