MIST Summer Updates
July 1st, 2022
I am planning to send out newsletters with regular updates about every month so families and students know what to expect. Please scroll down for important updates and directions relevant to the middle school program. Plan to look for your next update around the first week of August. In the meantime, if you ever have any questions, please reach out to me anytime at 509-354-6316 or by email at heidihay@spokaneschools.org.
Some families had reached out with questions about whether they were officially in the IST - if you're on this email list, you are in the program! If for whatever reason you don't plan to attend the IST this fall, please contact us. Thanks!
MIST Leadership Team Intros
Ms. Heidi Hayes
I am passionate about all the things that make the IST great - collaboration, innovation, inquiry, critical thinking, and hands-on science. I am the MIST program administrator, so I'm responsible for working with all aspects of the program to ensure our students and teachers are supported, connected at school, and empowered to do great things. This is my second year at NC and twelfth year in education. I taught science and English for 7 years before moving into school leadership. I am excited to see my different interests and skills line up together to support our MIST program.
Outside of school, I love reading great books, spending time on our local rivers and lakes, doing gardening projects, and baking. My family includes Sean, Charlotte, and our pup, Hadley. We moved to Spokane about a year ago from Washington, DC, and are still settling in. We would welcome recommendations for great places to eat and enjoy the outdoors in the area!
I am available during the summer, so please feel free to reach out anytime! I would love to connect with you and help you feel welcome here at the school. I'm also recruiting for a new MIST Family Advisory Committee (details below). My email is heidihay@spokaneschools.org and my phone number is 509-354-6316.
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Summer Tasks for Parents
Student Info Form by August 1st
Family Advisory Committee Members Sought
We are starting a new family advisory committee for the MIST. The goal is to build a group similar to a Parent-Teacher Organization or Booster Club. The group would help to support the MIST with things like:
- Input on ways to improve our programs for students
- Organizational help with field trips and events
- Ideas for building our school community with families, teachers, and students
- Fundraising events and activities for students
- Other ideas families have to help make our school even better
Interested in helping out? Our first task is how to welcome everyone back to school in August and help our new students and families connect with the MIST. Reach out to Ms. Hayes if you'd like to be part of the team (heidihay@spokaneschools.org or 509-354-6316).
Bus Registration by July 15th
When registering, follow these steps:
- Go to the Transportation Registration page
- Enter your child's Student ID number and birthday
- Select "IST at North Central" as your school for next year (NOT North Central HS)
- Select the bus stop from the listed stops that is the most convenient for your family. Note that putting "Any current NC bus stop" will likely route your child on a high school bus, but the bus will pick up in local neighborhoods instead of at the hubs.
- Click "Register my student" to complete the registration
Health Care Records by August 26th
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Digestive disorders
- Seizures
- Any other life-threatening medical condition
Please work with your child's medical provider over the summer to get the forms signed and submitted. Forms are specific to the medical condition and are available on this website.
Students are also required to be fully vaccinated or submit exemption documentation. The required vaccines are listed below. Families should submit the Certificate of Immunization or Certificate of Exemption form. More information regarding vaccination requirements is available on the Department of Health page.
We are legally required to exclude students from school and keep them at home until these forms have been updated. They should be submitted to our Public Office or School Nurse by August 26th.
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Start of School Events - Save the Dates
I'm including all of the optional activities below to help students start the year confident, comfortable, and knowing what to expect. Some families may choose to attend every event, while some may just pick one or two that work best for their schedules. I've included fuller descriptions of each so you can decide what's best for your child.
IST New Student Orientation - Monday, August 22nd
NC's LinkCrew student leaders are planning an orientation for students who are brand new to the IST program. The orientation is for students only and will include games, a school tour, information about how to get involved at school, and answers to frequently asked questions. The orientation is from 10 AM - 12 PM on Monday, August 22nd. Any students who will be starting their first year in the MIST are invited to attend.
MIST Open House & Family Social - Tuesday, August 30th
All Middle School IST families and students are invited to our MIST Open House and Social on Tuesday, August 30th, starting at 5:30 PM. This event will include building tours, meeting with IST teachers and the leadership team, and time to connect with other students and families in the program. Students will receive their class schedules. Please plan to attend to connect with the MIST family, whether you're brand new to the IST or have been here for years. More details to come!
Launch Conferences - September 1st and 2nd
This year, we will be starting with two days of Launch Conferences for students and families. There will not be regular classes on Thursday and Friday, September 1st-2nd. Instead, all families are invited to sign up for individual conferences during the day. This is a great time to get to know more staff at the school, share individual concerns or feedback with teachers, and work together to set up your child for success here. Please plan to sign up for a conference when the directions links go out in mid-August. Individual building walkthroughs for students who would like them can also be scheduled on these days.
High School Open House - September 1st, 5:30 PM
Families and students are invited to attend the NC Open House on Thursday, September 1st, at 5:30 PM. This event will include all NC families and is targeted more to a high school audience, but I would encourage families and students to come who are eager to see the building one more time, meet more of the school staff, and run through their class schedule. The event will include a clubs and activities fair, a presentation from school principal Tami McCracken, opportunities to meet with Counseling and SPED staff members, and a walkthrough of the class schedule. The class schedule walkthrough will have about 5-7 minutes in each classroom to meet teachers and will help students feel more confident about where to go on September 6th when they start regular classes.
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Fall FAQ's
Where should we enter the school?
The main drop off area by the Public Office, labelled in green, is also available for families, especially if you need to do a late drop-off or early pick up from the attendance office.
NCHS is so big! How will I find my way around?
In the attached map, the blue zone shows the IST main hallway, where students will gather before school, access their lockers, and disperse to their classes. The yellow stairs go up to the second floor of the building, where students will attend science classes and can find the offices of the middle school administrator, counselor, and school safety officer. The pink hallway shows the path to fitness classes, music classes, and the 8th grade humanities classes. The IST bathrooms are located at the beginning of the pink hallway, on the right side.
We will have tours available during student orientation and Open House to make sure that families and students understand the layout. We will also have lots of staff and student leaders available the first few days to help students find their classes and get settled in.
What classes will I have?
Will we have lockers?
What kinds of activities can I participate in at NC?
We will also have middle-school specific activities and events such as movie nights, the family picnic in August, and more. Stay tuned for more details and reach out to Ms. Hayes to get involved if you have ideas to share!