IMMS Family Flier

• Jan 14: 7th/8th Band Concert
• Jan 21 Virtual Event: Learning about IC/Canvas 6:00-6:45 pm
• Conferences are coming Feb 11th and 12th

• January 5: Return to School
• January 14: 7th/8th Band Concert 7:00
• January 15: Spelling Bee Finals
• January 19: No School - MLK Day
• January 21: Virtual Event: Learning about IC/Canvas 6:00-6:45
• January 22: End of 2nd Quarter
• January 23: No School
• January 26: Start of 3rd Quarter
• February 11: Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
• February 12: No School/ Afternoon Parent/teacher conferences
• February 13: No School
• 25-26 IMMS Sports: LINK

Attention ALL 8th Graders

Every year we join forces with the American Legion to provide an opportunity for our 8th grade students to participate in an essay writing contest. Eventually, two 8th graders receive the American Legion Award. All 8th graders are eligible to participate. All students who complete an essay will receive an honorable mention certificate and the 2 winning students will be invited to participate in the Memorial Day parade.

To apply for this award, students need to write an essay based on the tenets of the American Legion: Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship, and Service. THIS google slide presentation will shown to 8th graders during Social Studies class and THIS google document gives details about the essay contest.

You can reach out to the 8th grade counselor, Ms. Noriega, with any questions about the essay contest.

On December 17 at approximately 2:10pm, we held our fourth "School Safety Drill" of the school year, in which we conducted a “Hold Drill". We prepared your child for the drill the week of the drill (as well as the week prior) during our school announcements.

An announcement was made that clearly explained to students and staff that they were about to participate in a Hold Drill and that this was only a drill. The entire drill lasted approximately seven minutes. Leading up to the drill, as well as following the drill, students were also reminded that schools are often some of the safest places to be and that these skills students and staff learn about regarding school safety can be applied anywhere, both in school and out of school. Our goal is always to make these experiences 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 Mr. Jondle at any time at 838-8980.

As our scholars continue to grow and navigate the middle school years, we appreciate your partnership in supporting their overall well-being. One area where families can be especially helpful is reinforcing daily hygiene routines at home (showering, using deodorant).

These hygiene practices can make a big difference in helping students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn, especially as they become more active and experience natural changes during adolescence.

We know these topics can sometimes feel awkward, but they are an important part of growing up. We are happy to help in any way we can including providing hygiene products as needed.

bartmaf@mcfsd.org

As we look to dust off some reminders as we return from Winter Break, we wanted to share that before Winter Break, staff noticed an increase of students running and pushing upon the dismissal to lunch from their class. We understand (and appreciate!) the excitement students have for the lunch hour to talk with friends and to go outside! Upon return from Winter Break, we will be reminding students about safer behaviors as well as addressing the "rush" to the lunch room. We encourage you to partner with us, and encourage you to remind your scholar to refrain from running in the hallways, and the importance of walking to their destinations. Together, we are better!

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
• Recess is held indoors whenever the temperature (or windchill) is below zero.

One of the most exciting things about IMMS is that we have multiple clubs and activities for students to be a part of. Check out our Daily Announcements LINK for clubs and co-curriculars. Try something that interests you!

Call to action: Families who collaborate with the school are 5 times more likely to improve their student’s attendance than families who don’t collaborate.

Below, you will find the "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. As always, please use Infinite Campus to look up progress grades and turned in assignments.

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

• IMMS Standards Based Grading Presentation

• Be on Time! School starts at 8:20am. Students who arrive after 8:20am (without a medical note/appointment note, etc.) will be marked as tardy. After five tardies in one quarter, a check in meeting with the student, as well as contact home will occur to partner on ways to get the student to school on time.
• Off and Away! Cell phones and headphones must be off and away starting at 8:15am.
• Caffeinated Drinks: students may not consume caffeinated drinks while at school.
• Respect the Bubble: An area of focus this year is to teach and re-teach the importance of having students keep their hands, feet, and objects to themself. If you see this behavior, please continue to reinforce the "Respect the Bubble" expectation

More to come...

• MHS Sticks Up for Cancer Game - January 6

• The Anxious Generation Community Read - February 7 and 25

• Madison Ballet 2025-26 Academic Year Information

• Futura 2025-26 Spanish Program at MPS and WIS

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

• E.D. Locke Library K-2 Magic Tree House Book Club - 2nd Tuesdays

• E.D. Locke Library K-5 Lego Club - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays through December

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

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Snack & Chat - Mondays

• E.D. Locke Library Teen UnBook Club - First Thursdays

• E.D. Locke Library VolunTeen Program - Third Tuesdays

• Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families

Bridging Brighter Smiles Dental Clinic will be back at IMMS on Wednesday & Thursday January 7th & 8th for their winter visits! It's not too late to enroll! See flier information for more details and how to enroll; as well as the MSD Health Service website for additional Dental Resources.

⭐New this school year 2025-26, no cost for all students due to a grant fund for BBS!

• Online Enrollment Form – Spanish – Bridging Brighter Smiles

• Online Enrollment Form – English – Bridging Brighter Smiles

The health and wellness of our students and staff are top priority. With the season for viral gastroenteritis (often called the "stomach flu" - Norovirus, Rotavirus) upon us, we wanted to remind everyone of some guidelines and resources. This illness is highly contagious and causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Please help us prevent further spread by reviewing the following guidelines with your student.

Prevention Tips – The best way to stop the spread is through proper hygiene.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Note that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not as effective against the stomach flu as soap and water.

• Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.

• Do not share eating utensils, cups, or water bottles.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home (doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures) using a bleach-based cleaner.

• Wash laundry (sheets, towels, clothes) in hot water if they might be contaminated.

Treatment – Most stomach bugs run their course in a few days, and the primary focus is hydration and rest.

• Stay Hydrated: Offer small, frequent sips of fluids. Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte) are best for replacing lost electrolytes. Avoid sugary drinks, which can worsen diarrhea.

• Eat Bland Foods: Once the child can keep liquids down, introduce easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

• Seek Medical Advice if symptoms are severe, such as bloody diarrhea, high fever, or signs of dehydration (dark-colored urine, dry mouth, weakness, no tears when crying).

When to Stay Home – Please keep your child home if they are sick to protect others. Students must stay home until they are symptom-free for a specific period:

• Fever: Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Vomiting/Diarrhea: Symptom free (no vomiting or diarrhea) for at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. See DHS Wisconsin Communicable Disease chart for specific exclusion criteria (Norovirus 48 hours symptoms free, Rotavirus 24 hours symptom free).

• General Malaise: Feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches that prevent participation in school activities.

Additional Resources –

• MSD Guidelines for Sending your Child to School
• What’s causing my vomiting and diarrhea? | Public Health Madison & Dane County
• Norovirus | Wisconsin Department of Health Services

If you have any questions please contact the school health office or your healthcare provider. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community healthy and safe!

Join us at the next MSEC Meeting on January 28!

The School District of McFarland and E.D. Locke Public Library invite you to join a community book discussion.

During the board meeting on December 15, 2025, Director of Business Jeff Mahoney and Superintendent Aaron Tarnutzer shared an update on student enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. Some of the highlights include:

• Student enrollment is declining due to lower birth rates, the lack of available and/or affordable housing, and other educational alternatives (e.g. homeschool, private/charter/virtual schools).

• Nearly all schools in the state have declining enrollment

• Despite having 75 fewer resident students in the district this year, our total enrollment is only 18 less than last year due to an increase in open enrollment (students who live in other districts and attend here).

• Our enrollment projections show declining enrollment for the foreseeable future.

You can see the slideshow here and watch the video here.

Please reach out to Jeff and/or Aaron with questions.

During the board meeting on December 15, 2025, District Safety Coordinator Mike Klementz shared an update on safety practices.

The presentation includes updates to our school safety plans, our school safety assessment, and information on training and drills.

You can see the slideshow here and watch the video here. Please reach out to your child's Principal and/or Superintendent Aaron Tarnutzer with questions.

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McFarland Youth Center Website

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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.