The Buzz
Volume 2, Edition 23 March 29, 2021
Irmo High School
Email: absmith3@lexrich5.org
Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/Domain/28
Location: 6671 Saint Andrews Road, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 476-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irmohighschool/
Twitter: @IrmoHigh
STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
BRINGING THEIR "A" GAME
This coming Thursday, April 1st, Irmo Theatre Company will host an honor society induction to recognize student achievement. Congratulations are in order for the 13 students that will be inducted into the International Thespian Society. This globally recognized honor society will celebrate the achievements of these students in the arts and academics, granting them access to scholarships, awards, and other opportunities for the remainder of their high school career and beyond. We are so proud of their hard work. Congratulations to the following Thespians:
Robert Armstrong
Mark Blankenship-Brown
Ashley Bruccoli
Mattealle Calhoun
Hannah Chapman
Larry Coger
Madison Gwin
Lilith Holcomb-Killough
Victoria May
Malik Murphy
Joye Tate
Tristan Gustafson
Nealy Jordan
BRINGING YOU THE SHOW
SHINING STAFF
IRMO TEACHER PUTS ACTION INTO WORDS
I know I heard this from every social studies teacher I had each time someone crankily asked, "Why do we have to study this, it happened soooooo long ago [insert whiny voice here]?" Adrian Sutton [pictured above] teaches Social Studies at Irmo High School and he doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. When seen about campus, Mr. Sutton generally has a smile on his face and is very willing to lend a hand. It is apparent that he has genuine care for his students. And he does. This is manifested in his desire to affect real change and make a difference in the lives of this and future generations. Along those lines, he was recently accepted into the University of South Carolina's Center for Civil Rights History and Research Virtual Institute on Education and Civil Rights History in South Carolina for 2021!
This is a short description of the Center's mission directly from their website. "The University of South Carolina Center for Civil Rights History & Research is the first organization dedicated to telling South Carolina’s civil rights story.
A joint initiative of the College of Arts and Sciences and University Libraries, the Center seeks to bring our civil rights history to life and inspire an informed dialogue about today’s social justice issues.
The center was founded in November 2015 with the receipt of the congressional papers of Representative James E. Clyburn, the state’s first African-American member of Congress since Reconstruction." To learn more about the Center for Civil Rights History and Research, you can visit their webpage at : https://civilrights.sc.edu/our-mission/.
Fellow Social Studies teacher and Irmo's Teacher of the Year 2019-2020, Drew Walker, stated, "Adrian is an outstanding educator who inspires both his students and his colleagues. I couldn't think of anyone more worthy of such an honor." We have to agree. Congratulations Mr. Sutton and thank you for caring about our students and their futures. #ThisIsIRMO
BREAKING NEWS
SPRING BREAK
Next week, April 5 - 9, will be Spring Break for all District Five students. District Five schools and offices will be closed. Students and staff will return on Monday, April 12, which will be a B day. We wish all our familes a safe, healthy and happy Spring Break 2021!!
IB EXAM INFORMATION
Irmo High School has been approved by the International Baccalaureate Assessment Team to shift our assessment method for the May 2021 testing session. We are moving to a form of assessment that IB has named the Calculated Route. Under this route, students will not sit for IB exams in May 2021. Students' IB scores will be calculated based on their Internal Assessments and Predicted Grades. This decision was made in collaboration with our Office of Instruction to ensure that all students have equal access to meet the assessment requirements for the IB Diploma or Career certificate. IB is providing this model as a choice for schools because, under the traditional model, make-up IB exams are not offered.
Please note, this assessment model applies only to the final IB score that students will receive. It does not correlate to the grade in the class. Students will continue learning the content and curriculum for their IB courses for the remainder of the year and take end-of-year assessments at the school level. They will receive a final grade for the class and the appropriate GPA weighting as they do in all other IHS courses.
Contact Mrs. Prochak if you have any questions at lprochak@lexrich5.or
ATTN: SENIOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Hello Parents and Guardians,
As we begin to prepare for Graduation there are a few things that must be completed by our seniors at HIS. Below you will find information/directions for completing the Scholarship Award Report and the Post Graduation Questionnaire. The information from these submissions will be used to celebrate our Seniors!
Post Graduation Questionnaire
The School Counseling Department needs your help! Each year the Irmo High School Counseling Department is responsible for reporting information on the post secondary plans for graduating students. This information will also be used to recognize students at a Senior Decision Day celebration. In order to successfully report this information please complete the Post Graduation Questionnaire. The submission of this form is also required to complete graduation clearance. The deadline to complete this is Monday, May 24, 2021. The form can be accessed here.
Scholarship Award Reporting
The School Counseling Department needs your help! Scholarship awards received by graduating seniors need to be documented. The School Counseling Department needs this information to be able to celebrate their successes and to accurately report scholarship awards (academic, athletic, military or other) for the Class of 2021. Only scholarship awards reported using this form will be listed in the Class of 2021 graduation program. The deadline to report their scholarship(s) is Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The form can be accessed here.
Please remind your senior to use their student Google email account when adding their scholarship awards.
· The name and photo associated with their Google account will allow us to follow up with them if additional information is needed.
· They will also be asked to upload a copy of the actual award letter or email.
· Please print to PDF or take a screenshot and upload.
· A new form must be completed for each scholarship award.
If you have questions please contact Mrs. Pearson at (803)476-3035.
NEED TO KNOW
Attention Junior Boys!!
Interested in attending Palmetto Boy's State?
The American Legion’s Boys State program is a unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system.
It is an honor to be chosen as a delegate to Palmetto Boys State. More than 900 rising seniors are nominated each year by their high school teachers and counselors to be delegates or “citizens” at Boys State. Those nominated are then interviewed and selected by the local American Legion Post. We consider the program to be as much leadership training as it is an opportunity to learn about and participate in government and politics. In fact, many of our state’s political, business, and community leaders attended Boys State.
PBS will be held in-person at Anderson University during the week of June 13-19. 2021.
If you would like to represent Irmo High School as a Palmetto Boys State Delegate, please stop by the school counseling office to pick up an application!
Along with your application, please submit your resume.
Applications are due to Ms. Jacobs in school counseling by April 1st!
PARENTS/GUARDIANS - IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION
We are partnering with BrightBytes, an educational research organization, in order to learn more about our students’ school and home technology use for learning.
We are reaching out to ask you to take part in a Technology & Learning questionnaire. Your participation is essential to help us form a more complete picture of technology use for learning in our students’ lives. Please know that all of your responses will remain anonymous to protect your privacy and they will help your child's school choose the right technology for their classrooms. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
The last day to complete this questionnaire is April 2, 2021. Please complete the questionnaire using the link below:
Parents Survey Link: http://www.BByt.es/V724P
HAPPENINGS
SEL HIGHLIGHT
The Second Annual International Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Day was March 26.
As educators, we have learned the critical importance of social-emotional learning. If children do not feel valued and safe, it is not possible for them to learn. Social-emotional learning must take center stage even before we discuss academics.
LexRich5 recognizes that the magic of social-emotional learning is in the relationships you build with your students. It is integrated into classroom procedures, respectful communication, and collaborative problem-solving. It is embedded in core content and those teachable moments that appear without warning.
For more information about incorporating Social-Emotional Learning into your students' schooling, check out the School Counseling Website, which is linked on the last page of the Buzz.
PICK UP FOR IYJC FUNDRAISER
Thank you to everyone who organized and supported this fundraiser for Spring Sports!