The Brave
IMMS Principal's Newsletter
Happy New Year
September at IMMS was terrific - the students have acclimated to their schedules, the first tests have been given, and sports and clubs are in full swing after school. I am very proud of the student leaders and staff members who planned and participated in our first-ever "Happy New Year" assembly. Super-fun dizzy bat races with student volunteers challenging some of our 'braver' teachers kicked off the assembly. Also introduced were the monthly themes for IMMS Rocks. Student of the Month for each grade level is based on the monthly themes.
STEM & Maker Challenges in the Library
by Mrs. Hanneken
If your child attends OMC (Open Media Center Time) during their recess period, they may be participating in our STEM and Maker challenges in the library media center. Each week a new Maker challenge is put out for students to participate in. These are easy challenges that incorporate materials from our makerspace. Students can easily complete a challenge in their 15 - 20 minute time allotted. Some examples of our Maker Challenges have included:
Build a structure with red solo cups
Build with Magnet Shapes/Tiles
Use Little Bits to create an electrical circuit
Build something with K’nex
STEM Challenges are monthly activities that incorporate (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Students may work in groups or individually to complete a challenge. At the end of each month, the challenges are displayed in the library and voted on by students. Prizes are awarded. As students work on their challenges, they fill out a maker journal page that asks them to think about what materials they will use, what their challenge will look like, and how the design process went after they have completed their challenge. In September, students built their own marble maze using cardboard, straws, and tape. In October, students will complete their own bone bridges that will need to support ten pennies. They will be using q-tips, string, popsicle sticks, and tape.
Some people have questioned why is this something the students are doing in the library? Isn’t the library for reading and studying? The library has always been a great place to find information, but inquiring is not enough. The library should also be used to learn how to create and design using the information available to us all.
Cosper's Corner: News from the Nurse
Welcome back to the 2017-2018 school year. A few reminders to keep students healthy and in school learning. Please encourage your children to get plenty of sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and the big one WASH THEIR HANDS. If you child is absent from school please leave the reason why including any symptoms on the message. Also remember your child should be fever (100.5 degrees), diarrhea, vomiting free (without the use of medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.
A reminder regarding medications at school: All medications, including prescription medication and ALL over the counter medicine, must have a written order from the doctor and written permission from a parent/guardian. No medication will be given without these requirements. The bottle or container must be pharmacy labeled with the child’s name, the physician’s name, the name of the medication, and the dosage. All over the counter medication must come in the original box or container. NO medication will be administered unless properly labeled and accompanied by the proper documentation.
SPORTS: Even though it seems like school just started, winter sports season will be here before we know it. If your son/daughter plans to participate in basketball or cheerleading please make sure their sports physical is up to date because without a current sports physical a student cannot try-out for a sport. You can check sports physicals expiration dates on the parent portal https://www.fridayparentportal.com/shamong. If you need a new form, all the necessary athletic paperwork is on the IMMS website under the activities tab and then choose athletics or they are available in the nurse’s office or main office.