IMMS Family Flier

Dear Indian Mound Families,

We have a lot going on over here at IMMS: Anti-bullying/harassment month, Family Conferences, Timberlee, and more....

October is Anti-Bullying/Harassment Month. We will be providing opportunities for IMMS scholars to continue their learning around the definition of bullying/harassment, how to report it, and how it impacts students and our school community.

Please take some time to read the details about Family Conferences below. Family Conferences are coming up in a couple weeks and we are looking forward to meeting with families to talk about all the amazing things happening with your scholar at IMMS.

A quick reminder: Monday (10/6) and Tuesday (10/7), our 6th graders will be heading to Timber-Lee for their outdoor education trip. On Monday, October 6, traffic flow into IMMS and the Staff Parking Lot will be impacted considerably, particularly around the 8:00am hour as sixth graders drop off their luggage for Camp Timber-Lee. Plan accordingly! Additionally, please note that 6th graders will have no school on Wednesday, October 8th.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us make IMMS a safe and welcoming place for all students.

In Service,

Jamie Thomas, Principal

Brett Jondle, Associate Principal

1. E-Scooter and Bicycle Safety from the McFarland Police Department

2. Family Conferences- Email to sign up coming 10/8; Sign up window open until Oct 14

3. 7th and 8th Grade Boys Basketball Meeting NEW TIME: 6:30 on Tuesday, Oct 7

4. Homecoming Dress Up Days

5. 6th Graders at Timber-Lee 10/6 and 10/7 (NO School for 6th graders on 10/8)

• October 6-7: Timber-lee trip for 6th graders
• October 6-10: October Safety Drill: Evacuation Drill
• October 7: Boys Basketball Meeting 6:30 (new time)
• October 8: 6th Grade - No School
• October 18: Trunk or Treat sponsored by the EC-8 PTO 1-3
• October 22 (evening) and October 23 (afternoon): Family Conferences
• October 23 & 24: No School
• 25-26 IMMS Sports: LINK

Dear IMMS Families,

Fall conferences are coming soon! Below is important information about scheduling a conference with your scholar’s teacher(s). Thank you for your ongoing involvement. A strong home-school partnership has always been critical to student success.

Conferences will be held on October 22 after school, 3:30-7:00 and on October 23rd 2:30-6:30. Please email the teacher if these times/days do not work for you.

6th Grade Families: For conferences, you will meet with your scholar’s “cored pair” (the two teachers that teach science/math and social studies/English language arts).

7th and 8th Grade Families: To streamline and simplify the middle school conference experience, each family who signs up for conferences will meet with their scholar’s core 2 teacher. The core 2 teacher will share information about academic progress in all core classes. If you feel it is important to meet with a teacher other than your scholar’s core 2 teacher, please email the teacher you wish to meet with directly

Related Arts & other specialists: Teachers will be available for drop-in conferences (no appointments required) on October 22nd after school 3:30-7:00 pm and on October 23rd 2:30-6:30, If you prefer to schedule a conference with a Related Arts teacher rather than dropping in, please email them to schedule a time. Here are the emails for Related Arts Staff.

We hope you can join us for Fall conferences. Conferences are not mandatory. To help make the conference efficient and effective, please communicate any questions and/or concerns to teachers before the conference. Sending this information in advance allows teachers to be better prepared to provide answers and/or strategies during the conference.

How to sign-up (see image below): You will receive an email from either your child’s cored pair (6th grade) or your child’s Core 2 teacher on October 8th. The sign-up platform will be Google Appointments. The sign-up for conference will close on October 14th at midnight. This deadline is important in order for our teachers to prepare.

If you have signed up for a conference and something comes up within 24 hours of the scheduled time/day and cannot attend, please contact the teacher directly.

As a reminder, we have many opportunities to communicate student progress with families throughout the year.

• Two family conferences. One is in the Fall, and the other is in the Spring. Families are encouraged to communicate with teachers beyond these scheduled conferences.
  
  

• Report cards are available on Infinite Campus after each semester (or quarterly for Related Arts classes).
  
