IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS
APRIL 2023 / IGSD NEWSLETTER
IOWA-GRANT DISTRICT OFFICE
Thoughts from the Superintendent.....
In partnership with the community, the Iowa-Grant School District will empower all students to reach their full potential as responsible individuals who strive for life-long learning to successfully compete in an ever-changing global society.
As we complete the third quarter of the academic year, it is a good time to both reflect upon where we have been and to look forward to what’s ahead for us as the Iowa-Grant School District. How are we doing in realizing our mission and what might we do to create a sustainable and brighter future for our students, families and communities?
Although I can point to many successful waypoints such as a berth at state for our cross country team, and other co-curricular successes including, music, forensics, FFA, and more, I want to highlight the recent Leo Club banquet and the outstanding participation we have from our students in this service organization . I greatly appreciate and congratulate Mr. Boland for his leadership with this high school club and commend our students for their work in serving the broader community. As the students were introduced to the audience, I found it remarkable that so many are seeking further education in everything from the sciences to music education and music therapy. It is apparent that we strive to help our students to make a meaningful contribution to the greater good, and to successfully compete in an ever-changing global society.
Looking ahead, I wonder about our strategic priorities. It has been some time since as a community we sat down together to consider our future. This past October we invited the community to a Family and Community Town Supper (FACTS) to consider the best use of federal funds through a one-time grant. We used the input to drive our budgeting of these dollars, roughly $800,000, which are being earmarked for updates in language arts curriculum, support for our students whose first language is not English, and the continuation of a position from the prior year aimed at supporting social and emotional learning. and some long-standing facility maintenance.
We expect to host another FACTS with the start of the next academic year. We hope for community engagement as we consider developing an updated strategic plan. There are many variables in play as the state budget and education funding will be known by then and we can better plan for our financial future. Without significant changes to the state-imposed revenue limits, we will have to identify priorities and an action plan, which may include a referendum for operations as was done in 2016.
I believe we should continue convening community meetings as we consider enrollment projections and our facilities. For example, we are currently evaluating proposed expenditures from our capital projects fund to address a critical point in the high school electric service, a school van, flooring in IGEMS and more. The board will be taking up these items over the next several months as bids and quotes are received. Long-term, I hope we can be strategic in evaluating repairs at the high school and the adequacy of some of our athletic spaces.
I look forward to your involvement in these important discussions and welcome any ideas you may have about where we have been and how we can best meet our school mission.
Michael Shimshak
Iowa - Grant Band Summer Schedule
The Iowa-Grant Band will be marching in our local parades this summer! You'll hear us rockin' out to some Taylor Swift! If your student participates in band and is in 6th-12th grade, please make your best effort to have your student at the following parades. We look and sound our best with as many people participating as possible!
Montfort on June 4th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
Livingston is June 25th @ 1:30 (1:00 call time)
Linden is July 30th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
Cobb is August 13th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
Important Change to Accessing Electronic Reports
IOWA-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
IGHS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
4/3 Start of 4th Quarter
4/3 4:15 PM Track & Field: Varsity Meet vs Multiple Schools @ River Ridge School District4/3 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Monticello (Away)
4/3 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Away)
4/3 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Boscobel (Away)
4/4 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Southwestern (Home)(Livingston)
4/4 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Shullsburg (Away)
4/4 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Shullsburg (Away)
4/6 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Away)
4/6 5:00 PM Baseball: JV vs New Glarus (Away)
4/6 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Fennimore (Home)(Livingston)
4/6 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Fennimore (Home)(Livingston)
4/7 NO SCHOOL
4/7 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Highland (Home) (Linden)
4/7 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Highland (Livingston)
4/7 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Belmont (Home) (Cobb)
4/7 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Belmont (Home) (Cobb)
4/8 9:00 AM Golf: Boys Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Dodge-Point Country Club
4/10 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Dodgeville (Home) (Linden)
4/10 5:00 PM Softball: JV vs Cuba City (Away)
4/10 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Cuba City (Away)
4/10 6:30 PM Board Meeting
4/11 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Cuba City (Home)(Livingston)
4/13 Sophomore Forward Testing
4/13 4:15 PM Track & Field: Boys Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Cassville HS
4/13 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Riverdale (Home) (Linden)
4/13 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
4/13 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Riverdale (Away)
4/14 Golf: JV/Varsity Match vs Multiple Schools @ Hickory Grove Golf Course
4/14 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Darlington (Home) (Livingston)
4/15 9:00 AM Softball: JV Tournament vs Multiple Schools @ Bluff View Middle School
4/16 6:00 PM IG Forensics Showcase @ IGHS IMC
4/17 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity Match vs Multiple Schools @ Deer Valley Golf Course
4/17 4:15 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Prairie du Chien HS
4/17 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
4/17 6:00 PM Music Parents' Meeting
