IACS Hawk
November 10, 2022
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Dear IACS Community,
This week I provided me with multiple reminders of how much I have to be thankful for at IACS, which is especially fitting given we're in the middle of November.
Today was the last of several community service days organized by our Director of Community and Alumni Partnerships, Shannon Morocco, who organized opportunities for all of our advisories the past three weeks. Today alone our middle school students were creating pet toys and treats for local animal shelters, helping elderly residents in Tyngsborough or Dracut with fall cleanups, and creating paracord lanyards for Operation Delta Dog. We are grateful to all of our students for their community membership.
Last night our middle school athletes and their families celebrated the close of the fall season at their Athletics Awards Night. The audience was certainly pumped up as they celebrated the Cross Country, Soccer and Volleyball teams.
Our high school student athletes also closed out a successful fall season, highlighted by our volleyball team qualifying for the MIAA state tournament.
Next week, the spotlights will be brightest in the auditorium as the IACS Theater Dept gets ready to perform the Wizard of Oz! There will be four shows starting Thursday November 17th and Friday the 18th, both starting at 7:00 pm, and Saturday the 20th with shows at both 2:00 pm and 7:00pm. See the flyers below in the IACA section to learn about the local eateries that have partnered with IACA to give back when IACS families eat there on the days of the upcoming shows.
Finally in recognition of Veterans Day tomorrow, I'd like to extend a note of thanks to those in the IACS community who have served our country. In particular, I'd like to acknowledge and thank the IACS Alumni who are currently serving, as well as IACS staff members who are veterans: Colin Kennedy and Bob Feeney (facilities team) and Shelley Hachman (7/8 student services team). Thank you!
In partnership,
Greg Orpen,
Head of School
All School News
Free COVID-19 Test Kits
In anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, the state of MA is providing schools with at-home COVID-19 test kits. Two test kits (four tests) will be made available to any interested family or staff member. For families that opt-in, the test kits will be sent home with their student the week of November 20th.
If you are interested in receiving the free test kits please complete the survey below by Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.
At-Home Covid-19 Test Kits Request Form-- CLICK HERE
Substitutes Needed
Substitutes are valued members of our community that we rely heavily on to ensure your student receives uninterrupted learning. We are looking for a few more people to join our substitute teacher pool. If you or a friend are interested in learning more about becoming a substitute at IACS please fill out the availability form and we will reach out to you with more information. IACS pays $18.50 per hour. A full day of 6.5 hours would be $120.Planning for Costa Rica 2023 trip has begun!
The trip will run during April Vacation. This immersion trip is open to 8th, 9th and 10th graders who have been in the Spanish program for at least two years. We are having an informational meeting for parents and students on Tuesday, November 15th at 6pm in the library.
If you are at all interested please come to this meeting. The itinerary and all other details will be presented at the meeting. This is an amazing opportunity for our students to apply the skills that they have been learning in the classroom.
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, please reach out to sschmalz@innovationcharter.org
Clothes Drive to Benefit Catie’s Closet - November 1-14th
High School Senior Caroline Bishop, an intern at Catie’s Closet, is conducting a clothing drive to benefit local Pre-K-12th grade students.
Donations of New & Gently Used Clothing are needed in Youth Sizes 4-20 and Teen Sizes XS-3X. New Full Size Toiletries are also needed. More information can be found here or on the flyer.
Please drop off donations here :
Middle School - Outside of room 502 (Ms. Un's office)
High School - Auditorium hallway outside of Mr.Orpen’s office
SEPAC Meeting - November 15th, 2022
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Nov 15, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://iacs-mobi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kc--uqTkiEtAOXGA-rc-OmpoCwY5iRsxM
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
School Messenger
IACS Families can enroll in School Messenger to receive text notices of school closures, delays and other school notifications. To do so Text Y or Yes to 67587 on your cellphone.
Equity and Counseling Updates:
November Equity and SEL Newsletter
Care Solace for finding community-based counseling, psychiatry or behavioral health services: Care Solace Self-Referral
If you or your family could benefit from food being provided from Friday-Sunday night for your child, please complete this brief form. End68 is a program that provides a back of meals to students who may need it through the weekend. Click here for more information about End68 Program.
IACS School Breakfast and Lunch Program
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has extended FREE school meals for all students through SY22-23.
