IMMS Family Flier

Dear Indian Mound Middle School Students and Families,

Welcome to the start of another exciting school year at Indian Mound Middle School! We are thrilled to welcome back our returning families and extend a warm greeting to those joining our IMMS community for the first time.

Our focus for these opening days is all about rekindling connections, establishing positive daily habits, and strengthening the vibrant culture that defines IMMS. Every student brings something unique to our halls, and we are eager to see the fresh energy and ideas this year will hold.

As we dive into this new chapter, we invite our students to embrace fresh challenges, lift each other up, and stay curious. Great achievements happen when we collaborate, stay resilient, and foster a school environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to do their best work.

Together, let’s make this upcoming year at IMMS our most engaging and rewarding one yet.

Wishing everyone a fantastic first week and a memorable year ahead!

In Service,

Jamie Thomas, Principal

Brett Jondle, Associate Principal

😀As we fine-tune our master schedule and put the finishing touches on class rosters, please double-check your student's schedule in IC/Infinite Campus the evening before their first day. Schedules can shift slightly as we balance class sizes, and checking ahead of time ensures your student knows exactly where to head for their first period!

😀6th grade and WEB Leaders only on September 1 (all students on Sept 2)

😀 Electronic Devices: 8:15 "OFF and AWAY"

😀 Students can enter building at 7:55 and can play basketball or volleyball or sit in the bleachers in the gym, or eat breakfast and talk with friends in the cafeteria.

😃 Dismissal is 3:30 pm

😀 All scooters, bikes, skateboards etc. must be walked on ALL school grounds

😀 Bike racks will be located on the path between the middle school and the high school and in the cement area by the gym.

😀 DO NOT park bikes or scooters in areas without bike racks (ie do not park in front of the concession stand)

• September 1: First day of school 6th grade only (and WEB Leaders)

• September 2: IMMS ALL students back to school

• September 2: Girls volleyball first day of practice

• September 2: Cross Country first day of practice

• September 7: Labor Day - No School
• September 8-11: Fast Bridge Testing- charge Chromebook and bring headphones

• September 22: IMMS Picture Retakes 8:30 - 11:00 am
• September 24: Banner Day and Wacky Olympics
• September 25: No School

🔒 Locker Tips:

• Although backpacks are allowed throughout the day (other than lunch), students have the opportunity to use lockers. If you use a locker, it needs to stay locked at all times.
• Locks can be tricky. Slow down and be precise with your numbers.
• Practice! Video Example

🔒 If you have questions about locks/lockers please ask a teacher or stop by the office to see Mrs. Mackey for assistance.

To help maintain a clean and focused learning environment, please review our beverage guidelines below. These expectations apply to all students from the moment they enter the building through dismissal at 3:30pm.

• Enjoy Approved Drinks: Students are welcome to enjoy allowed beverages in secure, sealable containers throughout the school day.

• Prohibited Drinks Before School: Any prohibited beverages must be finished before entering the building.

• Safe Storage & Disposal: If a prohibited drink is brought inside, students will be asked to store it safely in the main office until 3:30pm dismissal or dispose of it.

• Water, Gatorade, and other juices/flavored water
• Must be brought in a closed, sealable container (e.g., Owala-style water bottles, squeeze bottles, or bottles with a fully closable top)

Prohibited Drinks

• All caffeinated beverages
• No Bubblr drinks (69mg of caffeine)
• All soda (caffeinated or caffeine-free)
• Store-bought or coffee shop drinks in open/disposable cups (e.g., Starbucks, Kwik Trip, etc.)

This rule applies to all students inside the school building during the school day up through 3:30pm dismissal.

🍎First day of school for Sixth Grade is September 1, 2026 (schedule)

Sixth graders will have all of IMMS all to themselves on September 1st. The sixth grade teachers and the eighth grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Leaders are planning a fun day of orientation and community building for our sixth graders!

WHAT IS WEB? WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 6th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is!

1. A few days before orientation, your child will receive a phone call from their WEB Leader personally inviting them to orientation day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have.

2. Your student will not be using their locker on this first day. We will have a spot to place backpacks/lunches.

1. Here is the link to the menu. Grab-and-go options will be listed soon.

3. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.

4. Cell phones must be Off and Away.

⛺Camp Timberlee

Our 6th grade students will have an outdoor education experience at Camp Timber-lee on October 12 and 13 . We will be spending one night at Camp Timber-lee! We will leave school on the morning of Monday, October 12th, and return to school in the evening on Tuesday, October 13th.

🎒Schedule for 9/2

• Students may enter school at 7:55 am
• 8:15-9:00 am Students will go to their ARRE time
• 9:10-9:35 We will have an assembly where volunteers will participate in a contest to see what grade level will start the year with the "Spartan Trophy."
• 9:45-3:30 Modified Schedule with lunch and going through their schedule
• Students are dismissed at 3:30. If your child rides the bus you can expect that they will be coming home late for the first few days as our drivers become familiar with the process and the routes.

Please view this document for details on Student Drop Off and Pick Up Zones.

Arrival

IMMS start and end times are 8:20am-3:30pm. HERE is our daily schedule.

• Students can arrive after 7:55am. We encourage students to arrive as close to 8:00 am as possible, but no later than 8:20am!
• Bike racks are located near the MHS Stadium and by the IMMS Gym.
• Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria starting at 7:55am.
• Students can choose to stay in the cafeteria or play in the gym until the first bell at 8:15 am
• Reminder that once students enter IMMS, students are not allowed to be in possession of, nor consume caffeinated products, Starbucks' beverages, etc. (e.g. drinks, pouches, etc.) as well as any type of soda (caffeinated or non-caffeinated soda)
• 8:15am = Cell phones/Airpods "off and away"
• 8:20am = All students in ARRE Time

Dismissal

• Dismissal is at 3:30pm.
• Students must walk their bikes, scooters, long boards, skateboards, etc. until they exit school district property.
• If your child rides the bus, you can expect that they (buses) will be late the first few days.
• Please follow the cones/directions of staff outside at dismissal (buses will use the large loop and cars will use 1/2 loop).
• Students may not cross the parking lot to enter their car; students are only to be picked up on the School Forest side of the parking lot.
• Students may walk to the MHS Pool parking lot or to Exchange Street to get picked up.
• Please DO NOT use the Legion Parking Lot nor Burma Road to pick up your children.

​Here are the pick-up locations and times for bus riders for dismissal each day:

• Bus Route #30

✅Scooter Safety Reminders for Community: Please watch this short video!

• Please wear a helmet to prevent serious injuries and use lights, reflectors, and bright clothing at night.

• Any person riding an electric scooter on the roadway must stay as close as possible to the right side, within five feet of the curb or edge. The only exceptions are when they are passing another vehicle or preparing to make a left turn. When riding in groups, users must ride in a single-file line.

• If there’s a bike path available, please use it; however, if you’re on an e-scooter, you must yield to bikes. Electric scooters can be used on the road or sidewalk as long as there is no sign prohibiting their use, but the rules of the road still apply.

• Electric scooters must not exceed a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour, even on sidewalks

• Electric scooters are not allowed on roads where the speed is over 25 miles per hour.

• No texting or earbuds while riding scooter
  

• One rider per scooter only. Riding tandem is unsafe and not allowed.

• Users of electric scooters (and bikes) shall not stunt ride, ride with no hands, race each other (or other motorists), or grab onto a moving vehicles.

• Alert others and be seen- use bell/horn, lights, reflectors, bright clothing at night and do not make abrupt/unpredictable movements

🛴School Expectations

• Bikes and scooters must be parked in the school district bike racks located by the MHS Stadium or by the IMMS Gym (south side of IMMS).
• School staff/District Officials are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged scooters. It is recommended that bikes and scooters are locked up in the bike racks when at school (or school sponsored events).
• Park and lock at bike racks: Scooters are not allowed inside the school building (even in inclement weather).
• Walk scooters and bikes while on school sidewalks, including the path from IMMS to MHS.
• One rider per bike or scooter.

👨‍👩‍👧 Tips for Parents & Guardians

• Review local and state laws

• Review this info about e-bicycle use

• Click HERE for information from the Village of McFarland. Here is Section 35-402 of the Village Code of Ordinances

• Talk safety expectations with your student, and set limits on where and when they ride.

• Practice together in a safe space so students can build confidence and stay safe

• Ensure they park properly at the school bike racks (do not park by the MHS Stadium concession stand)

Please reach out to Officer Bomkamp (Community Resource Officer) or Officer Towns (School Resource Officer) with questions!

The IMMS school culture prioritizes face to face communication. Our school culture does not include student cell phone nor AirPods/headphone (or other personal devices) use. Please help foreshadow this to your scholar before the start of the school year. Here are some quick reminders:

• Cell phones/AirPods/Headphones: "Off and Away" at 8:15 am (first bell).
• Students are not allowed to wear headphones over their ears, around their neck, over their head, etc. between 8:15am-3:30pm.
• If you need to reach your child, please call the main office rather than texting your child.
• If a student's cell phone or AirPods/Headphones are visible in hallways/bathrooms, in class, at recess, or at lunch, students will be asked to bring their device to the main office, where the device will be locked safely in the main office for the student to pick up at the end of the day.

• If cell phones or AirPods/Headphones are visible or are being used in class, the staff member will ask the student to hand the device over, and office staff/administration will collect the device from classroom. The device will be locked safely in the main office for your child to pick up at the end of the day.
• This is a change from 2025-26 where students were given a warning if the device was out or being used during class in the classroom.
• If students are observed using their smartwatch to text or communicate (e.g using the watch for anything other than telling time), the smartwatch will be confiscated and kept in the main office until the end of the school day
• Eighth Grade Students: Students in eighth grade will be utilizing the classroom cell phone wall pocket system (similar to the high school procedures). Students will be assigned a classroom pocket hanging in their classroom, and the student will drop off their cell phone (if they have one with them) in the classroom pocket at the start of the class until the end of the class period.

As we begin the school year, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all students. To support this, our staff will focus on five key behavior expectations schoolwide throughout the year! We encourage families to review these with their student and help reinforce them at home:

• Be on Time – Arrive to school and class promptly and be ready to learn when class begins.

• Off and Away – Keep cell phones and headphones off and put away from 8:15 AM to 3:30 PM.

• Pass and a Purpose – Students must have a hallway pass and clear permission from a staff member when leaving class. Students should also remember to be in the assigned, approved area of school with the matching pass issued to them.

• Respect the Bubble – Students, whether playful in the moment or not, should keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves throughout the day at school.

• One Voice– Students will continue to be taught the skill of listening while others are speaking, wait for their time to share their thoughts, rather than speaking over others.

These skills (among others) will be taught, reinforced, and re-taught throughout the school year as universal expectations for students to follow. The goal is to create a safe, fun, and productive learning environment each and everyday! We appreciate your partnership in helping students build strong habits that support success at school!

We are so excited for another fantastic season of McFarland SpartanHigh School Football! To ensure Friday nights are fun, safe, and memorable for all of our families, student athletes, please take a moment to review our stadium expectations with your child before heading to the gates.

Stadium Entry & Seating Guidelines

• Accompanied by Adult: To ensure safety, all middle school students must be accompanied by an adult to enter the stadium.

• Where to Sit: Middle schoolers attending with an adult are welcome to sit together in the designated top section of the student bleachers or sit directly alongside their accompanying adult

• Stay in the Action: All students are expected to enjoy the game from the stadium bleachers cheering on our team! The concessions and restrooms are available throughout the game, but we ask that students return to their seats once finished.

Keeping the Stands Safe & Clean

• Outside Items: To keep our facilities clean and safe, no outside drinks (bottled, canned, or fountain cups), footballs, frisbees, or similar items are permitted inside the gates.

• Game Day Safety: For everyone’s safety, pickup football games, running, and throwing objects are prohibited inside the stadium.

• Playground & Equipment: Please note that all playground and recess equipment is closed during game day/evening events. We ask that all students stay off the equipment so everyone can focus on staying safe and supporting the team!

Spartan Sportsmanship

We take immense pride in our school culture. Let’s lead by example and show top-tier sportsmanship to our guests and athletes:

• Show Respect: Stand quietly and respectfully during the National Anthem and our School Song.

• Keep It Positive: We cheer for the Spartans! Let’s show great respect to the officials and opposing team members, never booing or yelling at officials' calls.

• Bring the Energy: Bring your loudest, most positive Spartan pride to every quarter of the game!

Thank you for helping us create a safe, high-energy environment for our players and fans. Go Spartans!

• Village of McFarland Comprehensive Plan

• McFarland Girls Youth Basketball - Registration Closes September 10

• McFarland Sparks 4-H Club New Member Meeting - September 10

• Futura Spanish Classes at WIS - Register by September 28

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

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

• Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families

Thank You, McFarland!

We are so excited to see so many Spartan shirts making their way into our community! We’ve already received SO MANY shirt orders, plus we had even more shirts sold during Picture Day. Seeing our students and families showing their Spartan pride means so much to us!

A very special THANK YOU to the amazing PTO volunteers who helped organize orders, coordinate Picture Day shirt sales, sort shirts, and make this fundraiser happen. We truly couldn’t do it without the time and energy our volunteers give to our school community. Order form stays on our website and socials and will continue.

As a reminder, we have a new website and email address, so be sure to check your spam for anything from mcfpto@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATES — PTO MEETINGS
All meetings will be held at 7:00 PM in the McFarland Municipal Center Training Room.

• September 8 (Tue): Trunk or Treat, WIS Family Fun, Fall Fundraiser — Coffee
• October 7 (Wed): Conference Meals
• November 12 (Thu): Open House Nights
• January 5 (Tue): Conference Meals
• February 3 (Wed): Open House Nights, Spring Fundraiser — Read-a-thon
• April 8 (Thu): Staff Appreciation, No Hassle
• May 18 (Tue): All Parent/Principal

Trunk or Treat is coming!

We’ll soon be looking for volunteers to help make this year’s event a fun and memorable night for our students and families. Keep an eye out for more details and volunteer opportunities coming soon!

Thank you for continuing to support the McFarland PTO and our schools. We’re so grateful for this community!

Go Spartans!

Join us at the next MSEC Meeting on September 9

6 p.m. - McFarland High School - District Office Board Room

The next School District of McFarland School Board meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2026

Attendance Awareness Month

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Coming to school each day counts for a lot. Let's make sure we're here to learn, grow, and have fun.

Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month. This is a time to spread hope, share resources, and raise awareness. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support, help is always available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• September 7: No school- Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! On this special day, we celebrate all the hardworking people in our communities and the achievements of the labor movement.

• September 7-11: National Payroll Week

Thank you to our fantastic payroll and financial services staff!

• September 11: 9/11 Remembrance Day

9/11 Remembrance Day is a time to reflect and honor those who were lost and the heroes who emerged during this tragic event. Let's always remember the strength that comes from unity and compassion.

• September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

It's time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Learning about the histories, amazing cultures, and awesome contributions of Hispanic people from places like Spain, Mexico, and more is a fantastic way to discover how wonderfully diverse our world is!

• September 15: National IT Professionals Day

Thank you to our Technology Services staff for doing the critical and often unseen work keeping our networks, applications, and services running.

• September 16: Mildred Fish-Harnack Day

During WWII, Mildred Fish-Harnack became a spy and provided important secrets and information to the United States and Allied forces. Today we recognize her integrity and bravery.

• September 17: U.S. Constitution Day

Today we recognize the document that created the foundation for our country's laws and government.

• September 18: POW-MIA Recognition Day

POW-MIA Day recognizes those who were captured or went missing while in active military service. We always hope for knowledge or a safe return home.

• September 23: Wisconsin Bullying Awareness Day

Bullying negatively impacts student connection, engagement, and sense of self. Let's work together to create a school where everyone feels safe and respected.

• September 28: Frances Willard Day

Frances Willard was an educator and women's rights activist from Janesville, Wisconsin

Daily Schedule

Daily Announcements (coming soon)

Day A/Day B Schedule

Student Services Support Contacts

McFarland School District Website

McFarland School District App

McFarland Youth Center Website

McFarland RADAR (Relevant Alcohol & Drug Awareness Resources) Coalition Newsletter

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.