The Buzz
Volume 3, Edition 32, April 29, 2022
Irmo High School International School for the Arts
We bring our A Game to all we do in Academics, the Arts, Athletics, Attendance and Attitude by promoting the 3 R's - being Respectful, Responsible and Reputable.
Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/IHS
Location: 6671 Saint Andrews Road, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 476-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irmohighschool
Twitter: @IrmoHigh
You're Invited to the Miss Yellow Jacket Pageant! Tonight at 6:30pm!
Ticket link: https://gofan.co/app/events/601495?schoolId=SC1145
Help us share the word through our school's Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/7GKg8pujv
Information about AP tests
Drug and Alcohol Prevention Club's Spirit Week
Everyone knows prom is a night to remember. It is a day to dress up, dance the night away and enjoy your best friends, but it also comes with a dark side: pressure to partake in drugs and alcohol. Make the promise and make it a night to remember.
Prom Promise means more than just "say no to drugs" -- it means that you as a human being are going to be responsible for your choices, actions and the consequences of these actions. By promising to be responsible at prom you are agreeing to ensure that all who attend will have a safe and enjoyable night. Every year, drunk driving causes more than 10,000 deaths, about 1/3 of all traffic-related deaths. In a recent year, more than 230 children were killed in drunk-driving crashes, the NHTSA reports. Drinking and driving costs more than $44 billion in deaths and damages annually. Be safe, be smart and have fun Yellow Jackets!
Extended Studies Forms Due May 2!
Congratulations to Band!
The Irmo High School Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Mrs. Stacy Tyson, was awarded an Excellent rating in class IV competition. Congratulations! Read more about #LexRich5Schools bands here: https://bit.ly/3vTAulc
Congratulations to our Palmetto Boys State Delegates!
Congratulations to William "Alex" Petruzzi and Joseph Hodges for being selected as our 2021-22 Palmetto Boys State delegates. We are so proud of these students and know that both of these amazing young men will represent Irmo High School well!
The American Legion’s Palmetto Boys State program is a unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government and politics by participating in a mock governmental system. This summer PBS will be held in-person at Anderson University during the week of June 12-18, 2022.
It is an honor to be chosen as a delegate to Palmetto Boys State. PBS's primary objective is to work with young men (rising high school seniors) who have demonstrated leadership in their own communities and train them in practical, democratic principles of government so that they may actively participate in the organization, election and functions of all 3 branches of government.
We thank the American Legion Post 6 for their sponsorship and support.
Congratulations to our ALA Palmetto Girls State delegates!
Congratulations to Zoi Seabrook (L), Aryana Stokes (top right) and Elisabeth Hall (bottom right) for being selected as our 21-22 Palmetto Girls State delegates. We are so proud of these amazing young ladies and know that they will represent Irmo High School well.
Palmetto Girls State is a weeklong program held in the summer designed to immerse rising senior girls in a real, functioning government, in the mythical State of Palmetto! PGS allows these young women to expand their leadership skills and meet other outstanding young women from across the state. Some delegates even form lifelong bonds from their time at PGS.
This year Palmetto Girls State will be held June 12-18, 2022 on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. Good news: This year PGS is in-person!!
We would like to thank the American Legion Auxiliary for their sponsorship, so that our students may be able to participate in this wonderful program.
Congratulations to our High Scorers!
Congratulations to Irmo High School's Top SAT and PSAT scorers: Harrison, Audrey, Andy, Joseph, Ellie, and Siiri!
Harrison is in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme, taking IB courses at IHS and Biomed courses at The Center. Audrey, Joseph, Ellie, and Siiri are in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, taking college-level courses in all 5-6 IB areas of study. Andy has participated in IB at IHS as a course participant while also taking Cybersecurity courses at The Center.
Information about "Seat Time"
In high school, students must meet academic and attendance requirements. State law requires a minimum of 120 hours of seat time for a one-credit class and 60 hours of seat time for half-credit classes. Any student who accumulates more than five (5) absences in a 0.5 credit class, more than ten (10) absences in a 1.0 credit class, or twenty (20) absences in a 2.0 credit class is in jeopardy of not receiving credit and may instead be assigned a “Failure due to Absence - FA.”
Students will have an opportunity to "recapture" missed class time by participating in our Student Attendance Make-Up Program (SAMP). Students are expected to complete school work during this time. Students will be required to attend for an hour of seat time at a price of $15.00 for every hour. The cost will be added to the student’s bill. No payments can be taken during recapture time.
There is an allotment of 24 total classes any student will be able to recover. Once 24 blocks of seat time have been applied, the student will no longer be eligible to receive credit for classes with accumulating absences.
Make-up days for the 2021-2022 school year, will be held on the following dates:
After-school from 3:40 - 6:40 P.M.
Monday, May 2, 2022
Monday, May 23, 2022
Remaining Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Students complete seat time virtually. Please email Kyle Yobs at syobs@lexrich5.org for access to the meet on the day of makeup.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact your student’s assigned administrator or the attendance office at 803-476-3000. Thank you for your help in this matter.
No more Late-Start Wednesdays
There are no more late-start Wednesdays for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.
