IACS Hawk
Week ending July 31, 2020
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Dear IACS Community,
As we begin the 25th year of our school's history, I don't think there's ever been a time when our IACS Outcomes have been put to the test like this. Planning for our return to school has required an extraordinary amount of Self-Direction, Problem Solving, and Effective Communication. And while all of our IACS Outcomes are important, at this moment Community Membership may stand above the other three. In that light, the essential question I keep returning to is: How can we best take care of each other in this unprecedented time? Of course there is no "right answer" because so many needs often feel at odds with one another. Nevertheless we must press forward into these unknown times with courage and the commitment to take care of each other.
With that in mind, I'm sharing with you the initial draft of our Fall Reopening Plan. At your earliest convenience, please take some time to read the plan in its entirety as it contains explanations of guiding principles, recommendations, and reasons for those recommendations. To briefly address the key information you're probably most eager to learn, this plan recommends that:
IACS will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, September 14th with most students learning remotely, while students who have specific learning needs or are in most need of school resources will return to campus for portions of the week to receive in-person instruction.
IACS will implement a remote learning plan that will offer all students the greatest opportunity to interact synchronously with teachers at the same frequency as "pre-COVID" times.
IACS will use a wide range of metrics (listed in the plan) to determine how to bring additional students and staff onto campus for hybrid or in-person learning. The first point of assessment will be Friday, October 16th.
After reading the Fall Reopening Plan, please take a few minutes to complete a brief, but very important survey, which will ask for feedback about the plan and also allow you to submit questions for the Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:30 pm. In order for us to organize questions ahead of time, please submit questions 24 hours in advance (Monday 6:30 pm).
As a reminder there are two important virtual events next week.
1) Virtual Town Hall
(Presentation of plan and answering community questions submitted in the survey)
Tuesday, August 4th at 6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88992984855
Meeting ID: 889 9298 4855
Passcode: vSXa7Q
2) IACS Board of Trustees Meeting on Reopening
(Public comment and Board review and vote on the plan)
Thursday, August 6th @ 6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82199256137
Meeting ID: 821 9925 6137
Passcode: 2X0hm7
Thank you for taking time to read the plan and completing the survey.
In partnership,
Greg Orpen
Head of School
All School News
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.
Internships
Are you interested in mentoring an IACS intern for a few hours a week? Would your company/organization like some free help, a motivated learner, one who is well versed in community membership, self direction, problem solving and effective communication? Would it be beneficial to have a student complete some work remotely for your company?
We are looking for mentors and welcome ideas for the 2020-2021 academic year.
If you are interested in being a part of an IACS student(s) journey to finding his/her career path by way of an internship or would like to learn more, please reach out to Shannon Morocco (smorocco@innovationcharter.org).
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.
Middle School News
Have you picked up your pre-purchased year book yet? Please stop by the front office to retrieve it between 8am-3pm. It is not too late to set up digital signing if you have not done so already. To find out how to do so, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKUWyuczG4c&feature=youtu.be.
Any questions contact Ms. Pakala at rpakala@innovationcharter.org
High School News
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).
Graduation
Graduation is planned for Saturday, August 1st at 10am. Details have been sent to families of Seniors. 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.
Athletics News
HS Boys Soccer
Hello IACS, as captains of the IACS boy’s 2020 soccer team the captains, Jack and Diego have some information regarding workouts and other news related to the upcoming soccer season. As of right now, the idea of training in person is very limited and we think it is best for everyone to work out on their own at the moment. As requested by Coach Capone the team should be exercising 1 hour every three days meaning that each player should exercise for 2 hours a week. At least 30 minutes of those two hours should be conditioning. If you are having trouble figuring out what to do look at the workout schedule for some guidelines. If you have any questions email Diego at diego.goodrich@innovationcharter.org or Jack at john.panilaitis@innovationcharter.org. We are excited about the upcoming season and hope that we can get together and practice in groups on the field soon.
Best,
Diego and Jack (Class of 2021)
HS Girls Soccer
Hello IACS Community! As the captains of the Girls Varsity soccer team for 2020, Taylor and Hope wanted to take the time to share some important information about captains' practices for this summer.
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. We are proud to be writing this message as we prepare for our first official season in the CAC League! Due to social distancing guidelines, we are currently going to keep all conditioning virtual. Although this is sad and difficult, we want to make sure we are making decisions that give us the best chance of having a season come the fall. We have our fingers crossed that we may be able to get together in small groups later on in the summer, and we will keep the team updated!
Students and families, please view this document that Taylor and Hope created which will hopefully help give everyone an idea of what our goals are for each age group this summer.
If you are a new high schooler at IACS or are a current high schooler who is interested in learning more about the soccer team, please reach out to either captain at their IACS emails hope.coleman-plourde@innovationcharter.org or taylor.scanlon@innovationcharter.org. If you are the parent of a rising freshman who is interested in playing soccer and they haven’t been receiving texts/emails from us, please let us know that as well! We are so excited to get to meet prospective players!
Thank you to the student-athletes and parents for your support during these times where we are all being challenged to learn and adapt. We are grateful to have this community to support our team, the athletic program, and our school through it all.
Best,
Taylor and Hope (Class of 2021)
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