  

• Infinite Campus is available for families to check on student progress

• Here are Infinite Campus “How to” videos and screenshots that may be useful:

• How to log in to Infinite Campus (38-second video) or HelpDoc

• How to check your scholar’s missing assignments (2 min. video) or HelpDoc

• What are Conduct and Effort Scores? (2.5 min. video)

• How to check your scholar’s Conduct and Effort Scores (3 min. video) or HelpDoc

School safety is a priority in the McFarland School District. At Indian Mound Middle School (IMMS), we take several steps to ensure your child is safe and our school is secure. This week (October 6-10) IMMS will conduct an Evacuation Drill (a.k.a. Fire Drill). We have been preparing your child for the drill during our school announcements, also allowing for students to follow up with their teachers about any questions that they may have before the drill.

As with each of our safety drills, prior to the drill, we will make an announcement that clearly explains to students that a drill will be occurring. For this drill, the Fire Department will be present to monitor our procedures as it is Fire Prevention Week! The entire procedure should last around 10-15 minutes. Students are reminded (as we will do during each of our drills and safety discussions) that schools are often some of the safest places to be and that these skills students and staff learn about safety can be applied anywhere, both in school and out of school. Our goal is always to make this experience a useful practice of the procedures, without alarming students.

If you have any questions about the drill, please feel free to contact Ms. Thomas or Mr. Jondle at any time!

CLICK HERE for the McFarland Police Department Flyer

We need your partnership in addressing an important safety concern. Recently, we have seen an increase in students riding e-scooters on school grounds. Riding them on campus poses a significant safety risk to students and staff using the sidewalks.

To ensure everyone’s safety, all scooters, bikes, skateboards, and similar items must be walked, not ridden, once on school property. Additionally, they are not allowed to be ridden through the grass/landscape. This includes:

• The sidewalk leading up to the middle school from Exchange Street

• The sidewalk/walkway in front of the middle school

• The path connecting the middle school and the high school

• The sidewalks directly in front of the high school

We ask families to remind their students of this expectation and support us in ensuring it is consistently followed. By walking bikes, scooters, and other wheeled items on school grounds, we can prevent accidents and maintain a safe environment for all members of our school community.

Additionally, we are collaborating with the McFarland Police Department to educate our students about scooter safety when they are off school grounds. Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping Indian Mound a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

MHS student Norma Prado and IMMS students Christina Swan and Sam Griffin sang beautifully in Spanish. Bravo!

We A.R.R.E Spartans! These students were recognized for showing responsibility. Also, McFarland Youth Center winners.

The First Meeting will be Tuesday Oct 14th, Afterschool - 4:15

Art Club is open to all students

It is an open drawing studio with many different media available each week.

Come and draw with your friends!

Things to know about Art Club:

• It meets every Tuesday

• You must fill out this google survey to apply

• There is a $5 fee to cover supplies for the whole year!

• It will be super fun!

Meets every Thursday - bring your lunch and learn about painting. Print this application or pick it up in Ms. Sandy’s room.

They are due Wednesday October 15th

Link to Application

Do you believe that art can change the world?

Art Ambassadors are 8th graders who use art as a way to build community. Come see what we are about on…

Thursday October 16th

Afterschool - about a 15 minute meeting

The Art Room

One of the most exciting things about IMMS is that we have multiple clubs and activities for students to be a part of. Check out our Daily Announcements LINK for clubs and co-curriculars. Try something that interests you!

If your son is interested in participating in the upcoming middle school boys basketball season, please make sure you and your son attend our IMMS Boys Basketball Meeting on Tuesday October 7th at 6:30 p.m at IMMS.

The athletes and parents will start in the IMMS Cafeteria for a short video on our code of conduct as well as information regarding sports registration. After that meeting is complete the 7th grade boys will stay in the cafeteria and meet with their coaches and the 8th grade boys will go to room 161 to meet with their coaches. The grade level meetings will go over the season practice and game schedule, season expectations, and provide you with information regarding the upcoming season. The season will start on Monday October 27th.

Online registration through Infinite Campus is now open.

