The Family Journal
The Weekly Newsletter of IACS-HS


Sustainability Day:  October 20th

On Tuesday, October 20th the High School Science Department is sponsoring our first Sustainability Day.   We are in the process of bringing in guest speakers and activities that will teach kids about environmental issues, “green” technologies, and other topics that help raise awareness about sustainability.  If you know anyone who with experience working in environmental fields and would be willing to share their experiences with students, please have them email Scott Cloutier or Kellie Burtch.

Innovation Lands in Lowell

When: Thursday Night, October 29th 6-9 PM

Where: 22 Shattuck Street in the center of Lowell’s Historic Arts and Cultural District.  Plenty of parking, including Enterprise Bank parking off Middle Street.

Innovation Academy Charter School is having a exhibition and performance night, which will highlight some of the best student projects over the last two years. Curated by UMASS Lowell Art Professor Jim Coates, this satellite project will celebrate the amazing talents of our students. Please come and celebrate!  

For more information contact Ryan Ferdinand (rferdinand@innovationcharter.org) or Jerry Beck (jbeck@innovationcharter.org)

College Counseling
The weekly College Counseling newsletter is attached to the Family Journal.  Also attached is an updated list of the colleges that will be coming to visit our campus this fall.

Donations Needed!
The High School Art Department is making a big effort this year to incorporate as much recycling into art making as possible. We need the following items that you might have and not want any longer!!
➢    30 Large - XLarge Men's long sleeve dress shirts (these make great smocks!)
➢    Clean glass baby food jars with lids
➢    Magazines
➢    Newspapers
➢    Clean 20 oz Gatorade/Powerade bottles with lids. These bottles are made out of a much thicker plastic than water bottles, so they work very well for storing paint.
➢    FURNITURE!! - Have you been holding on to a small end table or coffee table that is made out of wood and could be transformed into a beautiful art piece? If so...please contact Ryan Ferdinand at rferdinand@innovationcharter.org!

More Donations Needed!
The Biology and Environmental Science Classes will be looking to reuse clean glass jars (baby food, salsa jars) and clean spray bottles for upcoming labs and projects.
Several classes and honors students will also be needing plant pots for projects.
Please drop them off next Tuesday thru Friday in the Science Room (B 53) or on Ms. Burtch's desk in the teachers' room.
Thanks!

Society of Women Engineers

On Thursday,  October 22nd there will be a meeting open to all high school girls who are considering a career in science.   The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a professional organization that does outreach to high schools by matching students with SWE members in the workforce.  This organization offers students an opportunity to see what careers are available in engineering.  If you are interested in attending this information session about this great opportunity please email Bryn Dews @ dewskb@yahoo.com




High School Dance:   The High School will be holding its first dance of the year on Friday October 16th, from 7 - 10 pm.  Tickets are $5.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM IS COMING TO THE IACS STAGE!
Save the Dates!  Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $10 and will be available for sale soon!  Watch upcoming newsletters for more information!

We Need Adult Volunteers For the Play!
Adults:  If you think you may be interested in helping with the play in any area, please email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org.  We need adult volunteers for tech, stage management, costumes, props, hair, make-up, programs, publicity, etc.  Please consider lending a hand in any area!
Families of Cast Members:  The cast has received a rehearsal schedule, contract and script by email.  Please email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org if you would like to be added to the email list for such communications.  Cast members are required to attend all listed rehearsals.

The High School Outdoor Adventure Club:
We are seeking enthusiastic adults who would like to volunteer on various outdoor trips. If you are interested in an adventure and learning how to be a part of this new club, please contact Michael Hvizda at routedaventures@gmail.com

Athletic News/Basketball Tryouts : All high school boys and girls interested in playing basketball for the IACS high school basketball teams this winter season should write their name on the sign-up lists located on the athletics/wellness bulletin board in the 1st floor hallway.  The sign-up lists will be posted beginning November 16th.  Tryouts will begin after school at 3:30pm on November 30th.
** All athletes need to make sure all paperwork is up-to-date and on file.  Paperwork includes a current physical exam form (turned into the Nurse’s office) AND a parent permission slip (available from & turned in to Mr. Lenter, the Athletic Director).  You will not be allowed to tryout until both forms are turned in.  Don’t wait, get it done NOW!

SAVE THE DATE!!!!  IACS SCHOOL SPIRIT NIGHT:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21st 6:30 -8:30 PM
This will be a great event for folks of all ages, so invite your families, parents, siblings, teachers and friends to come out for an evening of music and entertainment!  Held in the IACS Auditorium, there will be trivia and prizes, with live musical entertainment performed by Jim Zaroulis and Dave Ayotte. Come join the fun!  Tickets are just $2, BUT SEATING IS LIMITED!  You can purchase your tickets during lunch from the main office or complete the ticket flyer that is attached to this weeks Connection/Family Journal and return it to the office.  You can also contact Ellen DiPasquale with questions or for further information 978-479-9778, etdipasquale@comcast.net.  We look forward to seeing you there.



Looking to Volunteer?
The Board of Trustees Land and Facility Planning Committee is seeking a parent volunteer who is a civil engineer or has similar experience to provide guidance to the group.  While there are no plans for development of the property for school use or other wise at this time, the committee is working to best understand all possibilities.  Anyone interested that meets this criteria should contact Walter Landberg, Executive Director by email at wlandberg@innovationcharter.org or by phone at 978-649-0432, extension 2217.


A Note from The IACA:
The IACA (community association) encourages all IACS families to have at least one parent fill out a CORI form as soon as possible.  The CORI forms are good for 3 years so, if you have filled one out in the last two years AT THIS SCHOOL, you are all set.  As you know, the school handbook requires families to volunteer each year.    Many parents enjoy volunteering at student socials. Cori’s can be found on the schools website under the FORMS link.

If your child attends IACS, you are already a member of the IACA.   Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 14th in the dining room.  All members of the IACS community are welcome to attend.


TRICK-OR-TREAT with Box Tops!
 October marks the first Box Tops submission deadline for the school year - so we want to be sure we gather up ALL those box tops folks have been saving over the summer.  Send in your Box Tops to either the office or the collection box in the lunch room.  BE SURE to include your NAME AND HOMEBASE/ADVISORY with your submission.  We'll reward all contributions with a small (non-food) "treat" to recoognize you for your efforts.
 Also - a reminder to register on BoxTopsForEducation.Com.  They have a terrific SHOP option that earns money for the school when you start your online shopping at BTFE.COM.  No coupons to clip, receipts to save, or refunds to submit .  Simply register, start your online shopping at BTFE, and the school will automatically recieve a percentage of your purchase in cash!
 If you have any questions or suggestions - contact Kate Conran 978-244-1244 kateconran@hotmail.com
 THANKS for your participation in this program!

Just a reminder if your child is out sick…..
If your child is sick, please have them stay home from school until free of fever (100.4 degrees F) without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours. In addition, when calling the school to report their absence please indicate if your child has or has had a fever of 100.4 degrees F or greater.  This is very helpful information as we try to keep track of students with flu-like symptoms.  Thank you for your cooperation in this very important matter.


Upcoming Dates
October 12        No School (Columbus Day)
October 14        PSAT for 10th and 11th grade students
October 20        Sustainability Day
October 29        Satellite Exhibition at 22 Shattuck Street, Lowell