Iroquois Middle School

MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Iroquois Families:


We warmly welcome students back from February Break, trusting that they are rested, refreshed, and ready to continue the rigorous learning that goes on every day here at Iroquois School. This second semester is a critical time during which students build on the learning that has already taken place and extend their knowledge and skills by stretching themselves and working hard to set and achieve their goals. There are many ways that families can support their children’s learning during the second semester.


  • Ensure that your child maintains a good attendance record. Students who arrive on time to school and attend every day will have a greater chance of achieving than students who are consistently late or absent. Children who are frequently absent or late miss out on many learning opportunities and have significant difficulty catching up with their classmates once they return to school. Coming to school on time every day helps to establish good habits and gives children an advantage in the learning process.


  • Continue to monitor your homework. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for your child to study. Check your child’s assignment book and determine what they are studying. Make a homework schedule and check to be sure that your child is studying every day. Explain concepts that your child doesn’t understand, but let him/her do the actual work. Review your child’s assignments and show an interest in what he/she is doing.

  • Recognize and praise your child for their hard work. Display your child’s work at home.

When families are involved in their children’s education, student achievement increases and social-emotional outcomes improve. We thank you for all the partnering you do with us in this work and we look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the best outcomes for your children.


Regards,

Christian Zwahlen

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
IROQUOIS CONTACT INFORMATION

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

IROQUOIS CONTACT INFORMATION

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH

  • Mar 3: 6th Grade Band Mania - IHS Gym- 7 PM
  • Mar 8: 6th Grade Orchestra Mania - IHS Gym - 7 PM
  • Mar 18: NO SCHOOL - Superintendent Conference Day
  • Mar 24: Iroquois Spirit Day - Comfy Clothes Day
  • Mar 25: Save the Date - 6th Grade Event

APRIL

  • Apr 14 4th Grade - half day
  • Apr 15-22: NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
  • Apr 25: School resumes
  • Apr 28: Iroquois Family Coffee - 8-9 AM
  • Apr 28: Iroquois Spirit Day - Tie Dye Day

MAY

  • May 2: WICPTSA Candidates' Night
  • May 2-6: Staff Appreciation Week
  • May 5: BOE Meeting/Budget Hearing
  • May 17: Budget Vote, St. Paul Fire Dept., 433 Cooper Road
  • May 19: Iroquois Spirit Day - Student/Teacher Reversal Day
  • May 26: Incoming 4th grade and 5th grade parent orientation
  • May 30: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day


For our full school calendar, click here.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS!

Across our K-6 buildings, students have engaged in a variety of learning experiences to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the contributions, achievements, and history of the Black Experience in the United States. Here are just a few highlights of the wonderful and engaging learning occurring across our schools!


In Colebrook, our Teacher Leader led an “Agents of Change” unit which highlighted activism, social justice, and the power of voice, all from the perspective of kids! They read stories that highlight these themes and engaged in discussion together. The whole school then contributed to posters, sharing how they can use their voice.


Many Briarwood second-graders took to the morning announcements daily and used their own voices to share details about different figures in Black History, such as former President Barack Obama (SEE ABOVE). Listwood second-graders learned about different types of music each week and at the end of the month, they will have a community meeting to share what they liked and what they learned. At Rogers Middle School, sixth-grade Humanities teachers engaged students in a study of Harlem Renaissance literature and music alongside a study of ancient African kingdoms and their achievements and contributions.


Additionally, our K-12 libraries displayed a wide variety of books for students to explore, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, history, and more!

LIBRARY DIVERSITY AUDIT

Our K-12 Library Media Specialists have completed phase one of our diversity audit and helped identify representation gaps in our collections. At the K-6 level, our librarians audited the Beginning Reading (K-3) and Fiction (4-6) collections. Our goal is to purchase an additional 400 books, representing 100 new titles across the 8 building libraries, increasing representation in culture, race, ethnicity, ability, family structure, religion, and more. Our next step is to invite student voice in determining what kinds of books they want to see in their libraries!

IROQUOIS 6TH GRADE TALENT SHOW

SEL - SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

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INTRODUCING - MR DANIEL FINKELSTEIN

INTRODUCING - MR DANIEL FINKELSTEIN

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Daniel Finkelstein who will be providing an extra layer of safety and security at our main entrance here at Iroquois, along with greeting and screening visitors at the front desk. Please note that Mr. Finkelstein will be helping us to implement a new safety protocol for signing children out of the building. We appreciate your patience and cooperation with us as we work to establish this new routine.
INTRODUCING - MR DANIEL FINKELSTEIN

WIPTSA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM

Congratulations to Sophia (3rd), Mirgas (2nd) and Joey (1st) for their winning entries in the 'Drawing and Painting' category, Grades 4 - 6, of the WICPTSA Reflections Program!
DRESS WARMLY FOR OUTDOOR RECESS!

DRESS WARMLY FOR OUTDOOR RECESS!

Parents/guardians: All students will go outdoors for recess as long as the temperature and wind-chill are 20 degrees or warmer. Students will need to wear hats, mittens or gloves, boots and snow pants to play in the snow. Students lacking proper clothing will still go outdoors but will remain on the sidewalk with limited play. Please remember to send appropriate outside play clothing in everyday! Due to COVID we will not be able to lend clothes on the days students forget. Please let us know if you need any help with cold-weather clothing.
DRESS WARMLY FOR OUTDOOR RECESS!

GET HELP FROM OUR TECH TEAM!

The West Irondequoit CSD has a TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT KNOWLEDGE BASE that features a plethora of helpful information, including items such as Frequently Asked Questions, tips on solving issues and user guides on Infinite Campus and learning platforms such as Seesaw and Schoology. Access it via www.wicsd.tech
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