IMMS SPORTS REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

1.Complete the Winter Sports Registration on Infinite Campus.

2.Pay the $95 sports fee via Infinite Campus

3.Attend the sports meeting set up by the head coach at IMMS.

4.Have a current WIAA Medical Clearance/Eligibility form on file with the athletic department, dated after 3/31/2024. Physical forms need to have a doctor's signature, the date of exam, and a parent signature to be complete. Forms are available in the high school office or by accessing this link WIAA Medical Eligibility Form . Once the form is completed, please email it to Leah Poulos at poulosl@mcfsd.org as a PDF attachment. We will update Infinite Campus with your child's physical date and file the form. Physical forms are good for 2 school years.

NOTE: All steps need to be completed before an athlete can practice.

IMMS Sports Registration Instructions

1. Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal

2. Select "School Store" on the index.

3. Click "Shop" under IMMS

4. Click "Products" under Sports

5. Click "View" under the Sports Registration Product

6. Read all instructions

   1. Open Athletic Code link and read

   2. Open Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest info and read

   3. If your child needs a physical, open and print the Physical Form link

7. Select the student you are registering in the "Recipient" drop-down

8. Select the sport for that student in the "Activity Options" drop-down

9. Click the link titled "Sports Registration Form" and fill out all information.

10. On the last page of the Sports Registration Form, sign the document by clicking on the red icon that resembles a piece of paper and pencil.

11. In the Sign/Decline Dialog box, click "Sign".

12. Click Submit

13. NEW

    : Under "Optional Uploads" you can upload your student's signed physical form, if applicable.

14. Click "Add to Cart"

15. Optional - if you have other children to sign up for sports, repeat the above for them.

16. IMPORTANT:

    Go to "My Cart" EVEN IF THE AMOUNT YOU OWE IS $0.00 . Enter in the payment information.

17. Click "Submit" on the cart checkout page. You should receive a receipt to the email that is displayed on that page.

Directions and Screenshots can be viewed with this LINK

How to locate your child's physical date on Infinite Campus

• Use the following link to login to Infinite Campus Parent Portal

• Click on the three horizontal bars (menu) located at the top left hand corner

• Select "More" and look for the selection "Athletic Registration"

• Make sure to have your child selected in the top right hand corner of the page

• If the physical date is listed after 3/31/2024 then the physical is good for the school year.

If you have any questions, please contact Leah Poulos at poulosl@mcfsd.org or 838-4505

More to come next week...

We will gladly accept donations of snacks that we can give to students who may not be able to provide their own. We are specifically looking for nut-free, nonperishable, healthy snacks. Please drop off your donations at the IMMS Student Services office. Thank you.

Each grade level at IMMS has its own designated snack time. If your scholar is in need of a snack during this time due to financial hardship, please reach out to the grade level counselor so that they can make arrangements to provide a daily snack for them.

Grade Level Snack Times & Counselor to Reach Out to for Assistance

6th Grade - 3rd Period (10:15-11:13) contact Fred Bartman bartmaf@mcfsd.org 608-838-4642

7th Grade - 2nd Period (9:45-10:43) contact Jordan Griffith griffij@mcfsd.org 608-838-4577

8th Grade - 5th Period (12:18-1:16) contact Lauren Noriega noriegl@mcfsd.org 608-838-4578

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

Definition: Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school year

10% = 18 days or 2 days a month

Why It Matters: These absences, even if excused, can add up and impact your child's success.

If your child seems to be avoiding school, please connect with Student Services so we can partner with you to support them.

Below, you will find the "Hubs" (aka Task-List) for each grade level and Related Arts. You can click on the "Hub" to get information on what your scholar is doing in class, assignments, and assessments. As always, please use Infinite Campus to look up progress grades and turned in assignments.

