Latest news with #MadisonElementarySchool
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lance, 10, waits for a Big Brothers Big Sisters ‘Big' to share movies, sports, and fun
Right now, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a long waiting list– especially for boys looking for mentorship and someone just to hang out with a bit. Our Quad Cities News is beginning a new series called 'The Waiting Child' to profile some of them. Eric Olsen interviewed 10-year-old Lance Wilson, who is waiting for a mentor. When you meet 10-year-old Lance Wilson, you meet a bit of an old soul: 'I like to hang out with friends and family members and watch movies.' His favorite movie might surprise you. 'It's 'Halloween.' I like scary movies,' he said. Lance also showed off his basketball skills. 'I'm really good at basketball,' he said confidently. He's a Madison Elementary School student who is interested in science and math. 'I'm really good at decimals and I watch science videos that gets me interested.' One of his favorites is called Science Max. 'They make like paper airplanes and stuff – really giant ones – and then they fly them.' Lance stays busy at home, too. 'I do the dishes, unload the dishwasher, put the dishes in the dishwasher, take out the trash then clean the living room, then clean my room.' He's been waiting a while now for a Big to play some basketball, check out a movie and just hang out. To find out more about being a mentor to Lance or other waiting children, visit 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pacific Northwest Qualifier pledges to pay for Madison Elementary volleyball courts if voters pass $200m SPS bond
Mar. 19—A national volleyball organization that serves up millions of dollars to Spokane's economy each year is poised to help rejuvenate Madison Elementary School. But local voters will first have to pass an ambitious $200 million bond for Spokane Public Schools that will buoy projects across the city. This weekend, Spokane will host the Pacific National Qualifier, which brings around 800 teams to the area to compete in a large-scale volleyball tournament. The tournament fills nearly every hotel in the county, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review, and typically infuses an estimated $44 million into the local economy. PNQ pledged to pay for eight volleyball courts in a "field house" at the Madison school site in exchange for free use during the tournament season. If the project advances, Madison would be razed, and a larger building would stand in its place to house not only a school, but other community-based events. The PNQ effort mostly relies on the passage of the bond, which requires 60% of the vote. If passed, taxpayers can expect to pay roughly six to 31 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in the next 20 years depending on the year, with an average payment of 23 cents per $1,000, according to Spokane Public Schools. Other contributors to the project include Hoopfest and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County. "What I think is a greater thing, and what we are about, is for kids to be in there, doing things, being active, being productive and doing positive things," PNQ's director, April Stark, said. "Something like that, whether it's volleyball, basketball, pickleball, tennis, whatever they can do inside this facility." March sports attract more than 16,000 athletes, 525 coaches and officials, 37,000 spectators and more than 27,000 hotel room night bookings, according to previous Spokesman-Review reporting. Spokane schools spokesperson Ryan Lancaster added that there's an increasing demand within Spokane for indoor courts, and more space is needed to meet those needs, he said. Stark is a staunch advocate for the bond — she's married to a middle school principal and believes the updates could serve everyone. "Because March is not just a 'volleyball' time ... Finding ways for everybody to fit has been kind of a challenge. So we would love to grow, and this space would be wonderful for us for our event. Other things would have to hopefully evolve from that as well," Stark said. "We're always kind of moving and shifting depending on availability of facilities." There isn't a plan set in place for PNQ if the bond doesn't pass, Stark said, but they're "committed to partnering one way or another." The bond would be placed on the ballot in conjunction with a parks levy. If that levy is passed, it would give Spokane parks another $240 million over the next 20 years and be the first systemwide investment in neighborhood parks since 1999 and include investments at all 90 parks. But if only one measure passes, not both, projects would have to be modified, postponed, adjusted, delayed or scrapped, according to Lancaster. Independent projects would still move forward. Bambi Howe, a 35-year Madison kindergarten teacher, believes the bond passage is essential for the well-being of her students to learn in a proper environment. Since the start of her tenure, she's watched the building slowly deteriorate, she said Wednesday. "I came in one day last spring and (the ceiling) was literally pouring water. I had things damaged and ruined," Howe said. "I had to teach kindergarten on a cart for a while." There is no air conditioning system at Madison, so classrooms can reach up to 90 degrees. The heat makes it difficult for kids and teachers to focus, Howe said. When touring other schools, it's frustrating to see what Madison has the potential to be, she added. "Rebuilding the school would change the quality of life," Howe said. "I'm blessed I get to do what I love every day ... We can share our dream, but the rest is up to the community." If voters don't approve the measure, "We will make the best of it," she said. Stacey Masterson, a third-generation Madison attendee, lives near Franklin Park, which is part of the improvement plan tied to the parks levy. She often takes her children to play there and enjoys listening to local baseball games from her backyard. She wants her kids to be able to enjoy more of the area, Masterson said. Right now, she has to make multiple trips home so her children can use the restroom and isn't comfortable with the level of lighting surrounding the park. And she wants the new school, its field house and the adjacent park to reflect what she used to enjoy as a child — a safe, fun place to play.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How one of Spokane's biggest drivers of economic dollars could be part of a north Spokane elementary school's revamp
