Inspire Family Newsletter
News and updates for families of Inspire students
March 26, 2021
Dear Inspire Families:
My first experience at Inspire was as a student teacher in sophomore World History. I was amazed by the sense of community and opportunities for students and staff to grow and learn. I joined the social science team in 2016, and now teach American Government and Economics to our seniors. I aim for high civic literacy as they prepare to vote, participate in community activities and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.
On the evening of Tuesday, March 16th, my family and I sat around the dinner table eating the food that my mom had passionately cooked for us. It was the first time my mom was able to come visit us in Chico in two years. She lives in San Diego where she lives with my sister and cares for two of her six grandchildren. We’ve wanted to stay cautious since the pandemic. She’s getting older, and her health puts her at higher risk.
Still, seven of my family members drove the 600 miles so that we could see, smell, hear, and taste that feeling of belonging. We spent the entirety of spring break forgetting feelings of isolation and loneliness caused by stay-at-home orders and distance learning. We swiped away notifications from social media apps and kept the television off. We sat at the table together, laughed at inside jokes, and were awed at the sound of our toddlers giggling at play.
On Thursday afternoon they packed up the van, which was now much emptier without the ingredients and snacks my mom packed for us. It took at least an hour to say all our goodbyes, so they could start their 10 hour drive home. My wife and toddlers hugged my mom goodbye and said “Thank you, Nanay for cooking!” That was the utmost message of love and respect for my elderly Filipino mother.
Then reality hit. I turned my notifications back on. I began to digest the news cycle. I felt intense hurt, anger, and guilt. I read about the shootings in Atlanta, Georgia that took the lives of six women of Asian descent as I sat within the safety and comfort of my family. I was frustrated and insecure about my actions or lack thereof. I felt irresponsible and complicit.
As a woman of color, educator, and mother of a biracial family, I have the platform and responsibility to teach and learn.
At Inspire, I am empowered to use my distinct voice to amplify the voices of the unheard. At Inspire, we reinforce ideas like growth mindset and collaborating to meet challenges. Our students open their minds to learn and can pursue their passions wholeheartedly.
What can we all do in times of adversity and conflict? We can self-reflect. We can listen to all voices. We can learn from our histories to better our futures. Let’s continue the learning process together, now, more than ever.
In Advisories, we are discussing the Upfront article “National Outcry Over Asian-American Hate” and using discussion questions to help students navigate the ways discrimination affects our society. You can follow up at home by helping your child reflect on what they learned, or learn more about the the events of March, 16th 2021 and the history of Asian-American Pacific Islander discrimination by visiting the following link:
https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/
In humility and solidarity,
Evita North
Notes and Updates for Students Attending In Person
Students who are attending school in person will be marked absent if they don't show up to class, even if they attend on Zoom. Please make sure you call the office at (530) 891-3090 to excuse an absence if your child is unable to attend.
Breakfast and Lunch Available in the Chico High Cafeteria
Students can get a hot breakfast in the Chico High Cafeteria starting at 8:15, and lunch starting at 12:15.
COVID Screening and Attendance Protocols
Please screen your child at home each morning for COVID-19 symptoms. If they are ill, have tested positive for COVID-19, or need to quarantine due to exposure, please call the office to notify us at (530) 891-3090. For more details, read Nurse Natalie Wren's updates available on this page.
Changing Your Child's Attendance Model
If your child would like to switch from an in-person learning model to distance learning model (or vice-versa) please call the office to notify them of the change at (530) 891-3090. If your child has been learning from home, but would like to attend in-person, you will need to reach out to the teacher directly to ensure this is possible.
Messages from the main office:
Office Hours/Scheduling:
- Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Fri
- School Calendar
- The Perch
In-Person Learners: Please report to campus no earlier than 8:15. Class will begin at 8:30 and be excused at 12pm, as they have for most of the year. Please do not linger on campus after class unless you have permission to do so.
- Please have your Covid-19 Parent/Student Agreement Form filled out and turned into the office upon arrival.
Distance Learners: No changes, please log on from 8:30 to noon.
