Spartan Gazette
March 2021
A Note From Our Principals
Dear IMMS Families,
Typically we think of March as the start of better weather, which in turn brings a sense of hope. We are certainly feeling the energy that comes from this change of weather and can see it in your children/our students.
This year March also marks the fact that it has been 1 year since the pandemic impacted our school community. March 12, 2020 was our last “normal” day of school. The journey we have been on since that time has stretched all of us - families, students, staff, and businesses. We have faced unprecedented challenges with determination, resiliency, and grace. We shared with the staff last week that if we would have told them last March all of the challenges they would face and all that they would have to learn they would have never believed us. The same goes for you as parents and students. You have faced challenges regarding the safety of your family, meeting your family’s basic needs, and becoming a middle school teacher over night.
As we look back we can choose to focus on what didn’t go perfectly and how we felt divided at times. Or we can choose to focus on how we worked together to learn, grow, and stay safe. We can be proud of how we listened, especially when we disagreed. We can celebrate that our kids have continued to learn, while staying safe and healthy, including having food to eat. Join us in choosing to take what we learned from our successes and mistakes with us as we move forward. We have no doubt that things will never be exactly as they were on March 12, 2020. We are determined that because of what we have learned about relationships, gratitude, focusing on what really matters, and working together, things will be better than they were on March 12, 2020. You will have an opportunity in the next few weeks and beyond to share your insights. Thank you in advance for helping us continue to get better. Your feedback and wisdom has helped us to more effectively meet the needs of our children/students and we continue to need your input and support.
This March will be busy, but it is a good busy. Here are a few dates and events to keep in mind:
3/5/21 Student of the Month Assembly (during ARRE Times in the afternoon, a.m. students will zoom in)
3/8/21 No In Person or Virtual School - Staff Professional Development Day
3/17/21 Family/Teacher conferences (details shared separately)
3/24/21 Virtual Talent Show LINK
3/29/21 - 4/2/21 Spring Break
4/5/21 and 4/6/21 - No In Person or Virtual School - Staff Professional Development Day
On behalf of the staff at IMMS, thank you for your continued support and your involvement in your children’s education.
Stay well,
Aaron Tarnutzer, Principal (tarnuta@mcfsd.org, 838-4603)
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal (jondleb@mcfsd.org, 838-4622)
Congratulations to Marty Kvalheim on Receiving the Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award!
We are pleased to announce that our very own Marty Kvalheim has been selected to receive the 2021 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship award. This prestigious award is given to educators who have demonstrated “a superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.” As all of the staff and his current and former students (“Kvalheimers”) know, Mr. Kvalheim truly respects these qualities. His wisdom, expertise, dedication, and ability to bring out the best in others make him so worthy of this award. He brings his energy, enthusiasm, and drive to each and every interaction leaving a profound positive impact on all of us. Please take a moment to join us in thanking Mr. Kvalheim and congratulating him for receiving this award!
You can learn more about the award and see the recipients using this LINK
Youth Art Month
Please enjoy art from CEPS, WIS, IMMS and MHS students by viewing this LINK.
- Recognize art education as a viable factor in the total education curricular that develops citizens of a global society.
- Recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all.
- Direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking.
- Provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.
Library Matters!!
With the IMMS library closed due to COVID, Ms. Neal brings the library to the students. We call it “Books on Wheels”. Each Monday and Friday, Ms. Neal sets up in each grade level collaboration space with books that students have requested or are browsing. They check out right from there.
Madison Mallards Lil' Ducks Reading Challenge
Our goal is for ALL students to read 30 minutes/day for 5 days each week. Total minutes per week would be 150 minutes during the months of March and April.
Students can use this calendar to track their minutes and daily reading.
When our students reach their goal, they will receive TWO free tickets to a Madison Mallards
game that will be scheduled later in the spring. The information regarding how to obtain the
tickets and reserve your seats at IMMS Night at the Mallards is available here. Teachers will
also receive a FREE ticket.
When your student finishes their goal and rounds the bases, this form will need a parent
signature. That’s it! The form will be collected by your student’s ELA teacher and passed on to
Ms. Neal in the library.
Now, we just read and wait for the Mallards to determine the family night that will be designated for Indian Mound Middle School students and families. Reading and baseball. That sounds so normal!!
