The Connection

The Weekly Newsletter of IACS-MS

 

From the Principal

 

October 30th, 2009

 

Dear Families:

 

The building has a productive, creative energy surrounding it as students work hard to wrap up their final projects of the quarter. Rockets are being designed, built, and launched in 7/8 science, 5/6 students are calculating materials needed and cost to install carpet tiles in their “Extreme Makeover” math project, and social studies students are composing music to accompany poems they’ve written from the perspective of colonists and slaves. It is exciting to see students engaged in learning and excited about their final products. The quarter ends for students in two weeks. Please emphasize the importance of a strong finish and work with your child to utilize x2 and ensure that are caught up with all of their assignments before the end of the quarter.

 

It’s that time of the year again- the one day of the year I can justify dressing my hounds up in their “Greyhound bus” costume. Whatever Halloween tradition you enjoy, may it bring a smile to you this year. Also, don’t forget to set your clock back on Sunday!

 

Sincerely,

 

Melissa Kapeckas

Acting 5/6 Middle School Principal

 

News and Happenings

 

IACA Roller Skating Party!!

Nov 17th (Early Release Day) 1:00-3:00 @ Roller Kingdom - Tyngsboro

Join your friends and family for a fun skating event! Admission is $6.00. Skates are available for rental ($3) or you can bring your own.  Hope to see you there!

Please click on the attachment below to view the flyer.   We hope you will consider joining us not only for a fun filled afternoon but as a way to raise funds for the IACS enrichment programs.  

 

IACA – Game Day Tailgate Party!!

Nov 8th Parking Lot Opens at 11:00am

Bring your WHOLE family for a tailgating party at the IACS school parking lot!  Pack your chairs, grills, footballs, soccer balls, radios, Frisbees and even your grandparents and join the fun! Grill your own food or let us cook for you!  At kickoff, everyone is invited to watch the game in the school auditorium on the BIG screen. This is a great opportunity to meet other IACA families and to hang out with our students. Volunteers are needed – please contact Janet Morris @ janetmorris1@comcast.net 

 

The Scholastic Book Fair: The Scholastic Book Fair was a great success. IACA had $5,056.65 in sales with a cash profit of $1,264.16. In addition, our Scholastic Bonuses came to $878.50! Thank you Corine Mazza, all the volunteers & parents for your time, efforts and contributions- it truly paid off.

 

Congratulations:

The Chelmsford Public Library recently sponsored a "spooky story contest" in honor of Halloween.  There were 50 entries in the 4th/5th grade division and two of the top winners were from IACS!  Keegan Lennon won 4th place and Edith Collins placed third. Congratulations!

 

A Safety Message From the Facilities Manager: Please do not to use a cell phone on school grounds while operating a vehicle. Please keep all eyes on the road as there are students and staff in the parking areas directing traffic or crossing .Also, we ask that while your vehicle is parked that you please shut off your engine to help reduce the emissions output.

 

PAC meeting: Thursday November 12th 6:30-7:30 pm in the Student Services Conference Room. 

The PAC purpose is to ensure that children with special needs in our school have the best school experience possible. It is about sharing information, ideas, resources and energy among school personnel and families with and without special needs children.

 

 

The Community Volunteering High School Choice Block is conducting a food drive: The Community Volunteering High School Choice Block is conducting a food drive throughout the month of November and will be sending the donated goods to the Merrimack Valley Food Pantry, where we have been volunteering. Each week in November is dedicated to a different type of item

2nd - 6th: Canned or Boxed Food

9th - 13th: Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, diapers, shampoo, soap, etc.)

16th - 20th: Thanksgiving Related Items (stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie mix, gravy, etc.)

*We will accept any non-perishable food during any of the weeks above.

 

Medication in School Reminder:

Please be mindful that students are not allowed to carry  any medications on themselves at school unless the health office has received the “Prescription Medication Form” signed by both a physician and a parent and the health office has approved the request. This form must be signed and updated each school year. This is a state law.  If you have any questions please call the health office at x2104.  Thank you for your cooperation in this very important safety matter.