4/17 6:30 P Softball: JV vs Darlington (Home) (Cobb)
4/18 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)
4/18 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Home) (Cobb)
4/18 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Mineral Point (Home) (Cobb)
4/20 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Boscobel HS
4/20 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Boscobel (Home) (Linden)
4/20 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Southwestern (Home) (Cobb)
4/20 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Southwestern (Home) (Cobb)
4/21 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs East Dubuque (Away)
4/21 5:00 PM Softball: Varsity vs Platteville (Away)
4/21 6:15 PM Softball: JV vs Platteville (Away)
4/21 5:30 PM Forensics State Contest @ UW-Madison
4/22 11:00 AM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Platteville HS
4/23 6:30 PM FFA Banquet - IGHS Cafeteria
4/24 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity Match vs Multiple Schools @ Cole Acres
4/24 4:30 PM Baseball: JV vs Darlington (Away)
4/24 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)
4/24 6:00 PM Softball: JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
4/24 6:30 PM Board Meeting
4/25 4:00 PM Track & Field: Varsity Meet vs Multiple Schools @ Southwestern HS/MS
4/25 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
4/26 6:30 PM SWAL Academic Banquet @ Boscobel
4/27 4:30 PM Softball: Varsity vs Boscobel (Home) (Cobb)
4/27 5:00 PM Baseball: Varsity vs River Ridge (Away)
4/27 6:30 PM Softball: JV vs Boscobel (Home) (Cobb)
4/28 4:00 PM Golf: JV/Varsity Match vs Multiple Schools @ Hickory Grove Golf Course
4/28 4:15 PM Track & Field: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ River Ridge
4/28 4:30 PM Baseball: Varsity vs Southwestern (Away)
4/29 State Solo/Ensemble @ UW-Platteville
4/20 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM LEO Car Wash
4/29 9:30 PM Softball: JV Quad vs Multiple Schools (Home) (Livingston)
4/29 10:00 AM Softball: Varsity Quad vs Multiple Schools (Home) (Cobb)
LEO Club Banquet - 19th Anniversary
Freshmen:
Award of Merit: Allison Spease
Award of Honor: Gabby Munson
Award of Appreciation: Lucy Spurley
Sophomores:
Award of Merit: Bret Connolly
Award of Honor: Ava Orth
Award of Appreciation: Riellyn Cartwright and Blake Droessler
Juniors:
Award of Merit: Meagan Cullen
Award of Honor: Davin McHone
Award of Appreciation: Grace Gochenaur
Seniors:
Award of Merit: Madelyn Rogstad
Award of Honor: Leslie Bartolo-Rivera
Audrey Rowe
Award of Appreciation: Elizabeth Volenec
Iowa-Grant LEO's of the Year: Kenadie Munson and Caitlyn Wetter
Celebrating IGHS Staff
Spring Sports - Go Panthers!!
IGHS Greenhouse Showing Signs of Spring
Iowa-Grant FFA Spring Plant Sale -
Thur. 5/4/23 - 3:00 - 6:30 PM - OPENING DAY!!
Fri. 5/5/23 - 3:00 - 6:30 PM
Sat. 5/6/23 - 8:00 AM - Noon
Sun. 5/7/23 - CLOSED
Mon. 5/8/23 thru Fri. 5/12/23 - 3:00 - 6:30 PM
Sat. 5/13/23 - 8:00 AM - Noon
More dates and times to come depending on inventory!!
High School Happenings
I-G FFA Petting Zoo
Iowa-Grant FFA Officer Team
Panther Pride Friday Week 7 Winners
Spring Choir and Band Concert
Spring Break Began with Solo & Ensemble for Band and Choir Students
Panther Volleyball Summer Camp
This camp started back in 1987 and has kept going strong ever since!
We offer a ton of coaching experience which includes our Camp Lead Coach, Gillian Pakula (IG Alum/Head Coach at Oshkosh West), Camp Director, Marla Simon (former IG Head Coach) and the rest of our coaching staff which is top notch! This camp teaches skills, teamwork and passion for volleyball, along with lots & lots of fun!
CAMP DATES are June 26-29th for grades 3rd -12th (entering in the fall). New this year boys can join in the grades 3rd- 8th! It is held at Iowa-Grant Elementary gyms. A FREE t-shirt to all campers that register by June 20th - which is also the camp deadline! See link provided to enter camp - send forms/fees by mail only!
If any questions, feel free to email Marla Simon @ msimon@igs.k12.wi.us!
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT PANTHER VB CAMP!
FFA Members Participated in CDE Contests
IOWA-GRANT ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL
From the Desk of Mrs. 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 20 @Dodgeville
May 2 @ Fennimore
May 5 @ SW
May 9 @ Lancaster
May 11 @Darlington
The eighth-grade promotion date will be Wednesday, May 31st, at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.
Summer School sign-ups will be held beginning the Monday following spring break and will run from April 3 - April 28th. To help with planning, the weeks of the summer school will be:
1st session: June 12-15 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
2nd session: July 10-13 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
3rd session: August 7-10 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
There will be a snack/recess in between sections.
We also offer T-ball and Coach pitch softball and baseball. T-ball and Coach pitch will be held in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 10 - August 3 with:
T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Wisconsin Forward Exam will begin at the end of March 20th - April 28th. 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.
FFA Petting Zoo Fun!
4th Grade Taking a Closer Look
Sneaky Leprechaun
That sneaky leprechaun played tricks on the 4K students today. We tracked his footprints to prizes but we just couldn't seem to catch him. Maybe next year!
Lit Wars
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, six 4th and 5th grade students took part in the annual LIt War competition hosted by CESA 3. To prepare, each student was an "expert" on one of the six books. In addition, they all read as many of the titles as possible to participate in the team competition.
Individual results:
4th grade
Irene~2nd Place~"When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead
George~1st Place~"Posted" by John David Anderson
5th Grade
Jaxson~2nd Place~ "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Jordence~2nd Place ~ "A Night Divided" by Jennifer Nielsen
Natalie ~ 2nd Place ~ "Orphan Train Girl" by Christina Klein
5th Grade also placed 2nd in the team competition.
Keep Reading Panthers!
5th Grade Science Fun
Community Helpers in 4K
Students had a belated, brief, mischievous visit from Thing 1 and Thing 2!
BREAKFAST!!
The Breakfast Crew - Thank you for making breakfast happen!
ABOUT IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: mshimshak@igs.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.igs.k12.wi.us/
Location: 498 County Road IG, Livingston, WI, USA
Phone: 608-943-6311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IowaGrantPanthers/