WIS Express
--------------February 2021------------
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,
It’s February, and that means we’re now in the second semester of the school year. First semester report cards are now available on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please take a moment to review this letter that explains some adjustments made to the report card. Please note that you'll access your child's report card in your Infinite Campus Portal under the Documents section, not reports.
The start of February is also a transition for all of us as some of our students move to Hybrid In-Person and others to virtual learning with a new cohort of students and new teachers. We’re so happy that students and families had the opportunity to select a learning choice that was right for them. Families will be able to make a change to their learning selection for the fourth quarter during the month of March. For your reference, the third quarter ends March 26 and the fourth quarter begins April 6.
For families making the transition to Hybrid In-Person, you can review our WIS Express Hybrid newsletter that was sent in early January. Please remind your student that our expectations are that students will wear a mask at all times including in learning environments, shared spaces, and recess. For families making the transition to the in-house virtual option, the schedule will feel very similar to the first semester (check out this link to virtual schedule and information). Related Arts will remain the same for all students. Students will continue to attend the same Related Arts sessions on Wednesdays as they did during the first semester. We'll also continue with our bi-weekly all school virtual assemblies on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
WIS 2021-2022 Classroom Placement Feedback:
It might feel odd that we’re already beginning to think ahead to the 2021-2022 school year but this is typically the time of year when we receive requests from families for the following school year. The process for determining class placement for the 2021-2022 school year occurs during the spring and summer, with final decisions shared with families as a part of fall registration in August. Many factors go into this complicated and time-consuming process as great care is taken to establish class rosters that support the unique needs of all learners. Our plan is to follow this same timeline with the mindset that we’ll be back in-person in the fall; of course, we’ll adjust plans as needed.
Please note that while we do NOT take family requests for placing their child(ren) with a specific teacher, friend(s), or peer(s), we are open to parents sharing details about teacher characteristics or classroom environments that we might consider when determining a student's best placement. If you are interested in sharing preferred teacher traits or classroom environment needs (without specific teacher names), please send an email or written note to the by Friday, March 5, 2021 to:
All incoming Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students: WIS Principal Corey Shefchik, shefchc@mcfsd.org
All incoming Sixth Grade students: IMMS Principal Aaron Tarnutzer, tarnuta@mcfsd.org
Valentine's Day:
Due to COVID-19 practices of minimizing shared and high-touch items, along with avoiding items brought into school from home, we are not holding Valentine's Day celebrations at WIS. Your child may participate in other classroom-based activities that promote friendship, kindness, and inclusion.
In this edition of the WIS-Express, we’re excited to share with you the following:
WIS Hybrid In-Person and Virtual Learning Updates
Important Health/Medical Reminders
Cold weather gear reminder
A Note from Student Services
Student Meals Update
PTO Information
More McFarland App
School Calendar Updates
Community Events/Activities
Kind regards,
Corey Shefchik - Principal
Al Northouse - Associate Principal
Hybrid In-Person and Virtual Updates
Virtual Service for Student Quarantine
Students who have been told by the school district, a medical provider or Public Health Madison and Dane County to quarantine for an extended amount of time, and are well enough to engage in learning activities, will continue to have access to lessons and learning materials with the support of a Virtual Teacher for the duration of the quarantine.
If a family has concerns for the health and safety of a member of their household, their child may be approved for short-term virtual learning services on a case-by-case basis. Families should contact the District Nurse and school administrators to discuss this option. Please contact Joan Murwin or Renee Brandt in the WIS Health Office if you have questions or concerns. 608-838-4673
If a family is awaiting testing results and the student is healthy enough to participate in learning, the student is able to access virtual services.
Students will attend live Zoom sessions similar to Step 2 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00-2:35pm.
Students will continue to complete the asynchronous (recorded) lessons in Canvas for their classroom and related arts classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Students will continue to attend their live related arts classes on Wednesdays at their regularly scheduled Zoom times.
Health Information during Hybrid
Please CLICK HERE to review the important health information, including family responsibilities for screening every morning, when to keep your child home, health office visits, and medication
The district has policies in place for when staff observe COVID-19 symptoms in a student once they arrive at school. Please use this symptoms screening checklist with your child.
