Dear IACS Family,

 

It is hard to believe fourth quarter is already underway.  

 

This week I was thrilled to see our students present Aladdin.  All the students involved did an excellent job and the audience was thoroughly entertained.  I want to thank all of the teachers, staff and parents who helped make such an excellent production possible.  An especially big thanks must go to Ms. Hawthorne for going above and beyond to produce the play.  It is challenging enough to coordinate such a production when there is only one language involved but she is so amazing she is able to make it a great success with two languages!

 

In other exciting news two of our students, Katelyn Burke and Ali Brodeur, qualified for the National History Day National Competition in Washington, DC. In their division they competed against students from across Massachusetts and were selected to represent our state at the national competition.  Their project focused on women’s participation in sports.

 

Have a great weekend and I wish you all a fun and relaxing break!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Shamus Brady

7/8 Principal

 

 

 

8th Grade Semi-formal is Coming!  Tickets for the 8th grade semi-formal on June 10th will be on sale from May 1st until June 1st for $15 each.  Procrastination does not pay!  Tickets sold at the door will be $20 each, so buy yours while the buyin's good!  Money can be given to your child's homebase teacher.  More information on the semi-formal will be forthcoming

Spring Health Reminders: As we all welcome the spring season, the health office would like to remind families that within the next few weeks, tree pollen levels will be rising.  If your child has allergies to tree pollen please be prepared by having allergy medications on hand and make sure that they take their medication prior to coming to school.  The health office does not stock allergy medications.
In addition the warmer weather also brings the return of ticks.  We recommend that students routinely check themselves for possible ticks as they begin to spend more and more time outdoors.
Lastly, the health office wants to remind students how important hydration is during the warmer months.  Please advise your students to bring water to school, most especially on Challenge Class days (middle school), and for sports practices.

Thank you and bring on the sunshine!

-Gayle and Marge

Chunky’s Cinema IACA Fundraiser! April 15th - May 13th

If you are thinking of heading to the movies over the next YEAR - please support the IACA and purchase your tickets through us!

Chunky’s offers newly released movies, great food & cozy car chairs to relax in.

Sales will begin April 15^th - May 13^th. Tickets are only $6.00 – 40% will go to support the IACA! Delivery will be Friday, May 27th

·     Tickets are good for any Chunky’s location (Haverhill, Nashua, Pelham)

·     Tickets are good for any movie, anytime (Monday-Thursday)

·     Tickets have no “Black Out”

·     Tickets have a 1-year expiration date

·     Payment can be made in the form of cash or checks payable to IACA

Visit iaca.weebly.com to print an order form. Thank you for your support

 

The IACA Raffle Basket Fundraiser Collection is Here! We are collecting any and all kinds of new or like-new re-gifted items for the annual Raffle Basket Fundraiser through Tuesday, May 10! Look for details from your HB Liaison and Advisor and also on www.iaca.weebly.com (accessible through IACS website).  Feel free to send in items for any of the themes.  Gift cards and lottery tickets, cash toward purchase of items for baskets are also great ideas. Please deliver items to school by Tuesday, May 10.  Middle School students can deliver items to their homebases.  High School students can deliver items to the collection box in the co-principals’ hallway. Basket Assembly is May 17 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  Feel free to come for any time during that time to help.

Raffle tickets will be sold on May 20 and 21 (HS play) and June 3 (MS Art Show) Questions?  Contact Gail Falewicz (gfalewicz@comcast.net), Andrea McFeeley (andrea@billerica.org) or Allyson Printz (allyson@printzfamily.us).

 

Middle School Homebase Themes                                      

Edelman               Sweet Stuff Basket

Gandhi                  Tailgate Basket              

Salk                      Love to Read (grades 8 and under) Basket

Barton                   BBQ Basket

Keller                    Off to Camp Basket

Bell                         Great Gardening Basket

Rowling                Coffee and Tea Time Basket

Mandela               Game Night Basket

Russell                  Chef’s Delight Basket

O’Connor             Date Night Basket

Brinker                  Home Office Basket

Gates                    Love My Pet Basket                                          

Copernicus          Arts and Crafts Basket

Pasteur                 Fabulously Fit Basket

Winfrey                 Home Improvement Basket

Parks                    Ultimate Picnic Basket

 

 

NOISES OFF: A critic heralded it as "the funniest farce ever written" when it debuted on Broadway in 1983. Another commentary dubbed it "as funny a farce as I have ever seen. Ever? Ever!"  NOISES OFF is presented by the IACS High School on May 20 at 7:00 and May 21 at 2:00 and 7:00.  If you're interested in experiencing some of the funniest, 'side-splitting,' 'gut-busting' theatre that you have ever seen, check out the attached ticket order form.  Tickets are $12 through May 1, and $15 after.  Save some money and order your tickets today.

Order your DVD of the IACS High School Production of "Noises Off". See the attached order form.

Do you know someone in the cast or crew of Noises Off?  Want to give them a "shout out" in the program?  Or do you have a business you would like to promote?  See the attached Noises Off program advertisement order form.  Thank you for supporting IACS performing arts! 

 

DRAMA CAMP IS COMING TO IACS:

 Students entering 5th through 10th grades are invited to join drama camp this summer.  You will learn about performance techniques and we will have a public performance on Friday night. Camp is July 11-15, 8:30-3:30.  Tuition is $280 for the week.  See the flier and registration form for information.  Questions?  Email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org.  Don't miss out on the summer fun!

