IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS

As a student of astronomy, I am at times obsessed with the mystery of time and space. So far, it still seems certain that entropy drives time in only one direction. We do engage in time travel through rehearsing for futures that may or may not develop or by dwelling on histories that may be rewritten but never changed. Beyond the physics of time, nothing resonates for me more in looking backwards than Dylan Thomas’s Fern Hill.

Last weekend, I once again floated down the Kickapoo River, something I have been doing for at least forty-five years. And though that seems like a long time to me, consider the sandstone out-croppings that castle over that river. These date from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods of roughly 500 million years ago. At the end of the trip I walked back to the launch on the Old 131 trail. I remembered racing up and down this road in a 1962 Chrysler 300 with a push button transmission. I was now floating past farms lit by the sun that is “young once only”. In terms of geological time, our lives are moments. How lucky I am to experience this beauty again. Of course, I made plans to return.

As we send out our graduates, promote our eighth graders, and dream about summer vacations and make other plans, another aphorism arises, “There’s a first time and a last time for everything.” An author had used this to encourage his audience to make every moment count, a hard lesson he had learned the day he lost his younger brother after heading off to middle school. Accepting his point, I moved on in my own mind. There is Ecclesiastes, and those once in a lifetime events, and the cycle of seasons. There is Shabbat and sabbatical, and after years, I finally learned the value of the reset button.

This June, I will be taking a course on concepts of design at WoodenBoat School in Maine. I’ll be learning the difference between a garboard and a sheer strake, a transom and a keelson, and maybe even a little Archimedes principle. When we return in July, I am looking forward to a bright future for the 2025-2026 school year. We’re planning another Family and Community Town Supper in October to take one more look at the locker room renovation project. We hope to have more definite numbers on the state’s biennial budget so that we can continue on our path of financial sustainability. We are tackling deferred maintenance projects and I feel things are really looking up for us.

As I sign off, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Iowa-Grant for the support of our schools. IG is a special place, connected across generations in time, through its many traditions; from sending off the elementary school students with bubbles, to senior walk throughs, to Great Steak Nights and local community celebrations, to Veterans Day programs, and more. Thank you for accepting me into the community and allowing me the opportunity to serve as your superintendent.

'See you next year!

Michael Shimshak

Hello Band Students & Parents!

Please see the following monthly calendar for summer lessons! I will be doing high school individual lessons on Tuesdays and group lessons on Thursdays starting the week after Independence Day and going through August 14th. All lessons will take place in the HS band room. Please feel free to enter through the back parking lot glass doors for easy pick-up & drop off.

Lesson times remain the same each week so that working students & families can attempt to have a consistent schedule. I realize rides for middle school students are trickier than high school students. I did my best to accommodate scheduling requests and tried to keep siblings in back to back slots. If you would like to switch with someone, please reach out directly to them.

We will also have a high school "band camp"/full group rehearsal on August 19th & August 21st from 10:00am-1:00pm. This camp is important so that we have a head start on learning our pep band repertoire, field show music, and marching drill for the Homecoming Show. I have made sure these days and times do not conflict with football, cross country, or volleyball practices. Please make every effort to be there. Drill work is nearly impossible with multiple holes.

Don't forget about our 4 summer parades! Those dates are listed on the included calendar. These are our most public performances, so please make every effort to get your student to these! We look and sound our best when we have all of us. Please remember to wear your khaki bottoms, black music shirts, and tennis shoes to parades.

Do your honest best to attend all events! If you are unable to make any dates, I just ask that you email me in advance: hgile@igs.k12.wi.us. I will do my best to post any necessary updates &/or changes (if I'm sick, for instance) to the lowa-Grant High School Band Facebook page and also Google Classroom. Please be sure you are following or checking email consistently.

Thank you!

Mrs. Gile

Mark your calendars for another Panther Volleyball Camp! The camp dates are June 23rd - June 26th for girls in grades 3rd - 12th. (Boys may also join the 3rd-8th grade camps.) This year"s camp will once again be held at the Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle School building. We look forward to another camp week of working on volleyball skills, meeting new friends and Glow In The Dark Volleyball!

6/05 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Dismissal at 11:30 AM

6/06 Track & Field: Varsity State Tournament @ UW-La Crosse

6/07 Track & Field: Varsity State Tournament @ UW-La Crosse

6/09 6:30 PM Board Meeting

6/17 1:00 PM - 4:00PM Sports Physicals - IGHS IMC

IGHS held graduation on Saturday, May 24th at 1:00 PM. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!!!

Remember "Once a Panther, Always a Panther!!!"

The Iowa-Grant High School held their Scholarship and Awards night. Thank you to all the scholarship presenters, staff, and seniors. The Class of 2025 collectively received over $290,000 in scholarships. Congratulations!!!

Adrienne Biddick

IGEF - Christiansen Family Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

Winona State Presidential Fine Arts Scholarship

Uplands Garden Club Scholarship

Boden Brockopp

IGEF - Millard “Mick” Gundlach Ag Scholarship

Southwest Tractor Ride Scholarship

John Brogley Memorial Scholarship

Steve Hoffman Memorial Scholarship

Riellyn Cartwright

American Red Cross Scholarship

Cobb Lions Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship

Lucas Christiansen

UW-Madison Mercile J. Lee Scholar

American Red Cross Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

Bret Connolly

UW-Madison Mercile J. Lee Scholar

Wings Over Wisconsin Scholarship

Bucky’s Pells Pathway Scholarship

American Red Cross Scholarship

Cobb Lions Scholarship

IGEF- Melby Family Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club - Susie Andrew Memorial

Eversoll Family Scholarship

Blake Droessler

Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

Class of 1969 Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Music Parents Scholarship

Emmaus University Presidential Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship

Linnea Elg

UW- Stevens Point Scholarship

IGEF - James E. Schroeder Scholarship

Class of 1969 Scholarship

Aiden Friesen

UW- Platteville - Keri Pustina Memorial Scholarship

IGEF- Dr. Dennis and Marilyn Carr Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Music Parents Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

Panther Pride Scholarship

Livingston-Clifton Fire Department Scholarship

Georgia Haase

Iowa-Grant Student Council Scholarship

Gavin Hinderman

Beau’s 5th Quarter Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

Sadie Hoge

Class of 1969 Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

S.W.A.T Scholarship

Rachel Bakken Memorial Scholarship

Winona State Academic Award

Pete and Katie Spurley Scholarship

Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship

Lakyn Holman

Uplands Hills Health Scholarship

Platteville Elks Scholarship

American Red Cross Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club

Rachel Bakken Memorial Scholarship

IGEF - Scholarship in Memory of Dorothy Lepeska

Viterbo Dean's Scholarship

Viterbo Social Services Scholarship

Clare Bank Scholarship

Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship

Community First Bank

Iowa-Grant Student Council Spirit Award Scholarship

Hayden Hynes

IGEF - In Memory of Harold Coulthard Scholarship

Faith Kite

IGEF - James E. Schroeder Scholarship

WI Masonic Foundation - Mineral Point Lodge #1

Montfort Veterinary Scholarship

Kayden Klein

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

BreAnn Kohlenberg

Grant County Emergency Services

FFA Alumni - Dan Liddicoat Memorial Scholarship

IGEF - James E. Schroeder Scholarship

IGEAPSSP Scholarship

Cobb-Eden Fire Department Scholarship

Livingston-Clifton Fire Department Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

WI Masonic Foundation Linden Lodge #206

Youth Boys Basketball Scholarship

Panther Pride Scholarship

UW-Platteville Fredric W. Tufte Scholarship & Activity Award

Community First Bank

UW-Platteville Merit Scholarship

Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship

Iowa-Grant FFA Chicken Coop Scholarship

Livingston Community Improvement Corporation

IGEF - Jim Kohlenberg Memorial Scholarship

WI United Methodist Foundation Scholarship

Baylee Leix

Iowa County Cattle Scholarship

FFA Alumni Scholarship - Dan Liddicoat Memorial Scholarship

Iowa-Grant FFA/David Bendorf Memorial Scholarship

Iowa County Farm Bureau Scholarship

Mississippi Valley Lodge #86 Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Royal Bank Scholarship

IGEF - Mae E. Austin Memorial Scholarship

Karen Fisher Honorary Scholarship

Iowa County Home & Community Scholarship

Lenys A. Dietzman Memorial Scholarship

Kaycee Lindner

Iowa County Cattle Scholarship

FFA Alumni - Dan Liddicoat Memorial Scholarship

Iowa-Grant FFA/David Bendorf Memorial Scholarship

IGEF - James E. Schroeder Scholarship

Roy Schambow Memorial Scholarship

SWTC - Lenz Family Endowment Scholarship

Premier CO-OP Scholarship

Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association Scholarship

Montfort Veterinary Scholarship

Wayne & Marion Davis Memorial Scholarship

Gerald Fritsch Memorial Scholarship

Community First Bank Scholarship

Bronson McHone

Raimer Family Scholarship

Ava Orth

American Red Cross Scholarship

Cobb Lions Scholarship

Cara Hill Memorial Scholarship

William “Sparky” Memorial Scholarship

Ella Parish

Cobb Lions Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club

Sath and Cheryl Goke Scholarship

Jocelyn Ramos Ramirez

IGEF - Robert and Martha Klindt Memorial Scholarship

Class of 1969 Scholarship

UW-Platteville Mike & Jackie David Scholarship

Dawson Reid

Derek Lendosky Scholarship

Carter Rickard

American Red Cross Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club - Academic Decathlon Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Student Council Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship

Linden Parent Club Scholarship

Katie Rickard

IGEF- Thomas and Mary Jane Limmex Scholarship

Beau’s 5th Quarter Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Booster Club Scholarship

WI Masonic Foundation Linden Lodge #206 Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship

Academic Excellence Scholarship

Livingston Community Improvement Corporation Scholarship

Linden Parent Club Scholarship

Myles Rowe

American Red Cross Scholarship

IGEF - Thomas & Mary Jane Limmex Scholarship

Addison Schafer

Ritchie Implement, Inc. Agricultural Business Scholarship

IGEF - Glen & Connie Gard Family Scholarship

Royal Bank Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship

UW-Platteville Merit Scholarship

Gretta Schmitz

IGEF - Scholarship in Memory of Bernadine Olson

Addysen Spink

American Red Cross Scholarship

Class of 1969 Scholarship

SWTC - George & Marilyn Gibson Memorial Scholarship

Technical Excellence Scholarship

Highland Lions Club Scholarship

Allysen Spink

IGEAPSSP Scholarship

Natalie Starkey

Class of 1969 Scholarship

Dodgeville Chapter No. 39 Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship

Charles Straka

IGEF - J. Bruce & Margaret L. Bradley Memorial Scholarship

Iowa-Grant Music Parents Scholarship

Karaline Suhr

Iowa-Grant Student Council Scholarship

William Whitaker

Class of 1969 Scholarship

Livingston-Clifton Fire Department Scholarship

l-r (bottom row) - Addison Schafer, Faith Kite, Adrienne Biddick, BreAnn Kohlenberg, Baylee Leix, Lakyn Holman, Kaycee Lindner, Katrina Rickard, CJ Straka, Jocelyn Ramos Ramirez

l-r (middle row) - Aiden Friesen, Bode Brokopp, Hayden Hynes, Myles Rowe, Gretta Schmitz, Linnea Elg, Brett Connolly

l-r (top row) - IGEF Board Members - Fred Skaife, Bob Haase, Lois Peart, Dave Olson, Connie Gard, Lori Melby

Dear Parents and Guardians of the Senior Graduating Class of 2026:

This letter is to inform you about the IMPORTANT DEADLINES regarding

senior photos and senior parent messages for next school year. Listed below

are dates to remember so you can mark your calendars in advance.

Friday, October 3: The LAST day to turn in SENIOR PHOTOS

You must submit a vertical image. The yearbook staff reserves the right to

refuse your image if it is inappropriate, so please make sure you make good

choices and use good judgment with your submissions. Please provide us with

a jpg that is 300 dpi and no photographer watermarks. You or your

photographer may email the photo to me at mrosemeyer@igs.k12.wi.us.

**Please schedule your photography session as soon as possible while the

weather is beautiful and the outdoor colors are glorious!

Friday, October 3: The LAST day to turn in Senior Parent Messages

Placing a senior parent message is a fabulous way to pay tribute to your senior.

This is part of our ad sales, so the photo and message are $25. Please

send payment with the photo and message. Messages should be about 50

words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Please

email senior parent messages to mrosemeyer@igs.k12.wi.us, drop them off

in the office, or send them to Mrs. Rosemeyer at the high school. (Please

include a self-addressed envelope for the photo to be returned.)

DON’T FORGET TO ORDER A COPY OF YOUR 2026 YEARBOOK

You will receive an order form with registration, or you can order online through Jostens. Additional order forms will be available in the office.

We are looking forward to creating the best yearbook yet.

If you have any questions, please contact me via email at mrosemeyer@igs.k12.wi.us.

Happy Summer! I hope everyone gets time with family and friends!

