Spartan Gazette
Indian Mound Middle School
Greetings From Brett Jondle
“Collaborate, Achieve, and Celebrate!”
It’s difficult to believe that there is already one month of 2017 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 2017 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.
Spartan Trophy Challenge: During the month of December and the early weeks of January, through our Positive Behavior and Intervention Support [PBIS] program, the students at IMMS focused in on ways to be responsible. Students were reminded of the importance of appropriate use of school issued technology and using this school issued technology at the appropriate times! January’s challenge is to help remind students of the importance of showing respect by keeping their feet, hands, and objects to themselves while also showing responsibility by arriving to class on time with the necessary learning materials for each class. The Spartan Trophy will be awarded to the winning grade on February 3, 2017 during our monthly “Student of the Month” assembly.
Student of the Month Assembly: On February 3, 2017, 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 2:40pm!
Celebrate Good Times, Come On! On Friday, February 3, students who have earned academic grades that are passing in all of their classes as well as a passing conduct and effort grade [O, S, or N] will participate in a full day of learning, celebration, and recognition! Students will have a modified schedule in which they will have all of their academic classes and lunch by 11:50am. Starting by 11:50am, students who are eligible, will participate in their “Celebration Day” activity of choice, lasting until approximately 2:15pm. Following the Celebration Day activities, a “Student of the Month” assembly will begin at approximately 2:40pm in the IMMS Gymnasium to recognize students nominated by IMMS Staff for the month of January.
Family/Teacher Conferences: On Thursday, February 2 and Tuesday, February 7, 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 2] will be done by invite only, followed by Tuesday, February 7 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 18 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!
Student Visitors! Indian Mound Middle School will be hosting up to six seventh and eighth grade students and their teacher for five days (January 31-February 4) as part of the sister school relationship the school district has established with Shijiazhuang, China! While learning about America, its people, and educational system, our Chinese guests will also find significant ways to teach our school community about their own nation, culture and people. It is incredibly touching and effective when students teach other students!
Staff Development Days: There will be no school on Monday, February 27. This professional day will allow staff to continue to work on their curriculum with other team members of either the same grade level or same subject area.
Additionally, our Literacy Action Team Action Team and Math Action Team will be meeting to continue looking at our instructional practices at IMMS, specifically at ways to sharpen our use of literacy [reading, thinking, speaking, writing, and listening] as well as numeracy in and out of the classroom. Finally, teachers will have time to collaborate in their Professional Learning Communities [PLCs] to analyze student work, determine ways to continue to provide effective and timely feedback to students, and also continue to reflect on effective ways to infuse and assess College and Career Readiness Skills [ie: critical thinking, constructing a viable argument, etc.] to further enhance student learning! 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!
As I look back to January and wait for what’s ahead for February, the theme of collaboration, achievement, and gratitude all 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. Together, let’s support one another to always push forward and to also not lose sight of what’s important…our youth. 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
Guidance News: 8th Grade Students Register for High School
With the start of the New Year comes the impending transition to High School for our IMMS 8th graders. This is a very exciting time full of choices and uncertainties. These decisions can be supported and anxious times alleviated through active involvement for students and their parents in the decision making process. Therefore, it will be crucial to keep in mind some important dates when looking to allow for an efficient and successful transition:
Wednesday, February 1st: MHS counselors will present important High School registration information to 8th graders in their Social Studies class.
Monday, February 6th: Parent (of 8th grade students) Orientation meeting & tour at MHS from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF 8TH GRADERS AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS ARE URGED TO ATTEND.
Thursday, February 23rd: Registration for high school classes must be complete on Career Cruising and a printout is due to the student’s Social Studies teacher.
If you have any questions, please call Jill Runde at 838-4577 – she will be most happy to help!
World Read Aloud Day 2017
World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words and creates a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people. By raising our voices together on this day we show the world’s children that we support their futures: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their stories.
World Read Aloud Day allows members of our year-round programs to invite more people into their literacy community and brings LitWorld’s messages to the rest of the world. World Read Aloud Day is now celebrated by over one million people in more than 80 countries and reaches over 31 million people online. The growth of our movement can be attributed in large part to our network of partner organizations and “WRADvocates” – a group of reading advocates and supporters taking action in their communities and on social media.
This year's World Read Aloud Day will be on Thursday, February 16th. For more information please go to http://www.litworld.org/wrad/
Talent Show
"Overture, Cue the Lights, This Is It, The Night of Nights..." Who has talent? The students & staff of IMMS have talent! All are welcome to come join the fun on Thursday, March 23, 2017 as Indian Mound students perform, sing, dance…and entertain! Will there be some staff surprises again this year? Performance application forms are due Friday, February 24th and auditions are scheduled in the lunchroom after school on Tuesday, February 28th. The mandatory dress rehearsal is right after school on Tuesday, March 21st. Please direct your questions to Mr. Kramer at 838-4576
Student Council News
Student Council News
The Indian Mound Middle School Student Council meets every Thursday at 7:30am on the stage & has had a busy semester with projects that focus on the 5 S’s of Leadership (Students, Service, Staff, Senior Citizens, & Student Council).
