Anana Elementary School Opportunities
Supporting our neighborhood elementary!
Greentree’s neighborhood school is Anana Elementary, renamed in 2021 after Milele Chikasa Anana, a Madison community leader and publisher (learn more about her here and here!). It is also the voting poll location for most Greentree residents.
As a community partner, GTNA has helped spread the word on different past school initiatives, including: gift cards for holiday meals, winter clothing drives, emergency housing and utility assistance, and an annual drive for the school’s food pantry. Many of these programs shifted during the pandemic, but there are still many ways you can be involved with the school.
“How can I help?”
It’s a question that often gets asked at the annual GTNA neighborhood meeting— people want to know how they can best support their local elementary school!
1. Contact MMSD School Board and voice support for bus access for school student who live north of Schroeder Rd.
This is an immediate need!
Anana students who live north of Schroeder Road face significant safety and attendance issues, due in part to the fact that they live within 1.5 miles of the school and so do not qualify for District busing or transportation. 1.2 miles is a long way for a child to walk on their own without supervision, especially across a busy road and in inclement weather—most are less than 8 years old; none are older than 10. The school attempted to create a Walking Bus system in the fall to help these students but it didn't work out.
The full situation is outlined in Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney’s blog post. Alder Harrington-McKinney and other residents publicly commented at the June 23 School Board meeting in support of an identified solution to have these elementary students ride on an existing Toki Middle School bus which would drop them off about a block from Anana school. Alder Harrington-McKinney’s presentation was very poignant.
GTNA sent a letter to the school board in support of this solution: As of July 13, we have not gotten a response.
Continued advocacy from the Greentree community for these students is welcomed. Please email the school board at: board@madison.k12.wi.us with your support for this solution.
Feel free to copy Alder Harrington-McKinney on your email at: district20@cityofmadison.com. She is impressed with the spirit and participation of the neighborhood residents.
2. Support the PTO
As the needs of the school and its students evolve, one of the most direct and effective ways Greentree neighbors can do that is by donating to the Anana Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), which works to meet the varied needs of students and teachers in real time. Donating to the PTO provides flexible and immediate support to the school!
You can donate by visiting them online(via PayPal) or by writing a check made out to "Anana PTO" and delivering/mailing to the school at 6323 Woodington Way, Madison, WI 53711 (note that checks sent during summer months may not be processed until school resumes in the fall).
3. Volunteer at the Garden
Anana typically can use help maintaining their school garden during the summer months. They often need help with weeding and watering and may also need help planting additional native plants, if available.
You can sign up to work during a specific week(s) of the summer or you may choose an area of the garden that interests you to maintain throughout the summer. Contact Anna Biermeier, abiermeier@wisc.edu, for more information.
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Businesses can also support the elementary through Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Program at Anana.