IACS Hawk
IACS Newsletter for the week ending April 26, 2019
Seasonal Allergy Update from the Health Office
Dear IACS Community,
The arrival of spring is always a delight, but brings along with it, “pollen season”. The Health Office has begun to see students and staff presenting with irritating pollen allergy symptoms. Please be reminded that the Health Office does not stock over- the-counter allergy medication. If you would like to bring in allergy medicine and/or eye drops, for your student, please send them into the Health Office in their original package with a signed note for administration. We will keep them in the Health Office and they will be available to your student as needed. As a reminder, for their safety and for the safety of all, students are not allowed to carry or self administer medications while here at school.
I encourage you to remind students that the best way to prevent pollen irritation after being outdoors (such as after recess, challenge class, trail walks), is to immediately wash their hands, face and eyeglasses upon returning inside. This is an excellent way to remove any pollen that has collected while outside, and greatly reduces subsequent eye irritation. In addition, pollen counts can be high in the morning; driving to school with car windows shut and the use of sunglasses can help avoid early morning exposure to allergens. Here is chart on surviving spring allergies from National Jewish Health.
Lastly, we are incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful campus to enjoy! But along with the rise in temperature comes the rise in potential exposure to ticks. Daily tick checks are important. Here is some tick related information from the Center for Disease Control.
Happy Spring!
Gayle Nutile-Pimm
Director of Health and Wellness
Mark your calendars for the following events:
Book Drive – May 3rd
Know of any kids who are avid readers or enjoy looking at picture books? Know any students who aren’t YET avid readers? Bring them along to Innovation Academy’s first ever Book Drive! Next Friday May 3, in the MS parking lot from 4-6, the High School Children’s Literature class will be hosting an event meant to encourage reading in our youth by providing free books to kids who attend. If you are interested in donating new or gently used children’s/YA (young adult) books or have any questions regarding the event, please contact Sebastian Chávez at sebastian.chavez@innovationcharter.org.
Seeking community members to attend Jury Presentations
Jury Presentations are one of the cornerstones of our curriculum. Sixth and eighth graders present portfolio pieces and their progress towards their Individual Learning Plan goal to build an argument as to why they should be promoted to the next grade level. Their audience includes their staff assessor, a younger student buddy, and a community volunteer. Volunteers play an essential role at juries by providing an unfamiliar but supportive audience for our students. This is a great way to learn more about our school’s curriculum and mission as well.
If you have any availability during the school day to join us, please fill out the following form ( 3-5 minutes to complete) and reach out to the main office if you have not heard from Katie Hoyer (khoyer@innovationcharter.org) within two business days. Jury dates and times are listed on the second page of this form. Your information is saved when you complete the first page but not submitted until you complete both pages of the form. You will receive an immediate "receipt" with a copy of the information you submitted to us. If you would like to update the information you submitted to us, please email Katie Hoyer (khoyer@innovationcharter.org).
Please send the link to anyone that you think would enjoy volunteering!
Join us for Performing Arts Camps this summer, for students finishing grades 4 through 12! Camp has a free, public performance on Friday night. Don’t miss your chance to shine on stage! Sign up here.
The first 12 students finishing grades 8 and up who sign up for Glee Camp to have the option of traveling into New York City to see the musical “DEAR EVAN HANSEN”!
The first 12 students finishing grades 8 and up who sign up for Improv Camp to have the option of traveling into New York City to work with Broadway stars!
Any students who sign up for Drama Camp to have the option of traveling into New York City to perform on Thursday, July 25!
Find information here.
Scholarships are available and are based on need. Please email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org with any questions!
Performing Arts Camps for students grades 4-12 click here for more information
GET READY FOR THE GREATEST PARTY OF THE YEAR!
Eighth Grade Families: Save the Date- Moving Up Ceremony
The 8th Grade Moving Up Assembly will be held in our school auditorium from 8:15-9:15 am on Tuesday, June 11th. Eighth grade students have a ceremony including a retrospective account of middle school written by students and recognition of students’ completion of middle school. This will be followed by a continental breakfast for students and their guests. Due to space constraints in the auditorium, students are limited to no more than 2 guests at the assembly. Please respect this rule to ensure all that attend can be seated.
Eighth Grade Families: Save the Date: Eighth Grade Semi-Formal
The 8th Grade Semi-Formal will take place on Saturday, May 11th from 7:00- 10:00 PM. This is always a fun night, and we are hoping to have 100% student participation. At school, we will share plans with students so that they may look forward to this last celebration with their eighth grade classmates, while at the same time ensuring that students understand how this is distinguishable from a formal event, like a prom. Students may opt to wear a simple party dress, collared dress shirt and dress pants. Gowns, short mini-dresses or other revealing dresses are not permitted. Tuxedos are not permitted. Limousines are not permitted. Tickets will be on sale closer to the event and details of this fun event will be discussed with students as the dance approaches.
Save the Date- Spring Quality Night
Fifth grade Quality Night is Tuesday, 5/21 from 6-7 pm. Please make sure this date is on your calendar. Attendance is mandatory.
Seventh graders will also be making presentations as well, but we’ll be altering the format for the spring. We will partner with HS advisories so that seventh graders will be making their presentation to older students as well as receiving feedback. These presentations will occur during the school day during the week of 5/20.
