Iroquois Middle School
NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Iroquois families:
The school year is in full swing, and students are actively involved in an engaging and enriching learning program here at Iroquois. I want to recognize and thank our incredibly talented teachers and staff who are working so hard to support our students—ensuring that all students have access to a rigorous curriculum as well as the social, emotional, and cognitive supports they need in order to be successful. In addition, I want to recognize our students who come to school every day ready to work hard and grow as learners.
In addition, over these last few weeks, teachers have begun to plan and implement a variety of interventions for students according to the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework. RtI is a school-wide, multi-tiered system of support in which we match targeted instruction with student strengths and needs. RtI is—at its core—a collaborative approach among teacher teams with the goal of helping all children grow and be successful throughout the year. This RtI process begins with high-quality instruction, feedback from teachers, and a set of universal-screening assessments. Teachers and students then set goals and monitor students’ progress toward those goals. Throughout the school year, children will engage in learning that is differentiated, aligned to individual strengths and needs and anchored in our state standards and district curricula.
In closing, I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving this month. I look forward to working with you throughout the year to support and celebrate your children’s continued success.
Sincerely,
Christian Zwahlen
Principal
IROQUOIS CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal: Mr. Christian Zwahlen | christian_zwahlen@westiron.monroe.edu
Secretary: Ms. Susan Glastonbury | susan_glastonbury@westiron.monroe.edu
Main office: 585-336-0804
Fax: 585-336-3042
Website: https://irq.westirondequoit.org/
Health Office: 585-336-3091
- Nurse: 585-336-0816
Transportation: 585-336-2992 | Transportation website
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER
- Nov 8: School Picture Make Up Day
- Nov 10: NO SCHOOL - VETERANS DAY
- Nov 17: Report Cards Available on Parent Portal
- Nov 21: SPIRIT DAY - Pajama Day
- Nov 22-24: NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING RECESS
- Nov 29-30: Book Fair - Iroquois
- Nov 30: Book Fair Family Event - Iroquois - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
DECEMBER
- Dec 1: Book Fair @ Iroquois
- Dec 8: NO SCHOOL - PARENT/ TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY
- Dec 13: Concert - 5/6 Gr Orchestra & 5/6 Gr Chorus - IHS - 7:00 p.m.
- Dec 18: Concert - 5 and 6 Gr Band Concert - IHS - 7:00 p.m.
- Dec 19: SPIRIT DAY - Team Day
- Dec 25-29: NO SCHOOL - Holiday Recess
JANUARY
- Jan 1: NO SCHOOL – HOLIDAY RECESS
- Jan 2: School Resumes
- Jan 15: NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Day
- Jan 17: SPIRIT DAY - Disney Day
- Jan 22-26: Great Kindness Challenge
- Jan 26: 4th Grade Family Event Bingo Night - 6:00 p.m.
CURRICULUM CORNER
Physical Education: Pedestrian safety is a focus
Our K-6 Physical Education staff has been teaching lessons this fall specifically designed to give students essential knowledge and skills to navigate the world on foot safely. In a town that is as “walkable” as ours, we feel this is critical for your children. Our pedestrian safety lessons are designed to help teach students to be responsible and make smart, informed decisions to stay safe while walking in neighborhoods and beyond. Here are some reinforced points you can practice with your child at home:
See and be seen
Stop, look and listen before crossing
Obey pedestrian traffic signs and signals
Follow directions of the crossing guard directions
Looking ahead to early February 24, we are excited that all of our K-6 schools will again participate in the Kids Heart Challenge in our continued partnership with the American Heart Association.
Hike and learn at Helmer Nature Center!
Help Helmer Nature Center celebrate its 50th Anniversary year with a new program series. There will be a different program on the 3rd Thursday every month. These will include hike & talks, presentations, guest speakers, outdoor experiences and more!
On Thursday, Nov. 16 there will be a Hike & Talk with Naturalist, Jessa, to learn more about traditional Haudenosaunee Names and Uses for Plants at HNC. This hour-long, gentle walk will have lots of stops at plants along the way. It’s suitable for adults and children ages 10 and up. Events have a nominal fee per person but are free for HNC members. You must pre-register by emailing HelmerNatureCenter@gmail.com or calling 585-336-3035.
Future topics/dates
- Dec. 21: Eclipse Presentation with RMSC
- Jan. 18: Evening Snowshoe/Hike
- Feb. 15: Herbs
- March 21: Presenter TBD
- April 18: Bird Walk
- May 16: Tree ID & Planting
- June 20: Family Night Hike
NEWS FROM THE HEALTH OFICE
- If your child is not going to be in school due to illness or for personal reasons, it is necessary to contact the health office prior to the start of the school day, every day they are out. This call/email can also be made the evening prior to their absence.
Email: rachelle_soliman@westiron.monroe.edu
- If you will be picking your child up early, please send in a note with your child letting us know the time you will be arriving. Please remember to have your ID every time to present it to the security window.
Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
RECIPE
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbs. vanilla
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine pumpkin, sugar, applesauce, egg, and vanilla and mix well (we’ll call this the WET mixture)
- Combine by whisking flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a separate bowl (aka DRY mixture)
- Dissolve baking soda in milk, then add to WET mixture.
- Gradually add DRY mixture to WET and mix until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Grease cookie sheet and use an ice cream scoop to measure out.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until they no longer look wet.
OCTOBER STAR STUDENTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OCTOBER STAR STUDENTS:
Dimitra, Clare, Jonathan, Mary, Molly, Sadie, Isaiah and Rylee!
C.A.R.E. WEEK ASSEMBLY
C.A.R.E. Week (October 23-October27) at Iroquois kicked off with an Assembly on Monday, October 23rd featuring former Iroquois students who are now seniors at Irondequoit High School! They spoke with students about their experiences from middle school until now and lessons they have learned. They explained how the components of C.A.R.E. have helped them along their journey.
5TH GRADE FIRE PREVENTION LESSON
IPD TO ALTER GUARD STRUCTURE IN WINTER
Families:
We wanted to give you plenty of time to plan for a Crossing Guard schedule change in early 2024 that will impact some families. The Irondequoit Police Dept. has informed us that it will eliminate crossing guards at the following locations from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Feb. 16 because of a "low-to-no student count," during that time frame.
St. Paul @ Pattonwood
Lakeshore @ Washington
St. Paul @ Westbourne
Portland @ Coronado
“It is both safer and more practical to have those crossing guards redeployed to other posts where there is a need to cross students," IPD shared with us, adding that shifting those guards to higher traffic areas during that seven-week span, such as in front of Dake Jr. HS and IHS, will enhance student safety.
If you have questions, please email IPD Crossing Guard Coordinator, Mary Beth Egeling, at megeling@irondequoit.gov. If you or anyone you know would want to be a crossing guard, please also email her to obtain more information.
CHECK/UPDATE YOUR INFO IN THE PARENT PORTAL, PLEASE
Do you:
Have a new cell phone number or switch carriers recently?
Have a new email address or new work phone number?
Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep us informed of any changes to your numbers or emergency contact information. Update it directly on the Infinite Campus Portal, or send in a note with your child.
TO REACH THE PORTAL, Click here
WHY YOUR MOBILE NUMBER IS CRITICAL
You must have your mobile number in the MOBILE NUMBER field. Our system does NOT default even if you have just one field filled out (Home/Work/Mobile). If your mobile number is not in the correct field, you will NOT receive text messages from our school/district for emergencies (such as school closings in winter months).