February Newsletter
February 1, 2024
Prinicpal's Corner
February 1, 2024
Dear IRS Families,
Wow to think that it is already one half of the way through the school year. It seems as though time is moving real fast. You should have received your child's report card yesterday. If you have any questions please reach out to the teachers. Also note that 3rd quarter will now end on April 4 due to the snow day on Friday.
Event coming our way in the month of February:
January Student of the Month took place, today, Thursday, February 1.
February Vacation starts on Saturday, February 17.
February 29 will be the Student of the Month Assembly for February:
Welcome to the snow belt days of 2024, enjoy our newsletter.
Warmest Regards,
Kevin Towle
Principal
Spelling Bee Champion
Here at IRS we held our school wide spelling bee competition. We had 19 students who qualified to participate.
Congratulations to Augustine Abbott (8th Grade) for winning the Indian River School school wide spelling bee and also to our runner-up Cosette Selby (5th Grade)! August will now take an online test, and from there the top spellers around the state will go to the state competition in Concord.
Congratulations to all participants in our school wide competition.
Sporting Events
Drama Club Presents Annie Jr!
Dr. Lorenz and the Drama Club proudly present Annie Jr!
The production will be on April 26, 27 and 28.
If your student is part of the production you should have a calendar of all the important dates.
8th Grade visit Hartford Area Career & Technical Center (HACTC)
Our four 8th grade classes were able to visit the Hartford Area Career & Technical Center in White River Junction on January 17 and January 31. They were able to see what HACTC has to offer to local high schoolers. Below you will find the information from HACTC's website https://www.hactc.com
"Hartford Area Career & Technology Center (HACTC) recognizes that education is a life-long experience. The Center creates a nurturing environment in which applied contextual learning occurs. HACTC promotes the development of career skills to prepare students for success in our increasingly demanding information-based society."
7th & 8th Grade Dance - RESCHEDULED!
Student Council Valentine's Fundraiser
Student Council will be selling conversation hearts for a Valentine's fundraiser.
IRS Tigers Spirit Store
Get excited - the IRS Tigers Spirit Store will be opened on February 27th! We have had several students ask when they can purchase their gear after the last order was place. We will send out a link once the online store is open.
January Student of the Month
SAS Testing
The writing portion of the SAS Testing will be held March 4 through March 15.
NWEA Testing
The 8th graders should expect to take NWEA testing in the near future, when we have a more accurate date we will share this.
Be Cold Weather Ready!
Upcoming Events
Winter Break
Monday, Feb 19, 2024, 07:00 AM
Winter Break
Tuesday, Feb 20, 2024, 07:00 AM
Winter Break
Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024, 07:00 AM
Winter Break
Thursday, Feb 22, 2024, 07:00 AM
Winter Break
Friday, Feb 23, 2024, 07:00 AM
IRS Garden Club
The Garden Club is not a new thing here at Indian River School but we want to make it bigger. Garden Club consists of several students led by Candy Carter. Below you will find information that Ms. Carter provided with history.
Many years ago Sue Jukoski, a 6th grade science teacher, and volunteers put in the existing raised garden beds. The beds located to the left of the 6th grade entrance were a mix of perennials and some invasive plants. Three years ago students and I removed many of those plants, most were weeds that had taken over.
The compost had not been replenished for years so Martha Doelle, a former para, arranged for a local non-profit to donate a small load of compost. Two years ago I networked and had another load of compost donated and delivered. Students helped shovel and fill wheelbarrows to replenish all the raised beds.
During my first years at IRS I was placed and worked largely with the 6th grade team. They asked me to take students and teach them about gardening skills which included all aspects of the academic curriculum (math, writing, science and technology). The students that worked with me were those who had all their assignments and thus earned the opportunity to participate.
I was able to do this for years until Covid. Martha and I spend many hours volunteering throughout the school year as well as the summer months. About two years ago I wanted to put a small perennial garden at the back entry by the gym door. I had written to a local business for a donation of fall flowering bulbs that they had left at the end of the season, and reached out to a local construction company if they would donate and deliver a load of loam for this project. Through the community's generosity we were able to have a group of 8th graders spread out the loam and have some 5th and 6th grade students plant an assortment of bulbs.
Several students that struggled with school have helped me prune the ornamental apple tree and shrubs near the rear door as well. Many of our students have enjoyed assisting with the planting, caring and doing the maintenance of the gardens around our IRS campus.
My goal with our Garden Club is to be a more active and involved club with our IRS students to continue to make our campus beautiful. I would also like to continue to make centerpieces, placemats and holiday cards for local senior centers. With permission from our superintendent, Amanda Isabelle, we’d also like to plant blueberry bushes near our outdoor classroom. There are many activities and projects where we can base our students' academic learning and build lifelong skills by participating in the Garden Club.
If your student would like to be a part of Garden Club or if you would be willing to volunteer please get in contact with myself or Mrs. Ball. We are willing to take any planting, soil and tool donations the community offers up.