Spartan Gazette
February 2020
Aaron Tarnutzer, Principal
Building Administrative Assistant: Gina Pili pilig@mcfsd.org
Attendance Line: 608-838-8980
Email: tarnuta@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/
Location: 6330 Exchange Street, McFarland, WI, United States
Phone: 608-838-8980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Mound-Middle-School-McFarland-WI-204736889672509/
Twitter: @ATarnutzer
“Collaborate, Achieve, and Celebrate!” - A Message from Mr. Jondle
Greetings,
It’s difficult to believe that there is already one month of 2020 in the books, and the month of February is upon us all. Each of us have settled in with our new year, focused on new and upcoming goals for 2020 and for many, may have slipped back into our “old ways” forgetting the resolutions we may have set earlier. The month of February is a month that is short, yet filled with events that allow for reflection, celebration, and looking ahead.
During the month of January, educators and students have been busy at IMMS! The month of January has seen highlights that reflect student achievement as well as teachers, administrators, and specialists’ professional development. As you can see below, February is shaping up to be another exciting month as well!
Spartan Trophy Challenge: During the month of January and the early weeks of February, through our Positive Behavior and Intervention Support [PBIS] program, the students at IMMS focused in on ways to be responsible and respectful, particularly with keeping their hands, feet, and objects to themselves. The Spartan Trophy will be awarded to the winning grade on February 7, 2020 during our monthly “Student of the Month” assembly.
Student of the Month Assembly: On February 7, 2020, IMMS will have its monthly “Student of the Month” assembly. These celebrations continue to be a time to recognize students who consistently display characteristics that embrace achievement, respect, responsibility, and empathy towards others. The assembly will begin at approximately 8:15am!
Family/Teacher Conferences: On Thursday, February 27 and Tuesday, March 3, IMMS will be hosting “Family/Teacher Conferences”. As always, we welcome families and students to join us for this wonderful opportunity to check in with your child’s teachers celebrating and sharing your child’s progress this year. The first night of conferences [Thursday, February 27] will be done by invite only, followed by Tuesday, March 3 serving as the traditional “Arena Style” conferences. On both nights, your child’s Related Arts’ teachers will be available for “drop in” conferences. The Family/Teacher Conferences run from 4:00pm-7:00pm both nights.
Time to Toot our Own Horns! Come join us on Saturday, February 15 starting at 7:30pm at the McFarland High School A Gym, for the annual “Band-O-Rama”! It will be a fun time had by all celebrating our students' musical talents!
Staff Development Day: There will be no school on Monday, February 17. This day will allow staff to continue their work on our district priorities embedded in social-emotional learning ensuring every child feels safe and welcomed at school and has healthy relationships with peers and adults. Of course, another priority is engrained in academic learning ensuring every student knows and has a voice in where they are going with their learning, where they are today on that journey, and what their next steps are in their growth to be on track for success after high school. As you can imagine, this professional day is valuable time for our staff as collaboration, reflection, and planning are all key components in pushing students’ learning forward. Our staff thanks you for understanding and allowing us this time to work with one another.
As I look back to January and wait for what’s ahead for February, the theme of collaboration, achievement, and gratitude continue to surface as common, persistent thoughts to keep at the front of my thoughts and my actions. The month ahead, while short in the number of days, is a month full of exciting times for our students, staff, and families alike. As we continue to look at what we want to improve, let’s remember to commit ourselves to rejoicing in all that has been accomplished and what lies ahead yet to be accomplished!
Warmly,
Brett Jondle
Health Office Reminders
Students should be kept home from school for the following reasons:
Fever greater than 100 without medicine (if you give them Tylenol or Ibuprofen, and it is under 100, that doesn’t count) in the last 24 hours.
Vomiting not related to diet or anxiety in the last 24 hours.
Diarrhea not related to diet or anxiety in the last 24 hours.
Students diagnosed with the following illnesses must be home from school (per policy and/or public health recommendations):
Strep throat – 24 hours after starting antibiotics (i.e. if first dose is at 1pm, must be home until after 1pm the following day), or 24 hours after last fever, without taking Tylenol or ibuprofen, whichever is later.
Pink eye – until they can control the drainage and not touch their eyes or other people.
Stomach “flu” (gastroenteritis, norovirus, etc) – 24 hours after last vomiting or diarrhea or fever not treated with any medication, or 48 hours if diagnosed with Norovirus.
Influenza (true respiratory flu) – 24 hours after fever is resolved without medicine of any kind.
If you are ever not sure, you can check the Health Services handbook on the Health Services page of the district Website: https://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/district/dept-health-srvc.cfm
If you send your student to school and they do not meet these criteria, they will be sent home for the wellbeing of your student (as they need time to recuperate) and the wellbeing of other students in the district.
