The Connection

The Weekly Newsletter of IACS-MS

 

From the Principal

 

September 11^th, 2009

 

Dear Families:

 

The first seven days of the school year have been filled with a lot of exciting activity.  Students and teachers have moved into the new classrooms, and everyone is enjoying our new cubbies for keeping their belongings. 

 

Several staff members will be out on maternity leave in the coming months, and I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to the teachers who will be providing maternity leave coverage.  Mrs. Hinkle is currently out on maternity leave, and her leave is being covered by Robin Reiner.  Mrs. Attfield Quinlan is also out on maternity leave.  In her absence, Melissa Kapeckas will be the acting Middle School Principal for 5/6.  Melissa’s teaching duties will be covered by Jennifer Smith.   Finally, Brook Doire will be going out on leave shortly, and her leave will be covered by Catherine Lynch.  These three teachers can all be reached by email and by phone.   There are no babies to announce yet, but we expect to be making three announcements next Friday. 

 

There are a number of exciting activities coming  up in the next few weeks including the 7/8 trips to Great Brook Farm, Back to School Night, and our Homebase Breakfast.  I look forward to seeing many of you at these events!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathleen Seward

Middle School Principal, 7/8

 

News and Happenings

 

 

Individual Learning Plan Conferences:

ILPs will be starting on Wednesday, September 16^th. If you haven’t yet scheduled your ILP with your child’s Homebase teacher, you should do so as soon as possible to ensure you get a time slot that fits your needs.  All contact information (emails and phone extensions) are found on the opening page of the school’s website using the link Contact Us.

 

X2 Passwords:

Logins and passwords to the X2 Database will be handed out at ILPs starting on Wednesday, September 16^th.  There will also be training sessions offered during the week o September 21^st for families who are new to using the system.  You will get more information about these sessions when you receive your password at ILP conferences. 

 

Back to School Night:

Mark your calendars for Back to School Night, Wednesday, September 30^th, 6:00-7:30pm. There will be a Question & Answer Session about the Plimoth Plantation field trip for parents of 5^th and 6^th grade students with questions regarding the trip from 5:30-6:00 pm prior to Back to School Night.

 

Homebase Breakfast:

Mark your calendars for the Homebase breakfast, Thursday, September 24^th 8:00-9:00.  Parnts will be able to sign up to bring healthy items at ILP conferences next week. 

 

School Lunch

Each IACS family should have received a Lunch Packet which included the following:

User ID, Password and instructions for on-line lunch ordering

September Lunch Menu

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

Volunteer Form

If you did not receive this packet please contact karen.drake@innovationcharter.org  (978) 649-0432 x2221.

 

 

Girls Soccer

The High School Girls' Soccer Team is extending an invitation to 8th grade girls interested in joining the IACS soccer team.  Soccer tryouts will be next Tuesday, September 15th.  Soccer practice will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30 - 5:00pm.  There will be no practice Thursday, September 17^th . Players should be dressed and ready by 3:15pm waiting by the MS main entrance.  Practices and games are mandatory.  If you are interested in playing, please sign up at the office or in rm. 238.  If you have any questions, please see Coach Anderson in rm. 245 or contact her at canderson@innovationcharter.org. 

 

1^st Game: The first girl’s soccer game of the season will be September 18, at 4:00pm at Chelmsford High School.  This day is a ½ day at IACS, so it will be necessary for parents/carpools to take players to the game.  Coaches/School officials are not permitted to take players to and/or from the games.  Players would need to be at the playing field by no later than 3:30pm to warm-up for the game.

 

Boys Soccer

Any 8^th grade boy interested in playing for the IACS soccer team this fall needs to see Coach McKinnon and have a current physical on file as soon as possible.  Tryouts for 8^th graders have been extended to September 18^th.  There will not be any tryouts after this date, no exceptions. Practices/tryouts are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30-5:30pm.  Players must be dressed and ready for practice by 3:15 and will meet Coach McKinnon outside at the MS main entrance.  Practices and games are mandatory for all players.  The boy’s soccer team will play its first game on September 21^st at Dracut High School at 4:00pm.  Information regarding the team/parent meeting and transportation will follow. To contact Coach McKinnon: Nmckinnon@innovationcharter.org

 

Health Reminders:

All participants in IACS athletics must have a current physical form on file in the IACS Nurse’s Office BEFORE he/she can participate in any athletic activity (practices included).  Check with Mrs. Pimm in the Nurse’s Office to make sure all paperwork is turned in and up-to-date or via email at gnutilepimm@innovationcharter.org

 

Reminders about Pickup/Drop-off

Please remember that you may drop off your child at school between 7:40 am and 7:55 am. Classes begin promptly at 8 am and students need time to unpack their belongings at their cubbies. Students should not be dropped off prior to 7:40 am as staff begins their supervision of the patio area/cafeteria at that time. Please make sure you pull up beyond the signs that say “No parking/drop off” to ensure student safety.

 

Plimoth Field Trip for Students in Grades 5/6

Information was distributed to 5/6 students in class today about the Plimoth Plantation field trip. Please make sure you receive this pre-permission slip from your child and return it by Monday, September 14^th to assist in planning the trip.  A final permission slip will go home with students later during the week of September 14^th. The pre-permission slip is attached and available for downloading if you require an additional copy.

 

 

Governor's Proposal to Lift the Cap on Charter Schools

Dear Leaders,

 The Legislature's public hearing on the Governor's proposal to lift the cap on charter schools in the lowest 10% performing district and to create Readiness Schools will be held on:

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 @ 1:00 P.M. IN GARDNER AUDITORIUM IN THE STATE HOUSE

 As can be predicted, when discussions turn to raising the cap, they also focus on the charter school funding formula.  We expect a big push from charter opponents to change the charter funding formula this fall as part of the legislative debate on the governor's bill.

 Therefore, as always, we need a large turnout of parents at the hearing.