IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS
APRIL 2024
IOWA-GRANT DISTRICT OFFICE
Thoughts from the Superintendent..........
As this article is drafted, roughly one fourth of the public school districts have a referendum on the ballot for either operations, facilities or both. In my opinion, it is time for Wisconsin to review its system of regulating and supporting public education and alleviate the stress that insufficient funding is creating on already strapped school districts.
At the regular meeting of the school board on March 11, 2024, I provided the board with some conceptual options as we at Iowa-Grant seek to strengthen our financial profile and to avoid any further reductions in staffing levels, which at some point will begin to impact the quality of our programs.
A key part of the presentation is that under the current state-aid formula, we may have an opportunity to capitalize on our relatively high level of state aid. State aid is determined on prior year expenses. In one example, a static increase in taxes, for example $250 on a $200,000 could provide a steady increase in revenue authority, since each subsequent year, the state would reimburse the district for seventy one cents of every dollar expended. This is a favorable dynamic.
It is important to keep in mind that the scenario outlined above is based on assumptions of “all other things being equal,” when there are many variables in the equation. Over the next few months the school board will be discussing these options before ultimately making a decision to move forward in placing a referendum question on the ballot, perhaps this November.
At the same time, the board has been working with an architect to plan some long-needed upgrades to the high school locker rooms and athletic facilities. We expect that the architects may be present at the April 11, 2024 school board meeting to share some preliminary ideas. We are interested in your thoughts on both of these proposals. Please consider attending one of the upcoming monthly board meetings and keep your eyes open for a survey or community forum as the board seeks community engagement on these topics.
Michael Shimshak
Band Students
Please mark your calendars! There are 4 parades in our communities each summer. We hope getting these dates to you as early as possible may help you plan vacations.
Sunday, June 2 @ 2:00 (Montfort)
Sunday, June 23 @ 1:30 (Livingston)
Sunday, July 28 @ 2:00 (Linden)
Sunday, August 11 @ 2:00 (Cobb)
IOWA-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
IGHS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
04/01 NO SCHOOL
04/01 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Belmont (Home) (Livingston) (Cancelled)
04/01 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Darlington (Away) (Cancelled)
04/01 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Darlington (Away) (Cancelled)
04/02 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Home) (Livingston) (Cancelled)
04/02 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Barneveld (Home) (Cobb) (Cancelled)
04/02 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Barneveld (Home) (Cobb) (Cancelled)
04/04 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Monticello (Home) (Livingston)
04/04 4:30 PM PM Softball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Home) (Cobb)
04/04 6:15 PM PM Softball: JV vs Riverdale (Home) (Cobb)
04/05 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Fennimore (Away)
04/05 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Belmont (Away)
04/05 6:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Fennimore (Away)
04/05 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Belmont (Away)
04/06 9:30 AM Golf: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Mineral Point
04/08 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Dodgeville HS
04/08 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Darlington (Away)
04/08 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Shullsburg (Away)
04/08 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Cuba City (Home) (Livingston)
04/08 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Cuba City (Home) (Cobb)
04/09 4:00 - 7:30 PM In-Person Parent/Teacher Conferences
04/09 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
04/09 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Home) (Livingston)
04/11 4:00 - 7:30 PM In-Person Parent/Teacher Conferences
04/11 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Cassville HS
04/11 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Riverdale (Home) (Linden)
04/11 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Fennimore (Away)
04/11 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Fennimore (Away)
04/11 6:30 PM Board Meeting
04/12 NO SCHOOL
04/12 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ Darlington Country Club
04/12 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Darlington (Away)
04/14 6:00 PM Forensics Showcase
04/15 4:00 PM JV/Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ Deer Valley Golf Course
04/15 4:15 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Prairie du Chien HS
04/15 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
04/15 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Away)
05/15 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Boscobel (Home) (Cobb)
04/15 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Home) (Cobb)
04/15 6:00 PM Music Parents' Meeting
04/16 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Cuba City (Away)
04/16 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Cuba City (Home) (Livingston)
04/16 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Prairie du Chien (Home) (Cobb)
04/18 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Boscobel HS
04/18 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Potosi (Home) (Livingston)
04/18 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)
04/18 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
04/19 Forensics State Contest
04/19 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Pecatonica (Away)
04/20 11:00 AM Baseball: Varsity vs Kickapoo (Away)
04/20 11:00 AM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Platteville HS
04/20 12:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Kickapoo (Away)
04/21 6:30 PM FFA Banquet
04/22 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ Yellowstone Golf Course
04/22 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Southwestern (Away)
04/23 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Meet vs Multiple Schools @ Riverdale HS
04/23 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Pecatonica (Home) (Linden)
04/23 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Southwestern (Away)
04/25 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs River Ridge (Home) (Livingston)
04/25 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Darlington (Home) (Cobb)
04/25 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Darlington (Home) (Cobb)
04/26 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ Hickory Grove Golf Course
04/26 4:15 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ River Ridge
04/26 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
04/27 State Solo & Ensemble
04/27 9:00 AM Softball: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools (Home) (Cobb)
04/29 3:30 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Fennimore HS
04/29 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
04/29 6:00 AM Softball: JV vs Riverdale (Away)
04/30 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ Dodge-Point Country Club
04/30 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Fennimore (Home) (Livingston)
04/30 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Boscobel (Away)
04/30 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Away)
Iowa-Grant Music Bake Sale Fundraiser
Iowa-Grant Band and Choir Students Take-Over Branson
Band and choir students started off their Spring break with a trip to Branson, MO. Students were able to go to a Haygoods show, go zip-lining, visit Silver Dollar City, play/sing at the Missouri State University, enjoy Mini Golf, check out the Fantastic Caverns, and of course enjoy the hotel pool. Thank you to the parent chaperones and to the teachers for making it an amazing trip.
Ag Department Manager Spotlights
"Thank you for your time and dedication to the Iowa-Grant Ag Department. You both take pride in your work and are reliable and responsible with your daily duties. I am so grateful to have you both as managers this school year! Because of you, our feathered friends are spoiled and the greenhouse is running smoothly and efficiently." - Mrs. Hammerly
Congratulations Cyle!
Congratulations to Cyle S. for being named WBCA All-State Team. Cyle was selected as an Honorable Mention players for the Division 4 All-State Team. #pantherproud 🐾🐾
Dodgeville CO-OP Team Places 6th at State - Make Program History
Congratulations to our Dodgeville CO-OP gymnastics team who placed 6th overall at WIAA State Gymnastics Meet! They made program history as this highest they have placed in their 6 State appearances. Way To Go Girls!!!
Boys Basketball All-Conference Honor!
Congratulations to Ashton S. - Honorable Mention and to Cyle S. - 1st Team All-Conference. Panther Proud!
State Bound - Creed Speaking
Congratulations to Lily L. for winning the Section 4 FFA Speaking Contest in the category of Creed Speaking. Lily will compete in June at the Wisconsin State FFA Convention in Madison.
FFA CDE Results Are In
The Iowa-Grant FFA Chapter took 7 teams to the Regional Career Development Event Contest hosted at UW-Platteville on Thursday, March 21. These students did an outstanding job! 3 of our 7 teams have qualified for the State Contest on April 25th. Congratulations to all and best of luck at STATE!
FFA Proficiency Results
Congratulations to Ella P. and Kaycee L. on their 7th Gold placing and Section 4 Winner results for their 2024 Wisconsin State Proficiency Award Area. Ella's SAE is in the category of Poultry Production, and Kaycee's SAE is in the area of Beef Production Placement. Congratulations!!
What is an SAE?
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a student-led, instructor-supervised, work- based learning experience that results in measurable outcomes within a predefined, agreed upon set of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Technical Standards and Career Ready Practices aligned to your Career Plan of study.
IOWA-GRANT ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
From the Desk of Jennifer Gallagher
I hope you all had a wonderful spring break! As we head into our last quarter of the school year, there are many reminders. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Track and Field will be starting for 7th and 8th-grade Middle School Students. The track meet schedule will be as follows:
April 11 @ SW
April 18 @ Dodgeville
April 22 @ Prairie du Chein
April 30 @ Fennimore
May 3 @ SW
May 7 @ Lancaster
May 14 @ Darlington
The eighth-grade promotion date will be Wednesday, May 29th, at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.
Summer School sign-ups will be held beginning Tuesday and run from April 2- April 26th. To help with planning, the weeks of the summer school will be:
1st session: July 8-11 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
2nd session: July 15-18 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
3rd session: August 12-15 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
To sign up for JULY SESSION 1 classes, go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48739060-july
To sign up for JULY SESSION 2 classes, go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48741724-july
To sign up for AUGUST classes, go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48742107-august
There will be a snack/recess in between sections.
We also offer T-ball and Coach pitch softball and baseball. This runs in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 8 - August 1 with: (it is ideal if the people working T-ball/Coach Pitch could supervise both events). The teacher's role is to work with and manage volunteers to teach fundamentals.
T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Wisconsin Forward Exam is still underway. Testing occurs in the following grades:
grades 3-8 in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics,
grades 4 and 8 in science,
and grades 4, 8, and 10 in social studies.
This exam will assess your child’s achievement in grade-level standards and as part of Iowa-Grant Elementary Middle School’s state report card. We appreciate your support of our efforts.
There is some helpful information regarding the Forward Exam: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/assessment/pdf/Forward_Brochure_for_Families.pdf.
Title 1 meeting April 4th for any interested Iowa-Grant Elementary- Middle School parent. If you can not make the April 4th Title I meeting at 7:45 p.m. there is another meeting option on April 5th at 7:30 a.m. in the Iowa Grant Elementary-Middle School Conference Room. If you cannot make either of those meetings and would like to meet or receive more information please get in touch with Jen Gallagher to arrange a time to meet.
Child Development Day
Where: Iowa-Grant Elementary
When: Friday, April 19th, 2024
8:00-12:00
Who: Any child in the district born between Sept 2020 and August 2021
The Iowa-Grant School District is holding a Child Development Day for any child in the district born between September 2020 and August 2021. This is an exciting opportunity for you to bring your child to school to check his/her preschool readiness skills. Through play we will explore colors, shapes, counting, following directions, and language development.
If you would like to bring your child to the Child Development Day please call (608)943-6313 ext 0 to sign up!
Students Entering 7th Grade
Students entering 7th grade need a dose of the Tdap vaccine or a waiver on file at school before the start of the school year. Please make summer plans to see your medical provider.
The waiver can be found at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f04020l.pdf
Any questions?
Contact Amanda Linscheid, RN email: alinscheid@igs.k12.wi.us office phone: 608-943-8752
5th Grade Science
Students in Mrs. Heimsoth's, 5th grade science, class wrapped up their Ecosystem unit by dissecting owl pellets. The students discovered what animals their owl ate by matching the bones they found in the pellet to the bone chart they were given.
Kindergarten Field Trip
Kindergarten enjoyed a community field trip to the Montfort Public Library and Montfort Veterinary Services. We learned all of the great things our libraries have to offer. Then, we toured the veterinary office and learned what a vet does. Thank you for allowing us to visit!
Kids Heart Challenge
Elementary students wrapped up the Kids Heart Challenge! They learned how to keep their hearts and brains healthy while raising funds to help kids with special hearts. Our students raised $4,500 for the American Heart Association. Many students also completed lessons at home to learn the lifesaving skill of hands-only CPR and how to recognize a stroke. Many students earned prizes for their work and our top fundraiser got to pie their teacher!
4K has BIG DREAMS!
The 4-Year-Old Kindergarten classes have been learning all about community helpers and discussing what we want to be when we grow up. We had lots of fun learning about different jobs, visiting with parents about their jobs, and touring the kitchen here at IGEMS. We celebrated the end of the unit by dressing up at what we want to be when we grow up.