Here are some helpful tips and videos that may be useful:

• How to log-in to Infinite Campus (38 second video) or HelpDoc

• How to check your scholar’s missing assignments (2 min. video) or HelpDoc

• What are Conduct and Effort Scores? (2.5 min. video)

• How to check your scholar’s Conduct and Effort Scores (3 min. video) or HelpDoc

• IMMS Standards Based Grading Presentation

• Be on Time! School starts at 8:20am. Students who arrive after 8:20am (without a medical note/appointment note, etc.) will be marked as tardy. After five tardies in one quarter, a check in meeting with the student, as well as contact home will occur to partner on ways to get the student to school on time.
• Off and Away! Cell phones and headphones must be off and away starting at 8:15am.
• Caffeinated Drinks: students may not consume caffeinated drinks at school from 8:15am-3:30pm.
• Respect the Bubble: An area of focus this year is to teach and re-teach the importance of having students keep their hands, feet, and objects to themself. If you see this behavior, please continue to reinforce the "Respect the Bubble" expectation

McFarland High School athletes enjoy positive support from their fellow students, parents, and the community. We continue to welcome elementary, intermediate and middle school students to the high school games and we want to create the best possible circumstances for their safety.

In order to maintain a safe environment at our home games, the following practices will be enforced:

• Elementary, intermediate and middle school students need to be accompanied by an adult in order to gain entrance into the stadium. Adults bringing elementary and intermediate students must sit with those students during the game. Middle school students accompanied by an adult can sit at the top of the designated student section or sit with the adult that brought them.

• “Carry-ins” by all spectators will not be allowed. Items include bottled or canned beverages, soda fountain cups, footballs, frisbees, etc.

• All students are expected to be in the stadium seats cheering for the Spartans unless they are using the restroom or concessions. For everyone’s safety, no football games or similar activities that would encourage running and throwing of objects are allowed. It is expected that our students are NOT playing on the IMMS playground or running around the IMMS school grounds. Re-entry to the event is NOT allowed.

It's important to remember that while our high school football games are a wonderful community event, they are intended as an opportunity to support our Spartans by watching and cheering for the team.

Level 1 Archery Workshop

Ready to take aim? MRAP is partnering with NASP® to offer a beginner-friendly archery workshop for grades 4–8. Learn fundamentals of technique, focus, and concentration with certified instructors Chris Duerk (MHS PE) and Cyndy White (MSD Outdoor Education). All equipment provided—no experience needed!

Fri, Oct. 24 (No School Day) • 9–11 AM
MHS A-Gym
$45 Res / $58.50 Non-Res • Min/Max: 8–24
Register by Mon, Oct. 13 at MRAPNews.com

Run by McFarland Recreation, Aquatics & Play (MRAP). For questions or special accommodations, contact MRAP@mcfsd.org or 608-838-4666.

More to come...

• Stoughton Health Grades 4-6 Safe@Home Program - October 9

• Madison Ballet Rock the Ballet - October 10-12

• Stoughton Health Grades 6-8 Safe Sitter Program - October 11

• E.D. Locke PJ Monster Storytime - October 16

• E.D. Locke Teen S.T.E.A.M. Event - October 16

• E.D. Locke Teen After Hours Scavenger Hunt - October 17

• E.D. Locke 3-5 Wisconsin Rocks Event - October 24

• E.D. Locke College Financial Aid Workshop - October 28

• E.D. Locke Teen Crochet Club - October 29

• E.D. Locke Teen Pumpkin Painting - October 30

• WI Association for Talented & Gifted Facebook Group

• Southern WI Skating School Learn to Skate Program - September 6-October 25

• MGM Youth Wrestling “Give it a Try” Open Mat Dates - October 7 - November 5

• Madison Ballet 2025-26 Academic Year Information

• Futura 2025-26 Spanish Program at MPS and WIS

• E.D. Locke Library 500 Books Before Middle School Program

• E.D. Locke Library K-2 Magic Tree House Book Club - 2nd Tuesdays

• E.D. Locke Library K-5 Lego Club - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays through December

• E.D. Locke Library 3-5 Graphic Novel Book Club - Third Tuesdays

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Snack & Chat - Mondays

• E.D. Locke Library Teen UnBook Club - First Thursdays

• E.D. Locke Library VolunTeen Program - Third Tuesdays

• Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families

Join McFarland students and community members in the McFarland Parade on Sunday, September 28!
Celebrate by wearing traditional clothing from our Hispanic countries or something that represents your culture—such as a T-shirt, national flag, hat, or musical instrument. You’re also welcome to bring candy to share with children along the parade route.

