IMMS Family Flier
February 2, 2025
A Note from Ms. Thomas and Mr. Jondle
Dear Indian Mound Middle School Students and Families,
What an exciting weekend for IMMS students and Families. The musical Bye Bye Birdie was a BIG hit! There will be pictures in our next newsletter, but we want to thank all the students, families, and staff who participated in making the musical happen. It takes a lot of time and commitment and it showed!
This coming week, Wednesday, February 5th, is World Read Aloud Day. IMMS is celebrating by having guest attend classes to read aloud to our students. Also, grades will be available for families to view by Tuesday, Feb 4th (more info below).
Warm regards,
Jamie Thomas, Principal
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal
Important Dates
Feb. 5: World Read Aloud Day
Feb. 7: Monthly Celebration Assembly
Feb. 14: No School - Conference Release Day
Feb. 19: 7th-12th Jazz Ensembles
Feb 24: Orchestra Spring Fling
Feb. 27: Family Fun Night 5:30pm-7:00pmSemester 1/Quarter 2 Grades
Report Cards Available to View on February 4th.
We are excited to share that it is time for our 2nd quarter / Semester 1 report cards. The purpose of grades in the McFarland School District is to communicate the learning, growth, and achievement of individual students about necessary academic standards with a focus on critical thinking, creative thinking, and communication skills. In addition to the ongoing communication that teachers and families have throughout the school year, we formally communicate four times yearly on your child's academic, behavioral, and social progress: twice at Parent/Teacher Conferences and twice with semester report cards. Our Q1 and Q3 report cards are an opportunity to share a snapshot of your child's progress toward learning standards each year, and spring report cards are now available on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Note: If the class is a 9-week long class, the grades at each quarter are the final grades.
***HERE is a 90-second video on how to check your scholar’s grades on IC.
Final Grades for 9-week classes: The following courses are only 9 weeks long and the grades are final: Art, Family and Consumer Sciences, Futures, General Music, Technology, and Engineering.
Final Grades for other classes: All remaining courses have final grades that reflect student progress throughout the first half/second half of the school year, with the most recent evidence (assessments) being the most important.
There are three areas assessed for student progress:
Conduct: Reflecting our empathy and respect goals.
Effort Reflecting achievement and responsibility regarding completed/ missing/ late work and effort in participating in class activities and learning.
ELO Standards: These reflect the course's academic standards (“Essential Learning Outcomes”).
Student progress is reported using the following scale:
Extending the standard (ES) My performance extends the standard at this time. I consistently apply and/or extend a thorough understanding of the concept or skill being assessed.
Meeting the standard (ME) :My performance meets the standard at this time. I consistently demonstrate an understanding of the concept or skill being assessed.
Approaching the standard (AP):My performance is approaching standard at this time. I demonstrate a basic understanding of the concept or skill being assessed. I may need more time to practice before becoming independent.
Significantly below the standard (SB):My performance is significantly below standard at this time. I demonstrate a limited understanding and/or misunderstanding of the concept or skill being assessed. My performance indicates significant gaps in understanding that are needed to meet the grade level standard at this time. I need more time and support before becoming independent.
Not Assessed or Blank (NA)The standard is not assessed at this time.
Not enough evidence (NE): I have not yet provided enough evidence of understanding at this time.
Not assessed NA The standard is not assessed at this time.
For the conduct grade and the effort grade, students' goal is to perform at the “ME” level. If your child is not meeting these expectations, please talk to them and their teachers about how to improve.
For final grades, the goal for students is to be performing at the “ME” level at the end of the semester/school year
You should not expect to see grades of “ES” as this is an extremely high standard and not the equivalent of an A in a traditional grading system. Please understand that teachers are doing their best to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate higher levels of learning as they build their foundational skills.
Not all ELO’s are assessed at a given time. ELO’s not assessed enough for a teacher to assign a score are either left blank or listed as “NA” for “not assessed.
Should you have questions about your child’s grades, please contact their teacher for that course directly.
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
How to view grades on Infinite Campus:
1. Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
If you do not have an Infinite Campus portal account, please contact Gina Pili at pilig@mcfsd.org or 838-4580 and request your Portal Activation code.
If you have forgotten your username and/or password and previously set your Security Preferences, you can click the orange HELP button on the portal login screen and choose either 'Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your username?'
You can also send an email to Eversomm@mcfsd.org for help with either of these issues.
2. Select your child from the “Select a student” drop-down menu at the top. If you have only one child in the district, this won’t be necessary.
3. You have 2 options to view the final grades and in-progress grades.
a. Grades Tab:
Go to the top left 3 bars to bring down the menu and select Grades and Term 2
You will notice some grades are “in progress” and those that are final grades are in bold.
b. Documents Tab:
Go to the top left 3 bars to bring down the menu and select Documents, Report Card, IMMS Report Card.
Please note that only final grades are on the report card (versus in-progress grades
Select Progress Report " to see the current "in progress" grades in your child's other classes.
Fastbridge Information: FastBridge assessments are a universal screener that students in grades K-8 participate in three times per school year. These results provide a snapshot about what our students know and are able to do in the core academic areas of English/Language Arts and Math, and spring results are available for families to view in Infinite Campus.
To access your child's Fastbridge results, please follow these steps:
Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal
On the left-hand side menu, click More and then Assessments
All of your child's historical FastBridge scores will be displayed. The number under Score is a raw score and the number under Result is the national percentile rank of that score for your child's grade level. A percentile shows the percentage of students nationally who scored at or below your child's score. The lowest value is 1 and the highest is 99.
If you have more than one child in the District, you can click in the upper right to change which child's scores you are viewing
If you would like additional information about your child's FastBridge scores, you can email one of us to request a FastBridge Family Report that includes more detailed information
If you would like additional information about your child’s FastBridge scores, you can reach out to your child’s principal and request a FastBridge Family Report that includes more detailed information.
Please contact the main office at 838-8980 if you would like a printed copy of your child’s grades. Thank you for your involvement in your child(ren)’s education!
Family Fun Night
Family Fun Night
Thursday, February 27, 5:30-7:30
Indian Mound Middle School
This event is for everyone! Not just IMMS families!
Family Fun Night is an opportunity to meet Indian Mound Middle School’s teachers, students, and clubs and have a great time with your family. There will be a variety of events and activities staged throughout the school. Many are sponsored by clubs, students and community organizations. These include many fun experiences for folks of all ages. Come out to Family Fun Night and see what IMMS has to offer our community. There is something for everyone!
The PTO is looking for input on meeting topics and activities that are of interest to families! Hearing directly from you will help us identify topics that are interesting to you and how best to communicate about meeting dates, times, and locations. We appreciate you taking the time to provide your thoughts! Please fill out this SHORT SURVEY
Student Services
Attention 8th Grade Families
This week 8th graders will start learning and talking about high school registration. The start comes on Wednesday when high school counselors come to IMMS to talk with all students during their Social Studies class about the high school transition process. Below are some key dates that you should keep in your calendar. Please reach out to Fred Bartman, School Counselor with any questions you may have.
High School Registration Timeline:
- Jan 21: High School Counselors Talk w/ 8th graders during school day
- Feb 5: Advisory Night at MHS
- Feb 10: Registration sheets due to IMMS Social Studies Teacher
- Week of Feb 17: 8th graders register online for classes during Social Studies Clas
Club Unified & Special Olympics Fundraiser
We may not be jumping into a frozen lake, but we are gearing up for an icy good time to support Club Unified & Special Olympics! Instead of the traditional Polar Plunge, we’ll be taking on water balloons, ice buckets, &/or super soakers – because why freeze alone when we can share the chill?
If you’d like to support our brave (and slightly crazy) participants, we’d love donations! Every dollar helps us continue building an inclusive community at IMMS. Click HERE to donate.
Thanks for helping us make a splash for a great cause!
Stay warm (we won’t),
IMMS Art Ambassadors Presents.... Hearts for Hunger Fundraiser
Valentine's Day Postcards! Send a beautiful card to a loved one and help stop hunger!
The IMMS Art Ambassadors designed Valentine's Day postcards. This beautiful pack of cards is only $5 and proceeds will support McFarland's Food Pantry. You can purchase them through the Classmunity fundraiser link and then the cards will be available for pick up in the IMMS lobby starting January 29th Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:00.
Use this LINK to order!
For More Information
Contact: Sandy Schoen
608 838-4500 ext. 4805
Donations for Students
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. You can drop off donations at the IMMS Student Services office.
Monthly Safety Drill Last Week!
On January 22 at approximately 10:17am, we held our fifth "School Safety Drill" of the school year, in which we conducted a "Secure Drill". We prepared your child for the drill last week (and the week prior) during our school announcements.
Prior to the January 22 drill, we made an announcement that clearly explained to students that we were about to conduct a Secure Drill and that this was only a drill prior. The entire drill lasted approximately five minutes. During our daily announcements as well as following this drill (and all of our drills) students were reminded 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 me at any time at 838-8980.
Thank you,
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal
Jamie Thomas, Principal
Opportunity to Support IMMS Staff Through Coffee Donations
Thank you to everyone who has donated ground coffee for our staff members! We are well stocked with bags of coffee for a while and the teachers will be happier for it:). One thing we COULD use right now are additional K-cups for those seeking a single cup of coffee in the afternoon.
Thank you in advance.
Outdoor Recess and Weather
As the weather continues to cool down and the seasons change, we wanted to provide a few reminders that we will/have been sharing with your scholar:
- Students should take their coats/sweatshirts/hats with them to lunch to avoid having to have to go to their locker/backpacks after being dismissed from lunch to recess
- To allow students the chance to eat at their own pace, there are two waves of dismissal from lunches. The first wave of dismissal happens 15 minutes into lunch (for those who are finished and want to get outside right away). The second wave of dismissal occurs twenty minutes into lunch (lunch/recess is thirty minutes total).
- The expectation is that at this point, all students must go outside for recess. Please continue to encourage this with your scholar
Family Information Regarding Student Learning
Below you will find "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.
McFarland Dance Team Winter Kids Clinic 2025 - Registration closes February 7 MHS DECA Superhero Training Camp - February 8 Spartan Headquarters Vintage Sale to Benefit McF Food Pantry - February 11 & 13 McFarland Optimist Club Free Family Bingo Event - February 14 E.D. Locke Library Teen Beginner Sewing Class - February 14 E.D. Locke Library Perler Bead Crafternoon - February 14 E.D. Locke Library Self-Defense Classes - February 15 E.D. Locke Library Star PJ Storytime - February 20 E.D. Locke Library Teen After Hours Karaoke Party - February 21 CESA 2 MHS Driver Education Program ACT Prep Plus - Registration Open Futura Grades K-2 Spanish Language Program E.D. Locke and Galin Education Free ACT Diagnostic Test Day - March 11 McFarland Youth Baseball Organization 2025 Season Registration Open McFarland Youth Softball 2025 Season Registration Open Badger Precollege Grades 6-8 Latino Youth Summit - March 24-25 i9 Sports 2025 Spring Season - Register by March 28 McFarland Soccer Referee Course - April 19 E.D. Locke Library Teen Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot Adventures - January-April E.D. Locke Library VolunTeen Program - January-April E.D. Locke Library Teen S.T.E.A.M. - January-April E.D. Locke Library Teen Hangout - January-April E.D. Locke Library Teen UnBook Club - January-April E.D. Locke Library Teen Snack & Chat - January-April E.D. Locke Library Grades 3-5 LEGO Club - September-May E.D. Locke Library Grades 3-5 Graphic Novel Book Club - September-May E.D. Locke Library Grades K-2 Magic Tree House Book Club - September-May Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families
Looking For More Things To Do?
McFarland Recreation Aquatics & Play (MRAP) and the McFarland Performing Arts Center (MPAC) offer a wide variety of recreation and aquatics programs for community members of all ages. To learn more, visit MRAPNews.com
Questions about specific MRAP or MPAC programs?
Reach out to the staff contacts listed below:
Stu Schaefer, Director of Community Services
schaefs@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
Kayla Eliasson, Aquatics Supervisor
eliassk@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
Alisha Fix, Recreation Supervisor
fixa@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4666
Zachary Franczak, Performing Arts Supervisor
franczz@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4461
Health Services
Medication at School
Parents and Families: as a reminder, please do NOT send any medication to school with your child-this is a safety risk and is not allowed. The only medication that students can carry with them at school are emergency medicines such as an EpiPen or Inhaler. Even then, the health office must be notified of this and have signed documentation by the student's physician and parent/guardian (Medication Consent Form: Prescription, Over the Counter). OTC medication such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen are stocked in the health offices for student use if needed. Please call or email with questions about this or if you would like your student to take medication at school.
School Immunizations & Vaccine Clinics
Vaccine Clinics: Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health to offer more school vaccine clinics to get students up to date on their school vaccines. These clinics will take place at the below dates and times in Madison.
Saturday, February 8th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center
Saturday May 17th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center
To find out more information and to schedule an appointment, see the attached flyer, or visit publichealthmdc.com/schoolclinics.
District News
Kindness Month
In February we celebrate Kindness Month. During Kindness Month we want to emphasize the powerful connection between kindness and the prevention of bullying. This year, we are not only celebrating acts of compassion but also taking a stand against bullying in all its forms.
Kindness and bullying exist on opposite ends of the spectrum, and by promoting kindness, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.
Kindness Month is dedicated to fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support. It is a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on individuals and our collective well-being.
Here are some ways we can tie in the theme of anti-bullying with our celebration of Kindness Month:
💓Random Acts of Kindness: Encourage your children to perform small, unexpected acts of kindness for their classmates, teachers, and neighbors. Whether it's a note, a simple compliment, or helping someone in need, these gestures go a long way.
💓Kindness Pledges: Encourage your children to take a kindness pledge, committing to treat each other with respect and empathy. This pledge can serve as a powerful tool to unite our community against bullying and create a culture where kindness is the norm.
💓Gratitude Challenge: Start a family gratitude journal where each member can jot down something they are thankful for every day. This practice promotes mindfulness and helps us appreciate the positive aspects of our lives.
💓Community Service: Consider volunteering as a family or participating in local community service projects. Whether it's cleaning up a park, assisting at a food bank, or organizing a charity drive, contributing to the community fosters a sense of connection and shared responsibility.
💓Be an Ally: If someone is being bullied, don’t stay silent, speak up! Address the situation calmly but firmly. Let the person know their behavior is unacceptable and support the person being bullied. Report instances of bullying to the administration.
We believe that by embracing kindness, we not only create a more nurturing environment within our school but also contribute to a more compassionate society at large.
Let's make Kindness Month a memorable and impactful experience for our students. Together, we can inspire a wave of positivity that lasts far beyond the month of celebration.
Thank you for your commitment to cultivating a culture of kindness.
🎓McFarland School Board
District Recognition Days
Black History Month
Kindness Month
Career & Technical Education Month
- February 3 -7 National School Counseling Week
- February 5 - World Read Aloud Day