Spartan Gazette
Indian Mound Middle School
Greetings From Aaron Tarnutzer
Staying Involved by Staying Informed
Thank you for taking the time to read our first newsletter of the school year. If your life is anything like mine, you are constantly running from one event or “to do” to another and you rarely have the time to go searching for information unless it is vital to your survival. For some reason, when our children are younger it seemed easier to stay informed on the other part of their lives when they are not with us. At IMMS we recognize this challenge and want to make it as easy as possible to be involved at IMMS by first being informed of what is happening. To that end, we have several tools at your disposal:
Phone calls: Staff members will call you to share positive things about your child, and, if necessary, some areas in which they can improve. We will ask, “Is now an okay time?” when we call to honor your time. We will return your phone calls promptly (our goal is 24 hours).
Email: We try to make it clear in the first sentence or two the purpose of the email. Is this a “nice to know” or a “need to know?” We will get to the point, but, when possible, we will make it engaging to read. We will not send you an email for something that applies only to your child and should be discussed in person or during a phone call.
Newsletters: We will put the need to know information first and the nice to know information later.
Web page http://www.mcfarland.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/ : We are continuing to develop new structures to make sure our web page is an up to date and useful resource for families. Our webpage also includes the daily announcements in an effort to directly address your child’s response that “Nothing is going on at school.” We are working hard to put extra copies of forms and handouts on the page as well, in case they don’t make it home (i.e. field trip permission slips). Although we are transitioning to our new webpage, all teachers will eventually have webpages and many keep them updated with current units, including important resources.
Assignment Task List: This resource, which you can access from our webpage under the quick links or the link below, lists the current daily assignments and long range assignments for all classes. It is updated each day by 1:00 p.m.
Infinite Campus: We will update grades on Infinite Campus within two weeks of an assignment being due.
Letters: We will only mail home information that is important for you to read.
Facebook: We are in our third year of the IMMS Facebook page. We use this page to share interesting stories and events, as well as reminders. If you are on Facebook, I encourage you to “like” the IMMS page.
We hope that these commitments honor your time and provide meaningful ways for you to stay informed and involved at IMMS. If you have any other suggestions or comments, please stop by, give me a call at 838-8980, or send me an email at tarnuta@mcfsd.org
Thank you for your involvement in your child’s education!
Aaron Tarnutzer
IMMS Principal
8th Grade Ambassadors
Meet the Guidance Counselors
Jill Runde begins her 9th year as Guidance Counselor at Indian Mound Middle School bringing her unique brand of enthusiasm and style to assist the growth and well being of this year’s 7th and 8th grade students. Jim Kramer begins his 24th year at IMMS, working with the 6th grade class and the 8th grade Tech Tools related arts class. In an effort to get to know the students better and be of the greatest resource to students, Jill and Jim move along with their student groups each year. Please feel free to contact them at 838-8980 with any questions or concerns.
Jill Runde
Jim Kramer
8th Grade Conferences
Conduct and Effort Grades 101
In addition to teaching children the academic skills they need to be successful, at IMMS we recognize the importance of teaching students the skills and habits they need to be respectful, responsible, and empathetic citizens that contribute to society. We have formally recognized the importance of these skills for many years by providing two grades to students each quarter, an achievement grade and a conduct and effort grade. Here is what you need to know about the conduct and effort grade:
· Students earn a grade of O for “Outstanding,” S for “Satisfactory,” N for “Needs Improvement,” or U for “Unsatisfactory.”
· We use a rubric (teacher talk for descriptors for each of the 4 categories) related to the expectations of achievement, respect, responsibility, and empathy that are part of our motto, “We ARRE Spartans.” For example, students are assessed on their responsibility in relation to how often they bring the necessary materials to class and turn their assignments in on time.
· Teachers regularly discuss the rubric with students and acknowledge students who meet these expectations.
· Many teachers have students self-assess their conduct and effort grade and compare it to the teacher’s assessment.
· We want you to take these grades as seriously as you do their achievement grade.
In the coming months you will be hearing more about conduct and effort grades both from your child and from your child’s teachers. We encourage you to talk to your child about this grade, review the rubric that is in our handbook, and/or contact your child’s teacher(s) with your questions.
Banner Day 2015
Wacky Olympics 2015
Important Reminders From the Attendance Office
Student Absences
Please be sure to call in before 7:50am if your child will be absent for the day. You may leave a message or talk to the front office staff for absences at 838-8980.
Homework Requests
As noted in the family handbook, if your child has been absent for two or more days, you may request homework for pick up by 8:00am. Please plan to pick it up in the office by 3:15pm that day. If your child has been absent for only one day, we respectfully ask that your child collects their homework when they return to school. You may also look at the Assignment Task List on our website for assignments.
