IACS Hawk
IACS Newsletter for the week ending May 3, 2019
Dear IACS Community,
In all of my years teaching, the best form of appreciation I’ve received are thank you notes. Some acknowledge something simple- "thanks for the extra help after school", while others are more detailed and tell me of a positive impact I never considered. In fact, my all time favorite message of appreciation was a student-drawn cartoon of me as a giant Viking defending a pack of students from the everyday challenges of school. I received it over 10 years ago and it’s taped to my desk today!
Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. If you ever want to making a teacher’s day, please consider writing a short note (email or card) – or even better co-author one with your student- to a teacher(s) who has made a positive impact. You’ll make their day- and they just might keep it in a special place for the next ten years!
In partnership,
Greg Orpen
Head of School
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!
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!
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:
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/
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
POL, Jr. & Sr. Project Presentations
We hope you will join us for your child’s POL or Jr/Sr. Project Presentation this coming week. Your student’s presentation time was emailed home a few weeks ago. Feel free to call the main office if your unsure of the day and time.
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
Our Director of College Counseling, Ms. Deknatel, arranged for all of our sophomores to visit Merrimack College and experience a little bit of what the college experience is like. They even got a free lunch in the college cafeteria!
Congratulations to the 36 new inductees to the National Honor Society. Congratulations also goes to the newly elected NHS officers: President My My Tran, Vice-President Grace Intonti, Secretary & Treasurer Greer Ballam and Community Service Director Jacob Babcock. Well done!
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!
HIgh School Photos of the Week
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
8th grade Semi – Formal Saturday May 11th, from 7-10pm here at IACS.
Ticket money should have been sent in by today Friday May 3rd (please note, there are no physical tickets, names will be checked off as students enter)
For more information or questions please contact Kerri Picard at teacherkp10@gmail.com
Last Boxtop Contest of the year is coming up – more details next week but start clipping!
Innovation Academy Charter School
