IHS IB Notes
September 2021
Welcome Back!
Along with the kids, it's time for parents and guardians to re-connect. Our IB Committee meetings will resume tonight, 9/14, and continue on the second Tuesday of the month from 6-7. We're virtual for now, and it's likely that we'll continue having a virtual option even once we can meet in person. The zoom link is in your email. This is a good way for family members to get updates and ask questions. Attendance is not required, but we hope you can be there and contribute to the committee's efforts to support students in Scholars and IB DP.
Service Learning
For 11th graders not doing CAS, there is no specific service requirement. However, we hope you find ways to help your community; you should keep records of what you do as you'll be asked about this as part of college applications. 12th graders not doing CAS are expected to do the Inderkum Senior Project. You'll find more details about that on the fall meeting slides, and your English class will have various supports.
Any juniors and seniors pursuing the full IB Diploma are required to do CAS: Creativity, Activity, Service. CAS is optional (but recommended) for those with IB Certificate schedules. Emails went out to our 11th and 12th grade IB-ers last week with more information about CAS, and those participating should be watching for CAS Reminds.
Some students are looking for suggestions about how/where to do service. Here are some ideas to get your started:
- Natomas Middle School needs students to babysit younger kids during PTSA meetings. The first one is coming up on 9/22! Sign up here.
- Participate in a club. National Honor Society and Key Club are particularly focused on doing service, and some other clubs do occasional service activities.
- Watch for messages from me. For example, on Thursday, student volunteers are needed to help with yearbook distribution from 4:45-7, and on Friday afternoons, Joey's Food Locker at Natomas High could use a few helpers. Send me a Remind if you'd like to do either of these.
- One of the most popular ways for IHS students to volunteer is through YAC, the Youth Action Corps. They help all over North Natomas, and students like that they can sign up for activities which fit their schedules. The most dedicated YAC members have won scholarships, internships and even paid positions.
- Educ8 Sacramento is seeking students to be virtual tutors. Read more about them in the Resources section below.
- A number of students have donated to SBSK, Sacramento Blankets for Sacramento Kids. You need to provide your own supplies for making the blankets. You may contact them directly (email on their site) or go through me to coordinate purchasing supplies. They accept all sorts of blankets, but mostly the tied fleece type.
- I volunteer a lot of my time for Itsie Bitsie Rescue, and they need snuffle mats for puppies. I can show you how to make those and help with supplies.
- If you want to set up a fundraiser to support a non-profit, I have a Givebutter account which can be used for donations. I also have an established relationship with We Help Two for funky sock sales which can support their charities or one of your own. It's essential that you contact me first if considering any sort of fundraiser as we have to be in compliance with all the regulations.
- FEMO, Foreign English Mentoring Organization, was started by students at Folsom High School. They would like to help students start a chapter here in order to expand the number of volunteers helping kids around the world practice their English.
- Outreach360 is recruiting students to act as English tutors for students in Latin America. Please note that this would be a longer term commitment, plus they ask you to fundraise to help support the organization. You could count the time spent fundraising as service, too.
I'm sure you can find more opportunities, both in person and virtual. If you know of something that students can do, please share with me so I can publicize it. For more ideas, check previous newsletters (linked on our Scholars/IB page) and old emails from me.
IB Graduates
Despite all the difficulties, the Class of 2021 had Inderkum's best IB results yet: All 140 who completed the requirements for at least one IB DP course received a certificate recognizing their scores, but we gave special congratulations to the 36/40 (90%) who earned their IB Diplomas!! Diplomas and certificates always arrive in September following the announcement of results in July. Most of the IB graduates earned some college credits, and twenty-one of them scored high enough this year to earn 30 quarter units/20 semester units from a UC. Beyond that, the real benefit of IB classes is the experience of being challenged at a high level and learning how to make connections. Our alumni continue to affirm the value of their IB experience when they start college courses.
If you'd like to see where the Class of 2021 was accepted and enrolled, please go back to this newsletter. You can also watch the video of IB Diploma and Certificate distribution, courtesy of NUSD videographer Jeff McPhee.
