Primary Press

Address: 6009 Johnson St. McFarland, WI 53558

Main Phone: 608.838.3146

EC-2 Principal: Greg Nelson

K-5 Associate Principal: Brooke Hauser

Building Administrative Assistant: Lyndsey Niebuhr

Online: Website & Facebook Page

Meeting the needs of every learner, every day

Welcome to February!

We are excited to launch this year's Black History Month. Each day over morning announcements, we will share about important people in black history, both past and present. We are also sliding into the second week of the semester, and it is hard to believe we are half-way through the school year. If you didn't know, that means our staff now begin the enourmous task of planning for next year. From creating school supply lists to planning for class sections, and everything in between, a lot of time and effort goes into this work each late winter and all through the summer. In addition, our focus for this month's theme is KINDNESS, and students will learn to "spread kindness wherever they go," which includes sharing positivity and doing good deeds. It's a fun time of year!

Sincerely,

Greg Nelson, CEPS Principal

Brooke Hauser, CEPS/WIS Associate Principal

• 2/5 2nd Grade Geology Museum Field Trip (Lyght & Smith) 9:30-10:30 am
• 2/6 2nd Grade Geology Museum Field Trip (Fix & Presser) 9:30-10:30 am
• 2/7 Assembly 1:55 pm
• 2/10 Community Day, Wear Spartan Gear or Blue & White
• 2/11 Be Kind to Yourself Day, Wear Pajamas or Comfy Clothes
• 2/11 2nd Grade Geology Museum Field Trip (Albrecht & Punzel) 9:30-10:30 am
• 2/12 Letter "P" Day, Wear Something That Starts With the Letter "P"
• 2/12 2nd Grade Geology Museum Field Trip (Schmidt & Wisniewski) 9:30-10:30 am
• 2/12 Futura Spanish Class 2:45-3:45 pm
• 2/13 World Kindness Day, Wear Bright Colors!
• 2/14 NO SCHOOL
• 2/19 Futura Spanish Class 2:45-3:45 pm
• 2/20 CEPS Open House 4:00-5:30 pm
• 2/21 Kindergarten Orientation #1 8:15-9:15 am
• 2/26 Futura Spanish Class 2:45-3:45 pm
• 2/26 Kindergarten Orientation #2 5:30-6:30 pm
• 2/28 Kindergarten Orientation #3 8:15-9:15 am

• McFarland Dance Team Winter Kids Clinic 2025 - Registration closes February 7

• MHS DECA Superhero Training Camp - February 8

• Spartan Headquarters Vintage Sale to Benefit McF Food Pantry - February 11 & 13

• McFarland Optimist Club Free Family Bingo Event - February 14

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Beginner Sewing Class - February 14

• E.D. Locke Library Perler Bead Crafternoon - February 14

• E.D. Locke Library Self-Defense Classes - February 15

• E.D. Locke Library Star PJ Storytime - February 20

• E.D. Locke Library Teen After Hours Karaoke Party - February 21

• CESA 2 MHS Driver Education Program

• ACT Prep Plus - Registration Open

• Futura Grades K-2 Spanish Language Program

• E.D. Locke and Galin Education Free ACT Diagnostic Test Day - March 11

• McFarland Youth Baseball Organization 2025 Season Registration Open

• McFarland Youth Softball 2025 Season Registration Open

• Badger Precollege Grades 6-8 Latino Youth Summit - March 24-25

• i9 Sports 2025 Spring Season - Register by March 28

• McFarland Soccer Referee Course - April 19

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot Adventures - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library VolunTeen Program - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library Teen S.T.E.A.M. - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Hangout - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library Teen UnBook Club - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library Teen Snack & Chat - January-April

• E.D. Locke Library Grades 3-5 LEGO Club - September-May

• E.D. Locke Library Grades 3-5 Graphic Novel Book Club - September-May

• E.D. Locke Library Grades K-2 Magic Tree House Book Club - September-May

• Free Triple P Positive Parenting Online Program for WI Families

If you would like to provide input about your child’s academic, social, or emotional needs, or other unique characteristics about them as a learner, please email the appropriate principal by March 7, 2025 (note: this date is updated from yesterday 2/2/25 that shared an incorrect date).

• Incoming K-2nd Graders: Greg Nelson (nelsong1@mcfsd.org)

• Incoming 3rd Graders: Corey Shefchik (shefchc@mcfsd.org)

Important Notes:

• We cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers or peers. Instead, please focus on your child’s learning needs. To be fair to all, if you request people by name we cannot honor that.

• A new message must be submitted each year, as we do not review past placement requests.

• Requests received by the March 7 deadline receive top consideration.

• Incoming 3rd Graders: Waubesa Intermediate School uses a partner teacher model, meaning students have two teachers—one for Math, Science, and Social Studies and another for Reading, Writing, and Word Study.

• Please do not hesitate to contact Greg Nelson with questions about this process.

Our annual Open House will be Thursday, February 20th from 4:00-5:30 PM. More details to come closer to that date.

Triple P Online is a fully self- guided online parent education and support program. It is research based, accessible 24/7, flexible and easy to tailor, engaging, and free for all families living in the state of Wisconsin. Each program goes through modules with tips and strategies for parents to prevent challenging behavior, promote positive behavior, and build stronger relationships with their child.

Parents and caregivers can choose from four options to fit the needs of their family:

• 0-12: For parents with children ages 2-12
• Teen: For parents with teens ages 12-16
• Fear- Less: For parents with children showing symptoms of anxiety
• Baby: For parents-to-be and parents with babies 0-12 months

REGISTER HERE– Triple P Online link - https://www.triplep-parenting.com/wi-en/triple-p/

Welcome to winter in Wisconsin! With the cold weather here, the Health Services Team wants to remind families of some cold weather safety tips. You can help by reminding your student of the importance of wearing weather-appropriate clothing, especially in these below zero temps. Your student should be wearing several layers of clothing on very cold days including a coat, hat, mittens/gloves and water-resistant boots. Please see the following links for more information and resources. Reach out to Health Services with any questions. Stay warm!

WI DHS - Climate and Health: Winter Weather and Extreme Cold

WI DHS - Cold Weather-Related Health and Safety Tips (Hypothermia)

CDC - Winter Weather: Before, During, and After

National Weather Service - Understanding Cold Weather Alerts

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

• Saturday, February 8th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center

• Saturday May 17th – 10am-2pm – at Holtzman Learning Center

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

• WI Student Immunization Law by Age/Grade Requirements
• Student immunization record (English, Spanish)

In February we celebrate Kindness Month. During Kindness Month we want to emphasize the powerful connection between kindness and the prevention of bullying. This year, we are not only celebrating acts of compassion but also taking a stand against bullying in all its forms.

Kindness and bullying exist on opposite ends of the spectrum, and by promoting kindness, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

Kindness Month is dedicated to fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support. It is a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on individuals and our collective well-being. Here are some ways we can tie in the theme of anti-bullying with our celebration of Kindness Month:

💓Random Acts of Kindness: Encourage your children to perform small, unexpected acts of kindness for their classmates, teachers, and neighbors. Whether it's a note, a simple compliment, or helping someone in need, these gestures go a long way.

💓Kindness Pledges: Encourage your children to take a kindness pledge, committing to treat each other with respect and empathy. This pledge can serve as a powerful tool to unite our community against bullying and create a culture where kindness is the norm.

💓Gratitude Challenge: Start a family gratitude journal where each member can jot down something they are thankful for every day. This practice promotes mindfulness and helps us appreciate the positive aspects of our lives.

💓Community Service: Consider volunteering as a family or participating in local community service projects. Whether it's cleaning up a park, assisting at a food bank, or organizing a charity drive, contributing to the community fosters a sense of connection and shared responsibility.

💓Be an Ally: If someone is being bullied, don’t stay silent, speak up! Address the situation calmly but firmly. Let the person know their behavior is unacceptable and support the person being bullied. Report instances of bullying to the administration.

We believe that by embracing kindness, we not only create a more nurturing environment within our school but also contribute to a more compassionate society at large.

Let's make Kindness Month a memorable and impactful experience for our students. Together, we can inspire a wave of positivity that lasts far beyond the month of celebration.

Thank you for your commitment to cultivating a culture of kindness.

Black History Month

Kindness Month

Career & Technical Education Month

• February 3 -7 National School Counseling Week
• February 5 - World Read Aloud Day

Looking for more things to do?

McFarland Recreation Aquatics & Play (MRAP) and the McFarland Performing Arts Center (MPAC) offer a wide variety of recreation and aquatics programs for community members of all ages. To learn more, visit MRAPNews.com

Questions about specific MRAP or MPAC programs?

Reach out to the staff contacts listed below:

• Stu Schaefer, Director of Community Services: schaefs@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
• Kayla Eliasson, Aquatics Supervison: eliassk@mcfsd.org | 608-838-3168
• Alisha Fix, Recreation Supervisor: fixa@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4666
• Zachary Franczak, Performing Arts Supervisor: franczz@mcfsd.org | 608-838-4461

Spanish Class Resumes in February! Did you miss registration in the fall? We currently have space available to add your student to the class roster! Looking for an exciting way for your child to learn Spanish? This 8-week adventure, ¡Vamos con los animales!, is just what they need! From “visiting” a pet store to exploring a family farm, the zoo, the ocean, and the rainforest, students will learn new vocabulary, conversation skills, and cultural facts—all in Spanish! Join us for a wild journey!

https://futuraadventures.com/wisconsin-region/

Please note: Students enrolled in the Full Year session, which started in the Fall, do not need to re-enroll.