Clark Weekly News
For the week ending 9/9/22
Gratitude and Celebration!
Thanks to the Family of Anastasia Avitabile for providing a delicious weekly staff breakfast this Wednesday!
Congratulations to our 5 students selected for the prestigious Martin Youth Leadership program. They attended orientation last night with our school sponsor, Dr. Bonds, and are pictured above. L-R: Kylie Crumpler, Gretchen Howe, Christina Josie, Skylar Crumpler, and Gerard Grate.
Our first school wide assembly was held Tuesday. We were excited to recognize MANY students for level 5 test scores and All As and All As and Bs honor roll from last spring. We look forward to honoring even more students next semester. Aim high! If you did not pick up your certificate, they are at the front desk. A couple of photos below.
Announcements and Updates
Speed-friending is coming! Stop by the Knowledge Room at lunchtime on Wednesday, September 14 to make new friends, engage in stimulating conversations and have fun! We hope to see the whole school friending!
Safety update- We are adding and updating security cameras. We now have 360 cameras outside of the building.
Clark merch should arrive in the next couple of weeks. We'll let you know when it is here.
There is still time to purchase laptop insurance. Accidents happen and it's good to have the insurance. $70 to Dr. Judd.
Backordered codes and LIT1000 books are in! If you’ve been waiting for a Spanish or Government code, please see Mrs. Decker at the front desk or in the office.
September is both Suicide Prevention and Awareness month, as well as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Both of these issues have impacted our staff and families here at Clark.
We will be collecting donations for the Out of the Darkness walk that some of our students and staff will participate in later this fall. With a $5 or more donation, you get a shirt from a past walk (while supplies last). With any donation amount, you can choose a candle that was made for the walk to honor the memory of a loved one or just to support the cause. Bring your donations to Dr. Judd and choose your candle/ get your shirt.
Save the date for the "Go Gold Day" on Friday, Sept. 25 where will will all wear gold (or yellow) to show solidarity in the fight against childhood cancers.
Free SAT Practice! Put your best step forward. Productive practice is associated with score increases. Take advantage of free SAT practice on Khan Academy®. https://www.khanacademy.org/sat?utm_source=cbemail-SAT-reg&utm_medium=cb418-email&utm_campaign=practice&SFMC_cid=EM797802-&rid=47604625
The Chastain Campus will be hosting a career fair on September 30th from 9am-1pm and I’m trying to spread the word to job seekers throughout our campus and the local area. I’m attaching the flyer for you to share with your students who may be looking for a part-time job.
Lunch Form to order lunch - If lunch is ordered, you MUST come and pick it up. If you do not pick it up, you will be charged $5. This is a new requirement from the MCSD since our lunches have to be pre-ordered and they cannot have waste. Parents and students- DO NOT ORDER if you are not going to come pick it up!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj5uvpXHQMEZm2RRjS8ZaUFXF7pxoYXZyNPXO1IAelVkdhHA/viewform
This MUST be submitted before 8 am each morning in order to have a lunch here at school.
To add money to your student account: https://www.martinschools.org/page/myschoolbucks
Link for free and/or reduced lunch: https://www.martinschools.org/page/meal-application-information
And, of course, you are welcome to pack a lunch or if you drive and have parent permission, you can leave campus to get lunch… just don’t be late getting back!
Transportation- If you are NOT going to need a bus anymore, you must let Mrs. Decker know.
Attention new students, if you still have your laptops from your previous school or any other materials, they need to be returned. You can drop laptops and charges from your previous schools off to Mr. Watson and he will get them back. They will hold your diploma if you still owe anything to your former school!
Student Spotlight- This year, we will be sharing on social media about ALL of our awesome students. The seniors are always shared in the spring, but our grade 10 and 11 students deserve recognition, too! Please complete this form with info we can share publicly. We will use their school photo unless you send in a different one to ljudd@irsc.edu https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2Ye_0IxuFTCVD1Yc0FCRcKw_0ge3_-9PA5t2hLQCeDJRjDQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
IRSC Resource Guide https://issuu.com/irsc-iao/docs/2022-2023_resource_guide
Crane Award nominations needed! Has a staff member done something specific to make your life at Clark better? Each month, two staff members are awarded the traveling crane based on your submissions. Email ljudd@irsc.edu someone at Clark has made a difference this year for you/ your student!
Parent Info
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Meet and Greet (Continental Breakfast)- Friday, September 9 beginning at 9:30 am. Please join us to discuss the year ahead with needs and how you can help! Sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AAAAF2DA3F94-parent2
The first Partnering Around Student Success (PASS) meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 21 beginning at 6:00 pm. We are hopeful to be able to offer a virtual option as well as record. Go ahead and mark your calendars for the 3rd Wednesdays of each month for these meetings designed to discuss ways to support students with critical parent/guardian input and feedback on a number of topics. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AAAAF2DA3F94-clark22
We are hiring a full time Groundskeeper/Custodian. Please help spread the word to those who would make a great addition to our Clark family! https://irsc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External The application closes 9/13/22
We are blessed to have parents/ guardians provide breakfasts each Wednesday for our staff. The sign up link is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AAAAF2DA3F94-20222023
Adopt a Class https://www.educationfoundationmc.org/p/265/clark-advanced-learning-center/preview/1#.YuQkIChKiUl
Fund a Project https://www.educationfoundationmc.org/education-funding/project-detail/pid/285/id/2306#.YuQjzihKiUk
Conference Info
The Fall 2022 Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Each conference will be eight minutes in length and the schedule will be followed closely. Announcements will be made to signal beginning and ending times. Use the following schedule to select time slots for any of your student's current Clark Teachers with whom you would like to meet. https://tinyurl.com/5we3m2wt THIS IS NOT MEET THE TEACHER. These times are for academic concerns.
Volunteer Opportunities
- LEADERship and service opportunity through the United Way's Students United program. See attached flyer for details.
- Martin County Library System ‘Teen Community of Service’ This is a fun and easy way for teens to earn community service hours on your own schedule! This self-paced volunteer program has a monthly theme that teaches important community topics and allows you to create projects that either benefit you and your family, or give back to our community. If you complete everything in the kit, you can earn up to 23 hours per month, but the amount you do is up to you! For more info, contact Teen Specialist, Lacey, at llatour@martin.fl.us.
- FIREFEST 2022 Jonathan Dickinson State Park on October 15, 2022, 1:00pm - 9:00pm. Volunteers are needed for all types of activities at the JDSP 16th Annual FIREFEST in Hobe Sound. Volunteer activities include games, bounce house, pumpkin patch, directional volunteers and much more. This is a terrific event for high school students wanting volunteer hours. Must be 16+ Reply to kstacey@unitedwaymartin.org for additional information and to sign up.
- Hope Center for Autism is looking for Clark students to volunteer in their after school program. Email ljudd@irsc.edu to get the contact info.
Student Activity Updates and Info
Activity schedule attached. Get involved and get to know your peers!
Note: Computer Science Club is on hold.
Interact is sponsoring a drive to collect travel-size items to donate to the homeless. Please check the flyers around school and the boxes at the front and west doors for the list of items that are needed. Be sure to put your name on the items you are donating to earn volunteer hours. See Dr. Bonds or Katie Hernandez for more information.
Stop by the front office to buy snacks to support The Guatemalan Tomorrow Fund that enables the people of Guatemala to become self-sustaining through various projects. Interact is raising money to support the fund in September.
Save the Dates
September 14- Parent- Teacher conferences (3:00-4:30 & 5:30-7:00 pm)
September 21- PASS (Partnering Around Student Success) meeting 6:00-7:00
September 22- beginning at 6:00 pm- Senior Information Night
September 23- IRSC Discovery Day 7:30-1:30
October 7- BINGO NIGHT!!!! Details to come!
October 16- beginning at 6:00 pm- 10th and 11th Grade Information Night
Handbook Highlight- Earbuds/ AirPods
Friendly reminder of the following as it relates to earbuds/ AirPods, etc.:
p. 14- Headphones, ear buds, air pods, and/or similar devices should not be worn or used in classes without teacher permission.
Headphones/ear buds must be used by any student playing audio within the common areas. For safety reasons, only 1 earbud may be used.
Computer Corner
Reminder to Students & Parents about Laptop Care:
Please remember that it is your responsibility to care for your Clark issued laptop. So far this year, Mr. Watson has seen cracked screens, damaged power cords, and water spills on laptops. If a student damages a laptop, an insurance claim must be filed and the laptop will be sent out for repair. Currently Mr. Watson is seeing a repair time of 7 to 10 days before the laptop comes back to Clark. Due to high demand this year, there are no loaner laptops for students to use while their machine is getting repaired. This is also a great time to remind parents and students to pick up laptop insurance. The average cost of a repair is $299.00. So having that $70.00 coverage for the year is totally worth it.
Any issues accessing FOCUS, we need to know now so we can try to get everyone checking their grades regularly.
Friendly Reminder: Mr. Watson has begun to Audit all Student Laptops. Please remember that apps like Discord, Steam, & Minecraft are unauthorized Clark Applications. Mr. Watson will begin issuing verbal warnings to students that violate the AUP that was signed at the start of the school year. Further action can include suspension of your Clark Account and possible loss of your Clark issued laptop. Please get those apps removed ASAP.
Need technology help? Mr. Watson's office is upstairs or cwatson1@irsc.edu
Every day is a celebration!
Make a Difference Mondays! Labor Day
Take Care Tuesdays! A parent shared: “I challenge you to let everyday be a Friday. Give yourself permission to be happy everyday.” Seems like pretty good advice for all of us!
Way to Go Wednesdays! Shout out to Jaxon Brown for adhering to security expectations. When someone wanted him to open the west doors, he knew that was not allowed and did not open the door. Remember, students, if you have forgotten your ID you must enter through the front doors.
Thankful Thursdays! We want to express gratitude to all of the students who volunteer their time at the front desk. Your knowledge, kindness, and attention to the needs of all do not go unnoticed!
Fun Fact Fridays! Did you know the now extinct Colossus Penguin stood as tall as NBA superstar Lebron James? The Colossus Penguin stood at an incredible 6 feet 8 inches tall from the tip of its beak to its toes!
Parents and Students- Please feel free to submit for any of these categories!!! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerigKeK1qTBIjkmbmP3L-1Kc-_UZN_mXXPKqL3uyfngb1MGg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Mindset Matters!
Starting next week, each newsletter will have 1 or 2 of the mindsets that are the focus for the week. I will also share here what students in some of our classes are seeing and learning.
See the attached handout to learn more about the 7 mindsets.
I truly believe in this work and it is needed more than ever in the lives of our teens... but honestly, it is GREAT info for us all! I welcome your feedback. Call me 772-419-5751 or email me ljudd@irsc.edu
Dr. Judd
Students- Academic Help is Available!
The BEST support is communication with the teacher!!! Please always start with talking to your instructor.
Stay tuned for more information on Paper if you have never used it before.
Clark students now have access to PAPER, an online tutoring platform accessible 24/7 and made available by MCSD to all public school students of Martin County.
Students may work on assignments with Paper tutors remotely on any devices and without any limit to number of times accessed --- PLUS student can have their essays for assignments and for college & scholarship applications reviewed with feedback provided within 24 hours.
Student log-in:
Username is _____@clarkalc.net email address
Password is student’s 4300#
Video link:
Website for Paper: https://paper.co/
IRSC Appointments with a Librarian
The librarians offer in-person and virtual appointments to help students through their research journey. Sign up for a research appointment today.
Virtual Tutoring
In addition to in-person tutoring, the ASC’s virtual tutoring schedule for the semester is now available. Students can receive virtual help in many disciplines, including math, science, English, and economics, among others.