Indian Springs Middle School

The form must be filled out by the parent, student, and teacher prior to leaving. Please return the form to your grade level office or the front desk.

Vacation Form

Handbook Information

Understanding Attendance

Volunteer Form

If you are chosen to participate in a field trip for your student(s), you must have a background check on file. Please send a copy of your driver's license to process the form. Please email all background forms to blakecn@wccsonline.com (Carly Blake). If you have completed a background form for another school, another form is not required, as you are good for the district for the 25/26 school year.

Sports Physical

Kroger Community Rewards

We are currently participating in the Kroger Community Rewards program. This program comes at NO COST TO YOU. A percentage of every purchase you make with your Kroger Rewards card raises points for Indian Springs Middle School. Points earn dollars for our school and support student activities. The following are examples of different programs: event scholarships, honors breakfast, field trips, guest speakers, activity class projects, 5K, and our newly implemented ISMS insufficiently funded lunch account program (limit per account). Please support Indian Springs Middle School's student body by signing up for the Kroger Community Rewards program below.

Kroger Community Rewards

Our organization is Indian Springs Middle School, and our organization number is KG733.

UPDATES:

As of now, we have not rescheduled the school dance, and we are currently working on finding a date for that. Once we find a date, we will email you as soon as possible.

Thank you!

School Gifts

Per the WCCS ISMS handbook, student gifts for birthdays and holidays should not be delivered to the school. Families are encouraged to find a time outside of the school day to deliver gifts. Thank you!

Attendance

If a student is absent from school due to illness, a note from a guardian must be submitted within 24 hours of the student's return for the absence to be considered excused. After a student has used their allotted ten days of absence, a doctor's note will be required for the remainder of the school year to excuse any further absences.

Please ensure that you always submit your student's attendance or call the school to inform us if he or she will be out for the day. Both doctor's notes and guardian notes must be turned in within 24 hours of the return date. Please note that emails will not be accepted.

Please ensure that your student brings a doctor's note if they are returning to school after an appointment. If you do not provide a doctor's note following the appointment, your student will be marked as an unexcused tardy instead of an excused medical tardy. Additional information can be found in the ISMS Handbook.

ISMS Handbook

Skyward

Please keep your phone number, email, emergency contacts (someone other than parent/guardians), and emergency dismissal plan updated. This information is a necessity for us to contact you. The number one form of communication is by email, so please make sure it is up to date.

Nurse Information

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March Lunch Menu

**Boys Soccer**

The following are **optional conditioning practices** where you can improve your skills, get in shape, or decide if you would like to try out for the team. -

**February 24 & 25**: 7:00-8:30 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 2, 3 & 5**: 7:00-8:30 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 9 & 10**: 7:00-8:30 PM, Main Gym - **March 11**: 7:00-8:30 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 12**: 7:00-8:30 PM, Main Gym - **March 13**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Main Gym - **March 16**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Main Gym

**Tryouts** will begin on **Tuesday, March 17th from 3:30-5:30 PM**. Please meet in the Main Gym. Tryouts and practices will occur Monday through Thursday from **3:30-5:30 PM**, and practices will end at **5:00 PM** on Fridays. **Important**: You must have a physical on file by **March 17**. Please sign up in Mr. Zeigler's classroom. —

**Girls Soccer**:

The following are **optional conditioning practices** where you can improve your skills, get in shape, or decide if you want to try out for the team. -

**February 23**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **February 24**: 5:30-7:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **February 26**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 3**: 5:30-7:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 4**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Main Gym - **March 5**: 3:00-5:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 10**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Main Gym - **March 11**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Auxiliary Gym - **March 12**: 3:30-5:00 PM, Main Gym - **March 13**: 3:30-4:30 PM, Jarratt Classroom **Tryouts** will begin on **Tuesday, March 17th from 3:30-5:30 PM**. Please meet in the Main Gym. Tryouts and practices will occur Monday through Thursday from **3:30-5:30 PM**, and practices will end at **5:00 PM** on Fridays. **Important**: You must have a physical on file by **March 17**. —

