Spartan Gazette
December 2017
Indian Mound Middle School
Building Administrative Assistant: Gina Pili / pilig@mcfsd.org
Attendance Line: 608-838-8980
Fax: 608-838-4588
Email: TarnutA@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/
Phone: 608-838-8980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Indian-Mound-Middle-School-McFarland-WI-204736889672509/
Twitter: @ATarnutzer
A note from Associate Principal Mr. Jondle
Greetings,
“Being Present!”
It’s difficult to believe that yet another year has come and gone, and that we find ourselves looking ahead to another calendar year. This time of the year is always bittersweet for me personally as I am one who enjoys routine and often struggle 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! With this theme in mind, I find myself guilty of always looking ahead to the future and forgetting to truly “be present” and living in the moment. One of my favorite quotes that I’ve always tried to live out is, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”
That being said, I would like to provide a few reminders about one aspect of this school year that has been a focal point for our students, staff, and families regarding students truly “being present”.
This is our second year of the newly adopted School District of McFarland’s attendance policy. The McFarland School District policy allows for ten (10) excused absences in a school year. Beyond ten days, we ask that absences be verified by a doctor’s excuse, appointment card, or be approved by the Principal or Associate Principal.
We realize that some absences are unavoidable. At the same time, we know that when students miss too much school they can fall behind academically. We don’t want your child to fall behind and get discouraged. Here are some things you can do to keep your child on track:
Make daily, on-time attendance the expectation in your household
Establish regular routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep
When possible, avoid scheduling dental and medical appointments during the school day
Avoid extended vacations that require your child to miss school
Don’t let your child stay home unless he or she is truly sick
Ask for help from school officials if you’re having trouble getting your child to school
If your child is sick or there is a legitimate reason for keeping your child home, we ask that you please contact the Indian Mound Middle School Office at (608) 838-8980 before 8:10 A.M. If your child does see a doctor or is in the care of a medical professional, kindly provide the school with a note from the doctor or clinic.
Additionally, I thought I would share some statistics that have surfaced in direct correlation with student achievement and attendance.
Half the students who miss two-four days in September go on to miss nearly one month of school.
An estimated 5 million to 7.5 million U.S. students miss nearly one month of school each year (approximately 20 days).
Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. One in ten kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
By Sixth Grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student may drop out of high school.
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school year [or about 18 days in most school districts], negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
The academic impact of missing that much school is the same whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.
Most school districts and states don’t look at all the right data to improve school attendance. They track how many students show up every day and how many are skipping school without an excuse, but not how many are missing so many days in excused and unexcused absence that they are headed off track academically.
It is my goal this year and each year forward, to do everything I can to help provide support and understanding for families and students regarding attendance. It is also my hope that we continue to create a school environment where students want to be at school and truly be present!
New Year
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 2018. I invite you to look back on all that your 2017 has been, and to what 2018 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 2017 was for us while remembering to truly “be present” living in the moment, and making the most of our time together here at IMMS!
From our IMMS family to yours, may 2018 bring each of you peace, prosperity, and happiness.
Warmly,
Brett Jondle, IMMS Associate Principal
Resource Used: Ten Facts About School Attendance: Click here.
OCTOBER Student of the Month Recognition
The Students recognized for the month of October are as follows:
6th Grade: Katelin Eggers, Reese Turner, Zoey Lewis, Courtney Davis, Jackson Vogelsang, Jack Sabtke, Gavinn Vega, Ryan Pavelec, Emily Sprang and Leo Freedman.
7th Grade: Ashlyn Altenberger, Elias Landolt, Karina Dyslin, Aidan Chislom, Alina Monzon, Alex Fite, Sierra Binger and Elliot Hummer.
8th Grade: Brooklyn Ray, Michael Bruce, Mara Freeman, Matthew Schutt, Tristan Sloane, Isabella Gletty-Syoen, Hadley Johnson, Ally Borchardt and Damian Hawn.
Scholastic 2017 Holiday Book Sale
December 6 - December 8
Deforest, WI
Weekday Hours: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm, except Thursday, 12/7 : 10:00 am - 7:00 pm,
Friday, 12/8 : 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Located at:
Comfort Inn & Suites
5025 County Road V
DeForest, WI 53532
Reading Tips for Winter Break
Winter break is quickly approaching and this time of year can get pretty hectic. Here are a few tips and the list of the best books of 2017 from the ALA (American Library Association).
Read for fun: Encourage your child to read a favorite magazine, author or book.
Read together: Read a family favorite, or an author that you both may like.
Stock up on books at the local library.
Make the most of travel time: If you are traveling during break, look for local books, travel brochures, maps about your destination. Maybe try an audiobook that everyone can listen to during the car ride.
Research other cultures and traditions to find out about other winter holidays.
Cook with your child. Encourage your child to read recipes and labels as you prepare family favorites or new creations.
And if you are still stumped… try out one of the BEST Books of the year!!
Library Matters
New from the library!! Overdue notices are now being sent automatically to student email accounts every two weeks. Overdue notices will also be sent to parent emails once each month. We are confident that this will help students and families keep up with library books.
Keep your child reading over Winter Break with these available resources from the library on your child’s iPad:
Flipster - digital magazines
Destiny Discover - eBooks and audiobooks - checkout and read on the ipad
Tumblebook Cloud- ebooks - read online books
Access information and passwords can be found on the Library Website.
Coats for Kids
We are collecting coats, snow pants, boots, hats, mittens/gloves, and scarves, for students in the Dane County area who are living in poverty, displaced, or are homeless. This is the third year of hosting a warm winter gear drive. The first year we were hosted by Indian Mound Middle School and last year the High School joined. We are very excited to announce that this year all five schools in our district have graciously offered to host and collect items. We are hoping to set a personnel record and collect more than we have the past two years combined. Though, our main goal is to make sure all students attending our partner schools, have everything they need to stay warm this winter.
Drop off in the front office.
Food Club Update from Ms. Colle
Food Club Update from Mrs. Colle
The IMMS Food Club has begun to meet on Tuesday after school. So far, members have brought in a food item from home and have had to create something out of the items on hand. One challenge is how to work cooperatively in a group.Members are:
Oliver Sears 7
Brooke Clark 6
Kailee Hadley 6
Payton Henes 6
Chase Johnson 6
Anna Kok 6
Cassidy Miller 6
Gloria Traktman 6
Alana Wagner 6
One week's food items were homemade tortillas with toppings and tomato pasta soup.
DO YOU KNOW WE OFFER BREAFKAST EVERY MORNING?
We know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Our children need to receive nutritionally adequate meals in order to learn and grow properly. We also know that mornings can be hectic trying to get everyone off to school and work on time. If there isn’t time at your house to make breakfast or, if you child isn’t yet hunger before you leave, The School Nutrition Department offers a healthy, well balanced meal to start your child’s day off right.
We offer one hot entrée every day and there will be at least three cold entrees every day to choose from. Low sugar cereal will also be available daily. Mini bagels and lowfat, whole grain blueberry muffins are just a couple examples of what we offer. Check out our website for the menu of hot items at http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/district/Dept-SchoolNutrition-Menus.cfm.
The cost of breakfast is $1.75 or $0.30 for students who qualify for reduced lunch. Families who qualify for free lunch are also able to receive a free breakfast. If you have any questions about breakfast or anything about our program, please contact me, Barb Waara, Student Nutrition Director, at waarab@mcfsd.org or 838-4549.
First Bell - 8:03pm
Tardy Bell - 8:10pm
Dismissal Bell: 3:34pm
December Dates At-A-Glance...
December 11 - 6th Grade - 8th Grade Orchestra Concert 7:00pm at McFarland High School
December 21 - Student of the Month Assembly
December 22 - January 1 - WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL