Akira Toki Middle School

We were honored to welcome Dean Marcelle Haddix from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education, currently ranked the #1 Best Education School in the nation, to Toki Middle School! 🎓

During her visit, Dean Haddix observed learning in three classrooms: 8th-Grade ELA with Ms. Stroik, Algebra with Mr. Gedlinske, and 7th-Grade Spanish with Señor Wood. 📚All three educators also serve as cooperating teachers, helping prepare the next generation of educators through their partnership with UW–Madison.

Dean Haddix also met with our 8th Grade AVID students, who shared what they value most about the Toki experience and their hopes for future Toki students. Their thoughtful reflections highlighted the strong sense of belonging, opportunity, and community that make our school special. ✨

The visit concluded with a discussion among Toki's cooperating teachers—Mr. Morales, Mr. Curran, Mr. Caliendo, Ms. Traore, Ms. Callies, Ms. Gritt, Ms. Hooverson, and our UW School-Based Coordinator, Ms. Fairchild. 💬 Together, they discussed the rewards of mentoring preservice educators and explored ways to continue strengthening the student teaching experience.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening at Toki Middle School and to share what makes our community such a welcoming place for students, staff, and future educators. 🍎

🏕️✨ BSU’s Annual Camping Adventure at Bethel Horizons! ✨🏕️

This weekend, students from our MSCR Black Student Union (BSU) stepped outside the classroom and into nature for their annual camping trip to Bethel Horizons! From outdoor adventures and team-building activities to ziplining and new challenges, students had the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in a whole new environment.

A huge thank you to Ms. Traore, Ms. Allen, Ms. Kendall, Mr. Darrieal, and Mr. Norman for helping make this experience possible and supporting our students every step of the way.

As Ms. Traore shared:

"My favorite part of BSU is seeing kids shine outside of the classroom, facilitating new experiences & learning with them, and being a positive Black role model."

That spirit was on full display throughout the trip as students explored, collaborated, built confidence, and created memories that will last long after the bus ride home.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this tradition another success. We are so proud of our students for embracing every opportunity, trying new things, and representing BSU with pride! ❤️🖤💚

✨What an amazing event celebrating AAPI cultures at Toki Middle School! 🌎

Last night, Toki Middle School's MSCR-Madison School & Community Recreation was proud to host our AAPI Cultural Event, bringing together students, families, staff, and community members for an evening of learning, celebration, and connection.

Guests explored a variety of hands-on activities and experiences, including a cultural scavenger hunt, trivia, lei making, origami, sauce making, and rangoli art. Families also enjoyed table tennis, soccer, and a delicious selection of foods representing cultures from across Asia and the Pacific Islands.

The event was organized by our Asian Cultures Club, led by teacher Jenny So, whose dedication has helped create opportunities for students to learn about and celebrate diverse cultures throughout the year.

A special thank you to MSCR, our volunteers, staff, students, and families who helped make this event such a success. Events like these remind us of the strength of our community and the importance of celebrating the many cultures that make Toki such a special place. 🩵💜🐉

At Toki Middle School, our Asian Cultures Club is creating connection, community, and celebration. 🌏✨

Led by 6th grade science teacher Ms. So, the MSCR-Madison School & Community Recreation club gives students a space to feel seen, represented, and proud of their cultures while also learning about the many traditions, histories, and experiences across Asia.

“I started it to create a space for Asian students to feel centered and represented which is my favorite thing, and also being able to provide ways for students to learn and talk about different cultures while having fun. I also learn a lot from the research I do for each activity.” — Ms. So

From hands-on activities to cultural discussions and celebrations, students are building understanding, friendship, and pride while having fun together. 💛

✨ Opening night was a success! ✨

Our first performance of Beauty and the Beast last night was absolutely magical. From the incredible cast on stage to the hardworking crew behind the scenes, we are so proud of everyone who helped bring this production to life. Seeing the audience laughing, cheering, and enjoying the show made all the hard work worth it!

We’re sharing some special moments from the evening — including photos of the cast, crew, audience, and our signed program filled with signatures and memories from the people who made this show possible. 💙🌹

Missed opening night? There are still TWO performances left! Come be our guest and experience the magic for yourself. We would love to see you there!

📅 Remaining Performances:
• Tonight at 7:00 PM
• Saturday at 2:00 PM

Reminder: There will be no school on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
Check out the full school calendar here: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/about/calendar-of-events/2025-2026-school-year-calendar

We checked off the boxes and made mental health a priority! 💚🧠

For May we have engaged in mindfulness activities on Mondays, Wellness tips/tricks on Wednesdays and activities like spreading kindness, practicing self-care, and connecting with others.

As part of our Mental Health Bingo challenge. Everyone who participated earned a bonus self care prize! 🌟