A reminder that all sixth and eighth graders have their assigned jury presentation date/time. Eighth graders will jury during the week of May 27th. Sixth graders will jury during the week of June 3rd.
Middle School Visual Arts Camp
We’re excited to be offering 2 week-long sessions of Visual Arts Camp for IACS students entering grades 5 – 8!
There will be morning and afternoon programs available, each with a different focus.
Visual Arts Camp will run the weeks of 7/8 – 7/12 & 7/15 – 7/19.
More information, including how to register, can be found here.
MCAS Testing Update
The MCAS schedule is as follows:
April 26 & 29- 5th/6th grade MCAS Math testing
April 30 & May 2- 7th/8th grade MCAS Math testing
May 6-7- Science MCAS testing for grades 5 and 8 only
Families often ask us what they can do at home to help their child be prepared and do their best on the day of the exam. Please be sure your child is well rested and eats a healthy breakfast on testing days. Remind your child that the tests are not timed and s/he is well prepared for the exams. We want our students to remember to go back into the passages as they work through the tests and to check all of their work prior to finishing. Be certain to arrive to school on time. Once a testing session has begun, students who are tardy are not permitted to enter the testing room. If you have any questions about MCAS testing, please do not hesitate to contact me at mkapeckas@innovationcharter.org or 978-649-0432 x 2229. If you’d like to see the TestNav tutorial and/or review computer-based or paper-based practice tests, they are available at this website: http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/tutorial/
Middle School Photo of the Week
POL, Jr. & Sr. Project Presentation Dates Announced
The date and time of your student’s Presentation of Learning (POL)/Project Presentation was emailed to families on Friday, April 12th. If you did not receive the information please contact Crystal McKiel, 978-649-0432 x2004, cmckiel@innovationcharter.og. Every student will be presenting at some point between May 6th – May 10th.
Presentations of Learning serve as a forum for students to reflect upon their accomplishments over the course of the year. Students use work samples from various disciplines as evidence of their development. The format is formal; presentations occupy a 30-minute time slot and are assessed by a panel comprised of students and faculty. A general audience of family and friends also attends the presentation. Successful completion of a POL is one of our school’s promotion requirements.
Senior Project is designed to be the culmination of each student’s academic experience at Innovation Academy. It is a genuine opportunity for seniors to merge their various interests, passions, and curiosities with their academic lives at school. The project is a vehicle for seniors to demonstrate their autonomy, complexity, and awareness through a project that is based on research. The format is formal: presentations occupy a 60-minute time slot and are assessed by a panel comprised of faculty members and if available, experts in their field of study. A general audience of family and friends is also invited to attend the presentation. Successful completion of a Senior Project is one of our school’s graduation requirements
Envirothon Preparations
Alexya Lee, Yuliana Lugo, Tess Gordon, Jack Cronin, preparing for the statewide Envirothon competition in May. Last Saturday students ventured to Alden Labs to attend workshops and a mock Envirothon to build their understanding of the four topic areas (soil, forest, wildlife, and water) to prepare for the event.
Robotics Botball Competition
Come support the Robotics Class at Botball this Saturday at the UMass Lowell Costello Arena, 10:00 AM — 4:00 PM! The Robotics class has been working hard this semester to build, program and test their robots and we would love to have you there to cheer them on. The competition is free and open to the public. If you signed up for the class next year, this would be a great opportunity to see how the competition operates. Contact Mr. DiCarlo for more information.
Seattle Coffeehouse Open Mic Night!
Join us Friday April 26th from 6-8pm in the cafe for IACS’ very first open mic night! Sip a hot cup of coffee while you watch and listen to the stylings of our students and staff while supporting our Seattle Endersession team! All proceeds will go towards the team’s cost of the trip. There will also be fresh baked goods for sale, a “build your own” trail mix buffet, and handmade paracord survival bracelets available for purchase! Sign up for a slot to perform HERE (Performing is open to BOTH STAFF and STUDENTS) and feel free to sing, play guitar, read poetry, or try out your stand up comedy routine! Any questions-talk to Debi or Ms. Connors! $7 at the door to spectate/perform!
The Jr/Sr Prom 2019 Tickets are now on sale. They can be purchased from Prom Committee members during lunch. $80 cash or check, exact money only. You can also purchase online via this
link. If you are bringing an outside guest be sure to fill out the guest application and submit to Ms. Kelly by May 3rd. Forms are available outside Ms. Kelly’s Office and from the Prom Committee.
IACS Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
We have compiled a list of IACS Scholarships that we give out to graduating seniors. Please be sure to check for deadlines and application requirements.
HIgh School Photos of the Week
Mariana Cardenas educates students with regards to plastic alternatives as part of her Senior Project.
Katie Rozen organized a successful 5k Trail Race to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of her Senior Project.
Midddle School Dance
May 3rd 7pm-9pm for grades 5, 6 & 7
Admission is $5
Please contact Faby Kelley (fabykelley@gmail.com) with questions or to donate snacks
Last Boxtop Contest of the year is coming up – more details next week but start clipping!
Innovation Academy Charter School