Mar. 19—A national volleyball organization that serves up millions of dollars to Spokane's economy each year is poised to help rejuvenate Madison Elementary School. But local voters will first have to pass an ambitious $200 million bond for Spokane Public Schools that will buoy projects across the city. This weekend, Spokane will host the Pacific National Qualifier, which brings around 800 teams to the area to compete in a large-scale volleyball tournament. The tournament fills nearly every hotel in the county, according to previous reporting from The Spokesman-Review, and typically infuses an estimated $44 million into the local economy. PNQ pledged to pay for eight volleyball courts in a "field house" at the Madison school site in exchange for free use during the tournament season. If the project advances, Madison would be razed, and a larger building would stand in its place to house not only a school, but other community-based events. The PNQ effort mostly relies on the passage of the bond, which requires 60% of the vote. If passed, taxpayers can expect to pay roughly 6 to 31 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in the next 20 years depending on the year, with an average payment of 23 cents per $1,000, according to Spokane Public Schools. Other contributors to the project include Hoopfest and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County. "What I think is a greater thing, and what we are about, is for kids to be in there, doing things, being active, being productive and doing positive things," said PNQ's Director, April Stark. "Something like that, whether it's volleyball, basketball, pickleball, tennis, whatever they can do inside this facility." March sports attract more than 16,000 athletes, 525 coaches and officials, 37,000 spectators and more than 27,000 hotel room night bookings, according to previous Spokesman-Review reporting. Spokane schools spokesperson Ryan Lancaster added that there's an increasing demand within Spokane for indoor courts, and more space is needed to meet those needs, he said. Stark is a staunch advocate for the bond — she's married to a middle school principal and believes the updates could serve everyone. "Because March is not just a 'volleyball' time ... Finding ways for everybody to fit has been kind of a challenge. So we would love to grow, and this space would be wonderful for us for our event. Other things would have to hopefully evolve from that as well," Stark said. "We're always kind of moving and shifting depending on availability of facilities." There isn't a plan set in place for PNQ yet if the bond doesn't pass, Stark said, but they're "committed to partnering one way or another." The bond would be placed on the ballot in conjunction with a parks levy. If that levy is passed, it would give Spokane parks another $240 million over the next 20 years and be the first systemwide investment in neighborhood parks since 1999 and include investments on all 90 parks. But if only one measure passes, not both, projects would have to be modified, postponed, adjusted, delayed or scrapped, according to Lancaster. Independent projects would still move forward. Bambi Howe, a 35-year Madison kindergarten teacher, believes the bond passage is essential for the well-being of her students to learn in a proper environment. Since the start of her tenure, she's watched the building slowly deteriorate, she said Wednesday. "I came in one day last spring and (the ceiling) was literally pouring water. I had things damaged and ruined," Howe said. "I had to teach kindergarten on a cart for a while." There is no air conditioning system at Madison, so classrooms can reach up to 90 degrees. The heat makes it difficult for kids and teachers to focus, Howe said. When touring other schools, it's frustrating to see what Madison has the potential to be, she added. "Rebuilding the school would change the quality of life," Howe said. " I'm blessed I get to do what I love every day ... We can share our dream, but the rest is up to the community." If voters don't approve the measure, "We will make the best of it," she said. Stacey Masterson, a third-generation Madison attendee, lives near Franklin Park, which is part of the improvement plan tied to the parks levy. She often takes her children to play there and enjoys listening to local baseball games from her backyard. She wants her kids to be able to enjoy more of the area, Masterson said. Right now, she has to make multiple trips home so her children can use the restroom and isn't comfortable with the level of lighting surrounding the park. And she wants the new school, its field house and the adjacent park to reflect what she used to enjoy as a child — a safe, fun place to play.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I thought we'd banished the R-word. Then came Musk and the followers of Trump.
