Board recognizes student reporter and science teacher; student rep reports Make-A-Wish fundraising

The Madison Public Schools Board of Education used part of its Feb. 11 meeting to recognize student and staff accomplishments and to hear the student representative report.

The board recognized Arjun, a sixth grader at Paulson, for selection as a Scholastic news reporter. Catherine (staff member) introduced Arjun and described his interviews and fundraising coverage at the school; the district presented him with a certificate.

The board also recognized Lauren Danner, a science teacher hired recently by the district, who received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for work completed in 2021. The superintendent noted the award is a national honor presented to a small number of educators and praised the district’s hiring of teachers with that level of recognition.

Student representative Grace reported on school activities and community service. Grace said the Make-A-Wish club she started has raised funds through fundraisers including donut and muffin sales and a charity raffle program called Raffles for Wishes. She reported the club helped raise about $3,000 last year and said the program is on track to raise approximately $7,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation this year; she credited coaches, the athletic director and school administration for support. Grace also described student-run events tied to a classmate’s leukemia fundraiser and other student service activities connected to the Super Bowl bowl project and food drives.

Ending

The board thanked the students and staff for their work and continued with the meeting’s agenda.