Athletic News & Events:For more complete info, refer to our Athletics website.  Click “Athletics” on the drop-down menu on the IACS homepage.  

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL: All REQUIRED paperwork needs to be on file BEFORE the first day of tryouts.  No paperwork = no tryout; NO EXCEPTIONS!  Tryouts begin Tuesday, November 3, 2009.    Refer to our athletics website for more information.

 

 

Exciting Opportunity: The IACS development team is looking for a parent or community volunteer to help lead the development, coordination, printing and maintenance of a quarterly magazine/newsletter on all things Innovation Academy.  The magazine will be sent out to family members and a wider circle of community members (external funders and partners, grandparents/parents, alumni, etc.) and will assist us in our efforts to spread the word about the excellent work that is being done at Innovation Academy.  Ideally, the individual will have experience working with Quark XPress or a similar magazine layout program and will have experience putting together similar publications.  We are also looking for writers and individuals willing to serve as the photographer for the magazine.  Anyone interested in helping to lead this and or get involved, should contact Walter Landberg, Executive Director at wlandberg@innovationcharter.org or 978-649-0432 x2217

 

Unique Volunteer Opportunity for Experienced Carpenters: Our school library needs more shelf space to support the library needs of our expanding school. We are looking for an experienced carpenter(s) to volunteer their time to build wall-mounted bookcases that will complement the existing ones in our beautiful library. The school is offering to pay for the construction materials. All you need to supply is your experience, time and skill! This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our school in a very visible and lasting way.

If you would like to help or would like more information, please contact our library volunteer, Carol Gallagher, at cagallagher@comcast.net or 978-256-3029

 Morning Drop-Off: Students can be dropped off at the school beginning at 7:40 each morning.  There is no supervision before this time, and students will not be allowed into the building before 7:40.  Please help us keep students safe and supervised by honoring this drop-off time. 

String Ensemble: Come join an after school String Ensemble:  Do you play a string instrument and would like to be a part of an ensemble?  Julia Harmon, a string teacher from Billerica, is putting together an after school string orchestra on Tuesdays.  We need all types of strings:  Violins, violas, cellos and basses and all levels of skill.  Please e-mail Julia at cellofish@yahoo.com for more information. 

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 recognize 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 receive 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!

 

Sexual Health Curriculum Meeting: On Monday, November 2^nd, from 6-7pm there will be a meeting for parents to discuss the curriculum for the Sexual Health unit. All middle school students will have the opportunity to participate, at some point during this school year, in the sexual health unit.  These classes are part of health education classes and are taught by the health education/wellness teachers.  Prior to participating in these health classes all parents will be asked to return a signed consent form indicating their desire to have their child participate (or not) in the sexual health unit.  These forms will be available at the meeting.If you have any questions or concerns regarding the program, please plan on attending the meeting.  This meeting is an opportunity for parents to see first hand what information will be discussed in the classes.  It is also a wonderful forum for parents discuss thoughts, concerns, etc. with other middle school parents concerning this very important topic.

 

Drama Production: You and your family will not want to miss the first IACS High School drama production in our beautiful auditorium!  We will proudly present Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on December 4 and 5 at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $10 each and are selling out quickly!! (Ticket, Ad and DVD order forms were attached to last weeks Connection (10/23)).

 

The High School Play Needs Your Stuff!

Do you have these items around the house?  Would you be willing to donate them to the play?  Please contact rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org.  Thank you so much!

hangers

plastic shopping bags

bobby pins

hair elastics and barrettes

make-up

hair spray

ballet slippers

wigs

jewelry

king's crown

fairy wand

queen's tiara

animal and other creature costumes masks/ props

3 black top hats

Red "Harvard" T-shirt

Red "Harvard" hat

Construction Worker Hat and/ or

Costume

Fireman Hat and/ or Costume