“The Hawk”

Say Something

Dear IACS Community,

In my first letter a few weeks ago, I encouraged  parents to reach out to me with ideas or thoughts regarding issues of wellness.  I received input almost immediately from parents.  Thank you for your thoughtful responses.   In particular, I would like to thank Laura Orfenedes, mother of Everly, grade 7. Laura shared timely information concerning “Say Something” Week, an event  sponsored by the Sandy Hook Promise.  Sandy Hook  Promise is a national, nonprofit organization led by members of families whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. After reading about the organization’s cause and purpose, IACS has decided to partner with the Sandy Hook Promise and to participate in the National Say Something Call-to-Action Week, October 19– 25, 2015.

The Say Something Call-to-Action Week reinforce the power of young people to reach out to students in need, or to say something to a trusted adult to protect a friend or peer from  hurting themselves or others. During this week, all advisory groups will spend time talking about the importance of speaking up and talking with a trusted adult if they should  become aware of unsafe, at-risk or potentially violent behavior. The underlying premise is that our school is a safe place, but we all need to play a continued role in keeping it that way.  Students truly are the eyes and ears of the school and have tremendous power to positively impact our community.

Discussions will be tailored at each grade level to ensure the content is age appropriate.  Among younger students, discussions will center around bullying or unkind behavior.  The older students will discuss issues of harassment, unhealthy relationships, self -harm or substance abuse. Through Advisory, students school wide will discuss ways someone may become aware of unsafe, unkind, behavior in others, and particularly the role social media may play.  Discussions will also address why a student may be reluctant to say something; what barriers students may face in speaking up, and how we as a school can  help students overcome those barriers.  An understanding of the difference between “telling on someone” (to get them in trouble) vs.  “saying something” (to get them help) will also be explored at all grade levels.  The goal of participating in the “Say Something” Week is to show students that there are many small ways each of us can reach out to others and also that reporting unsafe, potentially violent behavior to a trusted adult is the responsible thing to do. We all must assume ownership of keeping the culture of our school one of safety and respect.  

This very message is the cornerstone of IACS’s  bullying prevention curriculum taught through our Health Education program.  We all share in the responsibility of the safety of our school and of each other. This sentiment is also  tightly woven  into our school’s outcomes of Community Membership, Effective Communication, Self- Direction and Problem Solving. If you would like to read more about “Say Something” and the Sandy Hook Promise, you can find more information at  http://www.sandyhookpromise.org/

Thank you again for all of your input; this is how we grow and improve as a community!  I am excited to work with our students and staff on the “Say Something” Campaign.

Gayle Nutile-Pimm

Director of Health and Wellness

All School News

Dates At a Glance:

October 16 – 7th & 8th Grade Middle School Dance 7:00 – 9:00 pm

October 19 – Board of Trustee Meeting  6:30 – 8: 30 pm

October 21– Early Release; ILP Conferences

October 23 – Middle School Picture Day

October 23– 5th & 6th Grade Middle School Dance 7:00 – 9:00 pm

October 27 – MS Parent Advisory Council 7:15- 8:00 am

October 28 – Early Release

October 30 – Grade 5 & 6 Advisory Breakfast

October 30 – High School Halloween Dance 7:00 – 10:00 pm

October 31–  IACS Fall Festival

November 3 – H/S Grade 10 & 11 Earth and Space Field Trip

November 3 – Innovation Morning for Prospective Middle School Parents/Guardians

November 3 – IACA Meeting 7:00 – 8:30 pm

November 4 – Early Release

November 6 – M/S Grade 7 & 8 Museum of Science Field Trip

November 7 – SAT Exam 8:00 – 1:30 pm

November 9-10  Scholastic Book Fair

November 11 – No School Veteran’s Day

November 12- 13 Scholastic Book fair

Contacting Teachers by Phone:  While staff email addresses can be found the Directory posted on our website, IACS will be removing voicemail teaching staff beginning October 19th.  We recognize that in many circumstances phone calls are a preferred mode of communication.  Any family wishing to speak with a teacher can call the main desk and a message will be promptly delivered, so that teachers can call back as soon as possible.  The primary reason for this change stems from the fact that many teachers use multiple classrooms and do not have a centralized place to monitor voicemails.  

IACS School Nutrition Program:  

October Breakfast & Lunch Menu has been posted. Click HERE to place your order. For more information about the IACS breakfast & lunch visit IACS School Meals  or email kdrake@innovationcharter.org​

IACS Drama News

Join us for the middle and high school production of the Broadway musical FOOTLOOSE! Details and ticket order forms can be found at the main office and here: https://www.innovationcharter.org/theater

We are looking for adult volunteers to help with Footloose! If you think you could help in any of these areas: publicity, set creation, tech, refreshments, hair and make-up, house management, chaperoning rehearsals and backstage during productions, costuming, prop management, and just about anything else – please contact rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org . Thank you!

Mark your Calendars!

Our Winter Middle School Acting Workshop is coming and will run on 1/2 Day Wednesdays. More information is coming here: https://www.innovationcharter.org/theater

High School Winter Production Auditions will be on Tuesday, November 24, 3:00-5:30. All you need is an audition agreement form. These are available at the main office and https://www.innovationcharter.org/theater

Middle School News

5th and 6th grade students experience a day in the life of a colonist at Plimoth Plantation.

Book Fair: The Book Fair that was previously scheduled for next week will run the week of 11/9. Details about the schedule will be shared as the date approaches.

Middle School Picture Day: Middle School Picture Day is coming up on Friday, October 23rd. Your child was given an order form in advisory to bring home. Extra copies are available in the main office. Please send it in with your child on 10/23 if you would like to order photos.

5th and 6th grade Welcome Breakfast: 5th and 6th grade families are invited to join us at breakfast on Friday, October 30th from 8 – 9 am. This is an opportunity to meet other students and families associated with your child’s advisory.

Middle School Parent-Principal Advisory Council: We’re still looking for a few more parent/guardians to join the Middle School Parent-Principal Advisory Council. We will meet five Tuesdays a year from 7:15-8:00 am in the morning. This year the council will be meeting on 10/27, 12/8, 2/9, 4/12, and 5/24. Parents that are selected would be asked to commit to the council for one year. The purpose of the council is to assist in developing short and long-term goals for the school and to provide input and feedback. Please email Melissa Kapeckas if you are interested in joining by 10/23/2015.

Middle School Dance Socials:

We are still in need of food/drink donations for both of these dances.  If you’re looking for suggestions an easy place to start would be: 100 calorie packs of snacks, rice crispy treats, 100% fruit juice boxes, bottled waters, small bags of fruits or veggies.

Sign Up for the Garden Club

Sign Up for Literary Magazine

Sign Up for MS Yearbook Committee

High School News

Click the blue link for the full text…

Progress Reports

Grades for the first round of progress reports this semester will close on Friday, October 16th. I anticipate the reports will be published to the Aspen portal Tuesday night and students will receive a hard copy on Wednesday during advisory.

NHS Request

The IACS National Honor Society is making fleece tie blankets for homeless veterans in Lowell, on October 22nd, and is in need of material. If you would like to donate to our project, fleece should be no smaller than 2 yards and we welcome any color or pattern. Material may be dropped off at the Main Office by October 22nd, at 3pm, in bags labeled NHS. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity!