
IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS
JANUARY 2022/IGSD NEWSLETTER
DISTRICT OFFICE
From the Desk of Robyn Oberfoell
Happy New Year, Panthers!
This year is full of promise. From resolutions to new adventures, we wish each and every Panther a prosperous and fulfilling 2022. Please see the following Facebook post by Amy Detjen and thank you for your support for our students, staff, and school district in 2021.
Take care,
Robyn Oberfoell
Amanda Gorman's newest poem is intended "to honor the hardships, hurt, hope and healing of 2021 while also harkening the potential of 2022.”
"New Day's Lyric"
May this be the day
We come together.
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
Tethered by this year of yearning,
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
Steadily we vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.
This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.
What was cursed, we will cure.
What was plagued, we will prove pure.
Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee,
Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awake;
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
And our hearts, once all together beaten,
Now all together beat.
Come, look up with kindness yet,
For even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
But to take on tomorrow.
We heed this old spirit,
In a new day’s lyric,
In our hearts, we hear it:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
Be bold, sang Time this year,
Be bold, sang Time,
For when you honor yesterday,
Tomorrow ye will find.
Know what we’ve fought
Need not be forgot nor for none.
It defines us, binds us as one,
Come over, join this day just begun.
For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.
From the Desk of Nurse Amanda
Thank you and Wishlist:
Now that I have had time to get a little settled in, I just can’t say THANK YOU enough. Thank you, to all the parents, students and staff for the amazing welcome I have received. I have truly never had such a warm welcome. Just amazing.
In getting settled in I have identified a few needs that the Nurse Room could benefit from. These items are not “must haves” but they are things that make it all a bit more comfortable for students and staff. I had the idea of a “wishlist” for the nurse room, to fill these needs. I am going to give it a try, I will post our wishlist in the newsletter each month. If you see something that your family or an organization you are involved with would like to help with that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.
COVID update:
The COVID policy has had some recent updates with the new CDC recommendations. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions on the changes. You can always find the most current COVID policy on the District website. Please keep your students home if they are being tested for COVID or you are waiting for results. Communication is key, please just keep school informed on testing plans and results.
Other illnesses:
When determining if your student should be attending school please keep in mind the following Pre-COVID school exclusions that always apply: Oral temperature greater than 100.4 (must be fever free for 24 hours without medications to reduce fever) Vomiting (must be vomit free for 24 hours) Diarrhea (watery stool free for 24 hours) These have always been and continue to be the guideline that the district would like all families to follow.
— Stay Healthy, Nurse Amanda
IOWA-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
IGHS Calendar of Events
1/3 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Fennimore (Away)
1/4 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Cuba City (Home)
1/4 7:00 PM Alumni Pep Band Performance
1/4 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Cuba City (Home)
1/6 SWAL Honors Band @ Fennimore
1/6 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Cuba City (Home)
1/6 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Cuba City (Home)
1/7 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Darlington (Away)
1/7 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Darlington (Away)
1/8 10:00 AM Gymnastics: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Mount Horeb HS
1/8 4:30 PM SWAL Honors Band
1/10 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Benton (Home)
1/10 6:00 PM Gymnastics: Varsity vs River Valley @ Dodgeville HS
1/10 6:30 PM Board Meeting
1/10 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Benton (Home)
1/11 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Cassville (Home)
1/11 6:00 PM Basketball:Girls JV vs Southwestern (Away)
1/11 7:00 PM Wrestling: Varsity Dual vs Fennimore @ Highland HS
1/11 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Cassville (Home)
1/11 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Southwestern (Away)
1/13 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Boscobel (Home)
1/13 7:00 PM Boys Basketball Pep Band
1/13 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Boscobel (Home)
1/14 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Mineral Point (Home)
