“What’s well begun is half done.” – Horace
Dear IACS Community,
Welcome back! While we only had three days with students, we managed to pack in a full week’s worth of activity. Yesterday after school I briefly addressed our faculty and staff to extend my thanks for starting the year on a tone that felt both energetic and well-organized. This culture starts with dynamic teachers in the classroom and that work is supported by our dedicated administrators and operations staff.
I’d like to extend that same thanks to IACS students and families for coming back to school not just ready to learn, but to engage with the broader community. For those who are new to IACS, I sincerely hope you feel comfortable reaching out to the school for questions big and small. If you’re not sure who to ask, reach out to me directly and I’d be happy to answer your questions directly or connect you with the right person.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and we’ll see you Tuesday.
In partnership,
Greg Orpen
Head of School
Important Dates
Sept 4 - No School - Labor Day weekend
Sept 6 - Early Release Wed
Sept 12 - Substitute Teacher Training 8:15am-9:15am
Sept 13 - Early Release Wed
Sept 14 - Middle School Back to School night 6:30pm-8:30pm
Sept 14 - High School Picture Day
Sept 14 - HS Honors Form declaration deadline 3:00pm
Sept 18 - Board of Trustees Meeting 6:30pm
Sept 20 - Early Release Wed
Sept 25 - Substitute Teacher Training 8:15am-9:15 am
Sept 26 - High School Back to School night
Sept 27 - High School Internships begin
Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Dismissal Reminders: As a school with a large numbers students arriving by car, we’d like to send a few reminders:
- Morning Drop Off : When dropping off on the middle school side, please make sure to drive all the way down to the stop sign near the track & field. This allows the maximum number of cars into the parking lot and off of the street.
- Afternoon Dismissals & Pick Up: Please send in notes with your children or call the main office ahead of time if you are dismissing your child between 2:15 and 3:00. Having advanced notice also allows the front desk to communicate with teachers so dismissals can be better managed.
Lastly, we want to maintain our status as “good neighbors” with everyone on Tyng Road. To that end, please be sure to honor the posted speed limits- yes even on those days when you’re running late! As families who often drive will attest, it is common for the Tyngsboro Police Department to monitor traffic during peak hours. Thanks for keeping the community safe.
IACS School Nutrition Program: The September Breakfast & Lunch Menu is posted here. To better serve IACS families, an innovative point of sale (POS) system, specifically designed for school nutrition programs, is being implemented this year. This eliminates the need to pre-order meals. More information can be found on our website: IACS School Nutrition Program. Contact Karen Drake kdrake@innovationcharter.org if you have any questions about the School Nutrition Program.
New Carpool Sign-Up Form: Interested in setting up a carpool for next year? We’ve created a new Carpool Flyer for you to view. The new process works as follows:
Click on the link found on the flyer to enter your contact information and street address. Remember, data you share on this form will become shared with everyone else interested in carpooling.
Once you’ve submitted data you will receive an automated email that gives you access to two items: a spreadsheet of names and an interactive map that allows you to see who lives near you and their contact information. Both of these documents will automatically update every time someone new enters their data.
Substitute Teacher Training: If you are interested in substitute teaching at IACS this year, we are holding trainings on Tuesday, 9/12 and Monday, 9/25 at 8:15 am. Come to either training to learn more about substitute teacher training and to complete paperwork to get started. We are lucky to have many caring IACS parents in our substitute teaching pool.
Athletics
This is a reminder that if you are interested in a fall sport (cross country, soccer, or volleyball) to please hand in all paperwork by Tuesday September 5th. All kids (grades 5-8) are more than welcome to join and there will be a spot on any team for all athletes who are interested. Feel free to email over any paperwork as you complete it. Please email iacsathletics@innovationcharter.org with any questions or concerns.
Coaches:
Girls Soccer - Head Coach: Darin Leedberg
Boys Soccer - Head Coach: Ray O'Donnell
Varsity Volleyball - Head Coach: Debi Rogers
JV Volleyball - Head Coach: Dave Maier
Cross Country - Head Coach: Shannon Talbot and Assistant Coach: Kelly Kyles
Back to School Night: Middle School Back to School Night is Thursday, September 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm. Mark your calendars! Come meet your child’s teachers and follow a modified version of their day to hear more about the curriculum.
