Pioneer Weekly Express
A Publication From the Principal's Desk
Principal's Message
We are also very excited that we can FINALLY announce that we have 2 new faculty members joining us on February 21st. We will welcome a new science teacher (who taught at IA in math previously and did an exceptional job) and a new 21st century teacher. Both are coming to us from Wake County Schools. Both come highly recommended and have a proven record of solid instruction!
Speaking of new---- You may also notice some facility upgrades happening in and around our campus really soon. While there may be some delays with supply chain management, soon-- we will be getting 1) New Cafeteria Tables 2) New windows for the exterior of our building 3) Bathroom upgrades / remodels 3) New Kitchen in our Cafeteria 4) Updates to our electrical and HVAC systems 5) and last but not least, an Update Serving Line in our cafeteria. We are so excited!
We were also awarded a Project Lead the Way Grant from Career and Technical Education last week! This grant will allow us to increase our Enhancement offerings to focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) next school year. While it's a little ways off--- the planning begins now!
It's been a busy week around here at IA. However, we are never to busy to hear your feedback. If there is anything that I can do to support you, or your student, please don't hesitate to reach out! I can be reached via email at CrystalGregory@johnston.k12.nc.us
Please Join PTA
Our PTA has some great things planned for the rest of the year!
Stay informed and find out how you can help with upcoming events like dances, spirit nights, and appreciation weeks by becoming a member today!
Membership is only $8 per person. We accept payment through Memberhub, PayPal or with cash/check.
Memberhub: https://innovationacademy.memberhub.com/store
Paypal: paypal.me/iapta
Cash or Check payable to Innovation Academy PTA in our office mailbox
Be sure to note your name, your student's name, and name of your student's advisor. Also, let us know if there's something specific you'd like to help with.
Spirit Week THIS week!
Little Libraries Coming!
During Club meetings, this group of Pioneers is upcycling old newspaper boxes into Little Libraries to be placed in our community.
30 Books Challenge
High School Options
High School Options
Paper Roller Coaster 7th Grade Event
Grade Level Updates
Year 1 / 6th Grade
Social Studies: Our Olympic Odyssey is in full swing. This week, we will learn & analyze Greek geography, economy, and primary & secondary sources. Spoiler alert: Students will have challenges from the Greek deities Poseidon & Hephaestus this week!
Science: In Science, students will continue working on their Wave Art Project next week and will participate in a wave art project gallery walk to show what they know!
ELA: Students will have a mastery assessment over RL.6.1 (making inferences) using an Investigation Trail. We will review the unit vocabulary through a “Word Trip” competition on Tuesday. Students should continue working on their “Synonym Rolls,” to practice these words. Additionally, we will read the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes with a focus on figurative language and theme. Finally, students will engage in a whole class discussion after analyzing an informational text about the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
Math: Last week we worked on writing algebraic expressions and identifying the parts of it. This week we are moving towards evaluating expressions with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. We will also be completing our 3 ACT math, which focuses on applying our math content in the real world, in this case, a field trip!
Families can view the Watson unit here, students also have access to this in their Google Classroom. It is updated to reflect any changes.
Year 2 / 7th Grade
Science: Students had a FANTASTIC paper roller coaster carnival last week and will spend next week working on showing what they know for each standard in physics as well as a mini-lesson and activity with simple machines!
Math: Due to the snow, our quiz will be Monday. Finishing the percents unit next week. Then, we will be moving into expressions.
Year 3 / 8th Grade
Science: Students continue to work through our water standard (8.E.1), moving from the hydrosphere to oceans, specifically. The topic of oceans is so fascinating!! We are loving our “deep dive” into learning!
ELA:
HOLY MACKEREL. Your students have absolutely done a fantastic job this week!
In ELA 8, we’ve started Unit 1 where we are focusing on analyzing how incidents/lines of dialogue within a story propel the story and reveal aspects of characterization (RL 8.3). We’ve gone through our first annotated reading of “The Monkey’s Paw,” and I’m excited to see what happens when we start dissecting this text next week!
In ENG 1, we are starting the (slightly boring but completely necessary) basic essay unit. This will give them a solid framework to be able to write a wide variety of different essays in my class and beyond! Students are really rising to the challenge of this unit, and this has been one of the best weeks of teaching/learning I’ve seen in years. Let’s keep it up!
Math: What an exciting week! Students have been grouped to better personalize their instruction in our new 4-core schedule! It has been amazing to see their growth and success in the past week alone. Please encourage your student to work in Dreambox to continue closing any learning gaps and building their math skills!
Social Studies: Students are continuing to work on 8.G.1 as we learn about the geographic factors of NC and the United States and how they have impacted the development of various regions! This unit has been a lot of fun and students have been actively engaged in personalized learning based on pre-assessment data! This unit will conclude on 2/11 and will lead us into a study of culture & behavior!
Enhancements
Theatre Arts: This week, students will learn about musical theatre! In small groups, students will create their own musical through a fun & interactive google slides activity!
CTE: This week, we are growing in accuracy and learning word processing documents. Our 8th graders, are growing in business entrepreneurship. We are discussing business types, wants, & needs.They are getting ready to create their own business soon!
FBLA: Students are continuing to interview to do spotlight interviews. They will be coming to you soon. Be ready
Clubs
Drama Club: Our next after school rehearsal for Alice In Wonderland will be on February 18th from 4PM-6PM.
STEP Team: UBUNTU Step @ IA has been working hard, learning the skills and ideals to precision, tact, and coming together as one. They’ve been gaining these concepts through 3 values – trusting self, others, and the process. US@IA’s goal is to perform a step they’ve been learning next month for Black History Month at our 2/25 community.
Movie Appreciation: Our club is focusing on how actors use their craft to enhance a film. We have started watching “Harvey” (1950) starring Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Stewart does an amazing job in this movie! Ask your student what they think!!
SGA:
This week has been exciting for SGA as we have elected our leadership team!
Congratulations to Madalyn Pate (Executive Leader), Katherine Rowland (Executive Advisor) & Sebastian Sierra-Martinez (Secretary)! We are excited to begin the planning phase of our work together as we advocate for the voices of students at IASC!
Upcoming Events
Feb 3, 2022
Progress Report Card Day
Feb 8, 2022
Prospective Pioneer Day. 5:30-8:00 PM. This event is for families that may be interested in becoming a part of the Innovation Academy family. Tell a friend to come!
Feb 18, 2022 - Feb 22, 2022
Presentation of Learning (8th Grade)
Feb 21, 2022
JCPS Choice Programs Application deadline
Feb 28, 2022
PTA Meeting
The Innovation Academy at South Campus
Crystal Gregory
Principal / Lead Learner
Email: CrystalGregory@johnston.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/iasc
Location: 521 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Smithfield, NC 27577, USA
Phone: 919-934-6481
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jocoia