Inspire is pleased to announce that we will be honoring our 2021 Inspire graduates with a Drive-In Graduation at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Families can attend in their own vehicles and enjoy a celebration of our Seniors' accomplishments with a virtual ceremony on the big screen. Students will have the opportunity to receive their diplomas in person, with a walk across the stage. We are also planning opportunities for families to take photos of their seniors with diplomas.
For questions, contact Becky Brown at bbrown@inspirechico.org
Senior Parents/Guardian Section
Please check HERE regularly for Senior-specific information:
- Graduation
- *Reg2Go*
- Financial Aid
- Cash for College Webinar
- Scholarship Information
- Senior-specific Items
Yearbook 2020-2021
Be sure to buy your yearbook now, before prices go up!
From now to April 30th the yearbook will be $85 and starting May 1st it will go to $90.
- Paying with credit card? CLICK HERE and enter school code 16210.
- Paying with cash or check? Fill out the order form and bring exact payment amount (not able to make change) to the front office during office hours.
Email yearbook@inspirechico.org with questions.
Spain 2022
Price goes up March 25 (TODAY) and spots limited (18 signed up so far).
Get more info here or email us with questions. ¡Buen viaje!
Inspire Performing Arts Boosters
During the pandemic, Inspire Performing Arts changed how we deliver our award-winning education to keep students and staff safe, but it came with a significant cost...
The students of Inspire Production Team along with their Performing Arts teachers are requesting your help in producing this year's performing arts events and our major extra-curricular productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Alice in Wonderland. However, “extra-curricular” is not an accurate description of these events, because they are key parts of our Performing Arts curriculum especially this year.
Our Mission: Inspire School of Arts & Science’s Performing Arts Program provides a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment that offers passionate and focused students professional preparation for higher education and life-long learning in the arts.
Visit this page to see how YOU can directly support the future of Performing Arts at Inspire
Counseling Office
Need to talk to about their schedule?
In need of emotional support?
Let us help!
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Counselors:
Tasha Teeter -students last names beginning A-K
Marcus Hopkins – students last names beginning L-Z
We. are. Live!
This year, the Inspire Foundation is taking our annual fundraiser online with a virtual auction, running from April 10th through 25th, 2021! From local and international vacation getaways (like the one featured below), to winery and brewery tours and tastings, to gorgeous jewelry and art, the Inspire Virtual Auction will offer experiences and items to you while giving you a chance to support all Inspire programs.
This event is part of our 2021 public fundraising effort to build a new, state-of-the-art campus and permanent home for our Inspire family, breaking ground in 2022!
Greek Islands trip for two!
VIP Tour & Wine Tasting in Sonoma
Glass Necklace & Earrings from local Artisan
Here's how you can get involved:
Donate to a cause and get entered in the weekly raffle. For every donation received on our auction site, you will be entered to win in our weekly raffle starting on March 12th and will continue through April 23rd. Each donated dollar gets one raffle ticket, so the more you donate, the more likely you are to win. You get a tax write-off and a chance to win great prizes!
Donate an auction item or naming opportunity on the new campus. By contributing an item to our auction, you will have access to a range of marketing benefits, including social media, website, and newsletter acknowledgment with nationwide visibility. Additionally, any investment in a naming opportunity by March 31, 2021 will earn you recognition as a sponsor of the April auction on social media, our website, and beyond. To learn more about naming opportunities visit our Capital Campaign webpage or to donate an item, visit our auction page and select "Donate Auction Items".
Spread the word. RSVP "Going" to the Facebook auction event for regular updates leading up to April 10th and through the 25th, and invite your friends to join the fun as well!
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
For attendance:
- Call and leave a message at (530) 891-3133 or
- email attendance@inspirechico.org
For general questions, or material appointments:
- Call the front office at (530) 891-3090
For technology assistance:
- Call or email Ken Hardy
- (530) 891-3090 x209 or email khardy@inspirechico.org
To speak with your child's teacher:
- Call or email by visiting the "Staff" page on our Inspire website.
To speak with the Principal/Superintendent:
- Call (530) 230-7758 or email bbrown@inspirechico.org
Contact Us!
This is learning, Inspired.
Email: outreach@inspirechico.org
Website: www.inspirechico.org
Location: 335 West Sacramento Avenue, Chico, CA, USA
Phone: 530-891-3090
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspirechico