As alumni, the farther removed we get from our high school days the more we can look back and fully realize the kind of impact our teachers had on us. We’re really grateful to have some fantastic, caring teachers at Madison's Public Schools.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has been unusually challenging for everyone: kids, parents, school staff and teachers alike. With Teacher Appreciation Week coming up the week of May 3-7, we thought it would be a good idea to share some ways you might show your gratitude during that week. This is a great chance for you to reconnect with some of your favorite teachers from your high school days and show them how much their work is appreciated, especially during such a difficult and emotionally draining school year.

Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

• Send an email: This is probably the easiest, fastest way for you to show your appreciation. Teacher emails are listed publicly on the district’s website, so it’s easy for you to find the teacher you want to connect with and send them a quick email sharing your gratitude.

• Write a thank-you note: You can thank a teacher either for the impact they had on your life, or for the work they’re doing with your children or with the current generation of students in general. You can mail the note to the school; this is a great, personal way to show your appreciation and is certain to make their day.

• Find ways to give back: Beyond just sharing your gratitude in words, you can find ways to show your appreciation for teachers and your district in your actions. Find ways to give back, whether it’s donating to educational initiatives or teacher fundraisers, volunteering at school events (when they’re being held in person again) or advocating for teachers in your everyday life.

• Organize a class gift: If you’d like to show your appreciation on a larger scale, perhaps you can work with other members of your graduating class to organize a class gift either for a particular teacher or to all the teachers at your alma mater in general to show your appreciation. Have other alumni contribute to a fund you can then use to purchase trinkets of your appreciation for teachers at school.

We hope you find some small way to show the appreciation for the teachers in your life all year round, but especially in a few weeks during Teacher Appreciation Week!

Please join us in congratulating Capital High class of 2020 alumnus Jaleah Hunt on her United Way of Dane County's 2020 Youth Community Volunteer Award! Jaleah is receiving the Goodman Gemstone Youth Award for her work with F.O.S.T.E.R. of Dane County, a group aiming to help marginalized families in the area receive the assistance they need. As an award winner, Jaleah will be given a scholarship to continue to pursue her education.

Through activities like packing and delivering Thanksgiving meals and helping children get what they need to go back to school, Jaleah said she has learned a lot through her volunteer work with F.O.S.T.E.R.

"It's important for me to give back because I know that if I was in need or something, I would want somebody to do the same for me. It's just the right thing to do. You know, it just it makes my heart warm."

Click on the image below to check out her story thanks to WKOW 27:

Any time you receive messages from your alma mater or an alumni network, you might happen across different forms of the word “alumnus.” For example: “alumni,” “alum,” “alumnae,” or “alumna.” 

Each of these forms of the word is used to describe a graduate or group of graduates. But what’s the difference between them, and when is the proper time to use each one? And why might you see different forms of the word in a single message from your alma mater?

Here’s a quick and helpful overview for you to reference.

Alumni

The word “alumni” is probably the most frequently used word to describe graduates. It is a plural noun, referring to a collection of graduates. You might say, for example, “John and Jane are alumni of George Washington High School.”

Alumnus

The word “alumnus” refers to a single male graduate of an institution. A group of male graduates would be referred to as “alumni.” You might say, “Joe is an alumnus of the University of Michigan.”

Alumna

Just as “alumnus” is used to refer to an individual male graduate, the word “alumna” is used to refer to an individual female graduate. You might say, “Katie is an alumna of Springfield High School.”

Alumnae

The word “alumnae” is used to refer to a group of female graduates. Compare this to “alumni,” which is used for groups of male graduates, or groups comprising both male and female graduates. You might say, “Ashley, Susan, and Lindsay are alumnae of the University of Tennessee.”

Alum

The word “alum” is meant to be a more informal reference to an individual male or female graduate. This is a helpful word to use in informal communications when you might frequently forget the above rules! In addition, you can also use the plural “alums” to informally refer to a group of any male, female or mixed graduates. Again, this word is only meant for casual conversation and communications. Grammar and etiquette experts suggest using the above proper Latin words in professional or formal settings, such as in invitations, at graduation ceremonies, on resumes and at awards banquets.

Regardless of what you call the group, the most important thing is that we are all proud alumni of Madison public schools! But we hope you find this a helpful language guide any time you see these words moving forward.

