McFarland School District

Welcome to the January 2026 McFarland School Community Newsletter!

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this month’s update. Inside, you’ll find highlights of important district work, upcoming events, community opportunities, and the many ways our students and staff continue to shine—along with updates on how we’re navigating challenges and planning thoughtfully for the future.

🌟 In This Edition

• 💰 Understanding Your 2025 McFarland School Taxes
  Learn more through a clear, community-friendly document and short video.

• 📖 Community Read: The Anxious Generation
  Join us for a shared community read and conversations on February 7 and February 25.

• 🎭 Performing Arts & Community Events
  See what’s coming up at the McFarland Performing Arts Center, including the middle school production of Honk Jr., adult education classes, and more.

• 🙌 Volunteer Opportunities
  Discover ways to get involved and make a meaningful difference in our schools and community.

🗓️ A Few Friendly Reminders

• Be a Substitute!
  We’re always looking for substitute teachers and educational assistants to support our schools.
  See the flyer below for more information!

• Take a Tour!
  We love welcoming alumni and community groups back into our schools—class reunions especially!
  📧 To schedule a tour, email me at tarnuta@mcfsd.org.

As always, if you have questions, ideas, or concerns, please use [this form] or reach out to me directly. Your voice matters, and we remain committed to open, transparent, and ongoing communication.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools. We truly couldn’t do this work without you.

Stay classy, McFarland!

Aaron Tarnutzer (“Mr. T.”)

Superintendent

Want to understand your 2025 McFarland School District taxes?

Watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO5cyskr3TA

Read this document:

https://drive.google.com/.../1M5Kq11Om7bAmjq4iSa9.../view...

These resources will help you better understand how the school tax levy works and how funds support our schools.

Join the School District of McFarland and E.D. Locke Public Library for a meaningful community discussion around Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, exploring how digital technology impacts children’s development and mental well-being.

Choose a session:

• Saturday, February 7 | 10:00 AM

Waubesa Intermediate School

• Wednesday, February 25 | 6:30 PM

E.D. Locke Public Library

Let’s reflect, learn, and grow together as a community.

Copies available through E.D. Locke Public Library and the South Central Library System.

Did you know that there any many opportunities for the community to use the amazing facilities that you've helped build here at McFarland Schools? Check out the below link for classes like adult woodworking and freezer meal workshops to getting active at adult open gym times, lap swim at the Angie O'Donnell Aquatic Center, and morning walks at MHS!

When our in-person space is unavailable, we’re keeping the momentum going with Virtual Yoga led by Steph! These flexible, optional classes ensure you can continue your practice from wherever you are. Fees for virtual sessions go directly to Steph.

🧘 Virtual Yoga Dates:
• December: 22, 29
• January: 19
• February: 4

• March: 18

⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

👉 Click HERE to register for virtual classes!

✨ December-May In-Person Yoga Dates Are Live!

We’ve secured our space and through spring for in-person classes - all dates are now open for registration at MRAPNews.com!

🗓️ Upcoming Schedule Highlights:
• January In-Person: 5, 7*, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28*
• February In-Person: 2, 23, 25
• March In-Person: 9, 11, 16, 23, 25, 30
• April In-Person: 1, 6, 8, 13, 20, 22, 27, 29
• May In-Person: 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 27

📍Location: Classes take place in the MHS Multipurpose Room. Please note that dates listed with an asterisk mean that class will be held in the PAC Mezzanine Hallway at the high school.

⏰Class Time & Registration Reminder:
RSVP by 3:00 PM on the day of class at MRAPNews.com. We need at least 3 participants to hold each session. If a class is canceled, we’ll notify registered pass holders and post an update on Facebook by 4:00 PM. (No post = class is ON!) Drop-ins are always welcome.

✨ Bonus: This continues to be one of the most affordable yoga options in the area ($10/Resident & $12/Non-Res)—so you can take care of both your mind and body without stretching your budget. Come join us for a welcoming, supportive, and energizing practice this season!

For more details and information on how to RSVP for a class, check out our Yoga Program Guide!

Indoor Morning WALK (November - March) Join us for a peaceful and energizing indoor morning walk at McFarland High School this winter! The Morning Walk program will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, November 4th–mid-March, on days that school is in session, 6:45-7:45 AM at McFarland High School. Please check in at the Angie O'Donnell Aquatic Center before starting your walk. Participants may park in the back parking lot of McFarland High School (6204 Exchange St., McFarland, WI) and use door P to enter the building. The Aquatic Center is located to your left after you enter the building. Please use the "self-sign-in station" at the pool to register for the day (there is no fee associated with this program). After signing in, participants are free to head north down the pool/PAC hallway to access the "B-gym hallway loop" and start their walk. Walking is permitted around the B-gym hallway (not in the gym itself). Pool staff can assist you with any questions you may have. Running is not allowed. 10 laps around the B-gym hallway is approximately 1 mile. Participants are highly encouraged to walk with a buddy for safety. If any first aid is needed, please come to the pool for assistance.

There’s still time to get hands-on in the wood shop! Our final Adult Woodworking session of the 2025–2026 season kicks off this February at McFarland High School, and it’s a great opportunity to build skills, work on personal projects, and enjoy a creative evening out.

Session IV Details:

• When: Thursdays, February 5 – March 26, 2026

• Time: 6:00–9:00 PM

• Where: McFarland High School Wood Shop

• 
  

🛠️ Registration opens December 19 at 10:00 AM and closes January 26 at 11:59 PM.
Space is limited to 18 participants. Registration will close once the maximum is reached or the deadline passes—whichever comes first.

Visit MRAPNews.com or call 608-838-4666 for full details and registration information. Don’t miss your final opportunity this season to create something truly one-of-a-kind!

No reservations are needed for early morning or evening lap swims—just drop in and dive right in. Daytime lap swims will still require reservations (except for Fun & Fitness).

Lane availability times haven’t changed, so your favorite swim times are waiting for you!

Check out the lap swim schedule here or make your daytime reservations here.

• School Board Meeting - January 12 - MHS District Office Board Room
• 4th grade Music & Art Program - Waubesa Intermediate School
• No School - January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• No School - Staff Development Day - January 23
• School Board Meeting - February 2 - MHS District Office Board Room
• IMMS Musical Performance - Honk! Jr. - February 5-7
• MHS Orchestra Concert - February 9 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• No School - February 12 - Staff Development Day
• No School - February 13 - Conference Release Day
• School Board Meeting - February 16 - MHS District Office Board Room
• MHS Jazz Ensemble - February 18 - MHS Performing Arts Center
• MHS String Fling - February 28 - IMMS
• School Board Meeting - March 2 - MHS District Office Board Room
• No School - March 6 - Staff Development Day

From Volunteer Opportunities to Fundraisers and Individual Donations, we so appreciate the support of our amazing community members. If you are interested in volunteering your time in our schools, please fill out a volunteer form at the below link or give one of our schools a call directly.

• McFarland Primary School 838-3146
• Waubesa Intermediate School 838-7667
• Indian Mound Middle School 838-8980
• McFarland High School 838-3166
• District Office 838-3169

Click the link below to visit out website Volunteering page to complete a form.

Click the link below to visit our Classmunity page for information on fundraising campaigns you may be interest in supporting.

The McFarland School District is incredibly grateful to share that we have received nearly $7,000 in unsolicited community donations to help eliminate unpaid student lunch balances and support school food-related needs across our schools.

What began as a few quiet acts of generosity quickly grew into a powerful reminder of who we are as a community. In just hours - and then days - neighbors, families, and friends came together with one shared goal: taking care of kids. More than 120 donors stepped up, proving that even small acts of kindness can make a big impact.

As Superintendent Aaron Tarnutzer shared, meeting students’ basic needs is essential for learning - and this outpouring of support ensures more students can focus on growing, learning, and thriving.

To everyone who donated, shared the message, or supported students in any way: thank you. Your compassion fuels our learners’ success and shows the true strength of our community.

We’re proud to share that Beth Canfield, MHS School Counselor, has been awarded a WI Department of Public Instruction Peer to Peer Suicide Prevention Grant!

State Superintendent Jill Underly notified the district, recognizing Beth’s incredible work and commitment to student well-being. As the MHS Hope Squad Advisor, she’ll use these funds to support Hope Squad initiatives and strengthen mental health awareness across our district.

Thank you, Beth, for your dedication to our students and community!

Our first graders at MPS had an exciting morning learning from a variety of local community helpers as part of their literacy unit on community and service.

Students heard from:

Ms. Heather Kent, Librarian at E.D. Locke Public Library

Paul Ackley, McFarland School District Athletic Director & Head Football Coach

Dan, Paramedic/Firefighter with McFarland Fire & Rescue

Tala and Addison, McFarland Fire & Rescue Youth Apprenticeship students

Captain Jim Reiter, McFarland Fire & Rescue

School Resource Officer Towns- McFarland Police Department

We are so grateful to these amazing community members for sharing their time, experiences, and the many ways they help support and strengthen our community.

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.