Inspire Family Newsletter
News and updates for families of Inspire students
October 30, 2020
Dear Inspire Families:
Across subject areas, Inspire teachers build the skills necessary to send students out into the world prepared to engage as active and informed citizens. In Joseph Hill's American Literature class, students study the way political rhetoric can activate the public in both positive and negative ways. In Malina Olson's Physics class, students practice scientific literacy by analyzing a variety of texts to determine trustworthy sources. In Evita North's Government class, students plug into local politics by observing community meetings in real time.
This generation of students is much more politically engaged and active than mine was, and they give me hope for positive change to come. Across the aisles, we adults are feeling anxious about Tuesday's election. But in these uncertain times, this quote from Terry Tempest Williams give me comfort:
"The human heart is the first home of democracy.... Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions? And do we have enough resolve in our hearts to act courageously, relentlessly, without giving up--ever--trusting our fellow citizens to join with us in our determined pursuit of a living democracy?"
We have to keep believing, together, that the answer can be "yes." So, on Tuesday, November 3, don't forget to VOTE! If you still have questions about how, you can visit this site.
Your fellow American,
Becky Brown
Principal/Superintendent
Inspire School of Arts & Sciences
(530) 230-7758
Messages from the Main Office
The office is open from 8-4 Monday through Friday.
If the gate is locked, please try both sides before calling the office.
Class Materials
You do not need an appointment to pick up or drop off materials for classes.
However, if you need to exchange a laptop, a Chromebook or other equipment, please call the office beforehand.
Attendance Expectations
Though students are not on campus, attendance is mandatory for both class and Friday afternoon Advisory.
Distance Learning Attendance Expectations:
Teachers will track attendance for the duration of class.
Students are required to log in, on time, at the beginning of each period and remain logged in until excused.
If a student cannot make a class period, a parent/guardian must call or email attendance as usual.
Students should stay in communication with their teachers.
If a student:
is late, a tardy will be recorded.
is absent, an absence will be recorded.
logs off early or is otherwise unresponsive, they may receive a cut/absence.
The school will send out an automated call to families to alert them to attendance issues.
We understand this is a challenging time and that things will not always go well, but we ask that you respect the schedule, and the time and effort that has gone into making this work. Allowances for tech issues and connectivity will be made on a case by case basis, please call or email the office if you are having issues.
Emails can be sent to lholcomb@inspirechico.org and mmendoza@inspirechico.org
Senior Portraits
Lifetouch will be opening their studio for senior portraits. Postcards will be sent to your address from Aeries with a pre-scheduled appointment time and date. If your address is different than that in Aeries, email Ms. Hawkins ASAP at bhawkins@inspirechico.org
- The days for portraits will be: November 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 14, 18, 19, 21st.
- Hours will be Mon-Friday: 1:00-7:30 and Saturdays from 10:00-6:00.
- This will be your ONLY chance to be photographed for the yearbook so please keep your appointment.
- If you are unable to make your appointment and need to reschedule, please call 916-535-7797.
This is a year like no other, and our yearbook staff is working to document it all for you.
Be sure to buy your yearbook now, before prices go up!
From now to December 31 the book is $80, January 1-April 30 the book will be $85 and starting May 1 the book will be $90.
Payment plans are available now through December 31 to reserve the $80 price. Paying with credit card? CLICK HERE and enter school code 16210. Paying with cash or check? Fill out the order form and bring exact payment amount (not able to make change) to the front office during office hours. Email yearbook@inspirechico.org with questions.
Yearbook needs YOUR help!
We aren't on campus gathering pictures of classes and events like usual, so we need you to help submit photos of what school is like where you are!
Here are ways to participate:
- Use the app HJeShare (school code 16210) to upload photos
- Use hjeshare.com (school code 16210) to upload photos
- Email photos to yearbook@inspirechico.org
- Tag photos with #2021InspireYBK on Instagram
- Answer questions asked on instagram @inspireyearbook
- Buy your book on yearbookordercenter.com (school code 16210)
Pictures we are looking for:
- Your student in their workspace, something your student made/changed/did during Distance Learning
- Their favorite quarantine hobby, your student with their pets, your student in their masks, your student doing "summery" things over break
- Your student with their favorite Starbucks or Dutch drink, your student & their favorite costumes, your student and the election (casting your ballot, registering to vote, working the polls), activities over break, your student as an activist,
- OR ANY OTHERS OF YOUR STUDENT THIS YEAR!!!
Photo tips:
- We want the student in the picture!
- The brightest light should be behind you, the photographer, but avoid making your subjects squint into the sun. No need to zoom in, Just get closer. (Mask up!)
- Try for candids: avoid posed photos. Catch action, reaction and emotion. Pay attention to distracting things in the background, move around to avoid them or wait for people to pass.
- Please only send photos from June 2020-now!
Cozy Up This Fall Inspire Style!
Get your Inspire “i” Blanket, black plush fleece with a purple embroidered “i” TODAY!
Blankets have arrived and will be available the Monday after your purchase. Purchase online HERE!
Our goal is to raise money for the Inspire Dance Program. Due to the cancelling of so many dance opportunities and the lack of income to our program we decided to get creative! We need help supporting our dancers and future events, so we create a fundraiser that anyone and everyone can enjoy! Who doesn’t like to curl up in a warm cozy blanket?! With a minimum donation of $25 you will receive a blush, black, fleece blanket perfect to curl up in! Be cozy, connect on Zoom, and you can even give them as a gift in the nifty bag they comes in. We want to share the love and encourage you to support us, so we can continue to grow, create, and flourish while learning while dancing from home.
- $25 minimum donation (Comes with a clear storage bag) + $5 shipping and handling anywhere in the US. Contact us for international rates.
- If you purchase 4 blankets you will receive 2 free tickets to our next live dance event!
- After purchase, blankets can be picked up at the Inspire Office (the Monday after purchase) or shipped directly to your home for an additional fee.
Counseling Office
Need to talk to about their schedule?
In need of emotional support?
Let us help!
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Counselors:
Tasha Teeter -students last names beginning A-K
Marcus Hopkins – students last names beginning L-Z
Calming Techniques: Grounding
RESERVE YOUR FEATHER ON THE DONOR WALL
In an effort to raise the money needed to rebuild and relocate, Inspire School of Arts & Sciences is building a donor wall at the new school to feature metal engraved feathers so you can make a lasting legacy for the future Inspire students and staff.
Feather Options:
- 15" Feather - $1000
- 12" Feather - $500
- 9" Feather - $250
Reserve your feather here. You will be asked what you would like engraved on both lines - don't worry, you can update this anytime in the next two years by calling the Inspire Foundation at (530) 999-2882. Feathers have limited quantities. All donor recognition is subject to the approval of the Inspire School of Arts & Sciences Foundation Board. All donors will be listed on the capital campaign page unless anonymous.
November 10
Want to learn more about Inspire’s new campus?
Click here to RSVP /learn more
November 11
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Want to put your time to a great use? Want to give back to a school that gives so much?
Click here to RSVP/learn more
November 16
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This event takes many volunteers working together to make it successful and we need your help.
Click here to RSVP/learn more
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
- Call or email the office for an absence: (530) 891-3133 and leave a message or
- lholcomb@inspirechico.org, mmendoza@inspirechico.org
- Call or email Ken Hardy for technology assistance: (530) 891-3090 or khardy@inspirechico.org
- Call or email your child's teacher by visiting the "Staff" page on our Inspire website.
- Call or email the Principal/Superintendent: (530) 230-7758 or bbrown@inspirechico.org