Website: wccsonline.com/isms

Location: 1692 South State Road 9, Columbia City, IN

Phone: 260-244-5148

Twitter: @ismswccs

ISMS Start Time: - 8:15 A.M.

Car Rider Dismissal - 3:10 PM

Bus Rider Dismissal - 3:15 PM

Athletes and Activity Dismissal : 3:20

Join us for the Veterans Fish Fry and Chicken Strips on Tuesday, November 18th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at ISMS. Both dine-in and takeout options will be available. Please enter through door #7. Enjoy live performances by the 7th and 8th band and the Choir during the event. Come out and support our veterans!

Prices:
• Adults – $12
• Children – $7
• Veterans – $5

 

**SCIENCE:** In November, students will begin to explore the properties of waves and the differences between digital and analog signals. They will participate in various labs and group activities to enhance their understanding of physical science and the world around them. Please check in regularly to see what your 6th-grade scientists are learning each day.

**LANGUAGE ARTS - WRITING:** Classes will continue to work with the 6+1 Traits of Writing, completing their study of the trait of Organization, which emphasizes using numerous ideas and details. Students are encouraged to ensure their stories and essays follow a logical order, include an attention-grabbing introduction, and feature an effective conclusion. This month, students will focus on the traits of voice and word choice to engage readers and use words accurately and effectively. They will participate in several mini-lessons to practice these important skills. Writing teachers have observed significant progress as students incorporate details and apply the "Show, Don’t Tell" technique to their writing. Keep up the great work, sixth graders! **MATH:** Sixth-grade math students will work with different operations involving fractions and decimals. Seventh graders will handle operations with both positive and negative fractions and decimals. Eighth-grade students will focus on multi-step equations and graphing. Encourage your child to learn from their mistakes and ask questions. We want to embrace the struggle and celebrate our accomplishments.

**LANGUAGE ARTS – LITERATURE:** Sixth graders have completed their unit on traditional literature, which included sub-genres such as mythology, fables, fairy tales, legends, and tall tales. They will now begin a unit on fiction, emphasizing characterization, plot structure, theme, and setting. Additionally, students will complete a Book Talk presentation based on a fictional book of their choice. There will be weekly checkpoints to ensure students are on track for this project. The Book Talk presentation checkpoints and the overall presentation will take place before and after winter break. Please watch for more specific information to come home with your child later. Our vocabulary focus for November will continue to be on Greek and Latin roots. Lastly, students are expected to continue reading at home each week to meet their individualized reading goals, keeping the 40 Book Challenge in mind.

**SOCIAL STUDIES:** In 6th-grade social studies, students are concluding their study of the Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval Period. They focus on how kingdoms were formed across Europe after the fall of Rome, the Feudal System, and how this system of government functioned for protection. Students will soon begin learning about the Renaissance Period and will study key scientists, inventors, and explorers of that era.

**MATH** Grade math students will use different operations with fractions and decimals. Seventh-grade math students will use various operations with positive and negative fractions and decimals. Eighth-grade math students with work on multi-step equations and graphing. Make sure you encourage your child to learn from their mistakes and ask questions. We want to continue to embrace the struggle and celebrate our accomplishments. 

**LANGUAGE ARTS - WRITING:** Students will continue to work on the mechanics of writing and grammar using the MobyMax program. To practice presentation skills, students will undertake a Kindness/Thankfulness project and prepare a presentation for their classmates. A vocabulary unit will run throughout the semester, focusing on advanced words that all seventh-grade students should know.

**LANGUAGE ARTS - LITERATURE:** Students will continue studying Greek and Latin root words during bellwork. In November, the focus in literature will be on identifying plot structure, theme, and character development. We will achieve this through the novel *Homeless Bird* by Gloria Whelan. Literature classes will also learn how to use six reading strategies during our Monday reading time. Students should continue to practice these strategies during their reading time outside of school. Happy reading!

**SOCIAL STUDIES:** Classes will study the Middle East, concentrating on the modern history of countries in the region. Students will learn how recent events have affected life in this area and their larger global impact.

**SCIENCE:** In Science, we will begin our unit on energy and focus on heat transfer.  Students will rotate through several stations, identifying conduction, convection, and radiation.  One of the stations is a secret message station where the message is a quote from a movie that appears with a specific type of heat transfer. The Fun Lab scheduled for this unit involves toasting marshmallows,so encourage your kiddo to turn in all their assignments.  We will then begin our unit on Forces, specifically talking about different contact/non-contact forces.

**MATH:** Seventh-grade math classes are wrapping up their study of percentages and beginning work with integers. Pre-Algebra students are finishing their study of real numbers and will soon begin solving equations that involve variables on both sides.

**SOCIAL STUDIES** Students will examine our first Constitution, the Articles of Confederation. They will also explore the lasting legacy of this document through the Northwest Ordinance and Land Ordinance, culminating in a live land auction. Following this, we will delve into the Constitutional Convention and pose the question, “How did the Founding Fathers establish a strong union?” Finally, we will explore key concepts of American constitutional government by examining the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

**AGRICULTURE** Students will complete their study of the Science of Natural Resources, which includes the water cycle and conservation methods. They will then learn about Plant and Soil Science, focusing on the essential nutrients associated with soil, as well as soil fertility and plant health. The importance of soil to agriculture and civilization, along with the various characteristics of soil, will also be emphasized.

**MATH** Pre-algebra students will work on solving equations and inequalities, and they will begin studying linear functions. Algebra students will focus on writing linear equations and inequalities based on real-world problems, as well as representing linear functions in different forms.

**LANGUAGE ARTS - WRITING**: Students will begin a unit on argumentative writing, utilizing their writing, speaking, and listening skills in a classroom debate. Following these debates, students will conclude the semester by writing their own children's book, a project that has been particularly well-received by previous eighth-grade students. They will learn about plot structure, theme, and how to maintain a writing style appropriate for children.

**LANGUAGE ARTS - LITERATURE** After completing a memoir novel study and review of figurative language, students will move on to a study of literary elements. Students will build background knowledge that will be beneficial to them when they create a children's book in writing class. Please help continue to foster confidence in reading by encouraging your child to read at least 20 minutes per day at home. 

 

**November Nurse Information**

 

**Nurse Contact:**

Bryanna Bilger, RN 

Phone: (260) 244-5148 Ext 2514 

Email: bilgerbh@wccsonline.com 

 

**Clinic Hours:** 

7:30 AM to 3:30 PM 

 

**Vaccines** 

Please ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations, as these are required for school attendance according to the State of Indiana. If you choose not to vaccinate, please contact the nurse for a waiver, which must be completed each year. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the nurse. **Note:** This information does not apply to the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

**PE/Sports Notes** 

Only a note from a healthcare professional will be accepted as an excuse for missing PE or sports. A parent note is valid for one day only. Please submit all notes to the clinic or fax them to ISMS at 260-244-4710, ATTN: School Nurse.

 

**Water Bottles** 

Please ensure your child comes to school with a water bottle. Water is also available for purchase in the cafeteria. According to the ISMS Handbook, no drinks other than water are permitted.

 

**When to Keep Your Children Home** 

Please keep your child at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms: 

- A temperature over 100°F 

- Nausea and/or vomiting 

- Diarrhea 

- Shortness of breath 

If you have any questions, please call the nurse!

 

**Fun Health Facts** 

- Laughing can enhance your memory and creative thinking by boosting oxygen levels. 

- Your brain is more active during sleep than when you are watching television.

Wesley D. Mullett ~ Principal

Kyle Nelson ~ Assistant Principal

Heather Cook ~ Assistant Principal

It’s hard to believe that we are already one-fourth of the way through the school year! Thank you all for your support in making the start of the school year successful. 

 

Thanksgiving break is from November 26th to 28th. The end of the second quarter is December 19th. Winter break runs from December 22nd to January 2nd. Students return on January 6th for the second semester. Spring break is from March 30th to April 3rd. There will be no school on Memorial Day, May 25th.

 

Here are a few reminders and important points to note:

 

- The Veterans Day Fish Fry is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. We will be offering both dine-in and carry-out services, serving fish and chicken strips. We are excited to have the band and choir perform for us this year.

 

- The ISMS website has been updated with information on Qustodio, including fresh links. You can access it here: https://www.wccsonline.com/o/isms/page/qustidio. This tool allows families to view their students' online activity and set restrictions on devices at home. 

 

- We encourage families to maintain regular communication with teachers regarding grades and academic progress.

 

Thank you for your continued support of ISMS!

NE8 Conference Results

**7th Grade Volleyball** - Conference Champions  

**8th Grade Volleyball** - Conference Champions  

**7th Grade Football** - Runner Up  

**8th Grade Football** - Finished 4th - The Boys' Cross Country team placed 4th, while the Girls' Cross Country team claimed back-to-back NE8 championships!  

Congratulations to all of our teams, and thank you for representing Indian Springs Middle School!

All ISMS sports schedules can be found on Eventlink. Eventlink schedules are just a click away and easily accessible.

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Good attendance is essential to both school and workplace success and is required by Indiana state law. All students are required to
attend school and be on time for classes to derive maximum benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of self-discipline and responsibility. Moreover, students who miss class will never be able to completely retrieve that learning process. The
Interaction with the teacher and fellow students can never be effectively duplicated.
Attendance at school and in class is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents/guardians.

Students may have up to ten (10) excused absences. Parents can excuse an absence by submitting an absence request through their
Skyward Family Access account prior to the absence or by 9:00 AM on the day of the absence. A written note from a parent stating the
reason for the absence or a doctor’s note may also be provided within 24 hours to excuse an absence.
After the tenth (10th) excused absence, a doctor's note will be required to excuse each subsequent absence.
Any student with five (5) unexcused absences within a 10-week period will be subject to truancy prevention measures, which include:
 * The family will receive a certified letter in the mail.
 * The student will be ineligible for school incentive activities and extracurricular events for the remainder of the school year.
 * SCAN/Bowen Center referral made.
Any student with seven (7) unexcused absences within a 10-week period will be subject to truancy prevention measures, which
include:
 * The family must attend a conference to discuss truancy measures that the school and the parent will be implementing to improve the
student's attendance.
 * The conference must not be held more than five (5) instructional days after the last unexcused absence occurred.
 * A Tuesday Night School or Discipline Offense will be issued.
Any student with ten (10) unexcused absences within a 10-week period will be subject to truancy prevention measures, which include:
 * An Individual Improvement Plan will be created and signed by the family, student, and ISMS Attendance Officer. During the
conference, the student's teacher, principal, and parent or guardian shall establish an attendance plan which may include:
 * Wrap-around services to ensure school attendance for the child;
 * Description of what behavior is prohibited and/or required for the student;
 * Effective time period for the plan, but not to exceed 45 days;
 * A referral to counseling, mentoring, or other services as appropriate for the student;
 * Whether the parent is required to attend the services for the student;
 * Signature of the student and parent agreeing to the plan.
 * A home visit from the WCCS Student Resource Officer (SRO).
 * A recommendation for expulsion could result.
The Superintendent of WCCS is required to report the student as a habitual truant to Whitley County Juvenile Court and the Whitley
County Department of Child Services, wherein the Juvenile Court may determine that the student is committing a delinquent act under state law
law, and the parent may be charged with educational neglect.

 

 

If you would like to volunteer at ISMS, please complete the following form. You must provide a copy of your driver’s license to process your request. If the driver’s license is not submitted with the background form, your request will not be processed. 

 

To be included on the volunteer list for the 2025-2026 school year, you must complete this process before November 15, 2025. Please email all background forms to Carly Blake at blakecn@wccsonline.com by November 15, 2025, to be eligible for the remainder of the school year.

 

Volunteer Form Link

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 to 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.

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

https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/