Using the R-word is vulgar, hateful and immature behavior. It must stop. It would have been about 57 years ago. I was a first grader at Madison Elementary School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. My mom would drop me off in the summer at Lindsay Park, just off Congress Avenue to play in the wading pool. There was an older boy in the pool, probably in eighth grade, who had Down syndrome. There was also a group of older boys on bikes hanging around the fence surrounding the pool. At some point the kids on bikes began jeering at the boy with Down syndrome, laughing and yelling "retard" over and over. The boy in the pool laughed, too, as the group continued chanting the slur. 'Undermines our community': Elon Musk keeps tweeting the 'R-word.' Disability advocates say he needs to stop. I don't know when, but he eventually got out of the pool and joined the older kids who were now off their bikes. Then there was a lot of commotion. It seemed like everyone jumped out of the pool at the same time and swarmed the group as the boys kept cheering as they lead the boy with Down syndrome into the bathroom. Opinion: Trump, Musk embody insecure men. Picking on people isn't masculine behavior. It's weakness. Everyone followed, like a mob caught up in the moment. It seemed like something exciting was going to happen. Then a couple of the kids grabbed the boy and forced his head into one of those big, stinky, county park toilets while another boy flushed the toilet, giving the young man a "swirly." When he was lifted out of the toilet bowl with his wet head and water running down his cheeks, he laughed. Because the whole group was laughing. Yup, everyone. That day and those images have haunted me for the last 57 years. Today, I am the proud father of a very talented son with Down syndrome. I thought as a culture we had banished the R-word and begun welcoming everyone with special needs and disabilities into our lives with open arms and minds. Then came Elon Musk and the followers of Donald Trump. They think it's cool and anti-woke to throw around the R-word to virtue signal their unwillingness to follow the norms of a polite and empathetic society. Their actions are already picking up steam as more and more folks and conservative media types are using the R-word. Just because they heard Musk use it, they think it's OK and must be cool to not be 'politically correct." I'm afraid these celebrities, insensitive fools and keyboard rage posters are going to bring us back to a time when playground bullies felt empowered to use the R-word and act like young mobsters, giving swirlies and hinder-binders to the kids with disabilities. And the herd mentality will take over as other kids join in to become accessories to the cruelty. All while everyone laughs. That's not who we are, and we need to stop it right now. The R-word is never acceptable. Period. Craig Peterson is the CEO of Wisconsin's oldest independent public relations firm, Zigman Joseph & Associates in Milwaukee. Peterson has been professionally involved in Republican politics for over 40 years and lives in River Hills. This column originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Musk's R-word use isn't 'politically incorrect.' It's cruel | Opinion
USA Today
15-03-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
I thought we'd banished the R-word. Then came Musk and the followers of Trump.
I thought we'd banished the R-word. Then came Musk and the followers of Trump. | Opinion These celebrities, insensitive fools and keyboard rage posters are going to bring us back to a time when playground bullies felt empowered to use the R-word. We need to stop it right now. Show Caption Hide Caption Musk ramps up DOGE as Tesla stock tanks, backlash grows Tesla's stock dropped about 15% on March 10. Still, CEO Elon Musk has no plans to slow down his work in the U.S. government. Using the R-word is vulgar, hateful and immature behavior. It must stop. It would have been about 57 years ago. I was a first grader at Madison Elementary School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. My mom would drop me off in the summer at Lindsay Park, just off Congress Avenue to play in the wading pool. There was an older boy in the pool, probably in eighth grade, who had Down syndrome. There was also a group of older boys on bikes hanging around the fence surrounding the pool. At some point the kids on bikes began jeering at the boy with Down syndrome, laughing and yelling "retard" over and over. The boy in the pool laughed, too, as the group continued chanting the slur. 'Undermines our community': Elon Musk keeps tweeting the 'R-word.' Disability advocates say he needs to stop. What happened at Wauwatosa wading pool haunts me to this day I don't know when, but he eventually got out of the pool and joined the older kids who were now off their bikes. Then there was a lot of commotion. It seemed like everyone jumped out of the pool at the same time and swarmed the group as the boys kept cheering as they lead the boy with Down syndrome into the bathroom. Opinion: Trump, Musk embody insecure men. Picking on people isn't masculine behavior. It's weakness. Everyone followed, like a mob caught up in the moment. It seemed like something exciting was going to happen. Then a couple of the kids grabbed the boy and forced his head into one of those big, stinky, county park toilets while another boy flushed the toilet, giving the young man a "swirly." When he was lifted out of the toilet bowl with his wet head and water running down his cheeks, he laughed. Because the whole group was laughing. Yup, everyone. That day and those images have haunted me for the last 57 years. I'm the proud father of a talented son with Down syndrome Today, I am the proud father of a very talented son with Down syndrome. I thought as a culture we had banished the R-word and begun welcoming everyone with special needs and disabilities into our lives with open arms and minds. Then came Elon Musk and the followers of Donald Trump. They think it's cool and anti-woke to throw around the R-word to virtue signal their unwillingness to follow the norms of a polite and empathetic society. Their actions are already picking up steam as more and more folks and conservative media types are using the R-word. Just because they heard Musk use it, they think it's OK and must be cool to not be 'politically correct." I'm afraid these celebrities, insensitive fools and keyboard rage posters are going to bring us back to a time when playground bullies felt empowered to use the R-word and act like young mobsters, giving swirlies and hinder-binders to the kids with disabilities. And the herd mentality will take over as other kids join in to become accessories to the cruelty. All while everyone laughs. That's not who we are, and we need to stop it right now. The R-word is never acceptable. Period. Craig Peterson is the CEO of Wisconsin's oldest independent public relations firm, Zigman Joseph & Associates in Milwaukee. Peterson has been professionally involved in Republican politics for over 40 years and lives in River Hills. This column originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
