This digital newsletter can be translated by clicking on the translate button on the right (or above if on a mobile device) and choosing your preferred language.

On a scheduling note, please keep in mind that Semester 2 classes begin Monday morning. High school students will start the day in their "Flex Block" location, where they will pick up paper copies of their schedules. (Students can also see their schedules in Aspen.) On Friday, February 3th Semester 1 report cards will be posted to Aspen.

Have a wonderful weekend and here's to the beginning of Semester 2.

In partnership,

Greg Orpen,

Head of School

IACS Board of Trustees Seeking new members

Over the last few months, the IACS Board of Trustees has been working on modernizing the IACS mission statement in conjunction with other stakeholders as well as getting prepared for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education January site visit for continued accreditation.

Each year, we look for new Board Members who support our mission. This year, we are specifically looking for a community member with experience in the financial field, as well as other committed and interested individuals. If this is of interest to you, please click here to learn more or reach out to the nominations committee at: board.nominations@innovationcharter.org

SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

The role of SEPAC is to advise the school district on matters that pertain to the safety and education of students with disabilities. A specific page within the IACS website has been assigned for SEPAC (click here to go directly to the SEPAC page or you can find us by... going to main page of IACS, click Current Students and Families, click Families, and click SEPAC) You can find our SEPAC meeting notes from all our meetings for this school year on the SEPAC page (scroll down all the way down). Or you can click directly below

• November 2022 Meeting Notes
• October 2022 Meeting Notes
• September 2022 Meeting Notes

The next meeting will be a workshop about Bullying: What Parents Need to Know presented by FCSN on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 7pm (Virtual). Please register in advance!

https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpduuvrjMvHdRY0byPqVvAVsEy5j4-lPoi

Please note that the registration form is prepared FCSN...you are only required to fill out the information with asterisk (*), the other questions in the registration form are completely voluntary.

School Messenger

IACS Families can enroll in School Messenger to receive text notices of school closures, delays and other school notifications.

Text Y or Yes to 67587

Upcoming Dates:

1/23/23 Semester 2 Begins

Check out the all school calendar for 2022-2023

Student Planners

Student planners are available for purchase for anyone who would like one! They are $5 a planner, and students can either ask their advisor or Miss Un in Room 502 about purchasing one.

The Middle School Concert is Wed Jan 25th!

Upcoming Dates:

1/23 Semester 2 Begins

1/27 Last day to Submit Schedule Change Request Form

2/3 Semester 1 Report Cards

2/3 Deadline to Register for Honors Credit in HS Classes

2/8 Early Release: ILP Conferences

2/20-24 No School, February Vacation

Seniors of the Month for December!

We are working to recognize students from the class of 2023 that have been nominated by staff and peers. It was tough to narrow it down, but the two recipients of the Senior of the Month recognition go to:

Seth Lupo

Seth did incredible work with Mr.Hinkle to add some magic to our homepage (coding the snowflakes). He was always willing to help no matter the problem at hand, demonstrating his

commitment to building a better community and lifting up those around him.

Alani Vasconcelos

She is such a sweetheart and the funniest person I know! Alani and I became good friends last year in advisory, and what I’ve learned since that is that she is a mood-maker. Anytime I’m feeling stressed or tired, just talking with her brightens up my day! She always knows what to say in various situations and can always be trusted to bring a smile to your face.

ILP Conferences: Wednesday, Feb 8th

All of our students create Individual Learning Plans (ILP), which articulate the goals students have been creating for themselves. These are student run meetings with parent/guardians and advisor. ILPs allow us as a whole team to check in about how the year is going, concerns, set goals, and reflect on those goals. A typical ILP is 20-30 minutes. Advisors will be reaching out to schedule your students' meetings. If you haven't already connected with your student's advisor, please book a meeting on the afternoon of February 8th and March 1st.

For new families who have not participated in an ILP conference you are invited to check out the following ILP Video we created several years ago. , It is only about 5 minutes long but will hopefully give you a deeper understanding of why we've been holding these conferences for over 25 years.

Semester 2 is Here!!!

Semester 2 will officially start on Monday, January 23rd. Students & Families can see the semester 2 schedule in Aspen. Students will start Monday in their flex pair advisory rooms (the same location we use on Wednesday mornings). After a brief advisory check in regarding semester 2 we will resume a normal Monday schedule.

Students have 5 days into the semester to request a schedule change. Requests must be submitted by January 27th.

Schedule Change Request Forms as well as the following information has been emailed to all students.

Only students that are logged into their school gmail account can complete this form. If it is not working for you, try logging out of your personal gmail account.

DO NOT EMAIL please, use the form. There is space to write whatever you would like in the form and it helps us keep all schedule requests organized. If you can’t find the form in your email, reach out to Ms. Crystal. She can re-send the form to you.

Submit a separate form for each class you would like to change.

Check the master schedule to see if there is another class you could take during the same block as the class you would like to change before you even request a change. You must also remember that classes highlighted in RED are already full.

We will not switch you into different sections of the same classes just so you can be with more of your friends.

It takes time to address all of the requests we receive, so don't expect an immediate change. If we can't make the change you requested, we will send you a brief email stating why. If we can make the change, we will not send anything, you should check Aspen regularly.

Endersession, June 12-16th

This year’s Endersession courses will occur during the week of June 12-16. Seniors will be graduating on June 3rd, but all seniors are still encouraged to participate in Endersession. Endersession Week is part of the regular school year and it is expected that all students will take part. While Endersession course grades are not figured into a student’s GPA, they are graded on the IACS Outcomes and will therefore appear on the Semester 2 report card.

Peruse the full list of options in the Endersession Packet 2023. If you have any questions about what might be asked of students for a specific course, please reach out to the teacher that is organizing the Endersession course. Staff names and endersession costs are available in the above link.

• January 27, 2023

• Endersession packets due to Assistant Principal (Selection Forms, Permission Slips, and Medical Release)

• February 10, 2023

• Students will be notified of their Endersession placement during Advisory. This assumes that students have turned their paperwork in on time.

• February 15, 2023

• Endersession groups to meet with leaders. More detailed information provided to students about the Endersession course with a parent/guardian acknowledgement of the details to be signed and returned.

• March 3, 2023

• Deposit due for any Endersession that involves airlines or overnight lodging.

Please return all forms directly to Ms. Kelly or Ms. Crystal.

Yearbook Notes for Senior Families

If you have a high school senior in the house, then you have a lot going on. So we wanted to remind you that the yearbook is in the works and we are looking for you to provide us with a ½ page of praise and or congratulations to your Senior. What is a parent page? We’re glad you asked. Click here to learn more about what a parent page is, how to create one and even a sample.

Parent Pages are due February 10th.

Senior Photos are due February 17th.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Questions and photos can be submitted to yearbook@innovationcharter.org.

Parking Permit Application

Students that drive to school must fill out an online Parking Permit Application. The cost is $15 and maybe paid online or in person to Crystal McKiel.

A team of HS students in their Earth and Space Science class constructing a "three-story structure that could best handle an earthquake."

Enjoy the Snow!