IACS Hawk
IACS Newsletter for the week ending May 10, 2019
May 10, 2019
Dear IACS Community –
Today caps an exhausting week for students and teachers at the high school. Our annual Senior/Junior Project and Presentation of Learning week is often a stressful time for students, but our students always rise to the occasion. Seniors have been presenting their research and applied piece since Monday, juniors have been presenting on their junior project, and freshmen and sophomores have been conducting their Presentations of Learning since Wednesday. It is wonderful to see the progress our students make each year as they gain experience with presenting to large groups. Our students are wonderful as audience and panel members for their peers and they consistently provide presenters with supportive feedback. Senior projects have included the following topics: hip-hop analytics (Cory LaFond), designing, building and donating a bench for the pond (Justin Ginnett – see picture below), knife throwing (Evelyn Sourn), options trading (Carter Morgan), adapting & directing a musical (Abigail Kelsey), Cambodian Resilience (Selena Ou), and writing and publishing a book of poetry (Joseph Lopez)…available on Amazon for only $9!
While this is just a small sample of all of the senior projects, I would like to congratulate the seniors and their advisors for their efforts. Lastly, I would like to wish all of our students that are attending the prom tonight a safe and enjoyable evening.
Best-
Erik Arnold, Ed.D.
High School Principal
Busing Information: An email regarding the 2019-2020 transportation program will be sent out on May 15. Here are a few highlights! This year, both Christianson and Tyngsboro bus applications will be online forms. You will be able to pay for Christianson busing using a credit card, if you choose, and pricing has been decreased. A 50% deposit will be needed to secure a seat on the bus and seats fill on a first come first serve basis. The email on May 15th will contain all the links and details you need to sign up.
Contact Marybeth Bush at mbush@innovationcharter.org if you have any questions.
Mark your calendars for the following events:
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!
IACS Spring Arts Night – Wednesday, May 29th.
The Spring Arts Night will be a showcase of Middle School Art, Middle School Bands and Chorus, High School Chorus, Chorale & Instrumental Ensemble.
Middle School Art will be on display starting at 5:00 pm. Performances by the musical groups will be starting at 6:00 pm and will take place in the auditorium and library. Join us for a great evening of art and music!
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
WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US FOR OUR MAY PRODUCTION!
Enjoy Cheerleading? Or are you interested in taking part in a musical by Lin Manuel Miranda that tells the story of going through High School? Please join us for auditions for this Tony-Award Winning Musical!
We are so proud of the actors who are performing in a special Community Theatre showing of In The Heights in NYC! We would love to have you join us!
Congratulations to 8th grader, Abby Noel, who participated in the New England Youth Wind Ensemble concert at UMASS-Lowell this week!
Eighth Grade Families: HS Family Orientation
Families and students that will be attending IACS High School next year please be sure to sign up for one of the HS Family Orientations. The student and at least one parent/guardian should attend the orientation meeting. Each session will be led by our high school principal, Dr. Arnold, who will discuss with you important information about the transition to high school.
Please plan to attend one of the following sessions:
Monday, May 13, 5:00-6:00 pm
Thursday, May 30, 5:00-6:00 pm
Wednesday, June 5, 5:00-6:00 pm
Please let Crystal McKiel, (cmckiel@innovationcharter.org ) know which orientation you will be attending so that we can plan accordingly.
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.
2018-2019 IACS Middle School Yearbook
Still available for preorder at the regular price of $27
To guarantee a copy for your student order by May 17, 2019
The MS Yearbook contains over 120 color pages of IACS memories: sports, academics, clubs, fun, teachers, events, field trips, original art, personal pages and much more . . . . . . !
Order and Pay Onlinebit.ly/MS-Yearbookor use the attached form to send in cash or a check.
0 Yearbook Order Form Regular 2018-2019
Middle School Photo of the Week
IACS Teachers make teaching and learning S’MORE awesome!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Alexandra Brockman, Spencer Evans-Cole, and Manu Hedge participated in a wind ensemble concert at UMass Lowell on Friday night. A large audience (including IACS alum Zach Palmer who is now a music major at UML) enjoyed a great show. Nice work to all!
Spirit Week
Next week, May 13-17 is SPIRIT WEEK! Friday will be IACS’ annual SPRING FEST!
Here are the spirit week days:
Monday – Pajama Day
Tuesday – Character Day
Wednesday – Dress to Impress
Thursday – Twin Day
Friday – Class Colors (Freshmen: Blue, Sophomores: Red, Juniors: White, Seniors: Black)
Spirit Week participation is rewarded by grade. There are penny wars throughout the week. Jugs will be located outside Ms. Kelly’s office, separated by class. Pennies give positive points, and anything greater than a penny will be negative points. Each grade will also be given a banner to decorate during advisory. During Spring Fest, students will compete in a BIG game for their grade at the end, and the winning grade will get a trophy!
Volunteer Opportunities
Sunday, May 19 is Family Day for the Tyngsboro Park and Rec town Softball teams. They’re looking for any interested high school students who may be able to do some face painting! (This would also count as community service hours if you need it). Seems like it would be a fun time! Please let Tina Lindberg know if you are interested.
Another Volunteer Opportunity
Dracut Rec Fun Run is a kids track program that runs July 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st from 5:30-6:30 at the Dracut HS track. We are looking for volunteers to help lead groups around to the different activities. No track knowledge is needed! Please contact Shannon Talbot if you are interested!
IACS Science Teacher is Honored
Ms. Derival has been selected by the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society’s Aula Laudis Society…also known as the "Hall of Fame" for chemistry teachers! The Aula Laudis Honor Society is for Distinguished Contributions to Chemistry Education. Ms. Derival was one of only two teachers in the the Northeastern Section that were selected for the Society this year.
HIgh School Photos of the Week
End of Year BBQ Your assistance is needed for our annual BBQ.
To volunteer or donate – please visit the most current list of needs here:
or contact Cindi Hevner at:
978-866-8380 or yearendbbq@innovationcharter.org.
IACS ANNUAL BOXTOP CONTEST
Contest runs until May 17th
One Advisory Winner for the Middles School and 1 Advisory for the High School will win a Pizza Party for the most clipped Boxtops!
Thank you for all you do for our school!!
Innovation Academy Charter School