**Football Weights**

**Who**: Any 6th or 7th grader who is not currently in a sport and plans to play football next year. - **When**: Every **Tuesday and Thursday** that we are in school, starting **February 10** and ending **March 26**, from **3:30-4:45 PM**. Parents should pick up at the Activities Entrance (Door 7) by **4:45 PM**. - **Where**: Get dressed at your PE locker and meet on the track upstairs by the weight room. Take your belongings upstairs with you using the stairs next to Mrs. Johnson's locker room. - **What**: Football weights are not mandatory; they provide a time to get stronger, enhance agility, and meet the coaches. You do not need a physical for football weights. ---

**Track: **Boys and Girls Track**:

The first official practice will be on **Tuesday, March 17th**. Practices will be held Monday through Friday from **3:30-5:00 PM**. Please get dressed at your PE locker and meet in the Auxiliary Gym. Practices may take place indoors or outdoors, so come dressed for any weather! **Important**: You must have a physical turned in by **March 17**. Please make sure to sign up on Mr. Zeigler's Google form.

High School Football Cheer: Any 8th-grade girl interested in cheering in high school, please see all the information on Mr. Zeigler's Google Classroom.

This year, the K–12 Art Department of Whitley County Consolidated Schools is excited to host WCCS Creates: A K–12 Art Showcase! Student artwork will be selected from the district for this juried exhibition. All grade levels will be represented, celebrating the creativity and talent of our students across the school.

Students whose artwork is chosen will receive a note, along with a mailed letter that includes more detailed information about WCCS Creates: A K–12 Art Showcase. Be sure to save the date for this amazing event as we come together to highlight not only Northern Heights, but the incredible creativity across our entire school district!

8th Grade News

Ag Science

In March, the Agricultural Science classes will study food science and learn about the marketing of food products. There will be a focus on food buzzwords, biotechnology, and GMOs, and a project where students will create and market a new flavor of Clif Bars. Students will create their flavor and then design packaging to market the new flavor to their target demographic. Students will present their flavor in the form of a marketing pitch

Math

Pre-algebra students will learn about the volume of pyramids and cylinders, as well as the area of irregular figures. Students will then move on to solving equations with variables on both sides and systems of equations by substitution. In Algebra, students will discuss factors and greatest common factors, and choose different factoring methods.

Social Studies

In March, our Social Studies classes are tackling the rugged history of Westward Expansion, and let's just say it’s a lot more than just a long trek in a covered wagon. We’re starting the month by deconstructing the "big picture" of the era — specifically John Gast’s American Progress — to see how 19th-century imagery was used to sell the idea of Manifest Destiny. From the high-stakes politics of the Louisiana Purchase to the transformative impact of the California Gold Rush, students will explore how the U.S. footprint grew and the complex consequences that growth had for everyone involved. To wrap it all up, we’re trading traditional tests for a major creative assessment: the Westward Expansion in Art project. Students will be tasked with creating original pieces, ranging from sketches and paintings to sculptures, that capture a specific historical moment or perspective. It’s a chance for them to step into the role of both historian and creator, proving that history isn’t just about dates on a timeline; it’s about the stories we choose to tell. Keep an eye out for our art gala towards the end of the month!

Literature

Students will continue to read and discuss articles and text excerpts to support what they are learning in other content areas. In this case, our reading selections will highlight food truck planning and operations (supporting students' business plan development in writing class). Students will also complete a unit on English grammar and mechanics. Please continue to encourage your child to read at home for 20-30 minutes each evening!

Writing

Intro to Communication students begin the Food Truck Unit in March. In this unit, students learn what it means to be an entrepreneur as they tackle creating their own food truck business from start to finish. They conduct interviews, create a business proposal, and design their own menu and food truck. To conclude the unit, students will give presentations to showcase and share their business.

