IMMS Family Flier

Dear Indian Mound Families,

It was another great week at Indian Mound Middle School! Our 6th graders enjoyed an exciting trip to Camp Timber-Lee, while our 7th graders spent time giving back during Community Day by reading to 1st graders and participating in activities focused on building connections and strengthening our school community. These experiences are wonderful opportunities for students to learn, grow, and connect beyond the classroom!

Looking ahead, our 8th graders will head to the UW–Madison campus on Tuesday, October 20, for the UW Science Fest Field Trip. We are excited for them to explore science through hands-on learning experiences!

Finally, we look forward to connecting with families during conferences on October 28 and 29. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students and staff.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making IMMS a community where every scholar can belong, achieve, and grow!

In Service,

Jamie Thomas, Principal
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal

😀 Family Conferences: October 28th and 29th

Conferences will be held on October 28 after school, 3:30-7:00 and on October 29th 2:30-6:30. Please email the teacher if these times/days do not work for you.

You will received an email last week from your child's teacher to sign up for conferences via Google Appointments. The sign-up for conference will close on October 21st at midnight. This deadline is important in order for our teachers to prepare.

If you sign up for a conference and something comes up within 24 hours of the scheduled time/day and cannot attend, please contact the teacher directly.

Afterschool Art Club is Starting!

The First Meeting will be Tuesday Oct 20th, Afterschool - 4:30

• Art Club is open to all students
• It is an open drawing studio with many different media available each week.
• Come and draw with your friends!

Things to know about Art Club:

• It meets every Tuesday
• You must fill out this google survey to apply
• There is a $5 fee to cover supplies for the whole year! If needed, please request a scholarship from your school counselor.
• It will be super fun!

.

Parents of 7th & 8th Grade Boys,

The season will start on Monday October 26th.

Online registration through Infinite Campus is now open.

1.Complete the Fall Sports Registration on Infinite Campus.

2.Pay the $100 sports fee via Infinite Campus

3.Attend the specific Fall sports meeting set up by the head coach at IMMS. This information is listed below.

4.Have a current WIAA Medical Clearance/Eligibility form on file with the athletic department, dated after 3/31/2025. Physical forms need to have a doctor's signature, the date of exam, and a parent signature to be complete . Forms are available by accessing this link WIAA Medical Eligibility Form . Once the form is completed, please email it to Leah Poulos at poulosl@mcfsd.org as a PDF attachment. We will update Infinite Campus with your child's physical date and file the form. Physical forms are good for 2 school years.

NOTE: All steps need to be completed before an athlete can practice.

If you have questions regarding fees, please access this LINK for more information.

IMMS Sports Registration Instructions

1. Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal

2. Select "School Store" on the index.

3. Click "Shop" under IMMS

4. Click "Products" under Sports

5. Click "View" under the Sports Registration Product

6. Read all instructions

   1. Open Athletic Code link and read

   2. Open Concussion & Sudden Cardiac Arrest info and read

   3. If your child needs a physical, open and print the Physical Form link

7. Select the student you are registering in the "Recipient" drop-down

8. Select the sport for that student in the "Activity Options" drop-down

9. Click the link titled "Sports Registration Form" and fill out all information.

10. On the last page of the Sports Registration Form, sign the document by clicking on the red icon that resembles a piece of paper and pencil.

11. In the Sign/Decline Dialog box, click "Sign".

12. Click Submit

13. NEW

    : Under "Optional Uploads" you can upload your student's signed physical form, if applicable. Please note that if all required dates/signatures are not on the upload, the form will be declined.

14. Click "Add to Cart"

15. Optional - if you have other children to sign up for sports, repeat the above for them.

16. IMPORTANT:

    Go to "My Cart" EVEN IF THE AMOUNT YOU OWE IS $0.00 . Enter in the payment information.

17. Click "Submit" on the cart checkout page. You should receive a receipt to the email that is displayed on that page.

Directions and Screenshots can be viewed with this LINK

How to locate your child's physical date on Infinite Campus

• Use the following link to login to Infinite Campus Parent Portal

• Click on the three horizontal bars (menu) located at the top left hand corner

• Select "More" and look for the selection "Athletic Registration"

• Make sure to have your child selected in the top right hand corner of the page

• If the physical date is listed after 3/31/2025 then the physical is good for the school year.

