The Connection

The Weekly Newsletter of IACS-MS

 

From the Principal

 

October 23rd, 2009

 

Dear Families:

 

We are busily preparing for the end of the first quarter of the school year, and this means that students are finishing final pieces of work and doing many presentations in classes.  In December, we will hold our first Quality Nights of the year.  These are wonderful opportunities for family members and friends and neighbors to come and see student work.  December 2 will be a Quality Night for all 5/6 students, and the 7/8 students will present on two nights, December 8^th (Self-Direction Team) and December 10^th (Problem-Solving Team). 

 

As the season changes, we have accumulated a lot of lost and found clothing.  If your child is missing something, please have him/her stop by the three large bins located in Middle School Commons.  You are also welcome (and encouraged) to stop in to check for items.  Please make sure that all items that come to school are labeled with your child’s first and last name, as that will help us match up lost belonging to their owner.  Once lost and found begins to overflow, we will periodically donate it as we simply do not have the capacity to store that much clothing.

 

Please remember that this Tuesday, 10/27 is a half-day with a 12:15 dismissal. Enjoy the weekend.

 

Sincerely,

Kathleen Seward

 

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.  

 

 

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.

 

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

Star Party in Lowell: Join the Friends of Rogers Fort Hill Park and the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC) for a free Star Party on Fort Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 pm. (cloud date Wednesday, Oct. 28). 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, so let NSAAC members and their impressive telescopes take you to planets, stars and more. Park off Rogers Street in Lowell and walk up Fort Hill to the Star Party. They will taxi anyone needing a ride to the top. Bring a flashlight, dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes and bring binoculars, if you have them. To attend, please contact the Friends of Rogers Fort Hill Park by Oct. 23 at www.forthillpark.org or call (978) 454-4326.

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.  Please read the ticket order form attached below for more information. 

 

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