Spartan Gazette
Indian Mound Middle School
Greetings From Brett Jondle
It’s difficult to believe that yet another year has come and gone, and that we find ourselves looking ahead to another year. This time of the year is always bittersweet as I am one who enjoys routine and often struggles with change. The older I get, however, the more I understand that with change comes new opportunities and growth. It is that outlook that has helped me to look forward to the New Year and understand the importance of reflecting on the past.
The Holiday Season is often a time of reflection, a time for change, a time to set new goals, as well as a time to celebrate and look ahead. The same holds true for each of us here at IMMS. This “half-way point” of the school year allows each of us to look back at what has gone well so far, what changes are on the horizons, and also a time to celebrate our work!
As we look back at the academic year so far, changes have continued that have allowed growth to occur in our building. We have continued the ongoing implementation of iPads for our students for interactive learning and continue to search for new ways to provide cutting edge technological opportunities for our students and staff. Specifically, the entire sixth grade classrooms have engaged in the “one to one” program in which each student has been assigned a school issued iPad. The classrooms doing this have gone nearly paperless and are using these iPads as their primary learning tool. Our district continues to be one of the leaders in Dane County with providing technological opportunities for our students thanks in part to your continued support each year. Our PBIS [Positive Behavior Intervention and Support] Team has continued to fine-tune our positive behavior recognition system by solidifying a consistent protocol for recognizing student behavior that is in alignment with our “We A.R.R.E Spartans” motto. We have continued to improve the consistency of our scratch-offs, Positive Behavior Referrals [PBRs], and our monthly “Student of the Month” assembly with the goal of recognizing positive student behavior.
In addition, we have continued with our interventions to help students who may not respond to the general expectations and the recognition process. As a result, we have fine-tuned our “Check-In, Check-Out” procedure in which these students have a staff member check in at the beginning of the day as well as check out with that student at the end of the day providing additional positive interactions. In addition, this year, in response to our student needs and to foster continued professional development, behind the leadership of Jen Breezee, our Reading Coordinator for grades six through twelve, IMMS has continued our path with our Literacy Action Team. This team met throughout the summer and continue to meet during the school year discussing, researching, and planning ways to continue to move our student learning forward with literacy [reading, thinking, speaking, writing…] best practices as the vehicle to do so. One specific outcome has been our universal focus for all teachers to be sure to “set the purpose” with students before any reading activity. In addition, this team has worked to create a common rubric for all classes to use when assessing and providing feedback for student writing, and have also created and implemented “non-negotiables” for all student writing [proper nouns capitalized, punctuation, etc.]. Finally, Mr. Tarnutzer, Ms. Breezee, and I conducted “Literacy Walkthroughs” last Friday, November 14 visiting all classrooms to gather evidence of the literacy strategies in action within our classrooms. We will use this information to help to continue to celebrate our successes as well as identify areas in need of growth to continue to push student learning forward! We have also begun a “Math Action Team” that is in its early stages of development and will research, identify, and share instructional best practices for math. This work will continue with this year being used as a “planning/preparation year” followed by implementation of new instructional practices to come in the upcoming school year. This will be an exciting time for us all! Finally, we have seen a successful implementation of “Writer’s Workshop” across all language arts classes grades sixth through eighth grade! On Monday, December 1, IMMS Staff will be involved in continued professional development with “Writer’s Workshop”, iPad professional development, the continued creation of common assessments, collaboration for planning and dialogue around instructional best practices, as well as the opportunity for our math teachers to analyze student data, prepare interventions, and to collaborate on next steps to push learning forward! Thank you for your willingness to allow our staff to have this important day of work to collaborate!
As we move into 2015, if you are like much of society, this may be a time in which you set New Year’s resolutions. Continuing this year, and into the next, the state of Wisconsin will embrace the Common Core State Standards [CCSS], and by doing so, will provide teachers guidelines to teach in a way that allows students to delve deeper into learning, experience richer discussions, and produce more meaningful work preparing them for the 21st century. Much like last year, teachers will continue intense work in January, February, and May with, in some cases, re-structuring their curriculum to align with these new standards as well as construct a “guaranteed and viable curriculum” that is seamless and effective to provide the highest amount of relevant student learning possible. In addition, teachers are now revamping their assessments to match the CCSS as well as the new Smarter Balanced Assessment [Badger 3-8] that is waiting on the horizon for the Spring of 2015 [for measuring student growth in reading and math]. Not only will these goals listed above continue into 2015, but will move into 2016 and beyond. This will be an exciting time for McFarland students and teachers!
Finally and most importantly, this holiday season is a time to give thanks for all that we have and what we have to look ahead to for 2015. I invite you to look back on all that your 2014 has been, and to what 2015 can be. While change is scary for many of us, it always brings substance and opportunities to each of our lives. Let’s embrace the unknown and celebrate all that 2014 was for us!
From our IMMS family to yours, may 2015 bring each of you peace, prosperity, and happiness.
Warmly,
Brett Jondle, IMMS Associate Principal
Family and Consumer Sciences Day
For the first annual Family & Consumer Sciences Day, the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences will be asking families to prepare and eat a healthy meal together on December 3rd. December 3rd was chosen to honor
AAFCS Founder Ellen Swallow Richards, first woman graduate of MIT. December 3rd is her birthday.
Below is a link to make a comittment to dine in on December 3rd! Our goal is to reach 200,000 families.
What a great way to celebrate our family! Hope you can be a part of the day!
Attention all 7th and 8th Grade Girls Joining Basketball
1. Page 7 of Co-Curricular Code**: Signed Emergency Information, Informed Consent and Student Pledge. This page must be filled out and signed by both student-athlete and parent.
2. Physical Form: If you need a physical, the green physical sheet must be filled out, signed and dated by the physician. Parents must fill out part of the green sheet and sign also. (For 2014-2015 eligibility the physical must be dated after March 31, 2013.)
3. Concussion Form signed by parent and student-athlete.
4. Sports Fee: $63.00
PLEASE NOTE: ** If you were out for cross country or volleyball in the fall, you only need to turn in the sports fee.
Thank you to everyone who supported IMMS through the Book Fair this year!
Bowls for Hunger
The McFarland Art Department would like to thank all IMMS students and families who contributed to this year's Bowls for Hunger. A special thanks to art students from 1st and 2nd Quarter who helped glaze bowls for the event. IMMS contributed 200 wonderfully glazed bowls this year - wow!
Getting Health Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act
5 Things to know:
1. What is a Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange?
A Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange is a new way that Americans can compare and shop for health insurance. U.S. citizens and others who are legally in the U.S. can sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace. You cannot be turned down. You may even be able to get help paying for your new insurance. For more information or to sign up for health insurance go to www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
2. Do I have to sign up for health insurance?
-You do need to sign up if you have no insurance, or you are losing your coverage, or you are not eligible to be covered under an affordable, quality employer plan. If you don't have insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage, you may have to pay a fee when you file your taxes.
-You do not need to sign up if you are covered by BadgerCare Plus, Medicare, Medicaid for Elderly, Blind or Disabled, the VA health program, or good and affordable insurance through your job or your spouse's job.
-Young adults can stay on their parents' insurance until they turn 26, but they can also go to the Marketplace to see if they can get less expensive insurance or qualify for BadgerCare Plus.
3. How much does it cost?
-It does not cost anything to apply and learn what insurance plan options you qualify for, what they will cost per month, and what financial help you can receive.
-You may qualify for a discount and/or tax credit from the federal government. the amount of financial assistance is calculated when you sign up and it can lower your monthly cost right away.
-Once you know your options you can decide what health insurance plan is best for you and your budget.
4. What information do I need to sign up?
-ID information for all members of your family (age, Social Security numbers, or legal permanent resident/green card or visa numbers).
-Income for all family members who must file taxes because you will have to estimate your 2015 family income to get your financial assistance.
-Information about insurance offered through your job or your spouse's job, even if you don't take it, including how much it costs for a single plan.
5. Important things to remember after you sign up
-You must pay your premiums (the amount you pay for your insurance) every month to keep your coverage.
-Watch for information from the health insurance plan you select (such as membership card, new member letter, and more) which will help you get started with your new plan.
-Report any changes in family income or number of people in your family by calling the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.
Need help enrolling in Health Insurance in Dane County?
If you need help sorting through your best health insurance options under the Health Insurance Marketplace or BadgerCare, the following FREE assistance is available.
United Way of Dane County has up-to-date information about where to get help to sign up for health care coverage, and help to pay your premiums (monthly costs) through Health Connect. Call 2-1-1 for dates and locations.
Covering Kids & Families will be doing enrollment at community sites throughout Dane County. Call 2-1-1 for dates and locations.
Dane County Job Center - 1819 Aberg Avenue, Madison: Certified Application Counselors from Access Community Health Centers are at the Job Center every Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-in.
Meriter Hospital - 202 S. Park Street, Madison: Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-417-5015
St. Mary's Hospital - 700 S. Park Street, Madison: Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-258-6517.
Stoughton Hospital - 900 Ridge Street, Stoughton: Certified Application Counselors are available by appointment only. Call 608-873-6611.
Independent insurance agents and brokers: Call 2-1-1 for the names of agents and brokers in your area who work with all of the health insurance companies that are selling plans through the Marketplace, as well as BadgerCare. They can answer questions and help you sign up, at no cost to you.
Assistance for organizations
If your organization is interested in Marketplace or BadgerCare Plus training or would like assistance with an enrollment event, please contact Covering Kids & Families at info@ckfwi.org or 608-261-1455.
Important Dates for 2015 health care coverage
-Sign up between November 15, 2014 and February 15, 2015
-Sign up before December 15, 2014 for coverage to start on January 1, 2015
-You can only sign up after February 15, 2015 in special cases
Student of the Month
Spartan Trophy
VIP Seats and Treats...YUM!
E.D. Locke Public Library Christmas Craft-Palooza
Drop by the morning of Christmas in the Village, pick from among a half-dozen choices, past favorites, as well as a few new crafts & make a holiday card, gift bag, angel tree topper or ornament while supplies last! If you need accommodations to attend these programs, please call 838-9030 two weeks in advance.
Saturday, Dec 6, 2014, 10:30 AM
E D Locke Public Library, Milwaukee Street, McFarland, WI, United States
McFarland Baseball Boosters Presents - DUELING PIANO FONDUE FUNDRAISER
Premium Reserved Table (Seat 8) - $250.00 closest to stage
Standard Table (Seat 8) - $175.00
High Top Tables (Seat 4) - $100.00 Limited Quantity
Tables can be split - minimum purchase of 4 seatsAdults over 21 only
Questions Call: Christine Riese-Ochalla - 516-2359
Deb Strode - 235-7473
Or email: mcfarlandbaseballboosters@gmail.com
Mail checks to: McFarland Baseball Boosters
6311 Hidden Farm Road
McFarland, WI 53558
General Admission at the door if available
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