Middle School Band: Band meets twice a week after school from 3 - 4:30. There are two band groups: beginner band, which is for students who have never played their instrument/read music before, and meets on Mondays and Thursdays; and advanced band, which is for students who have played their instrument for at least a year, and meets on Tuesdays and Fridays. Band instruments include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. To sign up, come see Ms. Destramp in room 510, or have your family email her at jdestramp@innovationcharter.org.
Middle School Chorus: The Middle School Chorus is open to all students in grades 5-8 who love to sing! Chorus meets on Half-Day Wednesdays from 12:25 - 1:45 in the Middle School Music Room (510). We do not meet on Full-Day Wednesdays. Students bring a bagged lunch, enjoy lunch together and then we sing! Students are to be picked up in front of Landberg Hall by parents at 1:45. We will be singing music in preparation of our December Concert. Middle School Chorus will start on Wednesday September 13th at 12:25 - 1:45 in the Middle School Music Room with Mrs. Lane.
Middle School Art, Fall Session
Tuesday or Thursday from 3:00 - 4:30
Starts Tuesday, September 12 or Thursday, September 14.
This 8 week open studio session is designed to give students access to a wide variety of materials and tools in the art room in order to create work of their choosing. Available media include drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media sculpture, collage, book making, paper mache, stop motion animation and more! There is a $60 fee for this program. Please fill out the registration form and submit payment by Friday, September 8. Checks can be made out to IACS and submitted to the main office. Please indicate on the check the student's name and "after school art".
Questions about the program or to inquire about a scholarship, please email jshaby@innovationcharter.org.
Volunteer Opportunity: We are arranging volunteers to help take away some of the administrative tasks that teachers need to complete in order to give more time to focus on teaching and learning. If you are interested in making a regular (weekly or biweekly) commitment to help with making photocopies for classes, please contact Sandy Turner at sturner@innovationcharter.org
Mark your Calendars for these Important Dates
Thursday, Sept 14th - School Photo’s
Tuesday, Sept 26th 6-8pm - Back to School Night for Parents
Planners for Sale
“He who fails to plan is planning to fail” Sir Winston Churchill
Start the year off organized! Write down all those projects, assignments and college meetings!
Purchase an IACS planner for $9. (Cash or Check accepted)
See Crystal McKiel in Room 230 during Longpass or speak to your advisor about purchasing one.
Future Driver’s of America Offers Classes at IACS
We are pleased to be able to offer students an opportunity to take the Driver’s Ed class thru Future Driver’s of America at IACS on Wednesday afternoon’s. Classes begin Wednesday, September 27th. Families must register through Future Driver’s of America. Register on-line at http://www.futuredriversofamerica.com/IACS-Page.html
For more information and for the class dates check out the flyer by clicking here.
Did you know that your purchases help to
fund all different kinds of social events for our school community?
We have various events throughout the year- socials, luncheons, our fantastic end-of-year BBQ- we can't do it without your help!
Our Fall Fundraiser is through Yankee Candle - but they offer so much more than candles! Take a peek online at http://www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/store.htm and enter group number 990035230 to start shopping today! Sales end October 13. There is a flyer attached to this edition of the Hawk as well ( see below).
For more information contact Annette Famolare at chickinikki@gmail.com
Bernadette Baird at bbairdkm@yahoo.com
Save the Date!
GREAT fundraising activity this year!
EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH will be a fundraising night for IACS at a local restaurant.
We're hoping to roll out the list of restaurants by next week so that we can start this great community fundraiser right away! Stay tuned for next week's Hawk for a list of local restaurants that we've partnered with.
Innovation Academy Charter School
Email: mainoffice@innovationcharter.org
Website: innovationhcharter.org
Location: 72 Tyng Road, Tyngsborough, MA, United States
Phone: 978-649-0432
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Innovation-Academy-Charter-School/146999015356829
Twitter: @iacharterschool