WIS Express
--------------April 2021------------
Waubesa Intermediate School Information
School Principal:
Corey Shefchik
Associate Principal:
Al Northouse
Building Administrative Assistant:
Arlene Bast (608) 838-7667
Email: shefchc@mcfsd.org
Website: http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/intermediate/
Phone: 608-838-7667
A Note From Our Principals
Happy Spring Waubesa Families!
We hope this message finds you and your family doing well and enjoying some quality time with your student(s) over Spring Break.
As we prepare to finish our Step 3 Hybrid Schedule and transition to Step 4 Full Days, we wanted to remind you of some important dates: April 5-6 are no student days; April 7-9 are the last three days of Step 3 Hybrid; and Monday, April 12 is the first day of Step 4 Full Day schedules. You’ll find details to Step 4 below in the newsletter.
While there is much excitement and anticipation to move to Step 4, it’s important that we recognize this is the third transition of this school year. Each transition can trigger stress and/or anxiety for our students. Please take time to review the Step 4 plans with your child and encourage them to ask their teachers or us if they have questions. A full day of school may take several days or even weeks to adjust to, which is normal as we think about how this feels at the beginning of a traditional school year. We encourage you to read the message (below in the newsletter) from our awesome student services staff which provides suggestions for transitioning to a full day of school.
As always, we appreciate when you support and find ways to use our Waubesa POWER words in your conversations with your child.
Pride, Ownership, We work together, Empathy, and Responsibility
Please view the following information in this edition of the WIS Express:
Congratulations Mrs. Bast and Mrs. TeBeest
Step 4 Full Day In-Person and Virtual Details
Step 4 Important Times, Schedule Overview and Traffic Flow
Health Information reminders
Student Services message
Student Meals Update for Step 4
Calendar of Events
Community Events
Coming Soon: In the coming month, we'll be sharing more information regarding Human Growth and Development lessons. Additionally, we'll soon provide information regarding Spring transition activities to the 2021-2022 school year for our current 2nd to 3rd graders and current 5th to 6th graders. These are important transitions for students; we're working to develop opportunities that are both beneficial and safe for our students and families.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Kind regards,
Corey Shefchik - Principal
Al Northouse - Associate Principal
Happy Retirement Mrs. Bast!
All the best and congratulations!
Congratulations Mrs. TeBeest!
Step 4 Full Day In-Person and Virtual Updates
The following information provides important details to help prepare you and your child(ren) as our 3-5 students begin Step 4 full day In-Person Cohort Option or Virtual Option which begins on April 12. Click HERE for all of the details.
Some of the information has been shared previously and some of the information is new. We will plan to include additional information to this document and share updates as they arise. Please be in touch with us or your child’s teacher at any time.
Health Information
Please CLICK HERE to review the important health information, including family responsibilities for screening every morning, when to keep your child home, health office visits, and medication
The district has policies in place for when staff observe COVID-19 symptoms in a student once they arrive at school. Please use this symptoms screening checklist with your child.
Please CLICK HERE to access our district’s Health Services site for additional information and direct links
***Please contact Renee Brandt in the WIS Health Office if you have questions or concerns. 608-838-4673
Message from Student Services
Preparing Your Child for Full Day School
As we continue to move toward having a longer day of school (either in person or virtually), some students may need additional support and reminders to help build their stamina. Here are a few things to consider implementing before the transition so they can adjust to the change:
Have a set bedtime and wake up time that will set them up for success for the longer school day.
It is recommended that children age 8-11 get between 9 and 12 hours of sleep per night
Have your student(s) eat breakfast, lunch, and one snack during their day to mirror what the school day will be like. Daily milk will not be provided or available for purchase during Step 4.
Develop a morning and or evening routine to reduce any rushing around before needing to leave for school. For example: backpacks packed, clothes laid out, water bottle filled, snack packed, etc
Build your child’s reading stamina by having them independently read for 20-30 minutes per day.
