Spartan Gazette
February 2021
A Note From Our Principals
Dear IMMS Families,
In our January Newsletter (Link) and on January 18 (LINK) we provided information regarding our transition to hybrid instruction. We have included this information for you again here for your review:
We want you to know that throughout the fall and early winter, our school has been preparing for this transition while providing virtual learning opportunities for our students. Along with the input of our school staff, school custodians, area districts, public health authorities, and with guidance from Conrad Elvehjem staff and district administration, we have built a plan that we feel will support a safe student learning opportunity for students and staff. There is a lot of information regarding the details of how this will look and we will do our best to communicate clearly and often how these will work. One thing we've learned throughout this pandemic is that we must be flexible and adapt to changing conditions. As new details are solidified or adjusted, we will continue to update you.
In order to make this transition successful, we need your help.
First, please be patient with us as we learn how to teach students in a hybrid learning environment following safety protocols and teach students virtually at the same time. It won’t be perfect, but we will improve each day. Our teachers are talented and dedicated, but this is new to all of us. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Second, please join us in making a shared commitment to follow the District and Public Health Madison and Dane County’s health and safety protocols both at school and outside of school. By wearing face coverings, physically distancing, and limiting travel, carpooling, and gatherings outside of our family, we are doing our part to keep students, staff, and the community safe. We have all made many sacrifices in the past year. Together we must continue to do so that we provide a safe, in-person learning environment.
Lastly, please reach out with your questions, concerns, and ideas. We have found that unclear communication, a lack of communication, and misinformation around these issues lead to additional and unnecessary stress and confusion. As a District, we continue to respond to questions submitted to our FAQ document here, and if you have a comment that is not in the form of a question you are welcome to submit that information here. We know there are a variety of thoughts, worries, and perspectives regarding this plan. We hear and consider each and every idea and know there may not be a clear answer.
Thank you for taking the time to review this information and being an involved parent/guardian for your child(ren).
Stay well,
Aaron Tarnutzer, Principal (tarnuta@mcfsd.org, 838-4603)
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal (jondleb@mcfsd.org, 838-4622)
Upcoming Dates to Note
Week of Feb. 1: Term 4 grades will be posted
Wednesday, Feb. 3: Bus sign up due
Thursday, Feb. 4: Supply Swap 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sign for window: LINK. See items below
Friday, Feb. 5: Student of the Month Assembly 11:20 - 12:20
Friday, Feb. 12: NEW! Asynchronous lessons (like a Wednesday without choir), some related arts teachers may have a live lesson and will let students and families know in advance, no Special Education services.
Monday, Feb. 15: No school, no lessons. Professional Development.
Tuesday, Feb. 16: 6th grade returns to in person instruction (7th and 8th grade stay virtual)
Thursday, Feb. 18: 6th and 7th grade in person instruction (adding 7th grade, 8th grade virtual)
Friday, Feb. 19: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in person instruction (adding 8th grade)
MLK Outstanding Young Person Recognition
Please join us in recognizing 8th graders Maliyah Dean and Jordan Clayton receiving the MLK Outstanding Young Person Award. This award is presented to middle and high school students that exemplify a commitment to academics, extra-curricular activities, and volunteerism.
The Urban League held a special program : Stand for Justice which included inspirational stories of triumph and success from 2020, powerful performances by local urban artists, and celebration of this year's 250+ Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Young Person Awardees. Go to online at ulgm.org/justice to help us reflect on 2020 and celebrate our young people.
Once again, congratulations Maliyah and Jordan!
Support the IMMS Alliance of Allies and Special Olympics
Support Special Olympics and the Alliance of Allies (AoA) from IMMS to raise money for opportunities for all students to participate in sports and recreational activities.
Information for The Plunge: LINK
Click HERE to register or donate
Dates: Sign up by February 4th
Team Name: IMMS AoA 6-29
Cost: NOTHING to register or as much as you would like for your donation
Parenting with Love and Logic
We are happy to be offering another session of "Parenting with Love and Logic"
Tuesdays February 9th - March 16th from 6:00-7:30 pm. This class will be offered on Zoom and hosted by McFarland School Districts counselors Jackie Guenther ( guenthj@mcfsd.org) and Jill Runde ( rundej@mcfsd.org).
Raise happy and well-behaved kids with positive, loving tools.
More information on Love and Logic Here
PTO Update and Upcoming Events
The PTO has been busy planning teacher/staff appreciation meals. Watch for a sign-up genius in late February to help donate food, snacks and beverages.
The No Hassle Fundraiser is starting soon. Please watch for more information. This an easy way to donate to the PTO without having to sell items. Donations can be made by check or online via PayPal. Please see if your employer matches contributions as we are designated as a non-profit 501c3 organization.
Mark your calendars for our at large meeting on February 17, 2021(6:30pm) via Zoom. The McFarlanders for Racial Equity and Justice will be the guest speaker, followed by principal and PTO updates. The PTO also meets the second Thursday of the month for PTO advisory council meetings. To join us please email Michaela Voeck (PTO president) at mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com to be added to the Zoom meeting invite.
