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IMMS Family Flier

October 19, 2025

IMMS FamilyFlierOctober 19, 2025

A Note from Ms. Thomas and Mr. Jondle A Note from Ms. Thomas and Mr. Jondle

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Dear Indian Mound Families,


We are looking forward to seeing families at conferences this week! These meetings are an important opportunity to connect with you about your child’s progress, celebrate successes, and discuss ways we can continue supporting each student’s growth. On Thursday morning, our staff will participate in professional learning through collaboration with their content teams, both at the middle school and K–12 levels, ensuring that we are continually refining our instruction to meet the needs of every learner.


At Indian Mound Middle School, our goal is to create an environment where all students feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Your partnership is a vital part of this work, and we sincerely thank you for helping us make IMMS a welcoming place where every student can reach their full potential.


Thank you for your continued support in helping us make IMMS a safe and welcoming place for all students.


In Service,

Jamie Thomas, Principal

Brett Jondle, Associate Principal

Top 5 Top 5

1. Family Conferences Wednesday After school and Thursday

2. No School October 23 and 24th

3.

4.

Important Dates Important Dates

  • October 22: (evening) and October 23 (afternoon): Family Conferences
  • October 23 & 24: No School
  • October 25: IMMS Craft Fair 9 am
  • October 31: Support Down Syndrome Awareness by wearing blue and yellow
  • Nov. 4: 6th Grade Band/Choir/Orchestra Concert 7:00
  • Nov. 4: 7th Grade Courage Retreat
  • Nov. 5: 7th/8th Band Solo Festival @ IMMS 4:15-8:00
  • Nov. 7: End of 1st Quarter
  • Nov. 7: Monthly Celebration Assembly 8:30 am
  • Nov. 10: Start 2nd Quarter
  • Nov. 19: Choir/Orchestra Solo/Ensemble @ IMMS 4:15-8:00
  • Nov. 26-28: No School - Fall Break
  • 25-26 IMMS Sports: LINK

Family Conferences - October 22-23 Family Conferences - October 22-23

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E- Scooter & Bicycle Safety E- Scooter & Bicycle Safety

Reminder: All bikes and scooters must be walked on school grounds

CLICK HERE for the McFarland Police Department Flyer


We need your partnership in addressing an important safety concern. Recently, we have seen an increase in students riding e-scooters on school grounds. Riding them on campus poses a significant safety risk to students and staff using the sidewalks.

To ensure everyone’s safety, all scooters, bikes, skateboards, and similar items must be walked, not ridden, once on school property. Additionally, they are not allowed to be ridden through the grass/landscape. This includes:

  • The sidewalk leading up to the middle school from Exchange Street

  • The sidewalk/walkway in front of the middle school

  • The path connecting the middle school and the high school

  • The sidewalks directly in front of the high school



We ask families to remind their students of this expectation and support us in ensuring it is consistently followed. By walking bikes, scooters, and other wheeled items on school grounds, we can prevent accidents and maintain a safe environment for all members of our school community.

Additionally, we are collaborating with the McFarland Police Department to educate our students about scooter safety when they are off school grounds. Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping Indian Mound a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

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IMMS Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities IMMS Co-Curricular Clubs and Activities

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!

Student Services Student Services

6 Ways to Help Teens Build Confidence and Resilience

As parents, caregivers, and community members, we all want to see our teens feel confident and capable as they grow. Here are six simple, everyday ways to support them:

1. Encourage Being Themselves
Remind teens that what they see online isn’t the full picture—most of it is just highlights. Help them appreciate what makes them unique and celebrate their real, unfiltered selves.

2. Set Healthy Limits with Screens
Work together to find balance with social media and tech use. Encourage activities that bring real joy—like sports, art, reading, or just spending time with friends and family offline.

3. Talk About What They See Online
Help teens think critically about the content they scroll through. Ask questions like, “Do you think that photo was edited?” or “What do you think this post is trying to promote?”

4. Strengthen Real-Life Connections
Encourage time with people who make them feel seen, supported, and accepted. Strong relationships in the real world help teens rely less on online approval.

5. Be a Role Model for Self-Kindness
Share your own stories about challenges or self-doubt—and how you learned to show yourself compassion. Teens learn a lot by watching how adults handle tough moments.

6. Make Mental Health Support Normal
Let teens know it’s okay to ask for help. Whether it’s talking with a school counselor, therapist, or trusted adult, remind them that reaching out takes courage, not weakness.

Donation Opportunities Donation Opportunities

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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. Please drop off your donations at the IMMS Student Services office. Thank you.

Assistance with Student Snacks Assistance with Student Snacks

Each grade level at IMMS has its own designated snack time. If your scholar is in need of a snack during this time due to financial hardship, please reach out to the grade level counselor so that they can make arrangements to provide a daily snack for them.


Grade Level Snack Times & Counselor to Reach Out to for Assistance

6th Grade - 3rd Period (10:15-11:13) contact Fred Bartman bartmaf@mcfsd.org 608-838-4642

7th Grade - 2nd Period (9:45-10:43) contact Jordan Griffith griffij@mcfsd.org 608-838-4577

8th Grade - 5th Period (12:18-1:16) contact Lauren Noriega noriegl@mcfsd.org 608-838-4578

Attendance information and tips Attendance information and tips

Why Chronic Absenteeism is a Problem


Academic Impacts:

  • Students fall behind in reading and math, making it harder to catch up.

  • Missing class creates gaps in learning that affect grades and long-term success.

Social and Emotional Impacts:

  • Regular attendance helps students feel connected to friends and teachers.

  • Missing school can lead to feelings of isolation and lower confidence.

The Long-Term Effect:

Students who are chronically absent in middle school are more likely to struggle in high school and have lower graduation rates.


Family Information Regarding Student Learning Family Information Regarding Student Learning

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

6th Grade Hub
7th Grade Hub
8th Grade Hub
Related Arts Hub
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Student Expectations Student Expectations

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  • 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 at school from 8:15am-3:30pm.
  • 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
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Archery Workshop Archery Workshop

Level 1 Archery Workshop

Ready to take aim? MRAP is partnering with NASP® to offer a beginner-friendly archery workshop for grades 4–8. Learn fundamentals of technique, focus, and concentration with certified instructors Chris Duerk (MHS PE) and Cyndy White (MSD Outdoor Education). All equipment provided—no experience needed!

Fri, Oct. 24 (No School Day) • 9–11 AM
MHS A-Gym
$45 Res / $58.50 Non-Res • Min/Max: 8–24
Register by Mon, Oct. 13 at MRAPNews.com

Run by McFarland Recreation, Aquatics & Play (MRAP). For questions or special accommodations, contact MRAP@mcfsd.org or 608-838-4666.

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Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities

More to come...

Community Events and Programs Community Events and Programs

  • MHS DECA Trick or Can Fall Food Drive - Now through October 28

  • E.D. Locke 3-5 Wisconsin Rocks Event - October 24

  • McFarland Middle School Fall Craft Fair - October 25

  • E.D. Locke College Financial Aid Workshop - October 28

  • E.D. Locke Teen Crochet Club - October 29

  • E.D. Locke Teen Pumpkin Painting - October 30

  • Southern WI Skating School Learn to Skate Program - September 6-October 25

  • MGM Youth Wrestling “Give it a Try” Open Mat Dates - October 7 - November 5

  • E.D. Locke Teen After Hours Nerf Night - November 7

  • 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

CLICK HERE for Community Event and Program Flyers

Health Services Health Services

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WI Immunization Requirements

Every school in Wisconsin is required by law to report their student’s vaccination status to the local health department 30 days after the start of school. See WI Student Immunization Law by Age/Grade Requirements (Spanish). Your student’s school health assistant will be sending out legal notices at that time if the school has no record or if your student’s immunization status is “behind schedule”. If you are not sure if your student is up to date with immunizations, you can contact your doctor's office/My chart, view on Infinite Campus, or you can look them up on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry using your child's social security number and/or Medical ID. If you need access to a waiver (for personal, religious or health reasons) for any vaccination, please utilize the student immunization record (English, Spanish) see step 4 and return it to your student’s health office.


Vaccine Clinics: Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with neighboring School Districts and SSM Health to offer school vaccine clinics to get and keep students up to date on their school vaccines. These clinics will take place at the below dates and times in Madison.

  • Fri, October 17th: 10:00-2:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

  • Sat, October 18th: 10:00-2:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

  • Mon, October 20th: 8:00-12:00 pm: Holtzman Center, Madison

To find out more information and to schedule an appointment, see the attached flyer, or visit publichealthmdc.com/schoolclinics.

Welcome Back Information
MSD Health Services Website
Please view the McFarland School District Health Services website for information, forms, resources and contact info.

District News District News

🎓McFarland School Board

The School District of McFarland Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing is scheduled for October 20, 2025 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 2025-26 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.


The next School District of McFarland School Board meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2025.


Click HERE for a link to the McFarland School Board agendas and minutes.

Click HERE for a link to the McFarland School Board meeting recordings and upcoming YouTube live streams.

District Recognition Days District Recognition Days

October is….

National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15

Bullying Prevention Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month

National Physical Therapy Month

  • October 1-2 - Yom Kippur

  • October 2 - School Custodian Appreciation Da

  • October 6 - National Coaches Day

  • October 5-11 - Wisconsin School Board Week

  • October 9 - Leif Erikson Day

  • October 10 - World Mental Health Day

  • October 11 - National Coming Out Day

  • October 12 - Christopher Columbus Day

  • October 13-17 - National School Lunch Week

  • October 13 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day

  • October 15 - White Cane Awareness Day

  • October 20 - Diwali

  • October 22 - Unity Day

  • October 31 - Halloween

Click Here for the Yearly Calendar

Helpful Links

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

IMMS Athletics Calendar

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.

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