IACS Hawk
Week ending August 14, 2020
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Dear IACS Community,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and that you're all able to enjoy what appears to be some milder weather this weekend.
Before the August 4th online virtual Town Hall regarding our reopening plan, we collected hundreds of questions. While we tried to capture big themes in that meeting, we also wanted to respond to the fuller list of questions we received. They are compiled here in this Reopening Town Hall FAQ. This document is organized by theme and we hope you find it useful.
On a separate note, I want to send a special (and belated) congratulations to the Class of 2020 who celebrated their high school graduation on August 1st. It was a warm and cloudless Saturday morning (our turf field felt pretty hot by 10 am!) and while we had to modify traditions of our normal graduation, watching our students walk across the stage to collect their diploma brought great pride to everyone in attendance. Good luck Class of 2020!
In partnership,
Greg Orpren
Head of School
All School News
In case you missed it:
Click here to see the slides from the Virtual Town Hall
Do you have ideas about reopening that you'd like to share? Click here to share your ideas.
Links to previous editions of the Hawk:
IACS Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, August 17th @ 6:30 pm
Virtual Meeting on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89075573146
Meeting ID: 890 7557 3146
Passcode: U0Q1i7
Per the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, public boards may allow time for public comment, as permitted by the chair. Those wishing to make public comment at an IACS Board Meeting should submit requests for comment to bot@innovationcharter.org at least 24 hours prior to the start of the scheduled meeting. Please provide as much detail as possible when submitting requests.
Is your family new to the school? Would it help to talk with another IACS parent about their experience? A few of our IACA (Innovation Academy Community Association) parents have volunteered to help answer questions that you may have.
Parent Mentors:
- Fran fmb0427@verizon.net
- Jess 4jessicaf@gmail.com
- Kelly Kellyfrawleyash@gmail.com
- Jo Anne jsfrazier@gmail.com
Please keep in mind these are parents just like you and they won't have answers to questions about school re-opening but will direct you to the right person at the school if it's something they don't have the answer to.
Mask Practice and free, local Covid-19 testing
Thank you in advance for helping students to prepare for wearing masks when they return to school. Please ensure your child has a mask that fits properly and one that they feel comfortable in. Please talk with them about the importance of wearing a mask, how to safely take it on and off, and practice wearing it for stretches. While there will be mask breaks at school, it’s important that students are accustomed to wearing them. Here is a helpful video that shows how to safely put on and remove a mask. These steps will be followed when at school so now is a good time to get in some practice. In addition, you may find this poster helpful.
Lastly, please be reminded that for the next few weeks, there is free, local testing for Covid-19. Two tests sites in Lowell are offering free tests to anyone that would like to be tested, you do not have to have any symptoms. You can find more information about local testing at Stop the Spread . You do not have to be a resident of Lowell to obtain a test.
Emergency Forms - Please submit!
Please be sure to return your medical (Emergency info) form as soon as possible, Drop off at the main office between 8am-3pm or Send to IACS, 72 Tyng Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879.
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.
Middle School News
Click here for the 7/8 Supplies list
Have you picked up your pre-purchased year book yet? Please stop by the front office to retrieve it between 8am-3pm.
Any questions contact Ms. Pakala at rpakala@innovationcharter.org
High School News
While we don't typically give a supplies list for High School. This list might be a useful place to start. Please be aware that teachers may have specific items that are needed for that class and will notify students during the first week of school.
Our school has a BYOD, (Bring Your Own Device) program, and there is more info about that here. Please know that if you do not have a device, we do have chromebooks available to lend for anyone who needs one.
HS Yearbooks
If you haven't picked up your high school yearbook yet, you can get it at the main office Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. Please contact Mr Macdonald if you have any questions: tmacdonald@innovationcharter.org
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).
Congrats to the Class of 2020!
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
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