Dear Indian Mound Middle School Students and Families,
As we begin Quarter 4, we’re excited to head into the final stretch of the school year together.
This is a great time to check in with your student about their goals, progress, and any support they may need as we wrap up the year. Encourage them to stay focused, ask questions, and take pride in their growth so far.
There are still many exciting learning opportunities, events, and activities ahead, and we look forward to a strong finish with your continued support.
*Please remind students to have their chromebooks charged and bring wireless headphones*
FORWARD EXAM DATES:
- April 9 and 10: ALL School ELA
- April 16-17: ALL School Math
Thank you for your continued partnership in making IMMS a place where all students feel supported and empowered. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or thoughts to share. We are grateful for your involvement and look forward to a great month ahead!
Warm regards,
Jamie Thomas, Principal
Brett Jondle, Associate Principal
Parenting Book Study
Teachers AND Parents will be doing a combined book study of the book "Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine, by Michele Borba." In her book, Dr. Borba explains that the difference between kids who thrive vs. strive comes down not to grades or test scores, but to seven character traits that set Thrivers apart—confidence, empathy, self-control, integrity, curiosity, perseverance, and optimism. We will explore how we can work with our students/kids to help build these traits and become BOTH healthy and successful!
You can find more information HERE. The book study will start the week of April 7th and run for 8 weeks. Please use THIS FORM to indicate an interest. When you fill out the form, Fred Bartman (school counselor) will reach out with details. Filling out the form simply says you are interested in getting more information.
8th Grade Vision Screening
Dear 8th Grade Parent/Guardians,
On Wednesday, April 23rd the Health Office staff will be conducting vision screenings on all 8th grade students. This is a simple, non-invasive test using a standard letter chart. Families will be notified if the results show any variance from normal range. Please remind your student to bring their glasses or wear their contacts to school that day, if they have them.
If for some reason (i.e your student is already screened by an ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly) you wish your child NOT be screened, please email IMMS Health Assistant, Krisy Oestreich at OestreK@mcfsd.org. If you have any other questions, please contact the IMMS Health Office at (608)838-4672. Thank you!
Seasonal Allergies
Spring allergies have arrived! If your student suffers from seasonal allergies, Health Services can help. We are happy to keep over-the-counter allergy medicines such as Zyrtec, Claritin or Allegra for your student to take during the school day. If this is something you're interested in, please fill out our over-the-counter medication consent form and send it to your student's health office along with the medication. Medications must be sent in the original container-please no pills in baggies, tupperware or other unlabeled containers. Each health office does keep oral Benadryl in stock, for those with moderate/severe allergic reactions. It is not intended for our students with seasonal allergies and careful consideration should be taken when administering Benadryl at school, due to drowsiness side effects.
Pink Eye vs. Allergies
It can be difficult to determine whether red, itchy and watery eyes are a result of seasonal allergies or a bacterial/viral infection that may need further evaluation. See below for a quick review of symptoms, treatment and the District's guidelines on exclusion from school for pink eye.
Allergies: An immune system response to allergens. Symptoms include redness, inflammation, itching, watery eyes, often affecting both eyes at the same time. May be accompanied by other allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin). Treatment may include cool compress, oral antihistamines, or allergy eye drops.
Bacterial pink eye: Infection of the eye. Symptoms include yellow or green colored, sticky discharge from the affected eye. Eyes are often very itchy and the eyelids may become swollen. You may notice your child's eyelids are crusted shut, especially in the morning. Often starts in one eye & can spread to the other. Must be treated with antibiotic ointment or drops and will then typically clear within 5-7 days.
Viral pink eye: Infection of the eye. Discharge is normally watery but may be sticky and yellow in the morning. Eyelids can become very swollen. Symptoms typically follow a recent cold or illness. Antibiotic ointments or eye drops will not help with viral pink eye. Eye wash solutions such as Artificial Tears can help relieve symptoms. Contact your Provider if symptoms do not improve within 7-14 days.
MSD's Health Services Department follows the DHS Wisconsin Childhood Communicable Disease guidelines for exclusion practices from school. For the majority of Pink Eye cases, students do not have to be excluded from school. Circumstances that would result in your student being excluded from school include fever >100.4F or if the student is unable to refrain from touching their affected eye. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school health office.
District Recognition Days
April is...
National Autism Acceptance Month
Hmong Heritage Month
Arab American Heritage Month
National Bilingual/Multilingual Learners
Occupational Therapy Month
- April 9 - Prisoners of War Remembrance Day
- April 7 to 11 - Associate Principals Day
- April 11 - Day of Silence
- April 13 - American Creed Day