Please CLICK HERE to access our district’s Health Services site for additional information and direct links
***Please contact Joan Murwin or Renee Brandt in the WIS Health Office if you have questions or concerns. 608-838-4673
Cold Weather Gear
If you need support obtaining winter gear, please reach out to our school social worker Lily Hlavacek (hlavacl@mcfsd.org).
Message from Student Services
As part of our social-emotional learning at Waubesa we have talked a lot about emotion regulation. We have created a Google Site that is a Virtual Calming Room to help students whenever and wherever they might need tools to help with regulating emotions. We have added a Virtual Calming Corner shortcut as an "app" on their school iPads. All students in hybrid and virtual classrooms will have access to this "app". Students are encouraged to explore the tools that are available to determine which ones work best for them. Adults are also encouraged to use these tools whenever they need them, too! Here is the link to the Google Site. It can be accessed from any device.
Student Meals
USDA has approved free meals again! This means that ALL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL McFarland children, 18 and under, AT NO COST.
You will still need to sign up on line by 7 am the morning of pick up. All orders will include a lunch for that day and a breakfast for the following day. IF YOU DO NOT PICK UP AN ORDERED MEAL, WE WILL CHARGE YOUR ACCOUNT $3.15 TO COVER OUR COSTS. Place your order on our NEW ORDER FORM
Starting Jan 26, 2021 - Meal pick up is only available daily at McFarland High School Pool/PAC Entrance off of Exchange Street from 11:15-12:45 (until 1:00 starting Feb 1). PLEASE POP YOUR TRUNK WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PICK UP SITE AND HOLD UP A SIGN WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.
All lunches include an entrée, ½ cup fruit, ½ cup vegetable and 8 oz. milk carton. Breakfasts include an entrée, ½ cup juice, ½ cup fruit, and 8 oz. milk. Adults may also purchase meals from us. You will indicate on the survey your choice of the menu item or a large chef salad. Check our online menus.
CEPS Families, WIS Families (available Feb 2) and IMMS Hybrid Families (available Feb 22)
If you would like for your child to bring home free meals after school you will need to sign up on line by 7 am the morning of take home using our NEW ORDER FORM. Morning students will receive a lunch for that day and a breakfast for the following day when they leave their classrooms. Afternoon students will receive a lunch and a breakfast for the following day when they leave. These meals will be cold lunches. Hot lunches will NOT be sent home with students.
All virtual students have the option to order pick-up meals from MHS. Virtual students can order meals for a sibling to bring home if the sibling is hybrid.
Message from the PTO
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
1st Semester Report Cards
Our first semester ended on January 22 and teachers are finalizing report cards now. You can view your student's report card online on February 1 after 3PM in the parent portal of Infinite Campus. If you're needing assistance accessing your parent portal, please view this note from our principals
https://mcfarlandwi.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/mcfarland.jsp
Remember that you don't need to wait for report cards for an update on your child's progress. Feel free to get in touch with us at any time to discuss how your child is doing!
The McFarland School District App
Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the McFarland School District Mobile app which is tied to our website. You can easily access News, Events, staff contact info and more.
You can customize what alerts you receive by selecting the 'My Alerts' option!! This is an additional tool we will use to inform families and students of important developments like school closures so make sure you have your Emergency Alert activated!
The app is available from the Apple App Store, Google Play as well as any device using this URL.
February Calendar Updates
February 1 - No School (WIS Only)
February 2 - First Hybrid Day and First Day of the Waubesa In-House Virtual Option
February 10 - All School Assembly @11AM.
February 15 - Staff development day - NO SCHOOL
February 22 & 23 - Picture Retake Day (more information to follow)
Time is ticking... don't miss out on enrolling in Futura's LIVE Virtual Spanish classes!
E-learning is more than Electronic here at Futura, it is also Effective and Engaging! Virtual in real-time LIVE Spanish instruction starts this February with ALL NEW MATERIAL. Our virtual platform includes two course options – ‘Vamos a explorar’ is a theme-based class where students will “explore” all in Spanish. ‘Essential Spanish’ will include all the basics to create an amazing language foundation for years to come. Various times and days to choose from to fit your family’s needs for language learning. Please check our website for course details and offerings. https://futuraadventures.com/virtual-learning-registration/ Enroll today, space is limited. We look forward to seeing your student in class...virtually!