This week (1/20-1/24) we reached an all-time high of students out with illness. We had over 110 students out throughout the district in one day. While we understand the stress it puts on parents to keep a student home, we need to have a culture of wellness within our student body, including:
If you’re truly sick, stay home to recover so you do not share germs with other students and teachers at school
If you’re not truly sick, be in school to keep up with your classwork and save your sick days for when you’re truly sick
Use good handwashing, use hand sanitizer, throw used tissues away right away (don’t set them down on your desk), cover your coughs and sneezes (use the “Dracula cough” and cough or sneeze into an elbow rather than hands, or cough or sneeze into a folded/double thick tissue)
If you’re out truly sick more than two days in a row, get in touch with your doctor’s office (in person, by phone, or using MyChart) to see if they think you should be seen by a Provider at a clinic. If they recommend continuing to stay home, but not a clinic visit, ask them to send a note to that effect to your student’s health office (fax numbers can be found on the website listed above). If they ask you come to the clinic, ask for a note about your student’s illness for school. This isn’t to be mean, but instead lets us excuse the absences so they do not count toward truancy.
Please know that we are also taking steps on the school side to protect from illness. Our fantastic buildings and grounds staff have been doing extra sanitizing on days off of school so that students come back to a clean environment each day. If you see one of them, tell them thanks – they’re pretty amazing! (They wear bright yellow shirts, so they’re easy to spot)
"Going Red" on February 7th
The McFarland School District is partnering with the American Heart Association and “going red” on February 7th. Please wear red in support of this great cause!
With heartfelt appreciation,
The American Heart Association and McFarland School District
Thank you!
Clean Room Challenge
New PTO Website
Parenting with Love and Logic - Update
At this time the online "Parenting with Love and Logic" class is full. We will be offering another class in the future. We will send an email notification to families when we have it scheduled. If you would like to be put on the list for the next class, please fill out this form.
Thanks so much,
Jill Runde
IMMS School Counselor
McFarland Youth Center - February Newsletter
Hello Youth, Parents and Guardians.
The start of the 2020 year is going well and The McFarland Youth Center continues to provide daily activities, a daily snack, a homework space, homework help, a recreational space and more.
On Sunday, February 9th we will be running a fundraiser in the form of the Auxiliary Breakfast at The American Legion in McFarland. Please stop by between 8:00 AM and noon to have breakfast and show your support for MYC! The breakfast is $8.00 for those 13 and over, $4.00 for those aged 3-12 and free for those under 2!
If your youth is interested in volunteering at this event please contact Megan at McFarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com for more information.
On Tuesday, February 25th MYC will be holding a dance at Indian Mound Middle School from 3:45 to 5:30 pm! Tickets can be bought before school, at lunch and at the dance throughout February! Youth with tickets purchased ahead of time will be admitted to the dance first; youth who buy tickets the day of must wait in line to purchase tickets. We have snacks and pizza available for sale at the dance.
Our after school program will continue to run from 3-6 Monday to Friday (Tentative: check calendar or monthly emails for any closings). During this time youth are welcome to use the space for recreational activities or to participate in a group activity. They are also welcome to use our homework room for a quiet and calm place to read or do homework, adults will be available to help if needed. McFarland Youth Center has many recreational options this year! An outside and indoor basketball hoop, air hockey table, pool table, an Xbox 1 & other video game systems, foosball, shuffle board, darts, ping pong, board games and more!
Girls Group will continue to run from 5:30 to 7:30 on Mondays in February, we have once again partnered with girls scouts to offer the youth developmentally enriching projects and programs. Additionally, youth will have opportunities to earn girls scout swag and exciting MYC incentives! This opportunity will be open to the first 10 girls to sign on; email McFarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com for more information or to add your kiddo to the list! (Youth will be fed dinner on Girls Group days due to extended hours)
Boys Group will continue to run on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 pm, we will offer group games and identity building projects during this time. Boys will also earn incentive awards through MYC for attendance and participation. (Youth will be fed dinner on Boys Group days due to extended hours)
See below for Key Dates:
Key Dates and Closings:
- Wednesday, February 5th: MYC CLOSED for Sky Zone field trip. (Field Trip spots open, reach out for more information)
- Sunday, February 9th: Auxiliary Breakfast 8 am - noon
- Monday, February 17th: MYC CLOSED
- Tuesday, February 25th: MYC CLOSED FOR IMMS-MYC DANCE. (Dance 3:45 to 5:30)
If your youth is new to MYC please fill out the needed pledge form found on our website https://www.mcfarlandyouthcenter.org/
Once this form is completed and submitted youth are welcome to drop in any time from 3-6 (M-F) for any after-school programming and to sign up for any extended programming.
Thank you and as always, please don't hesitate to email or call with any questions or concerns.
Megan Beckler
Managing Director
McFarland Youth Center
5114 Farwell St
PO Box 362
McFarland, WI 53558
Office: (608) 838-3839
Cell: (608) 395-8617
mcfarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandyouthcenter/