Spartan Gazette
Indian Mound Middle School
Greetings From Aaron Tarnutzer
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
As hard as it is to believe, another school year is coming to a close. There are so many wonderful memories to share from the school year and also a few things to look forward to next year. Here are a few of the highlights:
Parents of 5th grade students: Welcome to your first IMMS newsletter. We hope you find our newsletter to be informative and interesting. It was wonderful to see so many of you on May 1st at the 5th grade parent night. If you were unable to attend, you may find the information on our website in the quick links section at http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/. We have heard so many wonderful things about the class of 2024 and we can’t wait to have them join us. While our next formal meeting will not be until the orientation sessions during the evening of August 30, please feel free to contact IMMS at 838-8980 with your questions. In the meantime, please order your child’s P.E. uniform online. You may find the flyer on our website.
Parents of 6th grade students: What a wonderful start to their middle school careers. It has been exciting to watch this class change from shy and rather nervous students in September to the confident students they are today. The class of 2023 has already made IMMS a better place through their initiative, enthusiasm, and commitment to our school. This class has developed a reputation for their kindness and positive behavior. I can’t wait to see what they can do in 7th grade. I also want to acknowledge how impressed with have been with how involved you have been in their education. It has been an honor to partner with you.
There will be a few changes for them next year, including having different teachers for Social Studies, Science, Math, and Reading/Language Arts. The students in their classrooms typically change each period as they no longer travel as a homeroom as they did for 6th grade.
Parents of 7th grade students: They have reached the end of the middle of the middle. There are so many amazing students in this class who are ready to be leaders. We will count on these students to serve as excellent role models for our incoming 6th graders next year. Many of these students will be taking a summer school leadership course to serve as “Ambassadors” for the upcoming year.
In 8th grade they can expect more freedom and independence, accompanied with higher expectations and responsibility. In an effort to build community and guide students’ social and emotional development, next year we will be adding a daily ARRE Time for 7th and 8th grade similar to what they experienced in 6th grade. There are also many “perks” to being in 8th grade including extra field trips (i.e. civil war, ropes course), being able to stay inside for recess during the winter months, and more. Before you know it, we will find ourselves in January where your child will begin choosing classes for the high school based on the career conversations they have with their School Counselor, Mr. Jim Kramer.
Parents of 8th grade students: This is your last issue of our newsletter. Your children have made our school better with their great ideas, by modeling empathy for our younger students, and by “jumping the hurdles of life” on a daily basis. I can’t believe 3 years has passed. You will be amazed by how much they have changed when you see the slide show during 8th grade recognition! It is hard for us to see this class move on, but it will be fun to watch them at the high school. Before you know it, we will be at their graduation! I suppose I should slow down a little bit, but time does fly. We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone at 8th grade recognition on May 31st, followed by the end of the year trips on June 1st, and the 10:20 dismissal on June 2nd. It has been an honor to serve as their Principal for the past three years.
Next Year: IMMS will look a little bit different next year. Most notably, construction will begin on our remodeling project with the anticipated completion date of September, 2018. Our enrollment for next year will remain fairly stable, which means our space issues will continue to pose challenges. We are fortunate to have flexible students and staff who are willing to share space as we teach and learn in every available space in this well maintained building. Unfortunately, we are saying goodbye to a some very important staff members including 7th grade English/Language Arts Teacher Lauren Gould who will be teaching in Barcelona, Educational Assistants Amy Clermont, Brenda Council, Jossie Peterson, and Mary France, who are moving to the high school, and Educational Assistants Julie Landphier, Kelly Smith, and Vince Duckert who are leaving the district for new opportunities. We are excited for Tracy Ndlovu who will transition from her current role teaching students in the Literacy Lab to replacing Lauren Gould as a 7th grade English/Language Arts Teacher.
We welcome your thoughts on the school year and questions about next year. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call, stop in, or send an email. Thank you for making this year so amazing. Now, it is time to start counting down the days until the 2017-18 school year!
Aaron Tarnutzer
IMMS Principal
Summer School
Summer School Dates:
- Session 1: June 19 - June 29 (classes Monday-Thursday)
- Session 2: July 10 - July 13 (one week session! Classes Monday-Thursday)
- Session 3: July 17- July 27 (classes Monday-Thursday)
- PLUS - Friday Fun Days: 6/23, 6/30, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, (from 8:00am-12:15pm)
Student of the Month
French is truly a "World Language"
Ever wonder why the labels on your clothes and shoes have French on them? Because it's spoken all over the world!
There are more French speaking countries than you think! French is an official or unofficial language on five continents in over 50 countries. The 8th graders at IMMS were assigned countries where French is an official language. They used the iPad app "Explain Everything" to make brief audio/visual presentations. These presentations represent about half of all the French speakers around the world and most of the countries that were researched are in Africa. Most westerners aren't aware that French is spoken in over 25 countries on the continent of Africa alone.
News: French Is the "Language of the Future" for Business and Global Diplomacy : modlangs.gatech.edu/news/item/582819
To access the students' presentations IMMS French teacher Katie Younger created the website nousparlons.weebly.com. "Nous parlons" means "we speak" in French. The website is a work in progress (not all presentations are available yet) but we would love to have you check it out.
Leadership Camp 2017
The WASC (Wisconsin Association of School Councils) 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 (www.wasc.org) 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 & interesting student activities. This level is for “first-timers”.
LEVEL 2: ENGAGE – Been to Level 1? Try Level 2! 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.
Spartan Trophy
Students vs. Staff Basketball Game
Girl Up Pie Smash
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