Primary Press
9/29
Important Dates
10/4 6:00 PM Homecoming Parade: The parade will begin at IMMS, travel down Exchange St, turn left at the gazebo, and into the far parking lot at the HS
- 10/5 CEPS Open House
- Last Names A-K 4:30-5:20
- Last Names L-Z 5:40-6:30
- 10/6 Homecoming Friday - Wear Spartan Gear or Blue & White
- 10/6 PBIS Assembly 9:30am
- 10/12 4K Fall Fun Night 5:30-6:30 at CEPS
Weekly Message
Safety First! ❗
Spartan Star says...be SAFE, kind, and responsible. At CEPS, we take student safety seriously, and part of that is teaching our students to be prepared for a variety of situations that could occur at school. We do so in a matter-of-fact and low-key manner, that still conveys the important information students need to know if an emergency does arise. On Wednesday this week, our Associate Principal Dr. Hauser and our School Resource Officer Mr. Zietsma provided a brief overview to each grade level on School Safety. Using student-friendly terminology, we specifically focused on the why, what, and how of our Evacuation, Shelter, Secure, Lockdown, and Hold procedures. We use the Standard Response Protocol from the "I Love You Guys" Foundation as a district. One drill will be held each month as an opportunity to practice each of these protocols as a school. You'll see a recap of that month's safety drill in the Primary Press on each of the Friday's that we held the drill.
TODAY, 9/29, we held our first Evacuation (i.e., fire) drill. Students followed their teachers directions to safely exit our building, we checked attendance to make sure everyone was accounted for, and students were praised for how well they took this job seriously. Way to go, Spartan Stars!
Wonders Update
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Check out our Wonders (English-Language Arts curriculum) grade-level newsletters by clicking the buttons below, to keep up-to-date on what your child is learning, along with tips on how to support literacy at home!
Attendance
There are three ways to report your student's absence:
- Enter your request directly into IC. (Instructions)
- Call the attendance line directly at 608-838-5603 and leave a message.
- Email cepsattendance@mcfsd.org
Please reach out with any questions.
District News
🎓McFarland School Board
School Board Appreciation Week
The Wisconsin Association of School Boards has designated October 1-7, 2023 as WI School Board Appreciation Week. We would love to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for our five wonderful School Board Members who devote countless hours to making sure that our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level. These individuals make tough decisions every month and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability our citizens expect. Thank you to our School Board Members for their service to our community!!
Craig Howery - President
Tom Mooney - Vice-President
Bruce Fischer - Clerk
Meghan Fessler - Treasurer
Kate Green - Member
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
Social Media - #McFarlandStrong
What: McFarland School District wants you to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels. Click on the icons below to follow along!
Why:
- Celebrate our #McFarlandStrong students and our staff!
- Keep parents, students, alumni, and the community informed about what is happening in our district.
- Promote the great things happening with student learning, athletics, activities, and other events.
- Build an ongoing conversation about the positive impact our district is making in the lives of our students!
What do I need to do?
If you are on these social media platforms – follow us!
Help promote the accounts to your family and friends - share posts!
McFarland School District complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. One of the components of the Act is limited disclosure of student information. Student names will not be included in social media posts as a general rule. In the course of school operations, names and/or images of students may be released to the McFarland School District social media pages for special academic and/or achievement awards, and athletic activities, etc.
The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer.
4.6 million children live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded firearm. This fact alone is
alarming and can lead to unspeakable tragedies, including unintentional shootings, suicides in children and teens, and gun violence on school grounds.
The good news is you can “Be SMART” and take these simple steps to help prevent shootings by
Children:
Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
Model responsible behavior around guns
Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
Recognize the role of guns in suicide
Tell your peers to be SMART.
This simple act of keeping guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition can help keep our
children, teachers, staff, and community safe.
Visit https://besmartforkids.org/ for more information about this important topic.
Recognition Days
This section contains important dates/events that will be recognized at the district level in all buildings.
October is...
Bullying Prevention Month
- Standing up and speaking out is one way for all of us to build a happier and safer community for all.
LGBTQIA+ History Month
- Let's celebrate and learn about the wonderful people and moments that have contributed and impacted our diverse society.
Physical Therapy Month
- This is a time to celebrate 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.
September 15 - October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
October 1 - 7 WI School Board Week
- This week, we join the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) in celebrating Wisconsin School Board Week! Today we thank our board for their leadership and all they do for the students of McFarland! Thank you!
October 2 Custodial Workers Day
- We appreciate the hard work of all of our school custodians! Thank you for keeping our learning spaces ready each day!
October 4 National Walk To School Day
- Join the movement to promote healthy habits and safe routes to school!
October 6 Coaches Day
- We appreciate the hard work of our coaches and all they do to help students develop skills beyond the classroom. Thank You!
* Wisconsin Public School Observance Days
Calling all readers! Please join our CEPS Family Book Club featuring Charlotte's Web. Sign up to participate in this fun activity including reading and a special Saturday morning showing of the Charlotte's Web movie at the Performing Arts Center at the McFarland High School.
📚🕷️🐖🕸️🎥 Sign up HERE.More information about Family Book Club HERE.
Socktober
Every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, SoulPancake and Kid President want 2 million people to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of those who are homeless. For more information go to -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH5ozEo1Ao4
How can we help make good things happen? Let’s get in on this Act of Kindness! From October 2-20, send in NEW socks, any size/gender/color, to be collected and donated to an area shelter and the McFarland Food Pantry.
Once the collection drive is finished, we will share our collection totals with families. Thanks in advance for considering this great cause!
-CEPS Staff
Health Services
WI State Required Immunizations
Wisconsin state law requires all public and private school students to present written evidence of immunization against certain diseases within 30 school days of admission. The current age/grade specific requirements are available here. If you have received a letter from the health office, it is because we are still awaiting information for your students immunization record. Do not hesitate to contact your schools health office with any questions!
Bridging Brighter Smiles
Bridging Brighter Smiles will be at CEPS on Wednesday, October 25th!
See flyer information for more details and how to enroll.
Community Updates
The following flyers are not necessarily school-sponsored activities, and the McFarland School District does not provide support or endorsement of the program/flyer. It has neither reviewed nor approved the program, personnel, or activities announced in the brochure/flyer. Permission to distribute this material must not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by the School District.
Join us for the Spartan Family Tailgate on Friday, October 6th! Hosted by McFarland DECA, this student-run extravaganza kicks off at 4:45 PM at McFarland High School.
Grab a delicious $6.00 hamburger or hotdog meal, complete with a cookie, chips, and a drink! It's the perfect way to fuel up for the big game!
Get in on the fun with yard games, let your creativity shine with face painting, strike a pose at our photo ops, groove to awesome music, and shop at the school store!
The best part? Half of the proceeds from this event will make wishes come true with the Make-A-Wish Foundation!
For more details, check out our Facebook event at https://fb.me/e/1zDfyvZrh
See you there! #SpartanTailgate #MakeAWish #McFarlandDECA