IHS IB Notes
September 2023
We're off to a good start!
Twenty school days down, only 160 more to go... While that may seem like a very long time, experience shows that at least some stretches will seem to race by in a flash. It's up to all of us to decide how to spend this time, hopefully being focused in the periods that we designate for tasks so that we may fully enjoy our free time.
We saw a decline in the number of applicants after all the Covid disruptions. The same was true for other programs. The good news is that we have reversed that trend with our biggest ever group of freshmen Scholars! We also added a large number of sophomores to get the Scholars/IB Class of 2026 closer to the size of past cohorts. The addition of IB Computer Science has encouraged some juniors and seniors to try an IB course even though they weren't part of Scholars. I hope to see all this growth continue.
We've had two events already, starting with the IB Back to School BBQ on August 8. We were expecting about 120 families/400 individuals, and it seemed like we hit those numbers. Thanks to the great organization by IB Board President Nancy Kong-Vasquez, everyone ate well. The park buzzed with conversations as old friends got caught up and new acquaintances were made. Then on August 24, 2023 graduates and family members came out to collect their IB Diplomas and Certificates. While not everyone could come that evening, it was fun to check in as they were embarking on their next phases. Click on the picture to see the district article about that evening. If you missed the previous newsletter about where they're headed next, it's still available to read.
You're Invited...
All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the IB Committee meetings. The first one for this school year is on Tuesday, September 12, from 6-7. We'll do this as a hybrid meeting: If you can come in person, find us in C223 (Mr. Overstreet's room) or feel free to check in via Zoom (link below). These meetings are not mandatory, but they are a great place to meet others, ask questions and learn more about our IB Programme. Inderkum IB is a non-profit group committed to helping support our Scholars and Diploma Programme students as well as their families and teachers. One way they do this is by hosting the annual IB Gala. If you have more specific questions, please contact board president Nancy Kong-Vasquez.
Inderkum's Back to School Night is Thursday, September 14, from 6:30-8. Parents/guardians will follow their students' schedules to meet teachers and visit classrooms. Students may come show their families around if they choose, but they don't have to attend. Don't forget to bring your child's schedule, including room numbers!
Freshmen and new Sophomore Scholars & families, please join us on Monday, September 18, from 6:30-7:30 via Zoom (link below). Head counselor Ms. Eisberg, Lead IB Counselor Mrs. Stoddard and I will host a belated Welcome New Scholars information session to give you an overview of what to expect. I apologize this didn't happen in the spring, and we want to be sure to fill in any missing pieces.
Hopefully students have noticed the fliers for the NUSD College Fair, back for the first time in several years. ALL of you should attend on Wednesday, September 20, in the Natomas High School gym. Representatives from many UCs, CSUs and others will be there to let you know more about their campuses. You're welcome to walk in between 6-8 p.m. To get more out of the event, consider signing up for the "How to pay for college" and "What college fits your student" sessions also happening that evening. For these and other workshops, visit our NUSD Parent University webpage.
Zoom link for meetings
https://natomasunified.zoom.us/j/81335653552?pwd=eWM5TWVPZUQ5dGFmdG5nWG9HRS9Ydz09
Meeting ID: 813 3565 3552
Passcode: 715255
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,81335653552#,,,,*715255# US
Find your local number: https://natomasunified.zoom.us/u/kdzF25LpTk
PSAT & SAT Info
Families with 10th and 11th grade students should have received a message from Assistant Principal Mr. Farias inviting them to sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT. I encourage all of you to use the link in that message to sign up by the deadline of Wednesday, 9/13. The test itself will be in late October, on a school day at no charge to the students, thank to our district.
You may know that the UCs and CSUs no longer accept SAT nor ACT scores for admission. So why take the test? First, some universities do require scores, and we want students to keep their options open. Doing the PSAT (practice SAT) gives students a chance to see what the test is like and to access help for areas where they may need improvement. Juniors will get to do the SAT in the spring.
Second, doing the PSAT may help you qualify for scholarships. Juniors with top PSAT scores in each state may be recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program. All juniors who participate in the PSAT are entered into drawings for the College Board's BigFuture Scholarships, and they may earn more entries by following the recommendations our counselors will give them about exploring their college options.
Third, doing the PSAT gives students more experience with long standardized tests. With higher stakes IB and AP tests to come, we want everyone to feel comfortable with the process. So please go back to Mr. Farias' message and sign up for the PSAT!
Service Learning
Shout out to Class of 2022 graduate Amanda Chan who spent last Friday with Mr. Stedronsky's physics classes. She's about to start her second year as a computer engineering major at Cal Poly SLO. She came as a representative of her Society of Women Engineers chapter to help promote the university and engineering in general. Amanda arrived with a boxful of supplies (and treats) to lead students through a fun engineering activity. We love to see our alumni helping others!
This sort of activity follows in the strong tradition of service expected by Inderkum and IB. Scholars are asked to do 20 hours of service spread over ninth and tenth grades. They will hear more about this in classes, and I'll share out opportunities as I learn of them. Students may log their hours using the document on our Service Learning website (printed copies in A107) and will upload their results there, too.
Eleventh graders do not have a specific service requirement unless they are doing CAS. This is mandatory for those pursuing the IB Diploma and optional for others. We held informational sessions for juniors last week. Even if they are not doing CAS, we encourage them to be active in their community and to keep their own records of what they do. Any twelfth graders not doing CAS will complete the Senior Project. All seniors present about what they have done (CAS or Senior Service) in May, and we celebrate their contributions to the community.
Anything else?
If you have questions or need help with something, please feel free to reach out. Students may stop by my office A107. I try to be in here during both lunches daily, and I'm happy to schedule appointments at other times. You can come in even if you don't want to chat but need a break from the noise in the atrium or access to a microwave. Students and parents/guardians may reach me via email and ParentSquare, too. (Those methods are better than voicemails.) General information and links to past newsletters are available on our Scholars/IB website.