Additional Resource
Back to School Anxiety During COVID
Student Meals
Hot lunches will be free and available to all students at WIS starting April 12. You will still need to sign your student up for meals by 7:00 a.m. each day using this link.
All students signed up for free hot lunch will receive a free breakfast to take home at the end of the day.
There will be only one hot entree offered (no PBJ Uncrustables) so be sure to check out our menus on the attached link.
Message from the PTO
Thank you on behalf of the PTO to all the families that so generously donated food items or made a financial contribution to our staff appreciation luncheon. The teachers and staff greatly appreciated the meal with Rock and Rollz subs and all the delicious side items during a busy week of parent, teacher conferences.
The PTO is still hosting their annual NO HASSLE FUNDRAISER. This is a simple, effective way to help our children and schools. The PTO financially supports the following: supplies to support safety adaptations (donation of masks and water bottles), support students in need (snacks, lunches, Spartan star T-shirts, and field trip fees), guest speakers and authors for assemblies, offsets costs for the 5th grade Kindness Retreat, 7th grade Courage Retreat and the 8th grade Ropes Course Challenge. The PTO further facilitates staff appreciation events, tutoring and assistance for children with special needs, donation of playground equipment and supports the arts, technology, and science.
Donate by going to our website www.mcfarlandpto.org and use our easy, secure PayPal online donation form or you may send a check to your child’s school and make payable to McFarland EC-8 PTO. The PTO is a designated 501c3 nonprofit and has tax exempt status. Your donation is tax deductible, and your employer may even match your contribution.
We are also busy working on yearbooks for the 2020-2021 School year. A yearbook fee should appear in your infinite campus account. Please make payment to ensure your child receives a yearbook.
The PTO will be holding elections for President, Secretary, and advisory council members at our Virtual General PTO Meeting on May 19th, 2021 at 6:30pm. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions or learning more, please email Michaela Voeck at mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com.
The PTO also meets the second Thursday of the month for PTO advisory council meetings. To join us please email Michaela Voeck (PTO president) at mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com to be added to the Zoom meeting invite.
You can see all our updates by following our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/McFarlandPTO or visiting our website www.mcfarlandpto.org
The McFarland School District App
Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the McFarland School District Mobile app which is tied to our website. You can easily access News, Events, staff contact info and more.
You can customize what alerts you receive by selecting the 'My Alerts' option!! This is an additional tool we will use to inform families and students of important developments like school closures so make sure you have your Emergency Alert activated!
The app is available from the Apple App Store, Google Play as well as any device using this URL.
April Calendar Updates
April 5: No SCHOOL (Staff Development Day)
April 6: NO SCHOOL (Staff Work Day)
April 5-7: Forward Exam Testing for Virtual Students
April 7: Related Arts and Asynchronous Day
April 7: All School Assembly 11AM
April 8-9: Current Hybrid Step 3 AM/PM Schedule
April 12: First day of Step 4
April 12- May 7: Forward Testing
April 14: All School Assembly 11:30AM
April 21: All School Assembly 11:30AM
April 28: All School Assembly 11:30AM
Coming Up:
May 3-7 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5th Grade Days at the McFarland Youth Center
The McFarland Youth Center will be hosting three (5th) grade days in April! Fifth graders will have the opportunity to explore youth center programming before they are eligible to attend this summer.
There will be a virtual and in person group Fridays: April 9, 16, 23.
5th graders can sign up for one of each (one virtual and one in person).
Here is the sign up:
Read program descriptions and sign your 5th grader up here: https://forms.gle/udka1Ur4cA8V3bSu7
Link for the McFarland Youth Center Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/7s9zw
McFarland Youth Center is a free non-profit youth enrichment program for middle school youth.
We offer a free space for youth recreational activities, daily hands on activities and other special programming.
The Youth Center is located at 5114 Farwell Street at the other end of the True Value parking lot.
Megan Beckler, Managing Director- McFarland Youth Center
5114 Farwell St
PO Box 362
McFarland, WI 53558
Office: (608) 838-3839
Cell: (608) 395-8617