IHS IB Notes
February 2024
Exciting news!
Our amazing Inderkum IB Committee, led by Nancy Kong-Vasquez, has shaken up the plans for the IB Gala and will roll out a new format with a Casino Night to be held at the brand new Hyatt House Natomas on April 20! With all the games, prizes, auctions and dancing, we think everyone will find something fun to do. Remember that this is the one big fundraiser which supports scholarships, college trips, social events and teacher recognition. So come have a fun night (just for adults) and meet other Inderkum IB supporters! You can use the QR code or click directly on the picture to access the ticket site. (Remember that you can enlarge your screen view to read all the details.)
If you would like to ask questions, help with the gala, donate for the auction, and/or join the IB Committee, please email.
Let's go to SoCal!
The other big announcement is that we have narrowed down dates for the summer college tour! Once again, we will stay in the UCLA dorms and visit at least 5 campuses during the 4-day/3-night trip either the week of June 24 or July 15. Obviously I still have to work out details, but expect that we will have two charter buses with room for at least 105 students, plus chaperones. While the trip isn't free, it's generously subsidized by the IB Committee. Any students in the Classes of 2025-2028 who are enrolled in Scholars or DP classes will be eligible, though older students will have the first opportunity to reserve their seats. I'll let you know when itinerary details and the pricing are set.
Socks for Legs
IB Diploma Candidate Nana's CAS Project is to educate people about the need for artificial limbs and to raise enough funds to supply a leg for a child in need. You can help by purchasing some funky socks. I'm still enjoying the ones I purchased 4 years ago and look forward to having more. Check out Nana's video and then take a look at all the designs on her webstore. You can have the socks shipped to Inderkum at no cost or pay for delivery direct to your home.
Reminders & Opportunities
Completing the FAFSA
If you're a senior and somehow have not done the FAFSA (or related applications) yet, see Ms. Ana right away! The FAFSA is the essential first step to getting financial aid for college. I know it's been in the news a lot recently because of various problems with the change to the new format. However, don't let those stories deter you. You'll need to do it for every year that you're in college, and hopefully all the issues will be solved soon.
SAT and Other Testing
Juniors have an opportunity to take the SAT on March 20, courtesy of NUSD. SIgn-ups have closed, but I hope that all the IB juniors will be present. For all of you planning ahead, it's true that the SAT (or ACT) is less of a necessity now. UCs and CSUs continue to be "test blind" and many other universities are either in this category or "test optional" for applicants. However, some universities never stopped requiring scores and others have resumed their requirements. Occasionally scholarships or summer programs request your scores. You should at least give it a try to keep your options open. That includes taking the PSAT in the fall of 10th and again in 11th for practice (also courtesy of NUSD). Students may sign up on their own for Saturday SAT and ACT dates if they wish. Your counselor, Ms. Ana and I can help you decide whether you should do so. Some may qualify for fee waivers; see our counseling secretary Ms. Tisha for details.
Those who plan to put in some study time should begin with their College Board accounts. Linking your PSAT results to Khan Academy will result in more focused practice questions. While you're on the CB website, also check the BigFuture Scholarship page. You earn entries for their substantial prize drawings by taking the steps toward college that our counselors advise you to do.
UC Davis Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference
Ms. Ana sent out a message via Square last week. The district will provide transportation for this event on Saturday, March 16. It's a free college and career motivational event. An electronic permission slip was included on the message or you can get a paper slip from the envelope outside her office (A106). The deadline to complete the permission slips by March 8, 2024. Space is limited so complete your permission slip as soon as possible.
NUSD Multicultural Festival
The first districtwide Annual Multicultural Festival will be on Saturday, April 13, from 10:00 - 1:00. This is a free event open to everyone in the community. It's going to be a fun-filled day with activities, delicious cultural foods, entertainment, book signing with children's authors, and education on the cultures that make Natomas Unified the most diverse district in the state and 2nd in the nation!
The organizers are looking for students and adults to perform, participate in a fashion show, help with food and more! Click on the flyer to access the information page with signup links.
Yearbook
Did you know this is Inderkum's 20th year with students? I've been here for 19 of them. In case you haven't heard, yearbooks may be purchased online (only). Every year some students are disappointed because they waited too long. Our school code is 21636.