Attention 6th-Grade Families,

We are beginning our preparations for all-things Timber-lee, occurring on Monday, October 6th- Tuesday, October 7th. If your child will be taking medication during this trip, a medication consent form must be completed (all sections for prescription medicines and sections 1 and 3 for non-prescription medicines) and returned to the health office prior to Monday, September 29th. If your child currently receives medication at school during the day, this will be brought from school and given during the trip. If we have not received a medication form for your student with a parent/guardian signature and/or Physician signature, we cannot administer medication during the trip. Please review the Medication Consent Form Directions for more details and contact the IMMS Health Office with questions.

Lauren Neesam, School Nurse: neesaml@mcfsd.org

Krisy Oestreich, Health Assistant: Oestrek@mcfsd.org

Every school in Wisconsin is required by law to report their student’s vaccination status to the local health department 30 days after the start of school. See WI Student Immunization Law by Age/Grade Requirements (Spanish). Your student’s school health assistant will be sending out legal notices at that time if the school has no record or if your student’s immunization status is “behind schedule”. If you are not sure if your student is up to date with immunizations, you can contact your doctor's office/My chart, view on Infinite Campus, or you can look them up on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry using your child's social security number and/or Medical ID. If you need access to a waiver (for personal, religious or health reasons) for any vaccination, please utilize the student immunization record (English, Spanish) see step 4 and return it to your student’s health office.

Vaccine Clinics: Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with neighboring School Districts and SSM Health to offer school vaccine clinics to get and keep students up to date on their school vaccines. These clinics will take place at the below dates and times in Madison.

• Wed, October 1st: 3:00-7:00 pm: Professional Learning Center, Sun Prairie

• Sat, October 4th: 12:00-4:00 pm: Savannah Oaks Middle, Fitchburg

• Tues October 7th: 4:00-7:00 pm: Sugar Creek Elementary, Verona

• Sat, October 11th: 10:00-2:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

• Fri, October 17th: 10:00-2:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

• Sat, October 18th: 10:00-2:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

• Mon, October 20th: 8:00-12:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

To find out more information and to schedule an appointment, see the attached flyer, or visit publichealthmdc.com/schoolclinics.

We appreciate our McFarland School Board Members!

Check out the October 2025 MSD Community Newsletter at the link below!

Join us at the next MSEC Meeting on October 15!

Did you know....

“Did you know the McFarland PTO provides a full meal to staff during parent-teacher conferences? Both Fall and Spring conference nights make for an extended day for MPS, WIS, and IMMS staff. Thanks to your donations, the staff are provided a nutritious meal for energy to be fully present through the afternoon and evening!”

Important Dates: October 7- PTO Meeting 6:30PM

October 18- Trunk or Treat 1PM

October 22- WIS Family Fun Night 4:30PM

Questions? Email mcfarlandptoprez@gmail.com

The next School District of McFarland School Board meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2025.

Click HERE for a link to the McFarland School Board agendas and minutes.

Click HERE for a link to the McFarland School Board meeting recordings and upcoming YouTube live streams.

National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15

Bullying Prevention Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month

National Physical Therapy Month

• October 1-2 - Yom Kippur

• October 2 - School Custodian Appreciation Da

• October 6 - National Coaches Day

• October 5-11 - Wisconsin School Board Week

• October 9 - Leif Erikson Day

• October 10 - World Mental Health Day

• October 11 - National Coming Out Day

• October 12 - Christopher Columbus Day

• October 13-17 - National School Lunch Week

• October 13 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• October 15 - White Cane Awareness Day

• October 20 - Diwali

• October 22 - Unity Day

• October 31 - Halloween

Daily Schedule

Daily Announcements

Day A/Day B Schedule

Student Services Support Contacts

McFarland School District Website

McFarland School District App

McFarland Youth Center Website

IMMS Athletics Calendar

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.