Spartan Gazette
November 2019
Aaron Tarnutzer, Principal
Building Administrative Assistant: Gina Pili pilig@mcfsd.org
Attendance Line: 608-838-8980
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/Indian-Mound-Middle-School-McFarland-WI-204736889672509/
Twitter: @ATarnutzer
The End of the First - By Mr. Tarnutzer
The first quarter of the school year has been so exciting. We are enjoying our “new” library and the book fair was an amazing success! In addition to getting more books in the hands of students, all profits from the book fair will be used to purchase more books and other reading material! Thank you to everyone who came to family/teacher conferences. We were grateful to have the opportunity to partner with you and your child as we help them grow as learners as people. We are committed to staying connected with you throughout the school year and welcome your thoughts, questions, and ideas. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to a staff member at any time as we need your involvement. Thank you to everyone who generously donated food for our teachers to eat in the 20 minutes they had between school ending and conferences. Our motto for staff treats is, “Quantity over quality,” but you had both! Thank you to the PTO and Stefanie Feralin for organizing this!
Our students have been very busy both during school and after school in our many clubs and athletics. Staff have commented on how actively engaged our students are not only in their learning, but in making a difference for others. Our Student Council and 8th grade Ambassadors have been very involved in leading many wonderful activities (i.e. Mix it Up at Lunch Day, Principal Advisory Council Meetings). Their efforts have a much greater impact than anything the adults would design ☺
This time of year our students get a little restless, so we are doing our best to keep them busy. To that end, we have many things to look forward to in November including our first musical performances in the new Performing Arts Center (PAC). Here are a few of the highlights for November:
Nov. 6: 6th grade Band Concert at 7:00 p.m., McFarland High School
Nov. 7: End of the First Quarter
Nov. 8: No School (staff development)
Nov. 13: IMMS Solo/Ensemble, starting at 4:15 p.m. @ IMMS
Nov. 21: IMMS Choir Concert, 7:00 p.m., McFarland High School
Nov. 21: 8th Grade “Future Quest” Field work
Nov. 25: Bowls for Hunger, 5-7, McFarland High school
Nov. 28, 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
Students of the Month - November
McFarland youth Center - Youth of the Month - Evan Hafeman
IMMS Messenger is Seeking Sponsors
Indian Mound Middle School’s student newspaper, IMMS Messenger, is seeking sponsors to help defray printing costs. Sponsorship would benefit not only the students working to create written and graphic information for the paper, but also all the students, staff, and families who read the pieces featuring IMMS connections.
The cost of newsprint, ink, and production for one issue of the paper exceeds $200. This is more than students can raise through bake sales and other in-house means. Yet the printed edition offers the value of putting student work in the hands of peers throughout the school, providing authentic publishing experiences and a student-oriented way to communicate what is going on at the middle school.
Student involvement in the newspaper staff has increased this year. With the larger staff, more pieces are being produced. We already have surveys, editorials, sports stories, cartoons, play coverage, and photos in the works. Our goal is to print four issues this year if we can raise enough money.
The students also are discussing selling advertising space in the newspaper. Space is at a premium because we want the focus to remain on student work.
If you would like to become a sponsor or are interested in purchasing advertising space, contact adviser Tracy Ndlovu at NdlovuT@mcfsd.org.
Solo/Ensemble Festival
Local Solo/Ensemble Festival will be here at Indian Mound Middle School on November 13th, 2019 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
IMMS music students have a long history of participation in the Solo/Ensemble Festival, and this year will be no exception. All students in performing music classes (Band & Choir [7th and 8th Grade only] Orchestra [6th-8th Grade]) will participate in the Local Solo/Ensemble Festival. For specific classroom expectations and requirements, please don't hesitate to contact the teacher for your son/daughter’s class.
All events will happen in various classrooms in Indian Mound Middle School between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Each solo or ensemble will be scheduled an 8-10 minute time slot for performance and clinic session with the teacher we’ve hired to adjudicate the Festival. Teachers will be making the schedule soon, so if your son or daughter has a scheduling need (early, middle, late, etc.), please have all requests to his/her teacher no later than November 1, 2019.
This is a performance; students should prepare (practice at home) their music, dress appropriately, and perform their very best. Also, parents, families and friends are encouraged to attend and hear the student performances. (no matter what your son or daughter might tell you…)
If you have any questions not addressed above (or maybe not addressed clearly enough), please contact your son/daughter’s music teacher as soon as possible.
Joe Hartson, HartsoJ@mcfsd.org (8th Grade Band)
Leanna Hershey, HersheL@mcfsd.org (6-8 Orchestra)
Katrina Lemens, LemenK@mcfsd.org (7-8 Choir)
Brian Vanderbloemen, VanderB@mcfsd.org (7th Grade Band)
IMMS solo night
Wednesday, November 13 from 4:15 - 8:15 PM.
IMMS band and choir students in 7th and 8th grade.
IMMS orchestra students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
More information will be coming soon from your music teacher.
Care Package Drive
Our lead custodian, Mr.Gennrich’s, son Hayden, has been deployed to Afghanistan. Let’s send a care package(s) to him and other members of his troop. Here is the list of items that all the military personnel could really use and/or enjoy. Thanks for helping support our troops and Mr.Gennrich’s son.
Items for donation: toothbrush, toothpaste, decks of cards, Slim Jim’s meat sticks, sunflower seeds, deodorant, crossword puzzles, Beef Jerky Twizzlers, shaving cream, flavored drink packets, pretzels, nuts, high quality socks, Gatorade/Powerade, chips, trail mix (no chocolate, it will melt), disposable razors, Ramen Noodles and crackers.