- Per National School Breakfast and Lunch Program regulations, students are allowed one free breakfast and one free lunch provided the student takes a reimbursable meal (generally speaking, taking a fruit or vegetable with the meal). Go to the IACS School Nutrition Webpage to read about what constitutes a reimbursable meal.
- These state and federal programs are designed to encourage students to consume a well balanced meal.
- To receive financial reimbursements for meal expenses all participating schools must adhere to both the state and federal government guidelines.
- To avoid food waste, students are encouraged to consume, take home, save for later or place unwanted fruit in share baskets located in the cafeteria.
- Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor student accounts by going to School Payment Portal. Email kdrake@innovationcharter.org if you have any questions about how to set up an account.
For more information go to IACS School Nutrition Program or email kdrake@innovationcharter.org.
We would love to have you and your family and friends join us for the IACS Middle and High School Production of THE WIZARD OF OZ!
Reserve tickets at iacstheatretickets@gmail.com or follow the link below.
And then follow the yellow brick road!
Auditions for the hilarious March Show, ZOMBIE PROM,
are coming up on December 1, 3:00-5:00.
Middle and High school students are welcome at auditions!
No preparation or experience is needed. Please note that not everyone who auditions will receive a role.
We hope to see you at auditions!
Questions? Please email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org.
Middle School News
Upcoming Dates:
11/11 Veteran’s Day- NO SCHOOL11/23 Early Release 12:25 dismissal
11/24 No School
11/25 No School
12/6 7th and 8th Grade Quality Night
12/8 5th and 6th Grade Quality Night
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.
Lost and Found
Missing a sweater? A water bottle, maybe?
Please make sure to check our lost and found bins!
We’ve got two: one in the cafeteria and one in Landberg Hall and both are beginning to overflow!
Make sure to go check each bin before they get cleaned out on November 23rd, all articles left on the 23rd will be donated to the Wish Project!
Middle School Yearbook Cover Contest
Calling all artists! Do you want to see your art in the yearbook, maybe even on the cover?!
The Yearbook Committee is holding a contest for students to submit yearbook covers! Our theme this year is OUTER SPACE!
Your submission MUST be completed on a specific form that can be picked up in Miss Un’s office.
We can’t wait to see your submissions!
All submissions are due Monday. November 14, 2022!
High School News
Upcoming Dates:
11/11 No School - Veterans Day
11/23 Early Release 12:25pm
11/24 No School
11/25 No School
11/28 Grade Close for Progress Report #2
12/5 Progress Report #2 for Semester 1 Published to Aspen Family Portals
12/21 HS Winter Concert
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.
High School Photos of the Week
Pictures/videos of this week's Together Tuesday for the Junior class! The video is the Hillman/Collins advisory. The Wetmore Advisory won with the fastest time for the obstacle course. Congrats to the Wetmore Advisory, Mrs. Wetmore will be wearing the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner cape and crown next week!
Athletics News
Check out the latest edition of our #GoHawks News!
High School Winter Athletics Registration Information
Here are our winter offerings for high school athletics:
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Girls Indoor Track & Field
- Boys Indoor Track & Field
- Swim (co-op with Lowell Catholic)
- Wrestling (co-op with Lowell Catholic)
Most winter high school sports begin the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Please click here for more information about teams, tryouts, practice times, and the registration process. The deadline to register is Monday, November 21st.
Middle School Winter Athletics Registration Information
Here are our winter offerings for middle school athletics:
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Archery
- Cheerleading
Most middle school winter sports begin the second week of November - the winter season runs through March.
Please click here for more information about teams, tryouts, practice times, and the registration process. The deadline to register is extended to Thursday, November 18th.
IACA News
On 11/17/22 UNO's in Nashua will donate back to IACA up to 25% of your check.
On 11/18/22 Brother's Pizza will give back 10% of sales to IACA.
On 11/19/22 Tremonte Pizzaria (both the Lowell & the Tyngsboro locations) will give back 15%.
A night off from cooking AND supporting our school? That's a win/win for me!
Enjoy the long weekend!
Innovation Academy Charter School
Email: mainoffice@innovationcharter.org
Website: www.innovationcharter.org
Location: 72 Tyng Road, Tyngsborough, MA, United States
Phone: 978-649-0432
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IACStyngsborough/
Twitter: @iacharterschool