JAG Blast-February 2026

Feb 19
4 min read

A Message from the Principal:

Greetings Families of MAE,

Thank you for your recent support of our PTO Disney Raffle Fundraiser. In the

month of February, we continue to provide engaging activities to keep students actively

moving and interested in learning. As the school year continues, it is important now

more than ever before to keep students motivated to make positive choices and develop

good character traits that will serve them well in school and in life. I challenge each of

our families to have students at school each day as their presence in school from the

start of the day to the end of the school day is paramount to their success.

When you have an opportunity, I would encourage each of you to send an encouraging message or email to your child's teacher and assistant this month to say "Thank You." Our staff pours into our students

daily. Our staff consistently goes above and beyond to make the MAE experience an

exceptional one all year long. Join me in showing them just how much we appreciate

them moving the "Mark of Excellence" daily and taking the best care of our children.

In service of staff, students, and, community,

Dr. Kristal Pollard Epting

Principal

Madison Avenue Elementary School

Exceptional Staff. Exceptional Students. Exceptional Community.

Hot Diggity Dog!

Our Spring Fundraiser was a SMASHING success!

The PTO is excited to share that we didn’t just meet our goal — we surpassed it! Thank you to our incredible students, parents, and staff for your generous support and commitment to funding the MAE STEAM Lab. This fundraiser directly supports the lab by covering the teacher’s salary and curriculum, creating meaningful and lasting learning opportunities for our students.

Our Top Seller — and “Mrs. Seago’s Assistant for the Day” — is Liam Catchings! Congratulations, Liam!

Our top three selling classes were Mrs. Davis’ Kindergarten class, Mrs. Harris’ Kindergarten class, and Mrs. Trueblood’s First Grade class. Each of these classes will celebrate with a pizza party!

PTO has already distributed Pixie Sticks to all students who sold three tickets by January 30. All remaining incentives will be distributed next week.

Our Dessert Dance Party will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 1:00 PM.

More information about the SkyZone field trip will be shared soon.

We will draw the winner of the $5,000 Travel Voucher on Friday, February 20th.

FEBRUARY SPIRIT NIGHT

The teacher with the most participation will receive a $50 mini-grant for his/her classroom. Parents can send in receipts to school the next day or email a picture of the receipt to maepto.pie@gmail.com

Last call for yearbooks!

February 28th--FINAL deadline for ordering a yearbook! We will not order extras.

The cost is now $50.00. Go to www.jostens.com to order.

Read Across America Day

Monday, March 2nd

Parents, we want you to celebrate Read Across America Day with us this year by

attending our 1st MAE Reading Parade on Monday, March 2nd! Students are asked to

dress as their favorite book character, animal, or pet AND bring their favorite book to showcase in the parade (they can use one from the library if needed)!

Parents can line the front sidewalk to cheer on our readers - 2nd grade will begin at 7:45, 1st will follow after, then Kindergarten. All students will exit out the doors from Kinder/1st, parade

down the front sidewalk, and will reenter the building on the 2nd grade hallway.

It will be a PAWTY for sure! Students will also experience a guest reader in their classroom and

an author (with her pet!) reading that afternoon - FULL fun day!

AR Event

Friday, March 6th

The next AR party celebrating students meeting their reading goals is Friday, March 6.

The theme is Popcorn and Pages. A special guest storyteller, including puppets and a

popcorn snack, will be part of the party activities.

Kindergarten readers will join the celebration with the 1st and 2nd grade students this

time. We are so excited to celebrate reading with them! All students must meet their

goals by March 4 to attend the AR party.

Volunteer opportunities will be shared via a SignUpGenius by the middle of February.

Thank you to all the volunteers who supported the December AR party! Making Santa

pancakes and ornaments, along with pancake relay races and an indoor snowball fight,

was so much fun. These celebrations are only possible with the support of volunteers.

Save the date for Arts on the Avenue!

April 9, 2026

This community event, a partnership between MAE and MAUE, celebrates visual and

performing arts through displays of student artwork, student musical performances, and

demonstrations from local artists. The halls are lined with student art, and music

performances feature second-grade recorders, lower and upper strings, and the fifth-

grade choir. In the past, local artist demonstrations included ceramicists, fiber artists,

wood turners, and cartoonists. This year, J.S. Iupes, Mossie Made, and other vendors

will be on campus, along with food trucks for dinner and dessert. Chalk art, bubbles,

face painting, and other creative family fun activities will be available.

The next PTO Meeting is at 12:00 on March 4th via Zoom.

The MAE PTO is getting organized for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a great time to plan how you would like to be involved. Whether you have a lot of time to give or only a tiny bit here and there, there is a place for you at MAE! Please email madisonavenuek2pto@gmail.com to get started.

A Big Thank You to All Our Donors this Year!!