If you have any questions, there is a number for the Mallards on the information sheet and/or
you can contact either Ms. Neal at nealm@mcfsd.org or Ms. Fischer at fischee@mcfsd.org.
World Read Aloud Day 2021
Alliance of Allies - Polar Plunge Fundraiser
The Alliance of Allies (AoA) from IMMS continues to participate & fundraise for Special Olympics through the Polar Plunge. Thanks to all that have donated, as we have exceeded our goal and raised $1,121.
There is still time to donate at this LINK. Team Name: IMMS AoA 6-29
Covid Heatlh Reminders and Contact Information
FREE Breakfast and Lunch Update
- We need more students and families to take advantage of the free lunch and breakfast. We want the ordering of these meals to be the norm.
- When you sign up for these meals you are not only providing high quality fresh food for your child(ren), but you are helping our food service staff get to do what they love the best, feeding our community.
- The food is provided to your child outside of their classroom as they leave each day.
Here are the links:
IMMS ORDER LINK:
https://mcfarland.nutrislice.com/.../pre-order.../2021-02-23
This is the link to use for IMMS students to bring home lunches after school.
Drive Up Meal Pick Up order form
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScfyhq.../viewform
This is the google form that we have been using up until now. Continue to use this when you want to drive up to the high school pool entrance and pick up meals to go.
PTO Update and Upcoming Events
The PTO is 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 501(3)c nonprofit and has tax exempt status. Your donation is tax deductible and your employer may even match your contribution. Please make your donation by March 26th , 2021.
In February, we hosted the McFarlanders for Racial Equity and Justice (education initiative), at our General Meeting. Thank you to the group for sharing their personal stories and all the
important work they are doing in our community. We look forward to working in partnership with them in the future. The meeting is posted on our website www.mcfarlandpto.org.
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!
McFarland Youth Center - March News
Hello Youth, Parents and Guardians.
Continuing on with phase one of our reopening plan the McFarland Youth Center will host in person and virtual activity groups in March.
- The March in person programming (sign up only) will continue to be very limited as we continue with Phase 1 of our reopening plan.
- Groups are 2 hours per day on Mon/Tue/Wed only from 4:00 to 6:00 (virtual programs will continue on Thursdays) no programming on Fridays to allow for a deep cleaning of MYC)
- Mondays: Arts and Crafts, Tuesdays: Science activities, Wednesdays: Computer and video game lab. More detailed description in the sign up link below
- Extensive safety precautions and guidelines have been put into place for both the safety of the youth and staff (see below)
- Programming will be OUTDOORS whenever possible (pop up tent, tables, plexiglass dividers and chairs have been acquired to support this) (During winter months, youth will likely be indoors)
- Youth are welcome to sign up for as many program slots as they would like but are expected to do their best to attend the programs that they sign up for
- A completed electronic permission slip form is REQUIRED for anyone choosing to participate (see link below)
- All groups will be capped at 6-8 youth
See link below for a schedule and program descriptions:
March IN PERSON & Virtual Programming Permission Slip & Sign up here: In Person Programming Sign Up
COVID-19 Safety Precautions:
- Both staff and youth will be expected to wear masks at all times while indoors (as well as outdoors whenever they are less than 6 feet to another person). An exception will be made during snack time in which youth will be seated 6- 8 feet apart.
- MYC will provide every youth who signs up for a program with a cloth mask. Youth will be expected to bring this to programming each day. (Youth are also welcome to bring their own masks instead of using a MYC issued mask)
- Youth and staff will have their temperature taken at arrival each day, if their temperature is above 100 degrees, they will be asked to leave until tested for COVID19.
- Youth and staff will be expected to use hand sanitizer upon arrival and throughout the day.
- Activities will take place outside whenever possible.
- Staff will deep clean and sanitize MYC twice daily.
- Youth members will be expected to follow safety guidelines, if a youth is unable to do so a parent will be contacted and youth may be asked to take a break from MYC activities.
- Youth and staff will stay 6-8 feet apart in order to observe social distancing guidelines.
- Youth will have individual program supplies for every activity in order to reduce the spread of germs.
- Snacks will be provided daily but will be pre-packaged for each youth.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out with any questions.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: mcfarlandyouthcenter@gmail.com
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandyouthcenter/