IMMS Messenger June 2017 Volume XII Issue XXXVIII Indian Mound Middle School McFarland, WI Mental illness is no joke

By Audrey McMillan stop it. If everyone does their part it will create a snowball IMMS 8th Grade effect until these jokes are a You've probably heard peo- thing of the past. ple talking about mental health Another strategy is being before. You probably even have aware that the media does not a basic understanding of what it always present mental illness in is. In a recent Mental Illness a correct way. This can paint a survey at IMMS students re- very negative picture about sponded that they believed they mental illness. had an understanding of many One student surveyed said, mental illnesses. Some disorders “I have seen many movies had more knowledge around where they take a certain mental them than others: 93% of those illness and amplify it or make it surveyed claimed they knew seem a lot more dramatic than it what depression was, while only actually is.” 18% said they understood what If all you know about mental a dissociative disorder was. But illness is from television and many people aren't aware of what you overhear, make an mental illnesses and what they effort to learn more. are. Mental illnesses are incredi- TO GET HELP A third idea is to cultivate bly common: 1 in 5 adults expe- If you think one of your friends may be struggling with mental illness; talk to them about it. compassion. To counteract a rience some form of mental ill- The best thing you can do is show them that you care and that you are there for them. If you lack of compassion toward those ness while 1 in 25 adults suffer are worried that they might try to hurt themselves, you must ask an adult for help. Your friend with mental illness, learn to un- from a serious mental illness. might not be happy with you, but it will help them in the long run. If you are concerned with your derstand these ailments are just Chances are you know someone mental health, it is important to ask for help. Talking to a parent or trusted adult is a good way as serious as physical ones. with a mental illness. to start. You also can bring it up to your doctor. Mental illnesses are treatable. You can receive Mental illnesses are real even if As common as mental ill- help as soon as you are willing it ask for it. Different treatment options include various forms of we can't see them. If people nesses are many people don't therapy and medication. came to school looking like how know a lot about them. Your If you would like to learn more about mental illnesses; the National Alliance For Mental Ill- they felt, some people would mental health is incredibly im- ness, or NAMI, is a reliable source with lots of information on different illnesses. have black eyes and broken portant and just as valid as your Check out signs that distinguish normal vs. concerning behaviors on page 3. legs. If we hold doors for people health in any other part of your in crutches, why can't we show body. Mental health is just what the same empathy to those with it sounds like, how healthy your a mental illness? ness, can cause people to avoid light of in social media and joke, you are showing that you mind is. Brain chemicals out of One person surveyed said, those suffering and make them films. would rather get a pat on the balance can cause an illness. “Mental illness is a chemical feel alone and afraid to ask for The positive of not avoiding back for your laugh than protect Stress, trauma, or loss of a loved imbalance in the brain, just like help. As part of ARRE time this students with mental illness someone’s feelings. one are examples of things that diabetes is a chemical imbalance year, students agreed that people does not translate into avoiding You also might recall Ms. could trigger an imbalance and in the blood. We wouldn't tell a in this school can be hurting and hurting them. It would seem Stokes making a video about the lead to a mental illness. When diabetic suffering from insulin identified ways to help them feel many kids at IMMS don't truly “kill yourself” jokes that are you have a mental illness, it's deficiency to cheer up and snap accepted. Finding ways to elimi- grasp their insensitivity, or hurt floating around school. Telling like you're sick all the time ex- out of it.” nate the stigma associated with they can cause, since there are someone to kill themselves is cept the crummy feeling is in This comment perfectly lays mental illness is one of these many jokes being made. It isn't not a joke. Some people with or your head. Except when you out how we can change our out- ways. uncommon to hear “trigger” without mental illnesses feel so have a mental illness there isn't look toward those suffering In the survey on mental ill- jokes at our school. These jokes bad about themselves or the an antibiotic or a vaccine, and from a mental illness. It is im- nesses, respondents indicated label people triggered for being world that they might think your you can't avoid it by washing portant for people to know that they did not want to avoid peo- upset by something or being “joke” is a real “solution.” Eve- your hands. However there are mental illness isn't an “attitude” ple with mental illnesses. That unhappy with a situation. ry 16 seconds someone in the treatment options, and it is im- or a “mindset.” Mental health was true even when they did not Ms. Stokes, IMMS health U.S. dies by suicide; it is not a portant to seek help if you need needs to be recognized. know much about them. Alt- and physical education teacher, joke. How do you know that you it. Ms. Brunett, the IMMS hough some illnesses were seen is very passionate about how are not “joking” around some- Because many people don't school psychologist, talked with a more negative view than these jokes effect students with one who is ready to end every- understand what mental illness- about how your mental health is others. People admitted to not a mental illness. “Triggered isn't thing that is good in their lives es are, there is a lot of stigma just as relevant as your physical wanting to be friends with peo- an emotion, it is a term used in or a person who has lost some- around them. Stigma associates health. “Mental health is a part ple who have OCD, bipolar dis- mental health to describe some- one by suicide? a condition or label with a feel- of who your are, and everyone order, schizophrenia, and per- thing that sets off someone with So, what can you do? When ing that you want to avoid needs to learn skills on how to sonality disorder. These are all a mental illness,” she said. you see someone making an someone with it. Stereotyping a be emotionally and physically disorders that are often made When you make a trigger offensive joke, say something to condition, such as mental ill- healthy,” she said.

Photo by Forrest T. Waddell On the right track Members of the IMMS track team get running during an April practice session during 2017 season. Page 2 Volume XII Issue XXXVIII

Poetry

Name Please… Greed A Day of Color Sea Flower Queen

What is a name? I imagine you as Dusty Violet skies The A Social game? Rain A bag of chips. Yeah I think that’s right; The color of Fresh Grape Juice Queen Well, not quite. The bottomless kind. Was What is my name? You’re never halting, and Soft Amethyst A sea That is not a game, Continuing to approach, Flower At the end of the day. Nothing. The Deepest of Aqua seas make way With I’m made not to pray, Deeper and deeper in the bag. Mirror-like I may be remembered. You have no limitations. to Pistachio Ice Cream fields Time I am a member; Pound after pound, For her name Of this society. Metric ton after Metric ton. Lemon Ice houses reflect off Was that Though I get no anxiety, You have no boundaries. Of a ghost And this may frighten thee Truckloads after Truckloads, the Early Morning Sun What darkness But In the end I am free. Vessels after vessels. Had held Label me how I want to be. You blast off to expand, Bathing the street That night Watch me sprout like a tree. Rocket after rocket. Let love melt Start to see-through An accretive load. In Dark Chocolate shadows In a pot The origin, Hebrew Piling up. By Dana Olson Of porcelain smoke Not me. Give Remember I am 3-D All you want is, Dear Baby Girl, Color to the I don't have shame. Your blooming fuchsia cheeks Dead sky What’s my name? More! and sugared plum smile Embrace Well it’s the key, More! light up my day Broken breath To adversity. More! like the early morning sun Of eternity Colors on a Wall By Zachary Gunderson Your soft meadow skin and Desire Just remember, French chocolate eyes From naked In the center of a soft meadows, Who fuels that bag of chips. tickle me with elation Champagne kisses Lays a summer sandcastle, Bet you wish you could… By Zachary Gunderson Devour Built by a young man eating orange Dear Baby Boy, The rhythm of sherbet, Bet you wish you could, The Media… Your warm, caramel laugh and The marble universe Coexisting with his sweaty, sandy Talk powder-blush pink feet By Wren Bailey feet, Your *Click* make me smile wider than the horizon He is sweet as homemade butter- Way On Air Your mid-day mocha hair When the gardens of life produce fruit, scotch, To 8:00am and small, buttercup fingers we cherish them. As he devours freshcut honeydew A “Colin Kaepernick takes a Knee.” fill my heart with a joy I don't know that I When the fruit of life grow up, we miss under Championship “Pense deletes an email address.” can contain them. “Trump flashes anger towards congress.” When the fruit fall in love, we help them. The lavender clouds. Bet you wish you could, 10:00am You--my loves--are all I will ever need When the garden’s life wavers, we feel Make a Statement Through rain or shine pained. Just as cold as liquid nitrogen. Heartbreak or happiness But when a Mother Earth falls sick to Bet you wish you could, Mind control force that, You pollution, we ignore her. Changes laws Are all Her temperature one degree higher, we Redeem Yourself Changes polls. I will ignore her.

Ever Her gardens ignore her at the most needed Bet you wish you could, *Click* Need time, we need her. Wake up to do something special. On Air By Dana Olson When will she fall to diseased time? 6:00pm When will she fight back for her sanity? Bet you wish you could, “Democrats protest polls.” When will she start helping the fruit grow “Wrestling team makes it to state.” Field of Frost to realize her pain? Feel “Trump disrespect the democratic Con- When will she, the Mother Earth turn Good gress.” 6:00, The break of dawn, back against us? About 7:00 pm A dreary blaze piercing the horizon, Will she? The world, a dull shade of grey, Will she help us in our time of need? Living? ⅔ wrong standing in my field I shiver, my clothes If we grace her with a good deed? By Zachary Gunderson Is this what we need? useless against the frigid air Never again shown love, if we ignore her Why can't it be, leaves, brown and brittle, trees, bare and more. frosty, Will she, if we help her by cutting pollu- an absent soul *Click* The sun finely greets me at the horizon, tion out of our diets? On Air dull and cold. The taste of her love ever at the back of won't have to cry no more, 8:00am As I start to leave I am stopped dead, our throats, as she dies. for my baby’s comin home. “School Shooting at Red Oak High Time freezes. As she dies it's too late to say “we will no more tears, no more sorrow, School.” My field comes to life with color, stop this madness” just warm embrace, love-no lace. “Protest works for ratification for new Like magic, grass glistens, Help us this day, as we repent our sins to used to beat up over her thought, amendment.” trees shine, the Mother Earth. now that she's back the only “New technology advancement closer to a leaves twinkle, We say we're sorry, but are we really? black i see isn't in her heart cure for cancer.” golden. Will we call on her in this time of need? or her eyes but in the 7:00pm The beauty grasps hold of me Will we really see what is needed, start of a fresh love. frozen dew sparkles in the sunlight, Or are potato chips and leather coats all won't have to cry no more, Like this. The trees, an alluring shade of brown, we need? for my baby's comin home. People do need help around the country. The leaves showing their last greenness, What about: air, water, wood for housing, after two years, fears left for tomorrow, Not just in the rich lives. And then it's gone, and what about us? purely a mask, drunk-no flask. With no political bias. Time continues, the world, dull again, What about the children who will become “may her soul be with christ,” Even better would be, the damage is done, sick from poisoning? i could hear them say, Showing us the world. I can't move, the memory, mesmerizing What about our true meaning? her pale skin, a wood box By Zachary Gunderson As the glow gets higher in the sky, warm- What Is our true meaning? all hail the tears, they come ness flows through me, To hunt? To play? To reproduce? To sur- down, my tomorrow fears come today. Dreams I wonder if fall is making a last stand, vive? No! We were hunter-gatherers! won't have to cry no more, Hold on to your dreams I am awoken from my trance as the But now all we do Is office work, school- for my baby's comin home. as you are afraid to let go school bell rings, ing, and procrastination. finally she's here, in my arms shes home, You need to achieve it I begin my long hike to the school, What are we really? no longer in a shadow, in love-no arrow. so don't mention no it doesn't feel long this time. Who are we really? to draw and laugh, rejuvenated, We are the cool breeze in a warm summer smile and enjoy Another after another My field has given me energy I have nev- day! my new life in awe, accepting you can er experienced before, We are the ripples on the surface of the new memories to be, but So don't stop now Like a soft and sweet vigor that you feel pond! the love always remained. and create a plan with a beloved pet, We are humankind, won't have to cry no more, everlasting, unexplainable, beautiful, And we should start acting like both of for my baby's comin home. Hold on to you dreams Every year I feel that lost energy as my the words in that label! won't have to cry no more, and don't let go field comes to life, But will we do it to save OUR Mother my baby's home, For there is good I now know even in the darkest times of Earth? she's home. that you need to show life there is always light. Will we? By Wren Bailey By Katie Hildebrandt By Cooper Hiltbrand By Morgan Sommers Volume XII Issue XXXVIII Page 3 Teacher’s Pet

Ms. Weishan’s Rajia Mr. Marrese-Wheeler’s Shadow Ms. Brunett’s Luna Ms. Peterson’s Benny Ms. Airgood’s Angel

Swan’s Wicket, Marbles & Lola

Ms. Barnett’s Piper

Ms. Mallegni’s Sapphire

Ms. Bailey’s Steve Ms. Sutherland’s Kahlua Ms. Burke’s Peanut

Ms. Pili’s Basil & Sage

Mr. Heuer’s Lutsen Ms. Colle’s Daisy Ms. Temby’s Mowgli Ms. Neal’s Ruby

Ms. Burse’s Kira & Riley

McGinn’s Calihan & Rudolph Ms. Lemens’ Cobb Ms. Winter’s Humphrey Ms. Stokes’ Stanley

Mr. Kinnaman’s Cooper Ms. Younger’s Leo Ms. Runde’s Oliver Ms. Hershey’s Annie Ms. Hickey’s Buck

Crying in middle school: Is it normal or a concern?

Messenger staff remember that no one sign • Strong resistance to attending • Substance abuse. IMMS Messenger June means that there is a problem. school or absenteeism. • Dangerous or illegal thrill- issue contributors include: When facing an emotional It’s important to examine the: • Problems with memory, atten- seeking behavior. Callie Buchanan, Claire challenge, IMMS counselor Ms. nature, intensity, severity and tion or concentration. • Is overly suspicious of others. Hall, Audrey McMillan, Runde recommends taking time duration of a problem.” • Big changes in energy levels, • Sees or hears things that others to sleep on the issue. Many Byrne said these behaviors, eating or sleeping patterns. do not. Forrest Waddell. To partici- times students will wake with a if prolonged, might cause con- • Physical symptoms (stomach Another tip Ms. Runde has is pate, contact Adviser Ms. better perspective, she said. cern beyond the normal, so look aches, headaches, backaches). writing out your feelings on Ndlovu at In the article “Normal Teen- for: • Feelings of hopelessness, sad- paper before posting them on [email protected]. age Behaviour vs. Early Warn- • Decrease in enjoyment and ness, anxiety, crying often. social media. If your feelings ing Signs of Mental Illness,” time spent with friends and fam- • Frequent aggression, disobedi- change, you might not want to author Jaimie Byrne from the ily. ence or lashing out verbally. drag the emotional heat of yes- organization Friends for Mental • Significant decrease in school • Excessive neglect of personal terday into your present by hav- Health writes, “It’s important to performance. appearance or hygiene. ing to revisit it online. Page 4 Volume XII Issue XXXVIII State middle school teacher of the year works at IMMS

Department of Public Instruction mental illness videos, per- is a comfortable, familiar place that is less In a surprise ceremony at her school, — come to form skits for intimidating to families.” Jill Runde, a school counselor at IMMS, school in the assemblies, An e-mail from the parent of a former was named Wisconsin’s 2017-18 Middle form of trau- create bulletin student, thanked Runde for her work. A School Teacher of the Year. ma that inhib- boards, and former student wrote that “it is clear that State Superintendent Tony Evers its the poten- facilitate “Mix she isn’t simply performing a job, she is made the announcement during an all- tial of chil- It Up” day pursuing a passion and her purpose in life school assembly. As part of the Teacher dren in the lunches to by helping others.” The former student of the Year honor, Runde will receive classroom. support the credits Runde’s “approachability, accept- $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Runde works schoolwide ing nature, and uncanny ability to see Foundation. to unpack the behavior plan. when a student is in need of help” as a “Teaching is a career for optimists. trauma and She notes that distinct turning point in his life. People who see the potential in each stu- give children From left: MSD Superintendent Briddell, IMMS schools have With a commitment to youth that ex- dent and meet challenges with innovative coping strate- Principal Tarnutzer, Ms. Runde and State Super- been at the tends beyond school into the community, solutions that improve the lives and edu- gies to suc- intendent Evers. forefront of Runde serves on the board of directors of cation of our kids,” Evers said. “A Teach- ceed. education the McFarland Youth Center and is a er of the Year recipient inspires the young While at around differ- member of the Optimist Club. She volun- people in their school and their colleagues McFarland High School, Runde founded ences and inclusiveness, which have had a teers at her church, with the “Shared Ta- in the school and community. It is an hon- the “Tolerance and Diversity Awareness” positive effect on students, helping them ble” community supper program, and or to recognize educators who do so much improvisational troupe, which had partici- feel more comfortable, less bullied, and with the “Bowls for Hunger” fundraiser. for Wisconsin’s public schools.” pating junior and senior students perform- better able to achieve at higher levels. Runde began her school counseling “Learning is truly a three-legged stool: ing skits on topics such as bullying, stere- Runde hopes to improve access to career at McFarland High School in 2002. the emotional and social legs are equally otyping, teen suicide, and drugs and alco- mental health services through a partner- She moved to her current position at as important as the intellectual develop- hol. At the middle school where she now ship with local mental health profession- IMMS in 2007. She is a graduate of UW- ment of our youth,” said Runde of her works, Runde has 55 students who volun- als. “If we were able to have a mental Whitewater with a degree in business educational philosophy. She notes that teer to be in the “Ambassador” student health representative at our school, the administration-marketing. She earned her society’s unsolved problems such as — liaison group for Positive Behavior Inter- barriers of getting counseling for families master’s degree in counseling education poverty, homelessness, and untreated ventions and Support. The students make would be minimized,” she said. “School from the UW-Platteville.

Art on display IMMS students Wren Bailey, Claire Hall, Anya Myers, Blythe Oros and Kailin Span- Photo by Forrest T. Waddell gler, who are in Ms. Schoen’s independent art class, held Staff defends court an exhibit of their projects In the annual staff vs. student basketball game for 2017, the students charged back to take a late lead, but a last-minute basket from May 13-23 in Madison. gave the staff the win. IMMS staff leads teacher walking competition

By Forrest T. Waddell high school staff to a walking 80, but now seem to average A: Besides health benefits, competition. As the 2016-2017 around 40-45 each week. Teach- the winning staff receives the IMMS 8th Grade school year began, we set up the ers, support staff, and adminis- S.W.E.L.L. trophy. Ms. Stokes If you have seen teachers challenge. Staff from WIS and trators are involved. IMMS has had an old trophy she donated. taking laps around the halls or CE/MPS along with the District Mr. T., Mr. Jondle, Mr. Genn- Mr. Peterson gave us one of his high stepping through announce- Office heard about our competi- rich participating, too. IMMS daughter’s little running shoes. ments, the Step Challenge might tion and wanted to join. I worked actually has more staff partici- Ms. Booth, an art teacher at the be the cause. Instigator Mr. with Melissa Pfohl in the Dis- pating then all the other schools. high school, and a student in her Marrese-Wheeler provides de- trict Office to set up a Google Q: How would you describe class, painted the shoe gold, then tails on the competition. Form spreadsheet. This January, the competition? glued it to the top of the trophy. Q: How did this competition with the start of the new year, A: Each week, staff members Thus we had a very beautiful start? we added other forms of exercise keep track of their total number trophy to present to the winning A: Initially, we began the - yoga, running, biking, weight of steps beginning on a Monday building staff. The trophy name Step Challenge at IMMS in Fall lifting, other forms of cardio morning through midnight on means Spartans Walking Every- of 2015. Several of the staff, exercise. Friday. They then enter their where Living Life. Each week, I including myself, discovered we Q: What is the purpose? name, their school, and the total present it to the winning school. had joined the Fitbit craze. This A: The purpose of the Step number of steps. Over the week- Mr. Marrese-Wheeler holds Ms. Bailey just loves having this allowed us to “friend” each other Challenge is to promote the end they can record their steps. the S.W.E.L.L. trophy. trophy on her desk. Individuals via the Fitbit app and in doing health and well being of our We have it set up so that once who participate have their names so, we began a fun, weekly Step staff. The American Heart Asso- you record your steps or number entered into a drawing for prizes. A: As I mentioned, we deter- Challenge called the Workweek ciation suggests people should of minutes exercising, the Q: Is there anything else we mine the building staff winners Hustle. Over the 2015-2016 walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Google Form tallies up every- should know? based on the total number of school year we challenged each That is around 5 miles! Some of thing, giving us the total number A: While I do not have the steps, the average (key determi- other to see who could out walk our walkers average that amount. of steps and averages. We use exact mileage, the McFarland nate) and the number of staff the other. Mr. Peterson is a Others, like Misters Peterson or the average number of steps and staff has walked across America who participated for that week. walking machine! So is Mrs. MDubs, average close to 25,000 the number of staff participating and back, several times! While In addition to determining the Miller! I have been known to steps a day. Ms. Murphy at WIS to determine a winner. Of the Step Challenge has been for winning building staff, we, on walk a few steps as well. By the is always their biggest walker! course, if one is participating our staff, it would be fun to find occasion, try to highlight staff end of the school year, a few Q: Who’s involved in it? and exercising, the person is a a way to open up a challenge who have improved or have the staff from the high school had A: Any and all staff members winner because it benefits his/ between staff and students at highest number of steps. joined us. We decided that it from the McFarland schools can her health! IMMS. Students can challenge would be fun to challenge the participate. We have had up to Q: How is a winner chosen? Q: What does the winner get? each other, too!