7th Grade News

Writing: Students focus on grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure. They will incorporate their knowledge in short writings and evaluate others’ work. We are continuing to work with MobyMax and Noredink programs to differentiate instruction.

Math: 7th-grade math students are solving linear expressions and then moving towards inequalities. Students in Pre-Algebra will continue their studies with the Pythagorean Theorem and review 7th-grade standards.

Science: In Science, students are finishing their unit on plate tectonics and beginning to use this information to help determine the best location to place a nuclear power plant. Case studies will include a variety of topics from earthquakes, weather conditions, land availability, water sources, natural resources, and population requirements. We hope to finish this unit right before Spring Break.

Social Studies: Students will continue their study of the Far East, focusing on the history and recent events surrounding the Korean Peninsula. We will then move to Japan, studying its transition from empire to constitutional monarchy and the development of close ties with the United States. Our study of Asia will finish with a tour down Southeast Asia, learning about countries, conflicts, and cultures.

Reading: Students will continue to work on using their critical thinking skills with a variety of engaging short stories. It is so important that students continue to read for pleasure outside of their school day. This semester, we are encouraging students to read non-fiction texts with a focus on text structure (how a text is organized) and important details vs. interesting details. Students will demonstrate their knowledge in the next Reading Response analysis. The next Reading Response Analysis (an analysis of their nonfiction independent reading) is due on March 9th. All resources needed for this assignment are located on Google Classroom. Happy Reading!

6th Grade

Science

Our sixth-grade scientists just finished exploring the vast solar system. They are now moving back to Earth and will begin exploring the phenomenon of the Moon Phases! Be sure to ask your students about these topics and continue to explore questions they have about the solar system and beyond. They have been given access to many great resources to continue their own research.

Math

The 6th & 7th grade math classes will explore measurement and geometry concepts. The 8th-grade (AMP) class will work on geometry concepts.

Change to :

The 6th and 6th Honors classes will explore and solve real-world problems using Rates, Ratios, and unit rates using different models and methods.

Social Studies

Students will continue their study of the Western Hemisphere by researching a country of Latin America, which includes Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Students will use a variety of resources for research on their assigned country.

Literature

Literature students will finish their nonfiction unit study. Students will continue working towards the nonfiction presentation. Presentations will be held March 23-27. Students were given rubrics. All nonfiction project expectations and guidelines have been posted for your child on Google Classroom. Students will begin a study of prefixes and suffixes in vocabulary. Near the end of the month, they will also begin a study of poetry, which will include figurative language, types of poetry, poetic structure, terminology, and interpretative meanings of poems. Students will continue reading for their weekly reading goals.

Writing

March finds sixth-grade writers finishing up their study of Conventions. Students focus specifically on pronoun agreement, different types of sentence structures, and how to properly use dashes, parentheses, commas, semicolons, and colons. During the month of March, sixth-grade students will also begin their argumentative writing study. Students will write a six-paragraph essay outlined on a graphic organizer to help them organize their ideas. Writers are expected to have an introduction, three specific reasons with evidence, a counterargument, and a conclusion. Ask your young writer what he/she is trying to persuade the reader of in March!

We would like to congratulate the 8th Grade girls on being Conference Champs!

Mrs. Eikenberry is a dedicated 8th-grade English Language Arts teacher on the Eagle side, who brings her passion for teaching into the classroom every day. Her favorite color, blue, reflects the calm and warmth she exudes, and her love for green bean casserole shows her appreciation for comfort food that brings back fond memories. In her spare time, she cherishes moments with her sons, immerses herself in books, and finds peace through yoga. We are truly fortunate to have someone as nurturing and inspiring as her in our community!

Mrs. Hollis is an 8th-grade writing teacher on the star side, inspiring her students with her passion for learning. Her favorite color is blue, symbolizing the calm and creativity she brings to the classroom. She cherishes warm days spent with her son at the zoo. Her favorite meal is tomato soup and grilled cheese. Mrs. Hollis is truly a remarkable addition to the team, uplifting those around her.

