Ipswich Middle School
December 2, 2022
Ipswich Middle School
Sean Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal
Our mission is to create a nurturing community where students are encouraged to develop confidence as lifelong learners with the awareness and flexibility necessary to adapt to a changing world. We strive to bring out the best in every student and adult in our learning community.
Email: kmcmahon@ipsk12.net
Website: www.ipsk12.net
Location: 130 High Street, Ipswich, MA
Phone: (978)356-3535
December
How is it that December always sneaks up on me?
Trimester one grades closed today. Teachers have been working with students to complete any missing work. Report cards should be posted in Aspen next Friday. We do not print paper copies until the end of the school year. If you have trouble viewing your child's report card, give us a call. We're here to help.
Did you see Shrek Jr? The show was so amazing, I saw it twice! The singing, dancing, acting, sets, music and costumes combined to make for an entertaining show. Our students are incredibly talented as well as dedicated. Each year, I think they can't top the last performance and somehow they do.
Last month, the IMS community collected 1,300 food items for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for Open Pantry! Such a message of compassion and care during the holiday season.
Katie Greer spoke to the students about internet safety and use. Mrs. Gregory, Digital Learning Specialist, and Mrs. Chang, Librarian, have followed up on those themes with grade level lessons on balancing your screen time with other activities. Please monitor and restrict your child's screen time as well as help them seek a balance between screen time and other activities. Did you know that you must be 13 years old to have social media accounts? Do you know how many of our students under the age of 13 have these accounts?
Author Norah Dooley was also at IMS this past month. She spoke to each grade level about her life as a writer and gave tips for the all writers. Thank you to Mrs. Chang who wrote a grant to fund this opportunity and coordinated the visit.
School Building
This was a major issue at the performance of Shrek Jr. It was reported to me that some unsupervised middle school students were disruptive during the play and were reported to be in the high school gym and locker room without permission. This is a safety issue.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Thank you for your support of the 2022 Thanksgiving Food Drive! On Tuesday 11/22, Open Door picked up this year's donations. We collected 1,300 items to be donated to Open Door and the Ipswich Community Food Pantry.
The final tallies are in...
- In 3rd place, Grade 7 with 524 points.
- In 2nd place, Grade 6 with 845 points.
- In 1st place, Grade 8 with 875 points!
Grade 6 kept the lead until the very end and narrowly lost to the repeat Food Drive Champs in the Class of 2027!
Thank you to all families who contributed!
Kindness Club
Washington/Philadelphia Trip Registration Reminder
Grade 6 Ecology School Registration Packet
For those parents/guardians who missed the Ecology School Information Night, I have included the registration packet here: 2023 Ecology School Registration Information packet
Please register your child by Monday, 12/5.
You can also find information on the Ecology School by visiting their website at:
Jingle Bell Walk
The high school Interact Club are sponsoring the annual Jingle Bell Walk on Saturday, December 10th from 11A.M to 2 P.M at the Ipswich Town Hall. There will be raffles, games, food, and Santa! Unwrapped gifts can be donated to Toys for Tots in the middle school lobby.
IMS Thrift Shop & Personal Care Closet
The IMS Thrift Shop, Mannie's Closet, is now available for students between the grade 6 and 7 pods. All items have been donated and are free to any student. We also have a Personal Care Closet available in the Nurses' Office which is fully stocked with toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, feminine products, and more!
No Place For Hate Initiative
Student Leadership Opportunity - This year, as part of our ongoing work to make the Ipswich Public Schools more inclusive, we are participating in "No Place for Hate," a program supported by the Anti-Defamation League. This is a climate-improvement program that builds student leadership through engaging students and staff at all levels in age-appropriate projects and discussions around different forms of bias so that we continue to build a sense of belonging for all. It will support us in our efforts to provide a positive school climate for all learners, and to support diversity, equity and inclusion in all our schools.
To become a No Place For Hate School, the middle school based DEI team will be asking all students and staff to sign the No Place For Hate Pledge and engage in three school-wide initiatives aimed at engaging students in dialogue around the topics of identity, anti-bullying, diversity, equity and inclusion. Signing the pledge is not required but encouraged as we strive to spread the message regarding No Place For Hate. Up to this point, Mr. Fitz and Ms. Stewart have been working with a small group of eighth grade students, laying the groundwork for this year-long project. We are now in search of students at all grade levels to join our committee and assist in the planning and leadership of this initiative. If your child is interested in joining the committee, please fill out this quick Google Form to indicate your interest, we will also include this message in the morning announcements and students can sign up in the main office. No Place For Hate Sign Up
If you would like to learn more about the No Place For Hate program or read the pledge, please explore the links below: No Place For Hate Video and No Place For Hate Pledge
Upcoming Important Dates
Friday, 12/2, Trimester One Grades Close
Friday, 12/9, Trimester One Report Cards
Friday, 12/9, Essex Tech presentation to grades 7 and 8
Thursday, 12/8 at 7:00 p.m., Choral Concert
Monday, 12/12 at 7:00 p.m. Instrumental Concert
Tuesday, 12/13 at 6:30, School Council Meeting
Thursday, 12/15, Grade 8 tour of Whittier Vocational School
Wednesday, 12/21, Grade 6 to North Shore Music Theater
Thursday, 12/22, Grade 7 to Chamber Theater for Edgar Allan Poe
December 26-30 and Monday, 1/2, No School - Holiday Break