Be a Camp Counselor
Junior Lilah continues to volunteer for Camp Nefesh and hopes some of you will join her. This is a free, non-profit, teen-run, summer day camp for new youth arrivals to the U.S. Most positions at the camp consist of working with kids. Camp Nefesh will be fully in-person, June 17-21 and 24-28, at Congregation B’nai Israel in Land Park. Those who would like to volunteer need to apply and send a resume. Applications are due by March 31st, 2024. Learn more and find the application link here. They're even hosting a virtual resume/interview workshop.
Joey's Food Locker
Joey's Food Locker, located on the Natomas HS campus, needs more helpers. They are looking for people on Thursdays, 3:30-4:30 (prepping) and Fridays, 4:00-5:30 (distribution). You can access their sign-up form through the QR code or email Community Resource/Outreach Specialist Osvaldo Ortiz. If your family is in need of food, please reach out to Mr. Ortiz and/or let an adult at Inderkum know.
Science Fair
The Sacramento Regional STEM Fair happens on March 23. If you've never participated in an event like this, you can read more about the process and perhaps attend to see what sorts of projects get entered. I *think* it will be held at the main ARC campus, but so far I haven't found the location on their website. If any of you want more inspiration about what competing in a STEM fair can be, Science Fair: The Series, which can be seen on Disney+, was fabulous! However, remember that most who enter are doing something more simple than these top entrants who are vying for the international competition.
Summer Programs
Please note that no summer program is going to guarantee that you get into a certain college, even if it's held on that campus. Sometimes they are private programs just renting the space. Many of them are quite expensive, though they may have some scholarship opportunities. Here are a few programs where you might further explore your interests. There are many valuable ways to spend a summer which don't include more classes, too.
ARC
Quite a few of our students opt to take a summer course through ARC or another of the local community colleges. While offerings on our campus are limited, there are LOTS more to choose from across the locations, either in-person or virtual. Cost for these courses is almost nothing as you will be considered "dual enrolled," with the course counting both for Inderkum and college credit. For more information, check this page on our counseling website. You should start pretty soon as it takes some time to complete all the steps. I believe actual registration for summer courses begins near the end of March.
Summer Youth Academies at Sac State
They offer a wide range of courses, usually a week long, mostly in-person. Courses are led by faculty and industry experts. Some are open to grades 7-10 and others for grades 9-12. Some scholarships are available; see link on site. Since this is not a residential program, it's more affordable than most of the others listed here.
EPIC at Cal Poly
Engineering Possibilities in College is a long-time summer program in San Luis Obispo. They offer several summer sessions with multiple themes. "Participants learn about the fields of engineering through hands-on labs taught by university professors and industry professionals. They will have the opportunity to design, build, and test their own engineering project!" There is a fee, with some scholarships available.
Neubauer Phoenix at University of Chicago
"The Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Program offers the opportunity for outstanding students of all backgrounds who value diversity of thought and experience with an interest in STEM-related areas. Students selected... will gain invaluable skills by participating in a hybrid program that combines a virtual mathematics course hosted by schoolhouse.world, followed by spending one week on the UChicago campus." This one is open to current 11th graders, and all costs are covered! A variety of other summer programs on their campus are linked on that page.
CASTrips to Peru or Scotland
CASTrips is one of the many educational travel groups, but they always have service and/or learning components related to IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). This summer they are doing service focused trips to Peru and a Global Student Conference in Scotland which will focus on water issues. Yes, there are fees for participation and travel. Usually they have teachers supervising the students.
LYNX Arts and Media Camps at Colorado University Denver
"The LYNX National Arts and Media Camps are summer immersion programs for high school students interested in the arts and music. The camps are hosted on the University of Colorado Denver campus and ... designed to provide students with an educational preview of the college programs offered in the College of Arts & Media while also providing students with an inspiring and memorable summer camp experience." A couple of Inderkum students have done these in the past and found them great. Again, there is a fee but also some scholarships available.
PREFACE at RPI
"PREFACE...(is) for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering or technology who are part of groups that have been historically underrepresented or underserved in science, engineering, and other technological fields. The 2024 theme will explore the promises and challenges around nuclear energy. (They) will lead students on a deep dive into the disciplines of nuclear science, engineering, power generation, sustainability, and social science to help solve the nuclear waste puzzle." I'm aware of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, near Albany, NY, because it was my daughter's university. This is an expensive opportunity, but some scholarships are available. Open to current 10th & 11th.
More???
There are so many other summer opportunities; if you'd like to recommend one that you've participated in previously, please let me know!