WIS Express
May 2020
Waubesa Intermediate School Information
School Principal:
Corey Shefchik
Associate Principal:
Al Northouse
Building Administrative Assistant:
Arlene Bast (608) 838-7667
Email: shefchc@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/
Phone: 608-838-7667
A Note From Our Principals...
Dear Waubesa Families,
We are excited to connect with you through our May Waubesa Express Newsletter. This month we have a few updates as this school year gets closer to the finish line. Some of these topics include:
Field Trip Cancellation and Activity Fee Credit
State and District Testing Updates
4th and 5th Grade Human Development
Grade Level Transition Supports for the 2020-21 School Year
End of school year personal items pick-up and cleanup
Please take some time to review these messages as they contain some information that will be helpful to you and your child as we continue through this school year.
We look forward to supporting you and your children throughout the last day of the school year, which is Friday, June 5th. Please remember to visit our Distance Learning Page, watch our Daily Announcements and access our Student Services page if your student is having any struggles with their social/emotional well-being that may need extra support.
Thanks for all you do to support your children through this extended closure. We are here as a school community to support you in any way we can.
Keep showing that Waubesa POWER!
Corey Shefchik
Al Northouse
May Calendar Updates
May 22 - Staff development day for teachers. Lessons will still be provided to students. No live Zoom meetings or Office Hours that day.
May 25 - Memorial Day - NO DISTANCE LEARNING SCHEDULED
June 5 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Personal Item and Yearbook Pickup
2019-2020 Field Trip Status
Human Growth and Development Presentation Updates
In late February, our School’s health team was finalizing the dates and delivery of our Human Growth and Development Curriculum. With the changes that have happened since then, we have adjusted that plan to that aim to meet the developmental needs of our students keeping in mind the sensitivity of this subject.
In the past, 4th grade families were invited to a Human Growth and Development Family Night, where teachers presented information on physical changes that happen in adolescence. This was presented as a guided conversation between parents and their children and served as a safe transition for the information presented in 5th grade during the school day. Next year we will return to this model of delivery.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to host our Family Night this year, nor deliver our curriculum traditionally to our students in classrooms. To continue to serve our 4th and 5th grade families, we will provide you with the same information via email which will allow you to share with your students. The lessons will have guidance for conversations much like our Family Nights. It will be up to parents/guardians to determine if, when, and how they deliver this information to their children.
Currently, our Physical Education Teachers are creating two lessons that we will be sharing with families in May. One of these lessons will be more focused on the physical changes experienced by young women, while the other focuses on the physical changes in young men. Both lessons will include information on both genders, however the specific lesson will provide more information on the gender identified in the title of that lesson. We strongly recommend parents review this information before sharing with their children.
We appreciate the challenges that many of you are facing while balancing work, parenting, and teaching during this school closure. However, our students do not stop growing simply because they are at home, and we feel this information could help guide a conversation and support our students as they grow.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks for your continued support.
State and District Testing Updates
Update on Transition Activities
Collaborative Proactive Solutions During COVID-19: A Coffee Chat With Ross Greene
Help Our School With Box Tops!
A Message from the McFarland Youth Center: Virtual 5th Grade Days
The McFarland Youth Center is a free nonprofit organization that serves middle school youth. None of the programs offered below have any cost as we are a 501 C(3) non-profit.
Hello parents and guardians, I hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during these times. The McFarland Youth Center offers middle school youth a recreational and safe space where they can foster social emotional and educational assets. Youth are eligible to attend the youth center once they are in the summer before their 6th grade year. Some of what we offer is a recreational space, a cooking club, fun daily activities and homework help.
Normally around this time our center offers the 5th grade youth of the community an opportunity to participate in several 5th grade days. Youth get a chance to experience the center before they are officially old enough to attend. This year, we may not be able to offer this opportunity in person, but we are however offering several 5th grade virtual opportunities. These groups will engage youth in typical youth center activities.
Please see below for our two exciting 5th grade opportunities!
Email and phone information: Please reach out to McFarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com or call Megan (managing director) at 608-395-8617 to receive more information on The McFarland Youth Center or any opportunities below.
Virtual Magical illusion group: Youth who join this group will attend 4 virtual sessions in which they will learn how to perform a magic trick each week. This class will be taught by the professional magician James the Magician. Of course, MYC staff will also be there to monitor and parents are welcome to sit in with their kiddos as well. This program will start on May 19th. If interested in joining this group or for more information, please email McFarlandYouthCenter@gmail.com
5th Grade Virtual Activity & Game Group: Youth who join this group will participate in a 6 week virtual activity group with MYC staff and other 5th grade youth. Youth will receive 6 weeks’ worth of activity supplies, expected to be saved for each week’s group. Supplies can be picked up by no contact curbside, mailed or dropped off to your doorstep. The family can choose which options support their comforts. Examples of the activities that we will do include slime, canvas art, lava lamps, sensory bottles and more. This program will start on May 20th. If interested in joining this group or for more information, please email McFarlandYouthCenter@gmail.com