McFarland School District

Welcome to the November 2025 McFarland School Community Newsletter!

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Inside, you’ll find highlights of important events, community activities, key projects, and the incredible achievements of our students and staff—as well as updates on how we’re addressing challenges and planning for the future.

🌟 In This Edition

💰 School Funding & Annual Meeting

Learn about the outcome of our October 20 Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing. We remain focused on fiscal responsibility—cutting costs, increasing revenues, and maintaining a balanced 2025–26 budget.

📈 Student Success

See the exciting results from recent standardized assessments, showing that McFarland students continue to improve and outperform most students in the county.

🎭 Performing Arts & Community Events

Check out what’s coming up at the McFarland Performing Arts Center, including the production of It’s a Wonderful Life, adult education classes, and more!

🙌 Volunteer Opportunities

Find ways to get involved and make a difference in our schools and community.

🗓️ A Few Reminders

Be a Substitute!

We’re always looking for more substitute teachers and assistants to join our amazing team.

👉 [Click here for more information.]

Take a Tour!

We love welcoming back alumni and community groups for school tours—especially class reunions!

📧 To schedule a tour, email me at tarnuta@mcfsd.org.

As always, if you have questions, ideas, or concerns, please use [this form] or reach out to me directly. Your voice matters, and we’re committed to open, transparent, and frequent communication with our community.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our schools—we couldn’t do this without you!

Stay Classy, McFarland!

Aaron Tarnutzer (“Mr. T.”)
Superintendent

In the summer of 2025, families of students in grades 3-8 and 10 received information about their children’s Forward Exam scores from last Spring. Recently, data about Forward Exam scores were released across the state.

We know that the Forward Exam is just one measure of what McFarland students know and are able to do, but we do look at the results carefully to find areas of celebration and growth as a District. Our District strategic plan puts literacy achievement front and center with a specific focus on closing gaps between students in various demographic groups (for example, between students with and without disabilities).

When looking at the Spring 2025 Forward Exam results, we noticed:

• More students are meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA for every grade 3-8 compared to last year.

• McFarland students perform better than the State average in all subjects and grades.

• McFarland was fifth in the county in ELA and Math out of 19 districts.

• McFarland had the #1 rank in Dane County in the following areas:

• Social Studies: All Tested Grades ! (4th, 8th, and 10th).

• Math: 5th grade

We will continue our work to close achievement gaps between students at our school and focus on research-based instructional practices in all subjects to help us meet our strategic plan goals.

Did you know that there any many opportunities for the community to use the amazing facilities that you've helped build here at McFarland Schools? Check out the below link for classes like adult woodworking and freezer meal workshops to getting active at adult open gym times, lap swim at the Angie O'Donnell Aquatic Center, and morning walks at MHS!

Indoor Morning WALK (November - March) Join us for a peaceful and energizing indoor morning walk at McFarland High School this winter! The Morning Walk program will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, November 4th–mid-March, on days that school is in session, 6:45-7:45 AM at McFarland High School. Please check in at the Angie O'Donnell Aquatic Center before starting your walk. Participants may park in the back parking lot of McFarland High School (6204 Exchange St., McFarland, WI) and use door P to enter the building. The Aquatic Center is located to your left after you enter the building. Please use the "self-sign-in station" at the pool to register for the day (there is no fee associated with this program). After signing in, participants are free to head north down the pool/PAC hallway to access the "B-gym hallway loop" and start their walk. Walking is permitted around the B-gym hallway (not in the gym itself). Pool staff can assist you with any questions you may have. Running is not allowed. 10 laps around the B-gym hallway is approximately 1 mile. Participants are highly encouraged to walk with a buddy for safety. If any first aid is needed, please come to the pool for assistance.

Registration is NOW OPEN for Session III Community Woodworking!

Session Dates: Tuesdays, Nov. 25–Jan. 27

(No class 12/23 or 12/30)

McFarland High School Wood Shop

6:00–9:00PM

Spaces are limited to 18 participants—secure your spot and get ready to build, create, and learn with us this winter!

For more details and to register, visit MRAPNews.com

Adult Drop-In Volleyball is Back! The 2025–26 schedule is here! We’ll start on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:45 PM at Waubesa Intermediate School (enter through Door K).

Daily Fee: $5/resident | $7/non-resident

Punch passes available (good for 4 years!). Purchase at MRAPNews.com or call 608-838-4666 for assistance.

View full "flyer" schedule here: https://shorturl.at/aC5uI

Bookmark our LIVE calendar for updates: https://shorturl.at/ns0oi

*Please remember that children are not allowed at this activity. They are not allowed to wait in the hallway - please arrange alternate childcare off-site if you plan on attending.

Please share with anyone who may be interested—see you on the court!

• School Board Meeting - November 3 - MHS District Office Board Room
• 6th Grade Band/Orchestra/Choir Concert - November 4 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• MHS Fall Performance - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play - November 6-8 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• MHS Choir Cabaret - November 15 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• School Board Meeting - November 17 - MHS District Office Board Room
• MHS Orchestra Concert - November 18 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• No School - November 26-28 - Fall Break
• School Board Meeting - December 1 - MHS District Office Board Room
• MHS Band Concert - December 3 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• MHS Choir Concert - December 10 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• WIS Orchestra Concert - December 11 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• School Board Meeting - December 15 - MHS District Office Board Room
• No School - December 22-January 1 - Winter Break

From Volunteer Opportunities to Fundraisers and Individual Donations, we so appreciate the support of our amazing community members. If you are interested in volunteering your time in our schools, please fill out a volunteer form at the below link or give one of our schools a call directly.

• McFarland Primary School 838-3146
• Waubesa Intermediate School 838-7667
• Indian Mound Middle School 838-8980
• McFarland High School 838-3166
• District Office 838-3169

Click the link below to visit out website Volunteering page to complete a form.

Click the link below to visit our Classmunity page for information on fundraising campaigns you may be interest in supporting.

IMMS 6th graders traded desks for the great outdoors during an unforgettable two-day, one-night adventure at Camp Timber-lee in East Troy, WI!

From Canoeing to Geology to up-close Animal Encounters, students explored, learned, and connected with nature, and each other in amazing ways.

This annual experience is more than just camp; it's about building confidence, curiosity, and community.

Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers, staff, and students who make it all possible!

Thanks to grant funding, all McFarland staff had the honor of hearing Dr. Shelley Moore’s inspiring keynote on designing inclusive lessons that make learning more accessible for all students. Her message challenged and motivated us to meet the needs of every learner, every day. #McFarlandStrong

Big cheers for Mrs. Albrecht and Mrs. Punzel’s 2nd graders at MPS! They just shared their very first writing project with new friends to celebrate their first published piece. Way to go, young authors! #McFarlandStrong

The McFarland School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, (including gender status, change of sex or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability (Protected Classes) in any of its student program and activities.