Some of the many highlights from May: Some students participated in Champion Games on Friday, May 9th, FFA and the 4th grade toured Schilling Farm sponsored by the Gard Family Event on May 8th. The 6th grade went to Four Mounds on Wednesday and to Effigy Mounds on the 27th. Third grade went to Folklore Village on May 29th. The 7th grade went to Blackhawk on May 30th, and the 8th grade will go to the Dells on June 4th. PTC provided Bounce Houses on May 30th. I am sure I missed a few, but these are just some of the highlights.

The eighth-grade promotion date will be Tuesday, June 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.

Looking ahead to summer, we are working on setting pool bus dates. Summer recreation is off and rolling, and summer school, along with T-Ball/Coach pitch, will be held on the dates below:

• June 16th - 20th 1st session: (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• July 7th - 10th, 2nd session: (2 sections, 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• July 21st - 25th, 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. We are trying something new by only offering summer school in July and August. Please reach out to Jennifer Gallagher if you have any questions.

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

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 7th - July 31st with:

T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m

Have a wonderful summer!

What do you do when you are about to do something new and feel just a little bit scared?

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall was the perfect book to read aloud to the 4K students during our last storytime together. Jabari learned to swim. He passed his swimming test, and he is a good jumper. But, Jabari has never climbed the ladder of the diving board or jumped off of one. He is ready, but he is also a little nervous, excited, and scared. His dad offers him some good advice: take a deep breath, say to yourself, “I”m ready,” and remember new experiences are like surprises–and surprises are fun!

The soon-to-be kindergarten students can relate to Jabari in this story. They know what it feels like to be both ready and a little bit scared of what is to come. Other students in the building are most likely feeling the same way as they say good-bye to their teachers and fellow classmates. But, they are ready. They are ready for vacation and they are ready for the next grade level, too. Thank you to all of the IGEMS staff members, parents, and others who have helped our Panthers reach this point. I’m proud of every student and so proud of the teamwork I see among staff in our building and between home and school every day.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer vacation!

Proud to be a Panther,

Mrs. Bast

P.S. Please visit your local library and keep reading with your child this summer!

This year's 3rd graders enjoyed learning and practicing cursive by writing to an "experienced cursive writing" Pen Pal. On Friday, May 30th, we had our Farewell event and enjoyed talking, playing games, reading and snacking with our pen pals. Next year's class will be a little smaller and we believe we have enough willing participants for the program. But, if you feel like you may be very interested in participating, please contact us to get on the list. NEW for next year, Jill Zajicek will be the new contact person with information and dates. Her email is jzajicek@igs.k12.wi.us. Thank you, Pen Pals!!

Congratulations to these middle school students! All of them have read a million or more words this school year. It takes an average of 18 books (at least 200 pages) to accomplish this goal. Studies have shown that students who read a million words in a school year perform better on assessments, have a more extensive vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills. Pictured are (L-R) kneeling: Easton H., Weston W., Connor G., Lainey J., and Madalynn A. Standing in the back row (L-R): Isaiah H., Ryker H., Blake S., Daniel W., Deven E., George L., Shane R., Mackenzie L., and Rohwen A. Don't forget to read over the summer, Panthers!

Congratulations to these middle school students! All of them have read a million or more words this school year. It takes an average of 18 books (at least 200 pages) to accomplish this goal. Studies have shown that students who read a million words in a school year perform better on assessments, have a more extensive vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills. Pictured are (L-R) kneeling: Easton H., Weston W., Connor G., Lainey J., and Madalynn A. Standing in the back row (L-R): Isaiah H., Ryker H., Blake S., Daniel W., Deven E., George L., Shane R., Mackenzie L., and Rohwen A. Don't forget to read over the summer, Panthers!

Congratulations to these 8th grade students who were recently selected to have their poetry published in an anthology published by Creative Communication. According to the company, less than 50% of the poems submitted are published. This is quite an achievement! Pictured in the photo kneeling (L-R): Weston W., Kendall L., Lainey J., and Shaylee H. Standing (L-R): Tucker L., Leah N., Ever S., Payton O., and Mackenzie L. To read the students' poetry, click on this link: bit.ly/3SabRw5

Mark your calendars. The next PTC meeting will be July 21st at 4 pm in Room 333 of IGEMS. We will be discussing back-to-school night preparations.

Download the Box Top app and follow these steps to connect your frequent shopping centers to collect Box Tops. Iowa-Grant families have raised almost $200 in Box Tops this school year.

Is your summer calendar filling up fast? Check school supplies off your summer to-do list. Order supplies now from 1st Day School Supplies for the next school year and get them delivered straight to your house in August.

https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/115271