IVCMS Families,

Now is the time to review assignments and grades. Our current trimester ends in a few weeks on February 16th. This means the time to retake and resubmit work is running short. Encourage your student to communicate with their teachers to see when there are scheduled test retakes and other opportunities for improving grades. Please do not wait until the end of the grading period to get things turned in.

Our pre-registration process has also begun for all our students. Current 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders have been provided information on the courses available and how to complete the registration process. For current 5th, 6th, 7th grade students that will be at IVCMS during the 2024-2025 school year the pre-registration google forms are due February 9th. For our current 8th graders the James Logan counselors will be meeting and collecting registration forms on March 12th. Please take the time to review the information and discuss what the options that are best for your child.

IVCMS eighth-grade students are in the midst of their next Project Based Learning unit and are analyzing and understanding the U.S. Constitution. During this unit our students are challenged with the task of proposing an amendment to our system of government. On Wednesday, February 28, and Thursday, February 29, eighth-grade students will present their proposals to a panel of "mock" members of the Senate and House of Representatives who will vote to determine if their amendment should pass. Those whose proposal passes will be given an envelope to mail their proposal off to Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler or Representative Eric Swalwell.

Marc Guastavino

Principal

Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School

mguastavino@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Please take some time to review the following important dates and all the information below:

• 2/6/24 - Minimum Day school dismissed at 11:25am
• 2/9/24 - Pre-Registration forms are Due for current 5th, 6th and 7th graders
• 2/16/24 - Trimester Two Grading Period ends
• 2/19/24 - President's Day - No School
• 2/20/24 - Grading Day - No school for students its a teacher work day
• 2/22/24 - IVCMS School Site Council 6:00pm - virtual meeting through Google Meets
• 2/23/24 - School Dance starting at 3pm
• 2/28/24 - 8th grade PBL Constitution Presentations
• 2/29/24 - 8th grade PBL Constitution Presentations
• 3/1/24 - Promotion Picture Day
• 3/1 to 3/5 - English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
• 3/8/24 - Minimum Day school dismissed at 11:25am
• 3/12/24 - Current 8th graders need to have their registration for 9th grade completed

The District African American Advisory (D3A) is a group of parents, community members, and staff whose goal is to create systematic processes to prepare African American students for a required A-G path to college K-12.

This month, we are meeting in person at the District Office, 34200 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City, on Monday, February 5 at 6:00PM.

All year, the D3A has held discussions on the use and weaponization of the n-word in our schools. It is now time to hear from the students!

We are inviting all of you to please invite, encourage, and bring your students, children, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors to the D3A meeting on Monday. Every year, we create a space to host student conversations to hear directly from the children about their experiences in the schools. This year, we will also get their thoughts, feedback, and ideas on the n-word and its use at their schools. Children will be in groups according to grade level to have age-appropriate conversations. Notes will be taken and gathered for input to the district to foster a safer and more enjoyable learning environment for our students. Please let us know how many students are attending to help us plan the meeting agenda accordingly.

Please find the agenda and meeting schedule linked.

February marks the opening of the application period for scholarships available to only New Haven Unified graduating seniors. The D3A sponsors scholarships specifically for Black students through THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Please see the attached flier for details. We encourage ALL Black seniors in the district to apply for these and all other New Haven scholarships. Please spread the word so our students can take full advantage of these scholarship opportunities.

Please bring the Chromebook FULLY charged to school and students should bring their own chargers with them. Please keep in mind that frequently students use their Chromebook for games at lunchtime and the device that was not fully charged has no battery left for the classes after lunch. Teachers do not have enough loaners in the classroom or enough cables for students to be able to charge. The Chromebook is for school work and should be plugged in after homework is finished to make sure it is ready for learning the next morning.

When students are absent, please have students check Canvas first before emailing the teacher to ask what they should do. Teachers take a lot of time to put the daily agendas in Canvas and all assignments are linked and listed. Students should first check there and then if they have questions reach out to their teacher directly.

Trimester Two Grading Period Ends 2/16/24. Please refer to management plans and communicate with your child’s teacher regarding efforts being made to raise low grades. The best way to remain up to date with your child's progress is through Aeries Parent Portal at https://newhavenusd.aeries.net/ and by becoming a parent observer in CANVAS to see the details about assignments. Check out the FAQ link for CANVAS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13GgZpunCJ6PiDaIQMKyQd7OPzpRHfZKluoIp6cphZzY/edit#heading=h.cfxwhwrri682

In NHUSD student who are in 6th grade and higher will be using CANVAS learning system to access most of their assignments. Each teacher will have a CANVAS classroom where schoolwork is assigned. Students can also turn their completed assignments in through the system.

CANVAS is the main tool used by teachers to communicate with families. We encourage all households to become a Parent Observer in the CANVAS system.

Once you become a Parent Observer the system will let you check for updated assignments and due dates. Please follow the attached directions to become a Parent Observer

At this time of year it is common for families to travel to see family. if your family plans to go on vacation or you know your child will miss between 5-14 days, we ask that you request Short Term Independent Study.

Please contact the office at (510) 489-0700 to make an appointment to complete the application process. Appointments and applications must be submitted at least five school days before to your child is absent from school.

There are not any exceptions if this deadline is missed. If a Short Term Independent Study contract is not in place then all absences will follow our attendance guidelines.

For more information about Short Term Independent Study call the office at (510) 489-0700

The Speak Up program is designed to insure IVC is a safe and welcoming campus encouraging students to report any concerns anonymously. Students can report anything from noticing a student is being treated unkindly to a friend who seems extra sad and may need to talk to someone.

We have placed posters with a QR code around campus. The Speak up form is also available on our website under the Counselors’ Corner Tab or using this QR code. Please encourage your student to speak up and help IVC continue to be a place where everyone feels welcomed and finds belonging.

The areas around IVCMS are very congested in the morning with traffic. Our neighbors are trying to go to work themselves. Please be courteous and kind to each other and follow all traffic laws to keep our students safe.

Our staff parking lot is reserved for clerical, custodial, administration and teachers to park and be able to support your child on time. Use the designated Drop Off Zones to help keep the students and staff safe.

We have had a number of concerns brought to our attention about the unsafe behavior of our students from our community neighbors. Parents please make sure your children who walk, roll and ride to school are wearing helmets and following traffic safety laws. Remind them to have their ears and eyes aware of the traffic around them. We want everyone to get to school and back home safe.

Please keep in mind that students cannot receive more than one breakfast or more than one lunch for free each day. If a student would like a second serving, families have an option to add funds connected to the student through https://linqconnect.com/

Below is a flyer with directions on creating an account and a link to the website.

When a student misses school the family is required to report the absence. All absences need to be reported. To report an absence at Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School call (510) 489-0700 option 3 “Report an Absence or email at: ivcattendance@nhusd.k12.ca.us​

PRE ORDER your yearbooks for $35 until April 1, 2024. Pre-orders can be made during

schedule pick up. We take cash or checks made out to IVC. Preorders are also available at

yearbookordercenter.com using code 6046.

8th grade families can also customize dedication ads for your students for $30 until March 1,

2024 on the website!

Families should enroll their children using New Haven's online enrollment application, accessible at newhavenusd.aeries.net/enrollment. More information about enrolling your child is available mynhusd.org. For the 2024-2025 school year, children who are: •Born between September 2, 2019, and June 2, 2020, are age-appropriate for Transitional Kindergarten. •Born between September 2, 2018, and September 1, 2019, are age-appropriate for Kindergarten.