Resources
We have drop-in peer tutoring four afternoons each week offered by National Honor Society members. Many of these students are taking IB classes and have the experience to help you in those courses. Perhaps you'd like to be a tutor as a way of doing service for the community? If so, consider joining Educ8 Sacramento which was founded by some of our 2021 graduates. If any of your siblings in grades K-8 need help, sign them up for online sessions.
The Virtual Tutoring and Wellness Center is a place for students and family members to seek counseling and other supports, too. Take a look around! The links on the Digital Backpack page (also reachable through Inderkum's website) will help you find answers and resources you many never have imagined we offer.
And speaking of resources, did you know that ALL students can get free meals at school? The state has budgeted for breakfasts and lunches. Our district has a program to provide a supper after school, too. We want to be sure that all students are ready to learn and participate in activities. (That said, I'm sure they still need eligible families to fill out the lunch application because that helps to qualify us for other funding.) Inderkum has tons of activities for students happening during lunches and after school. Check the Student Activities page to find clubs and more. While you're there, I suggest both students and parents join the appropriate IHS class (year) Remind because that will help you keep up with events on campus.
Journey to College
Hopefully all sophomores and juniors signed up for the PSAT which will be during a school day in October. (If not, it's too late now.) Sophomores don't need to worry too much about studying, but at least look at the practice materials and give it your best effort. When you get your scores, you're able to get some customized practice through your College Board account and Khan Academy. Juniors should be taking it more seriously. Those who score in the top 1% may qualify for National Merit Scholarships, but it's also important because you'll be taking the actual SAT this spring. You may have heard that many more universities have gone "test optional" or "test blind" for the SAT and ACT. However, that's not true for all universities, and a good score on the SAT or ACT will help you keep options open.
College Fairs seem to be happening mainly online right now. I literally just found out that the WACAC Fair is happening tomorrow evening, 9/15. They'll post recordings online within a week. I'm not sure if you need to be registered in order to watch those, so better safe than sorry. The same organization has another one planned for November 2. College2Career Fairs is running an event on September 30 which is organized by major/career. LOTS of colleges will be represented, but unfortunately for us, the sessions are happening during school hours. Recordings will be sent to those who register.
Another is the TDCN fair which will have UCs, CSUs and private California colleges represented on October 2. Ms. Ana of our College and Career Readiness Center told me about this one. Have you visited her yet? She's right next door to me in A108, or you can check the website. Connecting with the IHS Remind for your graduation year is the way to get announcements from CCR. (See the end of the previous section on resources.) Just today, Ms. Ana has sent out 4 college-related opportunities. When you join the Remind, there's a link to see previous posts.
Finally, family members are encouraged to check NUSD's Parent University page. They have a three-part series on funding college which begins on September 30. You need to RSVP to attend. Or you may want to schedule the session for 9/16 about using Infinite Campus. They've posted some helpful recordings, too.
Especially for Seniors
As far as IB Exams, they are scheduled for May. You're expected to complete the IAs and exams for every IB class you have, at district expense. I'll be meeting with you during class time in October to complete the registration process. Please don't count on exams being cancelled or optional as they were for the last two years. However, the IBO has made some adjustments to your exams in light of the school disruptions. Your teachers are aware of these adjustments.
If you're part of an underrepresented group and planning to major in architecture, check out this scholarship/internship opportunity. I'll keep sharing opportunities with you and with Ms. Ana in the CCR Center as I find them.
Celebrating Students
Sophomore Hanna won second place in her division at the 25th Annual Grapestakes Archery Tournament at the end of August, and she's preparing for a state competition happening this weekend. Hanna's made great progress in just three years and can even coach beginners. Ask her if you'd like to find out more.
You probably heard junior Seneka at Club Rush, asking if you wanted to learn to fly planes by joining Civil Air Patrol. She's earned the rank of Lieutenant and volunteered a full day for Squadron 14 helping with radio communications supporting the crews fighting the Dixie and El Dorado fires. Let her know if you're interested in joining CAP.