IOWA-GRANT PANTHER PRESS

July marks the beginning of a new fiscal year, and so at the district level, we see it as the start of the new school year. Like any new year, we review our past efforts and look forward with questions about what we should keep on doing, what we should abandon and what we might consider starting.

Looking to the past, I remember it was five short years ago, I left IGEMS after second round interviews, exhilarated in a belief I would earn the appointment as the next Iowa-Grant superintendent. Looking back farther, I was cleaning out memory boxes and came across a pin from my tenure as the local Optimist International President and the term I served as Lieutenant Governor for the same organization. I remain an optimist at heart, and can still recite the creed, “Promise yourself to be so strong, that nothing can disturb your peace of mind… https://www.optimist.org/member/creed.cfm I am appreciative of the trust the board extended in my initial hiring. Foundational beliefs I held, resonating on so many levels with what I just read in James Doty’s Into the Magic Shop; A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart were affirmed as they have been over and over again since that day. Optimism and the power of imagining and acting for a better future are still driving forces in my life. Thanks to the strong community support and investment in the Iowa-Grant School District, I believe Panther Pride is alive and well.

What might we abandon? Well, we know that the headlines are rife with examples of states and school districts reconsidering the amount of screentime students experience each day. I share these concerns and after discussing it with our school principals can report that an internal audit finds that we actually favor paper and pencil over screens, though our students do have access especially when special education uses devices for communication disorders. Still our state legislature has passed new prohibitions on cell phone use during instructional time. If I had a magic wand, I would see students talking with one another directly during the lunch period instead of Tik Tok and other social media mediated communication.

And what might we start? We are getting new student information software. We have begun more cooperation with Highland Community Schools. And while this next part is not really starting something new, as it is to continue what’s working, I hope we can appreciate one another for the unique, positive contribution we each make toward the success of students, families, teachers, and the school district as a whole. Together, we have many things to be proud of, many of which are featured as they happen on our district website, and our app. Our students are excelling, our facilities are being upgraded, our financial picture looks strong, and we look forward to the new year. Sure, there will be some bumps in the road as we implement a new student information system and other transitions occur throughout the year. But we will resolve issues in the spirit of optimism. Please feel free to contact me with any ideas you may have for strengthening our school district.

Michael Shimshak

As the school year comes to a close and families begin summer plans, Iowa-Grant School District would like to encourage parents and guardians to take a few minutes to review their student’s immunization record before the start of the next school year.

Summer is a great time to schedule appointments and make sure students meet Wisconsin immunization requirements for their age/grade level or have a completed exemption form on file with the school. Appointments can fill quickly later in the summer, especially for students entering new grade-level requirement years.

Important Reminder for Incoming 7th Grade Students

Students entering 7th grade are required to have:

• 1 Tdap vaccine
• 1 Meningococcal vaccine

Important Reminder for Incoming 12th Grade Students

Students entering 12th grade are required to have:

• 2 doses of Meningococcal vaccine

These requirements are commonly missed, so families are encouraged to check records early and plan ahead if updates are needed.

Helpful Links

To review your student’s immunization record:
Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR)

To review Wisconsin age/grade immunization requirements:
Student Immunization Law Age/Grade Requirements

To access the Student Immunization Record form:
Student Immunization Record Form

There have been no changes to exemption options for medical, religious, or personal conviction reasons. The school district must still receive a completed Student Immunization Record form for any exemption request.

If you have any questions, please contact District Nurse Amanda Linscheid at alinscheid@igs.k12.wi.us.

7/13 6:30 PM School Board Meeting

7/23 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM IGSD Sports Physicals - IGHS IMC

7/27 5:00 PM IGHS All Sports Meeting @ IGEMS Cafeteria

SENIORS

Distinguished Honors:

Trinity Baker, William Fulton, Emma Govier, Quinn Hoeper, Rilya Hrubes, Brooklyn Jennings,

Addison Kramer, Noah Lange, Laila Ritchie

High Honors:

Pajessa Baker, Eric Bartolo-Garcia, Jaxon Busse, Daniel Dosch, Anayeli Garcia-Cuahuizo,

Abigail Hake, Josie Jelle, Treaton Loeffelholz, Ellison Moen, Delaney Reid

Honors:

Nina Buroker, Adeline Foley, Quentin Koss, Lexie Kuhls, Sam Lundell, Gabriella Munson,

Reese Peterson, Myles Pettit, Vaness Quiahua, Addyson Winkers, Everett Zimmer

JUNIORS

Distinguished Honors:

Cash Anderson, Blayden Bonson, Kristina Crow, Abigail Droessler, Addeline Elg, Landon Friesen, Jacob Grindey, Connor Johnson, Madelyn Klein, Brayden Shemak, June Spurley, Owen Wyatt

High Honors:

Noah Gochenaur, Presley Lehman, Terrey Palmer, Valera Ramos Ramirez, Grant Rickard,

Tyler Schultz, Charlie Volenec, Deacon Wetzel, Jack Whitaker

Honors:

Jason Bartolo-Garcia, Griffen Cartwright, Mason Hove, Josie Jenkins, Lillian Linscheid,

Calvin McHone, Kyleigh Miles, Brooklynn Pearson, Harlei Rochon, Serenity Rose, Carly Shores,

Kendra Wallace

SOPHOMORES

Distinguished Honors:

Taylor Aide, Kylie Breuer, Breanna Dowell, Alayna Enloe, Luis Escalante Rodriguez, Cadence Kelley, Ava Klaas, Rena Pettit, Ezmae Sandberg, Georgia Trecek, Hadleigh Vivian

High Honors:

Malen Anitua-Sesumaga, Ty Cutts, Reese DiVall, Joslyn Iverson, Olivia Koss, Evelena Linscheid, Stevie Pelton, Lilly Peterson, Braelyn Rothamer, Cole Schauff

Honors:

Jason Biddick, Liam Hildreth, Trinity Loeffelholz, Chelsey Mueller, Isabella Neevel, Carmen Parish, Brynne Pettit

FRESHMEN

Distinguished Honors:

Maxwell Hake, Ryker Hrubes, Mackenzie Liddicoat, Leah Nelson, Kayden Peterson, Ainsley Pickel, Blake Schauff, Elsie Van Overmeer, Ruby Volenec, Kipton Wetzel

High Honors:

Myah Batton, Oliver Christiansen, Deven Engrav, DaCota Freymiller, Tucker Leix, Alex Potter,

Ever Schilling

Honors:

Madalynn Allen, Rohwen Aultman, Avah Clark, Trygve Herlitz-Collins, Isaiah Hines, Lainey James, Brynn Milestone, Jaeden Roelli, Shane Rollins, Ayson Speth, Weston Wolff

There will be an All Sports meeting on Monday, July 27th at 5:00 PM. This meeting will be held in the cafeteria at IGEMS. Fall Sports will have their individual parent/athlete meetings afterward.

As we welcome July, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the year. I hope this summer is filled with opportunities for rest, fun, and quality time with family and friends.

Summer is also a wonderful time to keep learning alive. Reading together, exploring new places, and encouraging curiosity through everyday experiences can help students stay engaged and ready for the new school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon with renewed energy and excitement. Until then, have a safe, happy, and relaxing July!

Just a reminder of the summer opportunities in July:

• July 6th - 9th 1st session: (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• July 13th - 16th, 2nd session: (2 sections, 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• July 20th - 23rd, 3rd session: (2 sections, 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m)

There will be a snack/recess in between sections. All dates will be in July due to the gym floor getting refinished.

There will also be a summer school bus that will follow the pool bus routes. The stops are as follows for pick-up: (estimated times)

7:07 a.m. Livingston Park

7:17 a.m. Rewey Church

7:35 a.m. Linden Park

7:42 a.m. Edmund Church

7:49 Old Cobb School

7:58 a.m. Monfort Post Office

8:07 a.m. at IGEMS

These are the estimated times for drop-off:

11:52 in Montfort

12:02 in Cobb

12:09 in Edmond

12:16 in Linden

12:32 in Rewey

12:46 in Livingston

These times depend on what time the bus leaves the IG school

We also offer T-ball, coach-pitch softball, and baseball. This runs in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 6th to July 30th with:

T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m

I-G Flag Football is now open. This program is open to 26-27 boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade, except for those who are playing 7th and 8th-grade tackle football.

8th Grade High Honors:

Lucille Anderson, Katie Bartolo-Rivera, Corbin Batton, Charlie Bollant, Hope Colson, Kierah Dahl, Olivia Enloe, Isabell Johnson, Isla Klaas, Evie Koss, Natalie Mayne, Ayden Olson, Callie Pickel, Jaxson Reiter, Jordence Rothamer, Caitlyn Runde, Grant Schauff, Sadie Spurley, Elijah Straka, Elway Walter, Quinn Williams, and Landon Wyatt

7th Grade High Honors:

Stevie Brokopp, Chloe - Ann Freymiller, Connor Govier, Wyatt A Hamilton, Brycen Hasburgh, Tate Lindner, Taytum Loeffelholz, Brantley Mattix, Abigail Mueller, Hannah Nelson, Graham Pierick, Kensie Schultz, Matthias Straka, and Ezzy Walter

8th Grade Honor Roll:

Bayley Baker, Allison Bartolo-Garcia, Kendra Colson, Joshua Connolly, Lane Foley, Elijah Fulton, Aubrey Gochenaur, Makenna Gough, Blade Hahn, Kylde Halverson, Zayleigh Hermanson, Zariyah Jones, Easton Liddicoat, and Kaydee Shemak

7th Grade Honor Roll:

Easton Halverson, EvAngela Halverson, Eben Heilmann, George Linscheid, Bailey McPhail, Adrienne Pluemer, Teresa Schafer, Adalee Thorud and Cohen Trecek

IGEMS third graders learn and practice their cursive writing skills by corresponding with "experienced cursive writers" through our Third Grade Pen Pal Program. This program has been a highlight of the school year for many students!

If you can write in cursive and are willing to:

• Write and mail one letter each month
• Attend at least one Pen Pal Meet during the school year
• Receive some thoughtful and adorable letters from a third grader

then you would make a wonderful pen pal!

While we are fortunate to have many dedicated pen pals, we will be losing a few participants this year and are looking for new volunteers to join our list. If you are interested, please contact Jill Zajicek at jzajicek@igs.k12.wi.us.

Current pen pals who have already indicated that they will continue next year are accounted for and do not need to contact Mrs. Zajicek.

Summer School Information:

Congratulations to these 13 eighth grade students who had their poems selected to be published by Creative Communications in their spring poetry contest. It's quite the achievement to have an entry selected as only the top 50% of entries from across the country are chosen for this honor. Congratulations to Lucy A., Katie B-R, Charlie B., Patrick B., Kierah D., Olivia E., Aubrey G., Brock J-R., Isabell J., Isla K., Evie K., Natalie M., and Jordence R. We are Panther proud of all of you!! To view the students' poetry, click on this link, http://bit.ly/4xLSCfX