 

Aladdin: Did you order your copy of the best IACS Spanish musical this year?  That's right!  DVDs of the performance are on sale for only $10!  See the order form in the Connection!

 

Thank you so much to everyone who supported the 8th grade Spanish musical "Aladdin"!  The cast and crew would like to send a special thanks to Connor Joyce and Mark Callahan for their technical direction, and to Paige Small, Ashley Hilliker, Krishna Harpanahalli, and Patrick DeCourcey for their incredible set work!  We would also like to thank all of the adult volunteers who truly made this experience "fabulosa"!  ¡Muchísimas gracias! 

 

Volunteers Needed for the 2 remaining Middle School Socials!

April 29th Grades 5 & 6 and May 6th Grades 7 & 8

 

Come join your classmates for a fun night! Dance to the latest hits with our rocking DJ and cool lights or hang out and play games with your friends. Snacks and pizza are available to purchase. Dances are 7:00 - 9:00 Admission is $5.00 - you must be an IACS students to attend. No outside beverages or backpacks are allowed - water is provided! (Please see the school handbook if you have any questions.)

Parents - please contact janetmorris1@verizon.net in advance if you wish to chaperone. All volunteers must be confirmed and CORI'ed before the dance and we need your help to make these nights a success!

If you would like to donate a snack to sell, it would be greatly appreciated! Please email Janet Morris to make arrangements. All proceeds support the IACA.

 

7/8 Grades Social Studies Field Trip to the Worcester Art Museum and the Higgins Armory Museum on April 29:

Permission forms went home Monday, April 11, for students in Homebases Russell, Gates, Pasteur and Copernicus.

 These forms are due back by Tuesday, April 19.

This trip will leave promptly at 8 am. Chaperones are needed!

 

Next IACA Meeting: Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 pm. Please note this date change, it was previously the 10th.

IACA Meetings are held each month at the school at 7:00 pm. We need your ideas and participation! Please join us - all are welcome! Hope to see you there.

 

Innovation Academy Community Association 2011-2012

"Supporting the home - school partnership.” Elections are May 11th, 7:00 pm. Please see the Family journal and Connection for more details!

Thank you to all the members of IACA that worked so hard to make this school year a success!  Every contribution makes a huge difference and I thank you for your time & energy. I feel we did a great job this year as a team and I would love to keep the momentum going for next year! IACA (our PTO) is looking for volunteers for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. All positions are open. We are asking everyone to please consider joining the IACA in a Board position – we need your support in order to be a success. The IACA board will vote at the May 11th meeting at 7:00 at the school and we hope you will attend.

The board meets once a month during the school year and provides fun events for the students. This is a wonderful way to help your child’s school and at the same time meet some really nice people!

IACA Executive Board Members

President

President Elect

Treasurer 

Secretary

Fundraising Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinator

 

IACA Coordinators

Publicity

Enrichment 

Library

Hospitality

Book Fairs 

Socials / Dances

Destination Imagination (DI)

Box Tops

We would love to have you join!  Please contact Janet Morris at janetmorris1@verizon.net if you are interested in a position. Elections will take place at the next IACA meeting on  May 11, 7:00 pm. Thank you!

 

IACS Students Win First Place in the Massachusetts State National History Day Contest!

 Congratulations to eighth grade students, Katelyn Burke and Ali Brodeur, for winning first place in this state competition for the group website category.  Ali and Katelyn collaborated to create a website on the debate about women's participation in sports before and after equality in school sports was mandated in 1972.  They have been invited to attend the NHD National Contest in Washington, D.C. from June 12 – 16, 2011. This is the first time for IACS to send representatives to this prestigious competition for Middle and High School students.  Last year Katelyn and Ali received an Honorable Mention for their group website on the Olympics at the regional contest. Good Luck, Ali and Katelyn!

 

 

Parent Advisory Council (SSPAC): Parent Advisory Council (SSPAC): Upcoming meeting dates and for more information contact Emily Rapley at emr358@mail.harvard.edu. The website is: https://sites.google.com/site/iacsstudentservicespac/

Our monthly meetings are going to be held at 6pm right before the IACA meetings: 5/10 and 6/6

 

Chorus: New registrations for chorus are still welcome. It's turning out to be a very exciting group and all interested students are invited to stay after on Tuesdays from 3-4pm to check it out.

Private Lessons: Private lessons on guitar, piano, voice, violin and cello are now being scheduled.  Interested students should contact the Music Academy at info@musicacademyofchelmsford.com to reserve a spot.

Orchestra is here and it is not too late: Innovation Academy will have its own orchestra for all students with experience on stringed instruments. Please contact us to reserve a spot: (978) 251-7741 or email: info@musicacademyofchelmsford.com

Concert Band is here and it is not too late: Innovation Academy will have its very own Concert Band. All interested students with experience in woodwind, brass or percussion instruments should contact the Music Academy of Chelmsford to reserve a spot at (978) 251-7741 or email: info@musicacademyofchelmsford.com

 

Board Meeting: Our next Board Meeting will be 5/16 at 6:30pm. Please contact Executive Director Walter Landberg at wlandberg@innovationcharter.org for more details.

6/4-Saturday Board Retreat 9am-2pm & 6/13-Annual Meeting