1/14 7:00 PM Girls Basketball Pep Band
1/14 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Mineral Point (Home)
1/15 9:15 AM Wrestling: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ River Valley HS
1/17 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Belmont (Home)
1/17 6:00 PM Gymnastics: Varsity vs Prairie du Chien @ Prairie du Chien HS
1/17 6:00 PM Music Parents' Meeting - IGHS Band Room
1/17 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Belmont (Home)
1/18 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Southwestern (Away)
1/18 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Southwestern (Away)
1/19 WASB/WASDA Annual Convention (Milwaukee)
1/20 WASB/WASDA Annual Convention (Milwaukee)
1/20 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Boscobel (Away)
1/20 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Boscobel (Away)
1/21 WASB/WASDA Annual Convention
1/21 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Riverdale (Away)
1/21 7:00 PM Wrestling: Varsity Dual vs Mineral Point (Home)
1/21 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
1/22 9:00 AM Wrestling: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Fort Atkinson HS
1/22 10:00 AM Gymnastics: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Southwestern HS/MS
1/24 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Hillsboro (Away)
1/24 6:00 PM Basketball: Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Hillsboro (Away)
1/24 6:00 PM Gymnastics: Varsity Meet vs Southwestern @ Southwestern HS/MS
1/24 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Hillsboro (Away)
1/24 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Hillsboro (Away)
1/25 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Fennimore (Home)
1/25 7:00 PM Girls Basketball Pep Band
1/25 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Fennimore (Home)
1/27 SWAL Honors Choir
1/27 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Mineral Point (Away)
1/27 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)
1/28 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls JV vs Riverdale (Away)
1/28 7:00 PM Wrestling: Varsity Dual vs Prairie du Chien (Home)
1/28 7:30 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)
1/29 9:00 AM Wrestling: JV Tournament vs Multiple Schools @ River Ridge
1/29 10:30 AM Gymnastics: Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ River Valley HS
1/29 4:30 PM SWAL Honors Choir
IG HIGH HELPING HANDS PROGRAM
This worthwhile program is called the IG High Helping Hands Program. It will provide the necessary weekend meal support and assistance to high school students by giving those students enlisted in the program, enough food, and snacks for the weekend. It was recognized that there was a need for this type of program at the high school level, so a few high school staff members dedicated their time and effort to the planning and implementation of this program during the first part of this school year. A program of this nature cannot be started unless there are generous donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses. At the beginning of the school year, the high schools was fortunate enough to get donations from the Pink Jacket Organization, the Professional Brokers Realty Company, and a donation from an anonymous donor. The IG High Helping Hands Program will emulate the Panther Pack Program that is used for students in the PK-8 grade levels. Students and parents, if you would like to be part of the program or if you would like your son or daughter to be a part of this program, please e-mail Alisha Pelton, at apelton@igs.k12.wi.us. You may also fill out the Google form and submit it. Also, if anyone would like to donate to the program, donations can be made out to the IG High Helping Hands Program or dropped off at the Iowa-Grant High School. Thank you in advance for your support of this program.
Youth Apprentice (Open to Juniors and Seniors)
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) integrates school-based and work-based learning to instruct students in employability and occupational skills defined by Wisconsin industries. Local programs provide training based on statewide youth apprenticeship curriculum guidelines, endorsed by business and industry. Students are instructed by qualified teachers and skilled worksite mentors. Students are simultaneously enrolled in academic classes to meet high school graduation requirements, in a youth apprenticeship related instruction class, and are employed by a participating employer under the supervision of a skilled mentor.
Timeline & Requirements
YA Level One (Year One) and Level Two (Year Two)
Level One:
Junior OR Senior year of High School
450 hours of work-based learning MINIMUM
2 semesters of related classroom instruction
Level Two:
Junior AND Senior year of High School
900 hours of work-based learning MINIMUM
4 semesters of related classroom instruction
Get Prepared & apply
Get started by talking to your school counselor, Youth Apprenticeship Local Coordinator about how to apply and obtain career materials (plans of study) from your coordinators.