The Indian Mound Student Council is hosting the State Leadership Conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC) on May 7-8, 2017 & will need LOTS of help welcoming over 1200 middle schoolers from all over Wisconsin to the Marriott West in Madison. Student Council reps planning to attend the state conference are required to participate in the after-school work teams (TBD) as well as the next work party on March 24th at 12:30 (teacher work-day) at IMMS. Please contact Jim Kramer at 838-4576 if you (parents) are interested in helping too.
An all-school dance is scheduled for after school on March 13 (Monday).
Fuel Up to Play “Super Bowl Breakfast Recipe Contest” - Help IMMS win $300!
Breakfast bowls are a popular & easy way to enjoy the first meal of the day...so channel your inner chef & submit your recipe.
Recipes must contain yogurt, cheese, or milk as one or more ingredients but the rest (fruit, cereal, eggs, veggies,...) is up to your creative ideas.
The Super Bowl Breakfast Recipe Contest deadline is February 15, 2017
Have ideas for one of our 5 S’s? Contact Mr. Kramer with your thoughts.
The WASC offers an unbelievable summer camp experience that ALL IMMS students (not just Student Council) are encouraged to attend: Whether students are involved in Student Council, school clubs, sports teams, the school musical, dance, cheerleading, or Scouts, WASC camp is for you! In fact, the camp programs are for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills!
Middle School Camps: Levels 1, 2 & 3 — July 9-13, 2017 (http://www.wasc.org/camp/)
LEVEL 1: LEARN – During the Level 1 experience, students will participate in fun activities focused on skills essential for the middle level including: building self-esteem & self-advocacy skills, learning what it means to be a leader, & ways to create exciting and interesting student activities. LEVEL 2: ENGAGE – Team building, goal setting, communication, & organization are key components to being an engaged leader. Participants at this level will have the opportunity to explore concepts of leadership, improve their leadership skills in a creative, engaged way, & gain a better understanding of self & sensitivity to others. LEVEL 3: ADVOCACY – Entering high school confident & ready is essential to student success. The Level 3 curriculum combines experiential learning with essential skill development to ensure this success. Students will learn valuable skills like self-advocacy, effective communication, & goal setting – in a creative and engaging way.
All IMMS students will receive $50 scholarships to attend camp. Please contact Mr. Kramer for details.
Cafeteria News
Hearty and Healthy Hot Lunch!
As the cold days of winter continue, the McFarland Student Nutrition Department is here, serving up school meals that are warm and welcoming! Each morning, our team is hard at work preparing for your child’s meal times. This month’s menu is full of familiar favorites that we’re sure they’ll love. This winter, consider letting us do the cooking… we promise to serve their meal with a smile that’s just as warm!
Your Resolution Solution
This time of year, most people resolve to “get healthy”—but did you know that resolving to save money is almost as popular? We have good news if either or both of those resolutions are on your family’s list... the meals that the McFarland Student Nutrition Department serves are comprised of at least 51% whole grains and reduced fat dairy to support a healthy body weight; plus we offer up to 5 cups of fruit and 5 cups of vegetables each week.* Not only are school meals health-conscious, they’re also cost-conscious—saving families an average of $.25 per day!**
*According to USDA National School Lunch Program guidelines **Based on average meal prices for the 2014-15 school year
News from Health Services
Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is hosting a 2017 Preschool Family Conference March 31 to April 2, for families that have children who are blind or visually impaired through age 5. Location is in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Cost is $50/family. To register go to www.regonline.com/2017preschoolconference. To reserve a room call (920)432-1234
Wisconsin Lions Camp is taking Camper Applications (for Deaf and Hard of hearing, Visually Impaired, Autism, and Diabetes camps. Please call (715-677-4969) to register. More info can be obtained online: info@wisconsinlionscamp.com
For Free Public Health/Dane County Immunization Clinics: By appointment only Jan 2017-June 2017, call (608) 266-4821, the schedule for clinics can be viewed at www.publichealthmdc.com.
Also, please be sure to let school staff know if your work, cell, or home contact information has changed in case of emergency. Thanks
P. E. Swimming Notice
All Ms. Stokes' P.E. classes will have their swimming unit from February 6th - 24th. Mr. Kubicek’s P.E. classes swim unit will be February 28th through March 17th. Please remember that suits for physical education and on-campus activities must be one-piece or tankini style swimsuits that are suitable for rigorous physical activity. Any student may wear a shirt over their swimsuit. Please send a towel and goggles (if your child would like to wear them).
Feel free to contact Ms. Stokes or Mr. Kubicek if you or your child has any questions about the swimming unit
Indian Mound Middle School
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/pages/Indian-Mound-Middle-School-McFarland-WI/204736889672509?ref=hl
Twitter: @ATarnutzer_IMMS