IACS Hawk Distance Edition
Week ending July 3, 2020
Dear IACS Community,
Our return to school teams continue to plan in September and as part of that work, we're asking families to complete another survey. Please know that we are pouring over family survey data that we already collected, state guidelines, and best practices from across the country (and even in other countries) to help us make the best decisions possible when we create "in person", hybrid, and virtual models that must be submitted to the state in August. Before jumping into this week's survey, I think it would be helpful to review some relevant information:
Barring a major medical breakthrough this summer, a best case scenario public health landscape for Massachusetts is that things don't get worse between now and September 1st. As you know, many other states are experiencing surges in COVID-19 infection rates, and we all hope that another surge doesn't come our way. When answering survey questions, let's assume that Massachusetts is still making effective progress preventing the coronavirus spread.
The DESE guidelines clearly state that all public schools in MA will require students and staff to wear masks. Data from MA residential school programs in operation this spring support the effectiveness of mask wearing and students in these high need programs made that transition better than expected.
Most activities that occur during a school day will feel different in all schools, not just IACS. Lunch programming will occur in small groups. Assemblies will need to be virtual. Movement within the building- both in classrooms and in common spaces- will be much more controlled.
Any Distance Learning Plans for next year will look different from last spring. Expectations for students will be more formalized: all courses will be graded, synchronous (real time) instruction will play a greater role, and attendance will be taken.
In the event that we open school using an "in person" or hybrid model, students who have documented medical conditions that put them at high-risk will be eligible to participate in a full-time Distance Learning Plan.
I mention these expectations as a preamble to the survey in the spirit of being transparent. Moving forward will present inconveniences, but we'll adapt and grow. In fact, I feel inspired that as a community that's always thought about reimagining education, we are particularly well equipped to engage in the work ahead.
If possible, PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY by 5 pm, Tuesday July 7th so that we can review in planning teams next week.
Happy 4th of July Weekend!
In partnership,
Greg Orpen
Head of School
All School News
Immunization Updates From the Health Office
Hello from the health office staff! During these unsettled times we encourage families to continue to reach out to coordinate well-child care and immunizations with their pediatricians; maintaining overall general health must be a priority.
As we prepare to welcome students back to school for next year, we would like to remind families of the following statewide immunization regulations for school attendance:
Students entering Grade 7 must show proof of having a Tdap vaccine prior to school entry
Starting with the 2020-21 school year, all students entering Grades 7 and 11 will also need to show proof of having received the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, MenACWY (brand names Menveo or Menactra) for school entry.
Please send updated immunization records to the Health Office as soon as possible. You can mail updated records to the IACS Health Office or you can email the records to healthoffice@innovationcharter.org.
Thank you in advance for helping us maintain a healthy school environment for all community members.
IACS Health Office Staff
New Summer Hours at IACS: Our main office will be open Monday through Friday, 8 am until 3pm. If families have any school items to return (books, Chromebooks, uniforms, paperwork, etc.), you may come during those windows of time. While sending an email in advance (mainoffice@innovationcharter.org) is helpful, no appointments are required.
If you are a new family to the IACS Community
Please be sure to send us a copy of your student’s current report card so we can place them in the correct math classes for the fall.
Attn: Admissions
Also, Please inform your child’s former school that they will not be returning in the fall.
We will request student records over the summer.
If you are a returning student please be sure to return your medical (Emergency info) form as soon as possible, You should be receiving one in the mail soon.
Please return Chromebooks
In an effort to prepare for the coming year, we ask that you please return any Chromebook and charger that you may have borrowed to the school during the Summer hours.(M-F 8am -3 pm). If you need to use the computer to complete summer work please contact Mrs Landis (hlandis@innovationcharter.org) and she will make a note so that you do not receive a bill. Thank you for your help with this. If you have already communicated with her, you do not need to do so again. Happy Summer!
Middle School News
MS Virtual Art Show
Semester 2 Art students were given the option of sharing work via a MS Virtual Art Show
Take a look and celebrate what our awesome IACS artists did this spring! Thanks to Ms. Shaby for putting it together for the community to view! If you’d like to add your art work, please email Ms. Shaby.
Summer Packets
Students have a summer packet with ELA and Math practice. Students will be sent invitations to 2 summer packet Google Classrooms (one for ELA and one for math). There are also on our website here: https://www.innovationcharter.org/middle-school/ along with our school supply list.
Semester 2 Assessments (report cards) were recently published to our Student and Family Portal. Please reach out to the main office at mainoffice@innovationcharter.org if you need assistance with your user name and password.
High School News
HS Yearbooks
The yearbooks are scheduled to come in next week and we'll be organizing a pickup date soon. We plan to have a pickup table outside the main entrance (due to the reduced chances of COVID transmission outside). Mr Macdonald will be wearing a mask and gloves to distribute them; please wear a mask when picking them up, and if there is a line, please practice social distancing.
Only people who have bought yearbooks in advance can pick them up; there will be no in-person sales. Please let Mr Macdonald know if you have any questions, his email is tmacdonald@innovationcharter.org
Special Note to our newest Alumni
Dear graduates and parents of the Class of 2020,
Congratulations on the completion of your years at IACS! We are going to miss you! One of the long-term focus areas for IACS is to build our alumni structures. To assist with this, we are asking our graduates to voluntarily share their personal emails and cell phone numbers so we can stay connected and share exciting updates occurring at IACS. Thank you to those who have already done so! To share your contact information, please complete this quick and easy form. Feel reach to reach out to Ms. Morocco (smorocco@innovationcharter.org) with any questions or concerns.
Work Permits
Students needing a work permit need to fill out this work application. Your employer might give you a copy at your interview. Once completed, email a copy to Crystal McKiel, cmckiel@innovationcharter.org or Steph Kelly, skelly@innovationcharter.org. MS students should email Mr. Pereyra, fpereyra@innovationcharter.org. We will issue a work permit to you. While we do work over the Summer there are reduced hours so please allow us 3 business days to process your permit. Employers fill out and sign the first page, and parents and students must also sign the second page (pediatricians must sign the second page for students who are 14 or 15 years old).
Final Report Cards
Report Cards will be published to Family Portal’s on Monday, June 29th. Please contact Crystal McKiel or the mainoffice if you need assistance with your login/password.
Credit Recovery Classes
Students that failed a class this year but had an average grade higher than a 50 will be able to take an abbreviated online course to recover credits via Educere. Dr. Arnold will reach out to eligible students and families with more information once report cards have been released at the end of June.
Graduation
Graduation is planned for Saturday, August 1st at 11am. More specific details will be sent in July. Only immediate family of graduates (max of 4 guests per graduate) can be on campus to attend the ceremony and must register before the ceremony to be allowed in. The deadline to register is Monday, July 27th, 2020. The registration link is here.
Athletics News
Summer Training Plans
Please see below for summer training plans for high school girls soccer and high school cross country. Any athletes with questions about either plan are encouraged to contact the appropriate head coach (girls soccer, Bruce Cottle, bcottle@innovationcharter.org and cross country, Kyle Thornton, kthornton@innovationcharter.org).
Cross Country Beginner Training Plan
IACA News
Please mark your calendar to join us for our next Meet & Greet
July 15
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84273082044?pwd=QWhaMzc2WDlqZmdOaCt4a21vMWtTZz09
Meeting ID: 842 7308 2044
Password: 860585
Innovation Academy Charter School
Email: mainoffice@innovationcharter.org
Website: www.innovationhcharter.org
Location: 72 Tyng Road, Tyngsborough, MA, United States
Phone: 978-649-0432
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IACStyngsborough/
Twitter: @iacharterschool