(A version of this article was first published by the Wisconsin State Journal)

Memorial High School is seeking tutors in Algebra 1 or Geometry. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Achievement Connections Tutor Coordinator, Aya Seidemann, at [email protected].

If you’re like most people, you were probably more than ready to close the door on 2020. It was a tough year for so many people, one that will be forever defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on just about every area of our lives. 

The great news as we kick off 2021 is that there is now a vaccine, and a light at the end of the tunnel. But throughout most of the year, it will still be important for people to follow pandemic restrictions, meaning all of us will still need to be proactive about staying connected.

At the Madison Public Schools Friends and Alumni Network, we are as committed as we’ve ever been to helping alumni stay connected to their alma mater, even when we can’t physically gather. If you’re looking for an idea for a New Year’s resolution, consider making it a goal to stay actively involved with and connected to your alma mater through our organization this year!

Here are some ways you can accomplish this resolution:

• JOIN - If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to join the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network - it's free! It is also the easiest way for you to stay updated about everything happening in Madison's public schools and the Foundation.
  
  
• ATTEND VIRTUAL EVENTS - Any time the opportunity arises, attend virtual events! These could include virtual alumni networking events, virtual class reunions, virtual fundraisers, etc. It’s still going to be a little while before it’s safe to have in-person events and activities, so this is a great way to stay connected to fellow alumni. Join the network to stay in the know!
  
  
• DONATE - School may be virtual, but there are still so many ways for our organization to support everything that’s happening in Madison schools. Your dollars can make a big difference!
  
  
• VOLUNTEER - Volunteer opportunities are not as numerous during the pandemic, but they still pop up here and there. Sign-up to be a volunteer and we will reach out as opportunities arise.
  
  
• READ - Be sure to regularly check out the Foundation's and the district's websites and social media platforms for information about school events and to stay up to date about the latest news affecting the district. Staying informed is a great way to stay connected, and makes it easier for you to find opportunities to get involved.

We hope 2021 holds great things in store for you and your family. Happy New Year!

The holidays are upon us, and in this season of giving we invite you to consider a donation to the school district that helped shape you. Wondering where your money would go? Here are just a few of the ways in which your donation could help make an impact:

Provide opportunities for new students

Donating to your alma mater helps to fund opportunities for students of today and tomorrow. Depending on the way in which you give, the money could help to fund scholarships, new course offerings, educational initiatives, capital projects and extracurricular activities. You might also choose to fund purchases of classroom items and supplies, which many teachers often have to buy with their own money.

Give back in a meaningful way

Think about the experiences you had in high school that were meaningful and impactful for you. You can focus your donations on a specific area as a way of giving back. If you were involved in band, for example, you might give a donation specifically meant for the band program. You might decide to fund a specific scholarship that has meaning to you. Not only will this ensure future students are able to get the same opportunities you had, but it also attaches some extra meaning to the gift that can make it feel even more personal.

Support alumni opportunities

Donating to the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network will help to fund ongoing opportunities for alumni to stay connected with their schools, creating a stronger relationship between the district and those who have passed through it. These funds could be used for alumni events, newsletters and fundraisers to support certain initiatives at the schools.

Sustain everyday operations

There are a lot of day-to-day expenses in schools that do not get a whole lot of public attention, but need to be covered all the same. Given how many schools tend to have very tight operating budgets, any general donations you make could help provide schools with breathing room to keep things running smoothly.

We hope you will consider making a donation this holiday season to support your alma mater, and current and future generations of students!

Every December, MMSD hosts a career fair for students, but given the unique circumstances presented by the current pandemic, this year's event will look a little different. As alumni and supporters of Madison Public Schools, the district is asking for your help as they organize for the next best thing - a virtual career fair.

How You Can Help

1. Your name and job title
2. Brief description of your job/career
3. Required education, skills, certification, ect... for your job/career
   
4. Helpful high school classes/ experiences specific to your career
   
5. Current job outlook within your career (likelihood of finding an opening)
   
6. Any other fun facts or info on career you would like to share!that includes a brief description of your job or career, the required education or skills required to embark on a similar career path, helpful classes and experiences specific to your career, and more.

The videos will be viewed by students, in a lesson format, starting in mid-December. The goal is to have a diverse set of career options for our students to explore in hopes that they will find a career they have never heard of, or learn more about one they are already interested in. When you submit your video there is an opportunity to include your email address if you’re willing to have individual career discussions with students and classrooms.

SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO NOW >>

Thank you - we are so grateful for your help!