You can see all our updates by following our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/McFarlandPTO or visiting our website www.mcfarlandpto.org
Message from Ms. Stokes
To my family, friends, former and present students/student athletes and friends I have yet to meet, I’d like to apologize for sending this note to you so late. I wanted to wait until my life was back to some kind of normalcy. Well, now it finally is getting there.
On Feb. 1, 2020 my life changed drastically because of a kitchen fire at the house I was renting in Madison. The fire department never determined what caused it to start. The smoke was so intense that it put the fire out but there was a lot of smoke damage. Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to my three boys, my dogs.
I have been lucky to be renting a furnished house outside of McFarland. It was a month by month agreement. Meanwhile, all of my salvageable belongings were up in Green Bay, getting clean.
Well, I can finally say that I can stay here and all of my things are now in a storage shed in McFarland. It is slowly becoming my home. The most exciting news? I’d like you to meet Newman!! , pictured here next to a summer sunset from my deck.
This experience was made a bit easier because of your thoughts, prayers, continued support, and donations. I can honestly say that I am the George Bailey of McFarland. If you don’t know who this person is, watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” next holiday season. You'll understand.
2020 has been a tough year for everyone. Remember all the people in your life and count your blessings each and every day.
Thank you for love and support.
McFarland Youth Center - February News
Hello Youth, Parents and Guardians.
Continuing on with phase one of our reopening plan the McFarland Youth Center will host in person and virtual activity groups in February.
- The February in person programming (sign up only) will continue to be very limited as we continue with Phase 1 of our reopening plan.
- Groups are 2 hours per day on Mon/Tue/Wed only from 4:00 to 6:00 (virtual programs will continue on Thursdays) no programming on Fridays to allow for a deep cleaning of MYC)
- Mondays: Arts and Crafts, Tuesdays: Science activities, Wednesdays: Computer and video game lab. More detailed description in the sign up link below
- Extensive safety precautions and guidelines have been put into place for both the safety of the youth and staff (see below)
- Programming will be OUTDOORS whenever possible (pop up tent, tables, plexiglass dividers and chairs have been acquired to support this) (During winter months, youth will likely be indoors)
- Youth are welcome to sign up for as many program slots as they would like but are expected to do their best to attend the programs that they sign up for
- A completed electronic permission slip form is REQUIRED for anyone choosing to participate (see link below)
- All groups will be capped at 6-8 youth
See links below for a schedule and program descriptions:
February IN PERSON Programming Permission Slip & Sign up here: In Person Programming Sign Up
February VIRTUAL Programming Permission Slip & Sign up here: Virtual Programming Sign Up
COVID-19 Safety Precautions:
- Both staff and youth will be expected to wear masks at all times while indoors (as well as outdoors whenever they are less than 6 feet to another person). An exception will be made during snack time in which youth will be seated 6- 8 feet apart.
- MYC will provide every youth who signs up for a program with a cloth mask. Youth will be expected to bring this to programming each day. (Youth are also welcome to bring their own masks instead of using a MYC issued mask)
- Youth and staff will have their temperature taken at arrival each day, if their temperature is above 100 degrees, they will be asked to leave until tested for COVID19.
- Youth and staff will be expected to use hand sanitizer upon arrival and throughout the day.
- Activities will take place outside whenever possible.
- Staff will deep clean and sanitize MYC twice daily.
- Youth members will be expected to follow safety guidelines, if a youth is unable to do so a parent will be contacted and youth may be asked to take a break from MYC activities.
- Youth and staff will stay 6-8 feet apart in order to observe social distancing guidelines.
- Youth will have individual program supplies for every activity in order to reduce the spread of germs.
Snacks will be provided daily but will be pre-packaged for each youth.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out with any questions.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: mcfarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandyouthcenter/
Tech Savvy 2021 Camp - 6th - 10th Grade Girls
Encourage her passion for STEM! Support her love of science, technology, engineering and math.
Register 6th-10th grade girls in Tech Savvy 2021 today! Only $10 per attendee!
Two Saturdays | February 13 & 27 | 9:00 a.m. - noon
Tech Savvy 2021 is a two-day, virtual workshop for girls in grades 6 to 10 to inspire and encourage them in STEM fields and careers.
The girls who attend Tech Savvy will experience inspiring discussions and exciting hands-on activities led by professional women in STEM fields.
To help complete the online workshops, and encourage further exploration, there is a supply bag pick up at multiple locations throughout Rock and Walworth counties for registered attendees. Bags include materials needed for the workshops, conference t-shirt, a hardcover book titled The Confidence Code for Girls, and, if you're one of our lucky winners, a door prize!
Registration is limited to 100 students! Don't miss your chance to get involved.
Astrophysics? Engineering? Forensic Science? How about plants, animals, people, and computers? Explore her interests.
Each participant will get to choose from exciting online workshops to customize her own STEM experience and have the opportunity to be inspired with a keynote speaker and a discussion panel with women in STEM careers. This is one event you won't want to miss!
Contact Continuing Education Services at cesevents@uww.edu for any additional questions.
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