If you have any questions, please contact Leah Poulos at poulosl@mcfsd.org or 838-4505

Build explosive speed, agility, and power with MRAP’s Spartan Performance Training! Led by Coach Robert Cunningham, this 4-week course is open to ALL sports and athletes in grades 6-12.

Location: MHS Weight Room
Session I: Jan 11 – Feb 3 (Reg. deadline: Jan 4)
Session II: Feb 8 – Mar 3 (Reg. deadline: Feb 1)
Times: 6th–8th Grade: 5:30–6:30 PM | 9th–12th Grade: 6:30–7:30 PM

Spots are limited—lock in your athlete's spot today!
Register at MRAPNews.com or call 608-838-4666

Daily Schedule

Daily Announcements

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

Oct. 26: Boys Basketball - First Day of Practice

Oct. 28: Family Teacher Conferences 3:30-7

Oct. 29: No School - PD Day

Oct. 29: Conferences 2:30-6:30

Oct. 30: No School

Looking ahead:

Nov. 4: 7th/8th Band Solo Festival 4:15-8:00 @ IMMS

Nov. 5: 6th Grade Band/Choir/Orchestra Concert 7:00 @ PAC

Nov. 18: Choir/Orchestra Solo/Ensemble 4:15-8:00 @ IMMS

Nov. 25-27: No school - Fall Break

Dec. 3: 7th-8th Orchestra Concert 7:00 @ PAC

Dec. 16: Choir Concert IMMS/MHS 7:00 @ PAC

Dec. 21 - Jan. 1: No School - Winter Break

Jan. 13: 7th/8th Band Concert 7:00 @ PAC

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

⛺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.

😀Ways to Submit a Doctor’s Note for Absences:

• Text a screenshot of the MyChart appointment or document to (608) 579-0991

• Email a screenshot or document of the MyChart appointment/doctor’s note to immsattendance@mcfsd.org

• Bring a physical copy to the IMMS front office

If your child is sick but does not see a doctor in person, you can use the MyChart message center to submit your child’s symptoms and request a doctor’s note.

😀Opportunity to Support IMMS Staff Through Coffee Donations: Parents will often ask for ways to support the staff here at IMMS. If you are someone wishing to do just that, we have a great idea for you. Please consider providing caffeinated ground coffee or K-cups for our staff. You can either pick some up and drop it off at the main office at school or purchase it off of our registry on Amazon. Here is a link to our Staff Coffee Donations List on Amazon.

Thank you in advance.

😀 State Issued ID or Driver's License required: A quick reminder that all visitors to our buildings must have a state issued photo ID card or a valid driver's license with them the first time they register on the campus' Visitor Aware system. If a visitor does not have either form of identification, they will not be allowed into the building. Please keep this in mind as you visit any campus of the McFarland School District.

My name is Angie Bazan and I am a social studies teacher at McFarland High School! When I came to MHS in 2014 I created an international trip program where I offer all high school students the opportunity to travel every other summer to different places and learn about the world! I am very excited to announce that our next trip in June, 2028 will be to EGYPT!! !

In the past 13 years at MHS I have taken almost 400 students on trips around the world, and the experience of visiting the places you have learned about in textbooks, trying new foods, experiencing new people and cultures is like none other! This trip is open to all CURRENT 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students, and we would travel June 16-25th, 2028!!

I have taken this exact trip to Egypt last summer with my college-aged daughter and we were in awe of all we saw and experienced!

On this 10 day trip we will:

-See the Egyptian Pyramids and the Sphynx

-Ride Camels at the Pyramids!

-Fly to Luxor where we board a Nile cruise ship for 5 days; travelling down the Nile River and getting off each day to experience different Egyptian wonders!

-Visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples

-Hands-on workshop how to make papyrus

-Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

-Valley of the Kings!!! (explore the ancient underground tombs and see where KING TUT was found!)

-Cruise to Edfu, try local cuisine, have a cooking lesson, Crocodile temple

-Sail to Aswan where we board a wooden sailboat and go to Elephantine Island

-Visit a traditional Nubian Village for a cultural exchange- learn to dance with villagers and see their ancient way of life

-Fly back to Cairo to experience the Grand Egyptian Museum, see King Tut and other wonders of the world

This trip is truly a once in a lifetime adventure and I'm excited to offer the opportunity to our students! I have always travelled with ACIS Tours and there is no one else I trust with the safety and well-being of myself and my students. Our trips are always safe, there are no hidden fees when we get there, and we work to make them affordable for all students with fundraising opportunities and planning well in advance to spread out payments and make a plan!

We will have an informational meeting for all students and parents/guardians on Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm in the high school library! I will share information about the trip, the cost, fundraising opportunities, our exact itinerary, etc.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have, and I hope to see you on October 6th!!

Angie Bazan

bazana@mcfsd.org

--

Angela Bazan
Social Studies Teacher
McFarland High School

The next National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 24, 2026. Bringing your unused, unwanted, or expired medications to a collection site protects our students, families, and community from accidental poisonings and misuse.

• Vaping Devices: Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices are accepted only with the batteries removed.

• Find a Site Near You: Use this Drug Take Back Day Locator Map & Collection Event List to find local collection events.

• McFarland Police Department. 6001 Broadhead St. McFarland, WI 53558. 10/24/2026 @ 10-2pm

Clean out your medicine cabinets and help us keep our community safe!

• Village of McFarland Comprehensive Plan

• McFarland Youth Softball - Registration Closes November 1

• MGM Wrestling Give It A Try Open Mats - October 12-November 12

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Twilight Interactive Movie Screening - October 16

• IMMS Fall Craft Fair - October 24

• E.D. Locke Library Grades 6-12 Skeleton Fashion Show - October 29

• The Younger Brain Blueprint Dementia Presentation - October 30

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Dungeons & Dragons - Registration opens Nov. 6

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Crochet Club - 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Un-Book Club - 1st Thursdays

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Teen S.T.E.A.M. - 3rd Thursdays

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Teen Hangout - 2nd and 4th Thursdays

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 Snack & Chat - Mondays

• E.D. Locke Library 6-12 - Volun-Teen Program

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

• E.D. Locke Library 3-5 Dungeons & Dragons Club - 4th Tuesdays

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

• E.D. Locke Library 3K and 4K Little Bodies Big Feelings - September-April

• E.D. Locke Library Magic Tree House Book Club - September-May

• Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families

In the summer of 2026, families of students in grades 3-8 and 10 received information about their children’s Forward Exam scores from last Spring. Recently, data about Forward Exam scores were released across the state.

We know that the Forward Exam is just one measure of what McFarland students know and are able to do, but we do look at the results carefully to find areas of celebration and growth as a District. Our District Strategic Plan puts literacy achievement front and center with a specific focus on closing gaps between students in various demographic groups (for example, between students with and without disabilities).

When looking at the Spring 2026 Forward Exam results, we noticed:

• In all subjects and grades, McFarland students perform better than the State average.

• When comparing our results to the rest of Dane County McFarland was fourth in the county in ELA and Math out of 19 districts.

• 67% of McFarland students scored proficient or advanced in ELA on the Forward Exam, and 70% of McFarland students scored proficient or advanced in Math on the Forward Exam.

We will continue our work to close achievement gaps between students at our school and focus on research-based instructional practices in all subjects to help us meet our strategic plan goals.

If you have questions about your child’s Forward Exam results, please contact your child’s principal. If you have questions about McFarland’s Forward Exam results overall, please contact Emily Kintzer: kintzee@mcfsd.org.

Staff in the McFarland School District are committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment that allows all students to maximize their learning potential. The board of education and school staff consider bullying to be detrimental to the health and safety of students and disruptive to the educational process.

What is bullying?

The Centers for Disease Control defines bullying as “any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm”.

Three consistent components of bullying are:

• imbalance of physical or emotional power,

• repeated across time or student who was bullied, and

• intent to cause physical or emotional harm.

Bullying can be physical (e.g., hitting, kicking), verbal (e.g., name-calling, threatening), or social/relational (e.g., purposeful exclusion, spreading rumors) and can occur in person or electronically (cyberbullying).

Are staff trained?

Schools are successful when they help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. For this to happen, it is imperative that we have a safe environment that is supportive and conducive to growth. By setting clear social and behavioral expectations, it is our goal to create an atmosphere for learning. The McFarland School District takes bullying very seriously, including all instances of perceived bullying. These are documented, investigated, and addressed by building administration and student services staff. Numerous efforts have been initiated with our student body and staff to bring greater awareness to this topic, which includes our efforts to continue developing stronger student to student and staff to student connections.

What can caregivers do?

To be most effective, bullying prevention efforts are the shared responsibility of caregivers, staff, and community. Caregiver involvement in the school sets a positive example for children. As a caregiver, you can:

• Discuss the seriousness and negative effects of bullying behaviors.

• Work together with the school to develop a consistent approach to bullying behaviors.

• Set a good example. Children learn more by actions than from words.

• Contact the school to report bullying concerns that your child shares with you.

What is school policy on bullying?

Here is more information about our bullying policy.

What bullying prevention work is being done?

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. During the month of October, each school will engage in a variety of learning opportunities regarding bullying prevention and reporting with our students. Beyond the month of October we will continue our commitment to social-emotional learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as these initiatives have a direct impact on maintaining a positive school climate for all students.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the principal of your child’s school to share concerns and ideas and discuss this topic further. Thank you for your commitment to working with our school to prevent and respond to bullying.

The School District of McFarland is seeking a fifth member to complete the term of a board member who has resigned. The term will run from the date of appointment to April of 2027. The board functions as a decision making body, providing policy and financial oversight to the district. The board seeks a collaborative individual, one who is able to represent and be open to diverse views, and interested in making a thoughtful and powerful contribution to the school district and the children it serves. Eligible candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, and a School District of McFarland resident for at least 28 consecutive days at the time of the appointment.

Declaration of Candidacy forms, including statement of interest and qualifications may be picked up at the McFarland High School main entrance - 5103 Farwell Street McFarland, WI and must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Candidates will appear during the 7:00 p.m. November 16, 2026 McFarland School Board meeting.

The School District of McFarland Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing is scheduled for October 26, 2026 at 7 p.m. to follow their 6:00 p.m. regular meeting of the School Board. The Annual Meeting is a meeting of the School District stakeholders to take action on items such as approving the budget for the 2026-27 school year, approving the District to dispose of surplus property, and determining the salaries for our elected School Board Members. Please join us to participate in this meeting if you are a U.S. citizen aged 18 years old or older and have resided in the School District of McFarland for at least 28 days. The Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing will be held in the District Office Board Room located in McFarland High School.

Bullying Prevention Month

October is Bullying Prevention Month and “Keeping Kids Safe Online Month in Wisconsin. Standing up and speaking out is one way for all of us to build a happier and safer community for all.

LGBTQIA+ History Month

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month! Let's learn about the wonderful people and moments that have contributed to and impacted our diverse society.

National Physical Therapy Month

It's National Physical Therapy Month! This is a time to embrace the physical therapy profession, spotlight the many benefits of physical therapy, and show how those in the profession can help anyone make changes to improve their quality of life.

• October 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day

• We appreciate the hard work of all our school custodians! Thank you for keeping our learning spaces ready each day!

• October 4-10: WI School Board Appreciation Week

• This week, we join the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) in celebrating Wisconsin School Board Week! Thank you to our wonderful board for their leadership and dedication to the McFarland District.

• October 6: National Coaches Day

• Thank you to all of our fantastic coaches for their dedication to helping students develop skills beyond the classroom.

• October 9: Leif Erikson Day

• Leif Erikson was an adventurous explorer who braved the oceans and became the first European to walk the shores of North America.

• October 10: World Mental Health Day

• It is always okay to talk about your feelings and ask for help if needed. Let's spend some time today learning ways to keep our minds healthy and supporting each other in being healthy and strong!

• October 11: National Coming Out Day

• Always be proud of who you are. Happy National Coming Out Day!

• October 12: Christopher Columbus Day

• Today we recognize Christopher Columbus. His explorations started the sustained contact between peoples in the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

• October 12: Indigenous People’s Day

• Wisconsin is home to 11 federally-recognized Native Nations and one federally unrecognized Nation. The historic sacrifices and great cultures of each Nation bring Wisconsin insurmountable value to the State of Wisconsin.

• October 12-16: National School Lunch Week

• The National School Lunch Program serves close to 30 million children every day. Take a moment to thank our wonderful food service staff for all they do to provide a healthy lunch for all of us daily.

• October 15: White Cane Awareness Day

• White Cane Awareness Day recognizes the independence and achievements of people who are blind

• October 21: Unity Day

• To uplift the message of unity schools across the country will wear orange to symbolize acceptance, inclusion, and belonging.

• October 31: Halloween

• Stay safe this Halloween! If you are heading out tonight, make sure someone knows your plans and watch out for traffic.

• October 31 and November 1: Hmong New Year

• Hmong New Year is celebrated at the end of the harvest season between October and December. It’s a time to celebrate the harvest, rejoice in the community, and thank ancestors for their sacrifices.

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.