Iron Horse Community Update
Friday, December 3, 2021
Iron Horse Mission
The mission of Iron Horse Middle School is to educate, inspire, and empower students in a safe and equitable learning environment.
Hello Iron Horse Family,
This week we came back strong following the week off for Thanksgiving break. I hope that you all were able to get some rest and enjoy time with family. It is good to be back with our students and staff as we continue to grow and learn together. There was a notable buzz of energy on campus this week!
In each of our academic departments, students are pushing themselves to get better. From character studies in Core 6, speed and agility testing in PE, research and informational reading in Core 7, CO2 cars in technology, public speaking with elements presentations in Science 7, to the Outsiders collaboration between Core 8 and Advanced Drama, and World Languages are reading in their target languages at an amazing rate.
During tutorial this week students completed their second round of math Fastbridge testing. Fastbridge is the screening tool that we are using to measure all of our students' progress in both math and English Language Arts (ELA). The test results allow our staff to measure growth over time and implement targeted interventions for those students that need support. We will conduct the second round of ELA testing when we return from Winter Break.
There are a few more important things to share in the next sections of the update. Thank you for taking the time to dive in.
Have a great weekend!
Respectfully,
Mr. Ball
Important Dates
December 23-January 7: No School, Winter Break
January 10: No School, Teacher Work Day
January 12 & 13: Fastbridge English Language Arts assessment (during tutorial)
The Outsiders Performance Tonight!
Advanced Drama is producing "The Outsiders" TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. at the MPR. Admission is free, but $5.00 donations are appreciated. All audience must be masked regardless of vaccination status.
Character Trait of the Month: Responsibility
Here are a few definitions from the Oxford Language Dictionary
- The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.
- A thing that one is required to do as part of a job, role, or legal obligation.
- The opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization.
- A moral obligation to behave correctly toward or in respect of.
Responsibility can be a hard trait to develop, and throughout the month we will share examples why it is important for our success as people.
'Tis the Season
What happened to the trees?
New Clubs - Black Student Union & Latin X Club
We are looking to start our own Black Student Union (BSU) and Latin X Club as a way to create more brave spaces for students with similar interests and life experiences. These affinity clubs focus on building awareness, education, and a new level of consciousness about being an African-American and/or Latin X student in today's society. All students are welcome.
We are partnering with California High School who will act as mentors and help guide us as we lay the foundation for the clubs. All interested students are encouraged to join our first meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, December 14, from 4:30-5:30pm.
For more information, please contact Mr. Ball.
The Week in Pictures
Community Service
Solve!
Elements
Over the Moon
8th grade science has been tracking the moon. In this picture they are taking notes following an activity where they created their own eclipses.
Ready, Set, Go!
COVID Safety
COVID Health and Safety Information
IHMS Site COVID Antigen Testing
If our school site has a positive COVID case on campus, we will have on campus testing to test masked close contacts that chose the modified quarantine option.
The Universal Consent Form must be completed for students to be eligible to test.
You can also check out the district COVID Testing Webpage for more information.
Yearbook Information
Yearbooks
Don't miss out on this keepsake for your student. To place your order, go to yearbookordercenter.com. Our school code is 16215. Email Yearbook Adviser Michelle Hamon at mhamon@srvusd.net if you have any questions.
Street Smarts Contest
Street Smarts invites you to participate in the Street Smarts Monthly Contest to WIN GREAT PRIZES! The monthly contest offers K – 8th grade students the opportunity to learn about Traffic Safety Education through short interactive and entertaining online bike and pedestrian themes.
Monthly Contest will include:
Viewing one or two 60 second bike and/or pedestrian videos created by local middle and high school students
Completing a puzzle
Answering safety questions
Students have the whole month to complete the weekly tasks to be eligible to enter to win a $30 gift card from a business in the San Ramon Valley!
Submit an entry every week in that specific month and accumulate a new prize! Prizes will be distributed to the attending school in the spring. (Date and delivery location will be confirmed at a later date.)
At the end of each month, a name each from the elementary and middle school student’s entries will be entered in the contest to win exciting gift cards. Winner will be notified through email.
Please view more information and guidelines under the Contests tab at street-smarts.com or Street Smarts 2021 Monthly Contest.
Text Message Opt-in
Demetrius Ball
Iron Horse Middle School
Email: dball@srvusd.net
Website: ih.schoolloop.com
Location: Iron Horse Middle School, Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon, CA, USA
Phone: 925-790-2500
Twitter: @Demetrius_Ball