Mrs. Waterfall is a dedicated 6th grade English Language Arts teacher on the Eagle side who truly cares about her students. In her spare time, she finds joy in reading, as it offers her a chance to escape into different worlds. Her favorite color is pink, which perhaps reflects her warm and nurturing personality, and she enjoys celebrating life's little pleasures, especially when it comes to sushi—her favorite food. It's clear that her passions and interests bring a vibrant energy to her classroom.

Mr. Schneider is a resilient 7th-grade math teacher on the Star side who truly cares about his students. He has a fondness for the calming color navy blue, which reflects his thoughtful nature. Enjoying Mexican food not only brings him joy but also offers a chance to connect with cultures, and he cherishes the time spent outdoors when the weather is pleasant. Additionally, his passion for playing hockey shows his love for teamwork and staying active, which can inspire students to find their own interests outside the classroom.

Mrs. Yoder is a truly inspiring 7th-grade English Language Teacher on the 7 Star side. Her passion for teaching shines through as she connects with her students every day. She finds joy in the little things. Mrs. Yoder's favorite meal is spaghetti, and her favorite color is green. Outside of the classroom, she cherishes time spent with her family and enjoys the outdoors, often playing a relaxing game of golf. Her warm spirit and love for life make her an uplifting presence for everyone around her.

Mr. Cass is a dedicated 7th-grade Social Studies teacher on the stars side. He truly appreciates the color black, which reflects his unique personality. His favorite meals are always those lovingly prepared by his wife, highlighting the importance of family in his life. In his spare time, he finds joy in playing hockey and working out, activities that help him recharge. When he isn't in the classroom, Mr. Cass cherishes the moments spent with his family, creating lasting memories together.

Mrs. Schneider is an incredibly caring paraprofessional for BSR. Her warm spirit and kindness truly shine in the way she works with children. She has a deep love for her family and enjoys savoring delicious Mexican food, with light pink being her favorite color. In her spare time, she cherishes moments spent with her loved ones. We are so grateful for Mrs. Schneider's dedication and hard work, as she makes a significant difference in our BSR room. Her contributions are sincerely appreciated, and we value the compassion she brings.

Mrs. Salle is a truly remarkable 7th-grade Language Arts teacher on the Eagle side. Her favorite color, ocean blue, reflects her caring personality and brings a sense of relaxation to her life. It’s heartwarming to see her enjoy simple pleasures, like indulging in a fruit salad. In her free time, Mrs. Salle finds joy in paddleboarding, gardening, hiking, and adventuring with her family and friends, cherishing each moment spent with loved ones.

Mr. Blake is an outstanding 7th-grade science teacher on the star side. Mr. Blake truly cares about his students' learning and growth. With a fondness for the color red and a love for delicious Mexican food, he brings warmth and enthusiasm to the classroom. In his spare time, he cherishes being outdoors and values quality moments with his family. Additionally, he finds great fulfillment in coaching at the high school, where he supports and guides young athletes.

Mr. Dailey is a dedicated 6th grade Science teacher on the Eagle side, and he truly cares about his students. He has a passion for orange, his favorite color. Mr. Dailey enjoys eating delicious chicken wings. When Mr. Daily is not in the classroom, you might find him unwinding on the golf course or inspiring young athletes as he coaches baseball at the high school. Having served as the head varsity coach for four years, Mr. Dailey’s commitment to his students and players is something we deeply appreciate. We are fortunate to have such a caring and hardworking individual in our community

Mrs. McKinney is our Librarian here at the school where she gets to engage and have one on one time with students. Mrs. Mckinney's favorite color is purple, and if she could choose what was for dinner it would be wings. Mrs. Mckinney enjoys her family and loves to read a good book. We are so thankful for her hard work and dedication here at Indian Springs.