IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS

AUGUST 2022 / IGSD NEWSLETTER

IOWA-GRANT DISTRICT OFFICE

Dear Members of the Iowa-Grant School District Community,

I am grateful and humbled to have earned the appointment by the Board of Education as the Iowa-Grant School District Administrator. It’s an honor to serve as your school leader. Everyone I meet is so kind and helpful. As I get to know all the excellent, committed teachers and support staff, I appreciate the warm and encouraging welcome. In joining the community, I see Panther Pride surfacing everywhere!

I chose to seek the position at Iowa-Grant both because I share the basic values evident in the hard-working people of rural communities and because I fit better in a smaller district where I can build relationships with teachers, staff, students and the broader community. La Crosse, Wisconsin is my hometown and I have been a Wisconsin resident nearly all my life. It seems like icing on the cake to be doing the stimulating, rewarding work of school leadership, while living in the most scenic farmland in the world, with my family now within driving distance.

While Iowa-Grant seems special in how tightly woven the community is, we are at the same time, no different than the rest of the world as we work to overcome the division, isolation, and dissonance that came with the pandemic. I am committed to making the crossroads we are at, explicit and to inviting everyone to community conversation as we declare possibilities. We’ll join hands to bring these ideas to life as our part of our preferred future. I believe that engaging in civil, community discourse is our path forward in strengthening the partnership envisioned in the school’s mission statement. If we keep our focus on our children, our students, and our common interests, we will rekindle our connections. The sharing of our gifts as we contribute will be the source of collective joy.

In partnership with the community, the Iowa-Grant School District will

empower all students to reach their full potential as responsible

individuals who strive for life-long learning to successfully compete in an

ever-changing global society.

This is the vision we have set out to achieve. I am grateful and humbled to join in the effort. I look forward to meeting you at school events and community activities and to getting to know your children in school. I invite your participation in partnership as we begin this new chapter together for the Iowa-Grant School District.

Sincerely,

Michael (Mike) Shimshak

Iowa-Grant School District Superintendent

IGSD ANNUAL NOTICE: HOMELESS CHILDREN/UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth (twenty-one years of age and younger) as:

Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and unaccompanied youth who are:

sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as a “Double-up”);
living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
abandoned in hospitals; or
Awaiting foster care placement;
living in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
migratory children who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances described above.

If you are personally aware of or are acquainted with any children or youth who may qualify according to the above criteria, the Iowa-Grant School District provides the following assurances to parents and guardians of homeless children and youth and unaccompanied homeless youth:

There shall be immediate enrollment and school participation, even if educational and medical records and proof of residency are not available.

All educational opportunities and related opportunities for homeless students (preschool to age 21), including unaccompanied youth, shall be the same as for the general student population.

Meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in the education of their children. These shall include: special notices of events, parent-teacher conferences, newsletters, and access to student records.

Immediate enrollment and transportation to the school of origin. “School of origin” means the school that a child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled, including a preschool.

Written explanation of a child or youth’s school placement, other than school of origin or the school requested by the parent, with the right to appeal within the local dispute resolution process.

Please contact Jennifer Leeser, homeless liaison for the Iowa-Grant School District, at (608) 943-6311 or jleeser@igs.k12.wi.us for additional information about the rights and services described above.

Food Service Announcement

Dear Iowa-Grant Parent /Guardian,

Beginning in September 2022, IG Food Services will change back to the way it operated before March 2019:

1) Breakfast and lunch will still be available; however, they will not be free to all students.

That means that families will need to complete the Free and Reduced-price Family

Application to qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. The students who do not qualify

for free or reduced-priced meals must pay full price for breakfast and lunch.

2) The Free and Reduced-Price Application will be available after July 1, 2022. Applications

can be found on the Iowa-Grant website: https://www.igs.k12.wi.us/. Please copy, complete, and drop it off

at the High School or IGEMS office. Applications will be available at the High School and

IGEMS offices, also.

Iowa-Grant School District encourages all families to fill out the Free and Reduced-price

Family Application.

See you in September!

THE IGSD APP IS WHERE IT'S AT!!!

You don't want to miss a thing IG ~ download the IGSD app today! Don't forget to turn on Notifications :)

IOWA-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL

IGHS Calendar of Events

8/3 12:00 - 7:00 PM Registration Help For Families @ IGEMS

8/8 6:30 PM Board Meeting

8/12 5:00 PM Football: JV Scrimmage vs Multiple Schools @ Dodgeville

8/12 5:00 PM Football: Varsity Scrimmage vs Multiple Schools @ Dodgeville

8/18 Fall Sports Photo Day

3:00 Football Pictures

4:00 PM Cross Country Pictures

4:30 PM Fall Cheer Pictures

5:00 PM Volleyball

8/19 7:00 PM Football: Varsity vs Fennimore (Home)

8/20 9:00 AM Volleyball: Freshmen Scrimmage vs Multiple Schools @ River Valley High School

8/20 9:00 AM Volleyball: JV Scrimmage vs Multiple Schools @ River Valley High School

8/20 9:00 AM Volleyball: Varsity vs Multiple Schools @ River Valley High School

8/22 12:00 - 7:00 PM Registration Help For Families @ IGEMS

8/22 5:00 PM Football: JV vs Fennimore (Away)

8/23 4:30 PM Cross Country: Varsity Scrimmage vs Multiple Schools @ Blackhawk Lake

8/24 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Volleyball: Varsity Tournament vs Multiple Schools @ Omni Center

8/25 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Volleyball: Varsity Tournament vs Multiple Schools @ Omni Center

8/25 4:00 -7:00 PM IGHS Back to School Night

8/25 5:00 -6:00 PM Freshmen & New Student Orientation (IGHS IMC)

8/26 7:00 PM Football: Varsity vs New Lisbon (Away)

8/27 9:00 AM Cross Country: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools (Home)

8/29 5:00 PM Football: JV vs Benton (Home)

8/30 5:45 PM Volleyball: JV vs Mineral Point (Home)

8/30 7:15 PM Volleyball: Varsity vs Mineral Point (Home)

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History of "The Milk Can" Game - Fennimore Golden Eagles vs Iowa-Grant Panthers

The battle for the "can" started in 1970 and the Golden Eagles claimed it first with a 28-0 win.

How did this all come about?

It all started in 1955 when two young men returned from the military and enrolled at UW-Platteville.

Larry Thurston and Jim Piquette fought in the Korean War, Thurston as a member of the U.S. Army and Piquette as a U.S. Marine. While they were attending college for the education, they were also there to pursue their passion...football.

The two men met at the first day of practice for the Pioneers in August and from that day forward they were best friends. After graduation they went their separate ways and both landed jobs as teachers and coaches.

In the late 1960s Thurston was named head football coach at Fennimore and about the same time Piquette was given the same position at Iowa-Grant. They both met up at numerous coaching clinics where they begged, borrowed or stole any ideas that might help their programs.

It was at one of the clinics that they decided if their teams were going to play each other, they might as well play for something. That something was determined to be..."The Milk Can."

Because a silver milk can is not a thing of beauty, they decided a little paint would help. One side is painted red and black for Iowa-Grant and the other maroon and gold for Fennimore. After each game, the year and score of the game is painted on the can.

“The Milk Can” Game All-Time Record:

Iowa-Grant 33 Fennimore 18

Courtesy: The Dodgeville Chronicle

History of the “The Milk Can” Game Scores

52nd annual 2022- 8/19/22 - Week 1- Fennimore @ Iowa-Grant 7:00 PM

51st annual 2021- Fennimore Won 47-0

2020- No Game Due to COVID-19

50th annual in 2019- Fennimore Won 36-8

49th annual in 2018- Fennimore Won 35-0

48th annual in 2017- Fennimore Won 28-8

47th annual in 2016- Fennimore Won 13-6

46th annual in 2015- I-G Won 22-12

45th annual in 2014- I-G Won 31-21

44th annual in 2013- I-G Won 27-7

43rd annual in 2012- I-G Won 42-21

42nd annual in 2011- I-G Won 20-0

41st annual in 2010- I-G Won 25-13

40th annual in 2009- I-G Won 24-0

39th annual in 2008- Fennimore Won 51-19

38th annual in 2007- Fennimore Won 33-9

37th annual in 2006- I-G Won 23-21

36th annual in 2005- Fennimore Won 18-0

35th annual in 2004- I-G Won 27-17

34th annual in 2003- Fennimore Won 21-20

33rd annual in 2002- Fennimore Won 28-14

32nd annual in 2001- Fennimore Won 41-36

31st annual in 2000- Fennimore Won 13-12

30th annual in 1999- Fennimore Won 22-12

29th annual in 1998- Fennimore Won 22-13

28th annual in 1997- I-G Won 17-7

27th annual in 1996- I-G Won 37-7

26th annual in 1995- I-G Won 32-6

25th annual in 1994- Fennimore Won 33-0

24th annual in 1993- I-G Won 35-0

23rd annual in 1992- Fennimore Won 28-9

22nd annual in 1991- I-G Won 24-14

21st annual in 1990- I-G Won 20-18

20th annual in 1989- I-G Won 48-6

19th annual in 1988- I-G Won 42-6

18th annual in 1987- I-G Won 28-0

17th annual in 1986- I-G Won 26-7

16th annual in 1985- Fennimore Won 7-6

15th annual in 1984- I-G Won 13-0

14th annual in 1983- I-G Won 3-0

13th annual in 1982- I-G Won 13-12

12th annual in 1981- I-G Won 12-0

11th annual in 1980- I-G Won 13-0

10th annual in 1979- I-G Won 35-6

9th annual in 1978- I-G Won 8-0

8th annual in 1977- I-G Won 22-0

7th annual in 1976- I-G Won 13-0

6th annual in 1975- I-G Won 25-0

5th annual in 1974- I-G Won 12-0

4th annual in 1973- I-G Won 26-0

3rd annual in 1972- I-G Won 20-14

2nd annual in 1971- I-G Won 7-0

1st annual in 1970- Fennimore Won 28-0

FRESHMEN & NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION INFORMATION

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

In an effort to facilitate the transition to high school and also introduce incoming students to the high school, the staff is inviting all freshmen, new students and their parents/guardians to Iowa-Grant High School’s Freshman/New Student Orientation Night on Thursday, August 25th beginning at 5 PM (please review the second page for more information). During this time, students will meet and visit with the staff, tour classrooms, familiarize themselves with the building and ask questions.

This orientation will prepare students to come to their first day of school with confidence. The staff looks forward to meeting students, parents and guardians on Thursday, August 25th.

Freshman/New Student Orientation

2022 - 2023

Thursday, August 25th

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

High School Library

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

✔ Introduction of High School Staff (Mr. Gotto)

✔ Extra Curricular / Co- Curricular Introductions

(Mr. Gotto)

✔ Student Conduct/Expectations (Mr. Gotto)

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

✔ Student Presentation (Ms. Benish)

IGHS SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

IOWA-GRANT ELEMENTARY / MIDDLES SCHOOL

From the Desk of Mrs. Gallagher

Happy August! School supplies are out, and it is exciting with school right around the corner. Contact the Iowa-Grant Elementary Middle School Office if you have questions about purchasing school supplies. We will see what we can do to help!

I have had the opportunity to see some students through summer school, summer recreation, and Missoula Children’s Theater. I look forward to seeing them back this fall. I love being an IGEMS principal; students, staff, and parents make this rewarding.

The last session of summer school is occurring this month, and you may still be able to sign up:

To sign up for AUGUST classes, go to August Classes Link

Please also call the office if you have any questions or issues with registration. We are happy to help.

Enjoy these last weeks of summer and the county fairs if you can. Pumpkin spice everything, and fall colors will be here before we know it.

The Power of Routines

Mrs. Bast

Early Learning Principal/Library Media Specialist

Having easy to follow evening and morning routines is one of my top tips for parents with young school aged children. Routines help kids feel more secure and confident. They also build independence and responsibility. Below, you will find some possible routines for you to consider for your own family this school year.

Evening Routines:

Pack backpacks and bags with everything needed for the next day. Double check that papers are signed and homework is finished.
Pick out clothing items and set them out (check the weather forecast first!).
Bath, book, bed! Following bathtime with reading a story is a favorite routine for many families.
Turn off the television and put away other distractions (phones and tablets).
Routines should allow for children between the ages of 3 and 5 to get 10-13 hours of sleep per night. Children ages 6-13 need 9-12 hours of sleep (Healthychildren.org).When kids are well-rested, they have an easier time getting up in the morning and handling the demands of a school day.

Morning Routines:

For young children, try making a list of things to do each morning with pictures. Post it in a place where it can be seen by your child. Examples: use the bathroom, make the bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, put on shoes, grab a coat and backpack.
Create a good-bye ritual between you and your child to help make the transition from home to school less challenging. A special good-bye saying, silly handshake, or a hug and “I love you,” provides your child with comfort and reassurance.

Children work hard during the school day; listening and physical activity requires energy and focus. Having an evening routine, a good night’s sleep, and a morning routine can help your child both at school and at home. Take some time to think about the right routines for your family, so you’re ready when September comes!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

School Picture Day #1: Aug. 3rd: 12-6 PM

Registration HELP Night #1: Aug. 3rd:12-7 PM

Registration HELP Night #2: Aug. 9th:12-7 PM

School Picture Day #2: Aug. 25th: 4-7 PM

Back to School Night: August 25th- 4-7 PM

JULY SUMMER SCHOOL FUN!

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Missoula Children's Theater

Iowa-Grant students ranging from 1st grade through 9th grade did a fantastic job performing Johnny Appleseed! A special thank you to the Iowa-Grant Education Foundation for continuing to support our young actors and actresses by bringing the Missoula Children’s Theater to the school.