Anticipated Absences
If there is an anticipated absence and you would like to collect homework in advance, please inform the front office at least one week prior to the absence.
Appointments
If your child has an appointment during the school day, please send a note with them in the morning. Have your child go to the front office, where they will receive a pass and instructions on leaving class.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the attendance line at 838-8980.
Camp Timber Lee 2015
Unit VI students recently returned from their outdoor education experience. They spent three days and two nights at Timber Lee Center located in East Troy, Wisconsin. They had 15 different classes; studying everything from canoeing and geology to leaf classification. They also square danced and played capture the flag. In addition to 172 sixth grade students, many IMMS staff went along on the adventure and we had more than 60 parents who were able to attend camp with their children. All people involved had a remarkable time! The parent volunteers were wonderful, and truly made a positive impact on the success of our outdoor education experience. Our sixth graders were very motivated and well behaved. They represented IMMS with the highest of standards and they made us all very proud to say we are from McFarland. This is a wonderful experience for our sixth graders, and we hope to be able to continue with outdoor education for many more years to come.
Timber Lee 2015
AIM Academic Student Assistance Program
Indian Mound Middle School continues to have as a primary goal, higher expectations and greater academic excellence on the part of all students by offering the AIM (Achievement Is Meaningful) program. How does AIM work? AIM offers communication for parents and academic assistance for students. AIM study sessions for students are not detentions or punishments, but rather opportunities for students to academically achieve in areas they may be struggling in. Approximately three times each quarter (in addition to mid-quarter reports) teachers will submit AIM referrals for students earning a “D” or “F” grade in their class(es). Students and parents will be notified by mail along with copies of the referral(s). AIM guided study sessions will run from 3:15 until 3:45 PM every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 7th and 8th grade students; and during lunch every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 6th grade students. AIM sessions will continue for the two weeks following the referral. Students referred to AIM with an “F” grade are ineligible for any extra curricular activities (e.g., athletic competitions, drama, clubs, etc.) for the two week AIM cycle regardless of whether they participate in the after-school study period or not. Students may become eligible during the two week period and should see their coach/advisor for more information. Students engaged in after-school activities who are referred to AIM (with an “F” grade) may participate in activity practices/rehearsals after 3:45pm. Parents are expected to notify Sara Mallegni (8th Grade), Peggy Southern (7th Grade), or Kelly Smith (6th Grade) by calling 838-8980, if they would like their student to participate.
Wisconsin Children's Choir
We are looking for girls and boys in 3rd – 8th grade to come and join us for one of the area’s finest choral groups!
* We have been performing since 1982
* Our Concert Choir season begins September 14th and goes until May
* Monday evening rehearsals at Bethany United Methodist Church located at 3910 Mineral Point Rd. Music Theory class is included for new members.
* Pledge commitments, rather than a tuition
* Tons of FUN – We have a fall and winter retreat to learn music and we sing the National Anthem at a Brewer’s Game each spring. Experienced Concert Choir members are welcome to audition for the advanced Youth Choral treble choir for Grades 7th-12th.
Call (608) 233-1227 or email info@wisconsinchildrenschoir.org for more information or to schedule an audition. www.wisconsinchildrenschoir.org
Thank You to Our Amazing Donors!
Behind the scenes at IMMS we are fortunate to see the amazing things that our community members do to support our students. We have been truly amazed by the generosity of many of you this year as you buy extra school supplies, donate money to cover fees such as Timberlee, or even drop off extra backpacks for our students. We want you to know how grateful we are for your support. While there are too many of you to thank, a few people stand out. Thank you so much Peggy Anderson, Dawn Sordahl, Anne Gerke, the Funraisers, Kerri Parker, Diane Bretthauer, and Gail Freedman. You have helped our kids get off to a great start this year. Thank you!
Help Support McFarland High School Hockey
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
1:00pm - 5:00pm
McFARLAND HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
5103 Farwell Street
McFarland, WI 53558
The McFarland High School Hockey Team has joined forces with Dodge to raise money for our high school hockey team!
Please arrive between 1:00pm - 5:00pm and take a short 5 minute test drive in a new Dodge Caravan, Journey, Durango or Dart. For your time and input, Dodge will donate $20 to the McFarland High School Hockey Program. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING OR GIVE ANY MONEY! There's no sales pressure and the whole process will only take 5-10 minutes of your time. Anyone age 18 or older with a valid driver's license can drive one of the cars.
PLEASE BRING YOUR RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS AND ANYONE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY PROGRAM.
CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED.