The following wrestlers successfully completed regional competition and will go on to state competition in Salem next weekend.

• Jeff Foster - 152 lb
• Anthony Jewett - 160 lb
• J.P. Utz - 220 lb

Congratulations to one of Virginia's top swimmers, Kara McHaney, and good luck Mountaineer wrestlers at states!



The grant request was made by the Madison County Education Foundation.

The following wrestlers will compete this weekend in regional competition:

• Matt Beeler - 106 lb
• Jacob Welch - 120 lb
• Jeff Foster - 152 lb
• Anthony Jewett - 160 lb
• Derek Rakes - 170 lb
• Chris McHaney - 182 lb
• Justin Farry - 195 lb
• J.P. Utz - 220 lb
• Thomas Shifflett - Hwy

The top 4 in each weight class this weekend will advance to the State Tournament next weekend in Salem.

Good luck Mountaineers!

Contact David Londrey at 540-923-4232 or dlondrey@vt.edu with any questions.

Come out and support baseball.

At the Warwick High School Cathartic Forensics League tournament, Madison took four student entries and placed in ALL four!

Placing for Madison were:

• Tristan James and Tyler Kemp, 1st place in Duo Interpretation
• Renee Morris, 1st place in Oratorical Declamation
• Jordan Gray, 1st place in Oral Interpretation of Prose and Poetry
• Jordan Taylor, tied for 1st place in Dramatic Performance and received second on the tie breaker in a loss by 2 speaker points. 

Madison was the only single A school (smallest) in the field of 15 schools participating. 

It was a sweep for Madison. 

The five members earned enough team points to place second behind Clover Hill High School (AAA). 

Sweeps scores were:

• Clover Hill High School scored 21 points.
• Madison scored 19 points.
• Bishop Sullivan Catholic School (Virginia Beach) scored 19 points and placed third.  Madison had more first place finishers so the tie breaker went to Madison Co.

Dr. Eberhardt commented, "It matters not another school's size, Madison dominates forensics.  Small and mighty, we continue our history of excellence.  Our students compete with fierce pride guided by a legendary coach, Donald Hitt."

Next up: This coming weekend the entire 20 members of the team will travel to New Kent High School for the annual invitational. 

Three versions of the school calendar for 2012-2013 were reviewed by the Board.  The 1st version is posted on the website with the shortened Christmas break.  The 2nd version reflects a 2-week Christmas break, with school starting on 8/22.  The 3rd version is the same as the 2nd with the exception of spring break.  This version has spring break beginning with the first full week of April and March 29 (Good Friday) off. Public input will be requested regarding the possibility of having spring break as the first full week of April each year instead of keeping it tied to Easter.  Approval will be requested in February after public input has been received.

Superintendent Eberhardt presented an executive summary for the unbalanced 2012-2013 school budget  to include the following:
1) Includes a current Medicaid position that will be carried over.
2) Covers ALL increases for VRS so the employee does not realize any increase in retirement costs.
3) Includes an estimated 9% increase in health insurance that is expected.
4) Includes a salary increase for all employees.
This budget does not include any local increase in funding (flat funding).

The Board approved the following items:

1) Updated S.B. Policy JO: Student Records by adding a definition for electronic information.
2) Approved the textbook adoption for Math - grades 6-8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus.
3) Approved the Operating Agreement with the Piedmont Regional Education Program.
4) Assigned Mr. Nelson as the official voting representative to the VSBA Insurance Services Program.
5) Approved two supplemental appropriation requests to be made to  the County.
6) Approved two substitute appointments and an appointment for a middle school Special Education teacher.
7) Approved the $12,191,761.80 Capital Improvement Plan.
8) Approved the change of moving the public hearing on the 2012-2013 school budget from January 30th to February 13th.

Anna Kelliher finished in first place with a portfolio increase of 21%.  Anna’s most effective stock purchase was  Priceline (PCLN). “I purchased Priceline at a time when many people were going on holiday trips. I learned to purchase stocks when low because they have a greater chance of increasing.” Anna is saving most of her $50 winnings but did spend a small amount for breakfast at Sheetz.

Jack Kemp placed second with an increase of 16%.  Jack’s advice is to “go all or nothing. I purchased 38,000 shares of Sprint (S).  Sprint was the cheapest stock that I could find with the potential for increase.”  Jack won $20 which he is saving.

Troy Shelton placed last winning $2.  Troy plans to deposit his winnings in his savings account.  “I learned that it is easier to lose money than gain money in the stock market,” commented Troy.

By Tina Weaver  Photo By Collin Tucker

Left to right Troy Shelton, last place, Jack Kemp, second place, Anna Kelliher, first place and Marianne Shepard, Edward Jones

Please join us on Friday, December 30th at approximately 7:15pm as we honor the 2010 State Championship Basketball Team with the hanging of the official team photo.  This will take place in the WMS gym prior to the start of the Varsity game with Page County.  

The following communiqué was sent from Madison Primary School Principal Mike Allers to School Superintendent Matt Eberhardt:

Great news should be shared... It was truly a festive night Thursday (December 8) as we celebrated our 9th PAWS for Reading Night.  Following what has been an amazing trend, the Primary School community turned out in huge numbers to champion the importance of reading in the lives of their children.  A record 298 people were on hand as guest readers, St. Nick and Mrs. Claus (MCHS Principal Mike Sisler and Primary teacher Beth Racer) shared the remarkable works of author Jan Brett.  I assure you that Madison Pride burns in the hearts of all Mountain Cats and their families.  Our AWESOME, supportive PTO and a large number of our teachers were on hand, forming what has become an unstoppable and immeasurable force dedicated to the love of reading and academic excellence.

"MOUNTAIN CATS BLUE AND WHITE, AND THEY READ EVERY NIGHT!!!!!" 

Dr. Eberhardt responded, “Every one of us should be proud of Primary’s initiative focused on student achievement and community excitement.  Importantly, we should all celebrate our smallest Mountaineers who are centered toward success by the love of reading and its fundamental value in future achievement.”

PAWS Reading is school-based initiative designed to bring school families together supporting the value of reading.