Question 1

Contact Information

Accepted Answer

Address: 8500 Madera Dr, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Main office phone: (510) 231-1412(https://www.google.com/search?q=madera+eleemneetary&oq=madera+eleemneetary&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgNGIAEMgkIAhAAGA0YgAQyEggDEC4YDRivARjHARiABBiOBTIJCAQQABgNGIAEMgkIBRAAGA0YgAQyDwgGEC4YDRivARjHARiABDIJCAcQABgNGIAEMgkICBAAGA0YgAQyCQgJEAAYDRiABNIBCDIwMzRqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#)
David Ranch, Principal: dranch@wccusd.net(mailto:dranch@wccusd.net)
Faiza Shah, Secretary: fshah@wccusd.net(mailto:fshah@wccusd.net)
PTA: info@maderapta.org(mailto:info@maderaschool.org)
MEF: info@maderaelementaryfoundation.org (info@maderaelementaryfoundation.org)

Question 2

How does my child get free lunch? Can I send my child with lunch from home?

Accepted Answer

Breakfast, snack, and lunch are free for all students. There is no need to sign up in advance.

All school-provided lunches are nut free and have a vegetarian option. For more details, see the district food services page here.(https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1481576684998) The Madera menu can be found here.(https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/MaderaElementary)

You are also welcome to send your child with a snack and lunch from home.

Question 3

How do students access the school library?

Accepted Answer

Students visit the school library every other Wednesday with their class. If books are sent home, please return them on their class library day.

Question 4

How can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Madera relies on volunteers to make our school as awesome and nurturing as it is! 
To become a volunteer, you apply for volunteer clearance through the district, which includes filling out the Verkada form (https://command.verkada.com/checkin.html?org_id=e45b8521-a70c-43de-bfea-b1429d2ed838&token=046a2399-1779-415d-afaa-5bd44c65811f&shard=prod1)and submitting a TB risk assessment or TB test results to the front office. More information about volunteer clearance can be found here.(https://www.wccusd.net/departments-and-areas/volunteer) 
Your child’s teacher will reach out to you about their specific volunteer needs, such as in-classroom help, chaperoning on field trips, volunteering in the garden, etc. Volunteers are also needed for various events planned by the PTA and MEF. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the community!

Question 5

What are the Illness Policies?

Accepted Answer

To keep our community healthy, anyone with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea must stay out of school for 24 hours AFTER their symptoms stop. That means that if your child goes home from school early with a fever one day, they may not come back to school the next morning even if they feel better.  
Please report serious illnesses, such as hand, foot, mouth disease and head lice, to your teacher and the school office.

How do I report an absence? 
You may report your child's absence using this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2jOnD4jBdUtil183TIBfSXXCPIuYTOIEYMh7gf4i-h9EeTg/viewform)(preferred), by emailing raelene.coburn@wccusd.net, or by calling the school at (510) 231-1412. Please use only one method to report an absence.

Question 6

How do I fill out my Annual School Forms?

Accepted Answer

You will be provided with a new enrolled-student login for Powerschool after the school year starts. You do not need to complete any forms before you receive that login.

Please see this sheet first and follow all of the directions:. Annual School Forms Instructions for Parent/Guardian
(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VNv9rN5x8A6QWO0MOZjsPUvNl6m-bNqXW822yYqcfaM/edit?usp=sharing)
If you have completed your annual forms completely as described above, then you will receive the school email and district contacts.  You must have an updated email address entered in your contacts and a valid phone number to receive the communication.

If you’ve followed all of these directions and still need assistance, Faiza Shah, Madera's school secretary, can help: fshah@wccusd.net.

Question 7

What are all these communication platforms I’m being asked to join?

Accepted Answer

Room Parents: Each classroom will have 1 volunteer who serves as a room parent. Room parents help share important information from the PTA and MEF.

PowerSchool:(https://wccusd.powerschool.com/public/) This is used to register your child in a WCCUSD school. After school has started and you’ve created a log-in (see above), you will access it to fill out annual school forms. You can also see attendance information on PowerSchool.

ParentSquare:(https://www.parentsquare.com/signin) A platform used by WCCUSD for district-wide communications, by principals to share school-specific communications, and by teachers to share classroom updates, such as newsletters and photos. Teachers and Room Parents may elect to use this for their main form of communication as well. We recommend that you create an account and download the app.
PeachJar: Flyers emailed to families by the district for outside events and programs

You may also get other emails and pre-recorded voicemails from the district and Madera.

Question 8

How do I report an absence?

Accepted Answer

You may report your child's absence using this form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2jOnD4jBdUtil183TIBfSXXCPIuYTOIEYMh7gf4i-h9EeTg/viewform)(preferred), by emailing raelene.coburn@wccusd.net, or by calling the school at (510) 231-1412. Please use only one method to report an absence.

Question 9

What is the Madera Elementary Foundation (MEF)?

Accepted Answer

As a non-profit organization, completely run by volunteers, the mission of the Madera Elementary Foundation (MEF) is to enhance the Madera Elementary School experience for all our students, families and staff by supporting curriculum and building a sense of community. Our goal is to educate the child through programs that enhance the core curriculum, expand the arts, integrate technology in the classroom, promote physical fitness and build a positive learning environment. MEF’s sole purpose is to raise money to provide programs that the school could not otherwise sustain. All funds raised go directly to Madera Elementary to support our students, and all donations are tax-deductible. More information about MEF can be found on our website.(https://www.maderaschool.org/mef)

Question 10

What is the Madera PTA?

Accepted Answer

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a national organization that unites parents, teachers and school administrators to improve the education, health, and safety of all students. Madera PTA aids our school with fundraising and family events. ​

Madera PTA holds general meetings on a quarterly basis. All PTA members are welcome to attend these meeting. What you can expect to find by joining and attending meetings:
​
 • Connections: Develop relationships with teachers and staff while meeting and socializing with other families
 • Community: Help create a positive, caring, and engaging school community by participating in decision-making
 • Communication: Be in the loop about upcoming events, announcements, and activities while having your own voice heard

More information about our PTA and how to join can be found on our website.(https://www.maderaschool.org/pta)

Question 11

Useful Links

Accepted Answer

• Madera Parents Group Website: www.maderaschool.org(http://www.maderaschool.org/)
 • Google Calendar: www.maderaschool.org/calendar(https://www.maderaschool.org/calendar)
 • Public Madera	Instagram: www.instagram.com/maderaschool(http://www.instagram.com/maderaschool)
 • Private Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/MaderaParents(http://www.facebook.com/groups/MaderaParents/)
 • Subscribe to Madera Monday Message (weekly newsletter)(https://maderaschool.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8e6eb5f1b55080fe7e6acf114&id=24e4e0dc7c)

Question 12

How does donating impact the school?

Accepted Answer

Every donation directly enhances students’ learning experiences by funding programs and resources that the district does not cover. Contributions support art, music, gardening, field trips, and classroom enrichment, ensuring all Madera students have access to well-rounded education opportunities. Donations also help maintain teacher grants, library resources, and hands-on learning experiences that make Madera a truly special place for our children to learn and grow.

Useful Resources

Bell Schedule

Quick Links