Individual serving size snack packages only please. Mice, rats and snakes like to enjoy the large package snacks. Bins are in the library.
Let’s adopt Hayden’s troop and show our appreciation for their commitment to our country!! Thank you.
Swimming Session December 2nd - 19th
Food drive
The McFarland Community Food Pantry is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive with IMMS
Currently there are over 150 Families within McFarland that need our support.
With your help, the Students & Staff at IMMS
can really make a difference!
We are asking that IMMS can donate ONE to TWO ITEMS for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive.
1 BOX OF STUFFING MIX
1 CAN OF CRISPY FRIED ONIONS
A collection box will be in the IMMS Main Office.
Please drop off items NO LATER THAN November 13th.
Thank you for making a difference in our community!
For questions, please contact Cyndy White at whitec@mcfsd.org
McFarland Youth Center - November
We are moving into November and McFarland Youth Center continues to provide daily activities, a daily snack, a homework space, homework help, a recreational space and more.
This month we would like to invite all of our middle school families to attend our annual Thanksgiving Potluck! This will take place on Thursday, November 21st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. McFarland Youth Center will provide the turkey and a few sides, families are invited to bring an additional side to pass. Please RSVP to McFarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com with the number of family members attending! (If you can not bring a dish to pass, please still come and enjoy the meal!)
On Friday November 8th, McFarland Youth Center will be open from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Please send your youth over to enjoy a snack and fun non-school day activities.
Our after school program will continue to run from 3-6 Monday to Friday (Tentative: check calendar or monthly emails for any closings). During this time youth are welcome to use the space for recreational activities or to participate in a group activity. They are also welcome to use our homework room for a quiet and calm place to read or do homework, adults will be available to help if needed. McFarland Youth Center has many recreational options this year! An outside and indoor basketball hoop, air hockey table, pool table, a Xbox 1 & other video game systems, foosball, shuffle board, darts, ping pong, board games and more!
Girls Group will continue to run from 5:30 to 7:00 on Mondays for the month of November, we have once again partnered with girls scouts to offer the youth developmentally enriching projects and programs. Additionally, youth will have opportunities to earn girls scout swag and exciting MYC incentives! This opportunity will be open to the first 10 girls to sign on; email McFarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com for more information or to add your kiddo to the list! (Youth will be fed dinner on Girls Group days due to extended hours)
Boys Group will continue to run on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 pm, we will offer group games and identity building projects during this time. Boys will also earn incentive awards through MYC for attendance and participation. (Youth will be fed dinner on Boys Group days due to extended hours)
See below for Key Dates:
Key Dates and Closings:
- Friday, November 8th: MYC open 1-5pm (Non-school day hours)
- Thursday, November 21st: Thanksgiving Potluck 5-7pm
- Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th: MYC CLOSED!
If your youth is new to MYC please fill out the needed pledge form found on our website https://www.mcfarlandyouthcenter.org/
Once this form is completed and submitted youth are welcome to drop in any time from 3-6 (M-F) for any after-school programming and to sign up for any extended programming.
Megan Beckler
Managing Director
McFarland Youth Center
5114 Farwell St
PO Box 362
McFarland, WI 53558
Office: (608) 838-3839
Cell: (608) 395-8617
Playtime Productions
PLAYTIME PRODUCTIONS Community Theatre By and For Children ALI BABA & A FEW THIEVES Performance Schedule Fall 2019
Monona Public Library Preview--$2.50 suggested donation Saturday, November 9 at 2:00
UW Waisman Center--$2.adults, $1. children Sunday, November 10 at 1:00
Waunakee Library at the High School--goodwill offering Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30
Emerson PTO at Emerson Elementary School--$2.00 per person/$5.00 per family
Friday, November 15 at 6:30
Warner Park Community Recreation Center--$1. suggested donation Saturday, November 16 at 1:00
Belleville PTO at the High School--$2. suggested donation Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30
McFarland PTO at the High School Black Box Theatre--$2. suggested donation Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30
Monona Grove High School--$5. per person/$20. per family Saturday, November 23 at 7:30 PTP Benefit Family Fun Activities start at 6:30
Goodman South Madison Library at UW Space Place in the Park Street Villager Mall--free Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30
Overture Center for the Arts Promenade Hall--$3.00 suggested donation Friday, December 6 at 6:30
Madison Public Library – Central Library - Community Room –free Saturday, December 7 at 1:00
Barrymore Theatre--$3.00 suggested donation Sunday, December 8 at 6:00
Mt. Horeb PTO at the High School--$2.50 donation at the door Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30
Goodman Community Center Grace Room at the Ironworks--$2.50 donation at the door Friday, December 13 at 7:00
Stoughton Opera House--$5. per family Saturday, December 14 at 1:00
free sales for families - donations and volunteers needed
Free Sales for Families (McFarland-based nonprofit) is LOOKING FOR DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS for our upcoming FREE SALE! We provide community members with children’s items (regardless of income level or location of residence) in exchange for freewill monetary donations, which go to local nonprofits.
Since fall 2016, thousands of people have been served and nearly $12,000 has been raised for local nonprofits including:
-McFarland Food Pantry
-McFarland Youth Center
-Mikayla’s Grace
-McFarland High School Pride Pantry
Our NEXT FREE SALE is March 15 & 16 and we need your help to make our efforts go even further!
*Email freesalesforfamilies@gmail.com
*Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/freesalesforfamilies
*Call or Text (608) 579-3226