IOWA-GRANT ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
From the Desk of Mrs. Gallagher
Welcome back from winter break! There have been so many challenges we face as a school, community, and society in the last few years that I hope everyone was able to find peace and comfort in something to start 2022! From the book, Row the Boat by Jon Gordon based on coach P.J. Fleck's work, " Little boats sink in storms. Big boats float. Not only do they float, but big boats also take people farther." December was a busy month at IGEMS filled with activities in our school community that demonstrated how big our boat is and that it will continue to take us farther as we row together in 2022. However, some of those activities had disruption. Our elementary program rescheduled from December 22nd will be held on January 20th at 1:00 p.m. for the 1st and 2nd grade and 2:00 p.m. for the 3rd and 4th-grade students. The SWAL Honors Band will also be hosted on January 8th and SWAL Honors Choir on January 29th thanks to the efforts of Katie Wanie, Heather Gile, and Brian Zwick. Middle school girls basketball will also be underway this month with coaches Amanda Linscheid and Kendall Foley. Math 24 will be January 13th and 14th and the spelling bee will be held on January 19th. Thank you, Carolyn Laufenberg and Angie Boldt for leading those activities. Please check the calendar for other upcoming events. The first semester will also be wrapping up in January and there will be no school on January 21st. I missed this last month, but did you know December 4th is school technology director's day? Special thanks to Stephanie Dirks and Dan Steinbach for all they do to keep us moving technology forward. January 9th is National School Librarians Day/Week (also celebrated in April). Many thanks to Jodi Bast and Cheryl Lee for all they do! January is also mentoring month and the thank you month. Thank you to the many high school mentors, community mentors, staff, students, and parents that make IGEMS special! Also, we should be getting close to the 100th day of school this month or in February - any guesses as to which day is our 100th day? The answer will be in next month's newsletter. Have a great January!
Jen Gallagher
2-8 Principal
Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle School
p: 608.943.6311 x 1002
c: 608.330.2170
e: jgallagher@igs.k12.wi.us
IGEMS LOST AND FOUND
Gloves NEEDED
THANK YOU
We would like to thank the generosity of the local businesses, organizations, and community members for supporting RIF.
We were able to give more than 300 books to our K-6 students this year.
Esser Electric, Montfort Veterinary Service, Linden American Legion, The Friendly Place, New Image, Larry's Service and Towing, Cobb United Methodist Church, Rewey Fire Dept, United Fund of Iowa County, Pustina Construction, MZ Construction, Burnham Lumber, Iowa-Grant Lions Club, J & T Concrete, Linden American Legion, Peace WELCA Cobb, Allegiant Oil, D Whit Repair, Robert and Elaine Bunker, Collision Specialists, Rewey United Methodist Church, Jim's Building Center, Community First Bank, Women of Peace-Cobb, Christianson Law Office, Michael and Erika Kelley, Kids Kingdom, Rock Church Construction, Aspen Ridge Home and Garden, Haase Service and Towing, Linden Methodist Church Women, Soman-Larson Funeral Home, Kastner Pyrotechnics
CHECK IT OUT - Take a Look at What We're Learning in the Library
Kindergarten: Students will be listening to and acting out cumulative tales during their weekly library visits. We will read some “old favorites,” such as The Napping House by Audrey Wood and explore some recently added books to our library, such as A Bear Sat on My Porch Today by Jane Yolen.
1st-4th Grade: The students will participate in a Mock Caldecott Unit. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. We will read some strong contenders for the award and vote for our favorite. Our winner will be announced at the end of the month. Will we choose the same book chosen by the Caldecott Committee? Time will tell, and regardless of the outcome, we will enjoy some wonderful books!
5th-6th Grade: In addition to wrapping up our Digital Citizenship Unit, we will learn about the Newbery Medal and explore some strong Newbery Medal contenders. The Newbery Medal is awarded to the year's most distinguished contribution to American literature for children by the Association for Library Service to Children. The committee will announce their choices for the Newbery and Caldecott Medals on January 24, 2022.2nd Grade Feed the Animals Event
ABOUT IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: roberfoell@igs.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.igs.k12.wi.us/
Location: 498 Iowa Grant Road, Livingston, WI, USA
Phone: 608-943-6311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IowaGrantPanthers/