Iroquois Middle School

Dear Iroquois Families:

We have worked hard to 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. Additionally, we are excited to continue our work in collaboration with the District’s Heritage Month Committee and the PTSA, wrapping up our celebrations of Black History Month with a visit from a dance troop from Tanzania later this month and looking ahead to celebrating Women’s History Month throughout the month of March.

I also want to take this opportunity to share some of our work in providing students with targeted reading and math instruction through our Response to Intervention (RTI) framework. Recently, our classroom and intervention teachers met as teams to conduct formal mid-year reviews of our students’ mathematics and reading data in order to assess the progress that individual students are making toward their goals. The goal of these reviews is to gather targeted information to identify which skills and concepts students are making progress toward mastering and which ones they may need additional support in order to achieve. We also use these reviews to look and plan for opportunities to provide students with enrichment and extension. As part of our next steps coming out of these meetings, some students may be moved from one RTI group to another. Others may see an increase in the frequency of their intervention services. Any such changes will be communicated with you in a formal letter in the next couple of weeks.

Of course, your continued partnership is always valued, and we appreciate everything you do at home to strengthen your child’s academic engagement and progress. In addition, we invite you to reach out with specific questions and concerns regarding our RTI framework or any other aspect of the instructional program here at Iroquois. Thank you for your continued collaboration and commitment. Our shared effort helps to support the success of all our students.

Regards,

Christian Zwahlen

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

• Mar 2: 6th Band Concert @ IHS 7:00 p.m.

• Mar 30: Iroquois Spirit Day - Tropical Day
  
• Mar 31 : Conference Day – NO SCHOOL K-12

• Apr 3-7: NO SCHOOL - SPRING RECESS
• Apr 14: 4th Gr Half Day Parent-Teacher Conference Day
  
• Apr 19: Drama Club performance @ IHS 7:00 p.m.

• Apr 27: Spirit Day - Mismatch, crazy hair, inside-out day

• Apr 28: Parent/Principal Coffee 8:15 a.m.

• Apr 28: Drama Club performance @ Iroquois 7:00 p.m.
  

• Apr 29: Drama Club performance @ Iroquois 7:00 p.m.
  

• May 1-5: Staff Appreciation Week
• May 2: Jazz Band Concert @ IHS 7:00 p.m.
• May 11: Spirit Day – Career Day
• May 19: 6th Grade Glow Party – new date
• May 16: District Budget Vote

• May 17: 5th & 6th Gr Orchestra & Chorus Concert @ IHS 7:00 p.m.

• May 25: Incoming Grade 4 Parent Orientation 6:00 p.m.

• May 25: Incoming Grade 5 Parent Orientation 6:45 p.m.

• May 29: NO SCHOOL – MEMORIAL DAY

During the 2021-2022 school year, a group of outside consultants conducted an analysis of Special Education in West Irondequoit. The concluding report highlighted many strengths including our inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education environments and graduation rates for students with disabilities that are above county averages. The analysis also offered feedback on ways to further strengthen our special education programs and practices.

Following that, the Student Services Department convened a taskforce which consists of a multi-disciplinary group of professionals. The taskforce has been hard at work over the course of this school year examining the outcomes of the analysis and beginning to make changes for the benefit of students with disabilities in our district. Outcomes of this work will include improved transitions between grade levels and programs; enhancement of our current Continuum of Programs with the goal of maintaining students in their least restrictive environment; development of eligibility and exit guidelines for service providers to ensure students are receiving needed supports while increasing independence when they demonstrate readiness; improved alignment across the district of RtI and CSE processes; and an improved system for identifying and implementing high quality professional learning for our staff. The taskforce is passionate about building on the district’s culture of excellence to meet the needs of all learners, as reflected in our newly developed Student Services Mission Statement.

Throughout Black History Month in February students learned about noteworthy people of color from our past and present. It is one of the Heritage Months that we celebrate. March is Women’s History Month.

For February, students learned about historical figures such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson. Others may have included more recent newsmakers such as Barack Obama and Serena Williams. One classroom at Colebrook showed an interest in black musicians, so their teachers helped them learn more. To hear more about that, including the voices of our own students in videos, click here: bit.ly/BHM_WI_2023.

Attention parents of 4th graders

NYS mandates an updated physical for 5th grade. If your child has a physical this year please send a copy to the health office; any physical after 9/1/22 qualifies.

Attention parents of 5th graders

NYS mandates all 6th grade students have the Tdap vaccine prior to the start of 6th grade. If your child child has a physical and receives the Tdap vaccine please send in a copy to school.

Documents may be faxed 336-3042 or emailed mimi_buerkle@westiron.monroe.edu.

Mrs. Gottfried's students interviewed local leaders for their 'Stand Up' Project.

The project aims to inspire change in our world - standing up for what you believe in.

The “Principal's Praise" Award is presented during Superintendent Johnson’s monthly visits to schools. Principals are asked to celebrate the many ways our staff embodies our district’s mission to welcome, nurture and inspire.

Service Club will be collection donations for urgent needs for animals at Lollypop Farm from

Tuesday, March 7th – Thursday, March 16th

Urgent Needs Wish List includes:

• Canned Cat Food (Fancy Feast and Friskies brand preferred)

• Canned Dog Food (Pedigree, Buffalo Blue and Alpo brands preferred)

• Canned Kitten Food (Fancy Feast Kitten brand preferred)

• Cat Nail Trimmers

• Cat toys like balls, toy mice, soft toys with catnip, and pom poms

• Soft Dog Treats (like Snausages, CloudStar Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits, or Zukes Mini Naturals)

Collection boxes will be in the main office

Parents/guardians: Please note that 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 outdoor clothes on the days students forget. Let us know if you need any help with cold weather clothing.

Come celebrate the Maple Sugaring Season at Helmer Nature Center the weekend of March 18-19! There will be Maple Sugaring Tours from 11 AM to 3 PM. Cost is $5 per person but HNC members and children 3 and under are FREE! There is no need to pre-register. A pancake breakfast runs from 10 AM to 1 PM both days! Enjoy some maple syrup made right at Helmer, 154 Pinegrove Ave. It’s our school district’s outdoor classroom and much, much more! For more details, click here: https://bit.ly/3EiY1Rv

Parents/guardians,

Do you:

• Have a new cell phone number or email address?

• Have a new work phone number?

• Need to update your emergency contacts?

Be sure to keep your child's school informed of any changes to your phone numbers or emergency contact information. Update info directly parent portal or send in a note with your child. Thank you!

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.