Innovation Insider

• A Note from Our Principal
• Important Dates
• Coming Up
• Student of The Month
• Spotlight on School Safety
• Staff Spotlight

To our Tiger Family-

As we welcome October, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work our students have been doing through Project-Based Learning (PBL). This month, our classrooms are buzzing with creativity and collaboration as students tackle real-world challenges and engage in meaningful projects.

PBL not only fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but it also encourages teamwork and communication—essential skills for success in today’s world. I’m excited to share that students are currently working on projects that focus on sustainability, community engagement, and innovation. These projects not only connect classroom learning to the world outside but also empower students to take ownership of their education.

We invite you to join us in celebrating their hard work! Look for opportunities to attend project showcases and presentations throughout the year, our first Hexibition being on October 9th. Your support and involvement make a significant difference in our students’ learning experiences.

Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering a vibrant and engaging educational environment. Together, we can inspire our students to think critically and act compassionately.

Cass Thonstad

Principal Innovation Academy

#ChooseInnovation

#InnovationToGraduation

10/9 5-6pm Hexibition for Hex 1

10/10 End of Hex 1

10/11 No School - Inservice Day

10/14 No School - Grading Day

10/18 Picture re-take day

Innovation Online:

10/11 No school - Inservice Day

10/18 Picture re-take day

10/18 Grade 10 & 11 PSAT

10/25 End of First Quarter

9th Grade: Ariannah Kost-Fifield

Ari has taken the film project and run with it. She is working with a group and also working on her own film that she has written a script for.

10th Grade: Alex Vasquez

Alex has come up with a great storyline for his film. Alex has helped keep his group motivated and on task with filming and is doing a great job in class.

11th Grade: Sophia Quintero

Sophia shows remarkable perseverance and is a shining example of student/student and student/teacher communication. She is inclusive and self-motivated.

12th Grade: Rylee Patrick

Rylee has done an amazing job advocating for herself here at IA! She done a wonderful job modeling agency

I have been teaching since 1996. I have taught at elementary, middle and High school levels. I taught Ceramics for 14 years at South Medford high school and was most currently the principal at Roosevelt elementary. I am now teaching art at Innovation academy! I love the collaborative teaching and the amazingly innovative students that we work with. I love working in a project based school!

I have been married to my amazing wife for 28 years. We have a 25 year old daughter and a 22 year old son. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats. I love to work on the potters wheel, mountain bike, tinker with and ride motorcycles and I enjoy snowboarding!

• Safety and Security is a shared value in the Medford School District. In addition to our monthly fire drill, we will participate in the Great Shakeout on October 17th as we practice our Earthquake Drill. Safety is a vital part of our learning community, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions!

If you see or hear anything about school threats, weapons, violence, bullying, drugs, self-harm, or have other school safety suspicions, report it!

CALL OR TEXT 844-4-SAFE-OR (844-472-3367)

EMAIL tip@safeoregon.com

ONLINE safeoregon.com

Email: innovationacademy@medford.k12.or.us
Location: 1321 Center Drive, Medford, OR, USA
Phone: 541-842-3669