The list of no-late start Wednesdays is available on the LexRich5 website.
Important Information for our Graduating Seniors
- Jostens will return on Tuesday, May 3rd for another opportunity to purchase your stoles and pick up $0 balance Graduation Gear. Please make sure you have CASH to purchase your stoles, and they are $12 each.
- Linked here you will find a Google Form asking you to think of suggestions for fun activities to do after Graduation Practice on Friday, May 27th. Please fill this out before next Wednesday. We need enough time to plan/reserve what items we would need.
- Attached you will find a Google Form asking you to record your FULL name for Coach Railey to say at Graduation. It asks you to state it one time SLOWLY for pronunciation purposes and then one time normal. You can do them in one recording. This means first name, middle name(s), and last name, in that order.
Real World Learning in Aerospace Engineering / Exploration
We celebrate academics and real world learning! Last Thursday, our Astronomy classes, led by Mr. Jeff Cameron, were treated to a visit from New Ascent Space. Mr. Rob Quigley, co-founder and CEO of New Ascent, and Mr. Bill Cohen flew in to spend an afternoon introducing our students to a new ground-based launching system. This pilot program allowed the students to track five spark chips that were sent into sub-space about a month ago and measure various parameters as they descended in the desert of New Mexico. The students were tasked with following and comparing variables such as temperature, air pressure, altitude, along with many others. As they tracked the descending chips, all of which the class had previously named, they manipulated the views and variables independently on their school-issued chromebooks.
Mr. Quigley has done work on the Hubble Telescope and the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. This was an exciting time for the students to get firsthand experience in aerospace research. The session followed with a question and answers period where the students asked their questions to these space experts. It was an experience unlike anything the Astronomy class had seen!
Thank you!
Library Dates -- End of Year
School Counseling Information
Class of 2022 Celebration
We celebrate our Class of 2022 on Friday, April 29 -- college, career, military. We are excited to hear from our guest speaker, Ms. Destiny Littleton, member of the UofSC 2022 Women's Basketball National Championship Team!
More information will be in the newsletter next week.
Class of 2022, are you joining the military?
Hello Seniors! Are you joining the military? Please complete this form if you are enlisting in one of the branches of the Armed Services or will be attending one of the distinguished Military Service Academies.
Click here: https://bit.ly/3EOlHfu
Virtual SC Exams -- May 11
For any student enrolled in a Virtual SC course, the final exam will be proctored on Wednesday May 11th at 8am.
If you have any questions please see Ms. Jacobs in School Counseling.
Summer Programs
There are many summer programs and opportunities available for students. Please take a look and be mindful of deadlines!
ASVAB
Need FAFSA assistance?
Link Here: https://bit.ly/3KYghkl
Scholarships with May 1 deadline -- apply now!
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$500/3 Recipients
Application available in School Counseling
2) William (Billy) Tidwell Excellence in Musicianship Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$1,000
Application available in School Counseling
3) Rotary Club of St. Andrews-Columbia Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$2,000-$3,000
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv-6cysIeU3HC7HpCok-MWqKp-f7SAYBrR6R5RUSFTvgualA/viewform
4) The Future Female Educators Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$1,000
https://www.privatetutoringathome.com/the-future-female-educators-scholarship/
5) South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Educational Foundation (SCRLEF)
Deadline: May 1, 2022
Various Amounts
https://scholarship.scrla.org/
6) Joye Law Firm Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$2,000/6 Recipients
https://www.joyelawfirm.com/joye-scholarship-program/
7) Joye Law Firm HBCU Scholarship
Deadline: May 1, 2022
$1,000
https://www.joyelawfirm.com/hbcu-scholarship-program/
Athletics
Way to go, Irmo Softball!
The Varsity team clinched the #2 seed in the Region and will advance to the State Playoffs for the first time in 8 years! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Irmo Boys Tennis!
Congratulations to Irmo Soccer!
Regular Season Sports Wrap-Up
Fear The Sting website
Previously Published Information:
EOC (End-of-Course) Testing
The Education Accountability Act of 1998 requires the development of end-of-course examinations in gateway or benchmark courses which include Algebra 1, English 2, U.S. History and the Constitution, and Biology 1. The EOC tests will be administered during May, and the student’s score counts as 20 percent of the student’s final grade.
Please take time to discuss the importance of these assessments and exams with your student. Also, please be sure your child has had a good night’s rest, eats a healthy breakfast so that they are ready to do their best on testing days, and arrives early to school on these dates.
The testing schedule is:
Tuesday, May 10: English 2 Writing (A day)
Wednesday, May 11: English 2 Writing (B day)
Thursday, May 12: English 2 Writing makeup (A day)
Friday, May 13: English 2 Writing makeup (B day)
Monday, May 16: English 2 (A day)
Tuesday, May 17: English 2 (B day)
Wednesday, May 18: Algebra1/Intermediate A Classes; US History A classes
Thursday, May 19: Algebra1/Intermediate B Classes; US History B classes
Friday, May 20: EOC Makeups
Monday, May 23: Biology (B day)
Tuesday, May 24: Biology (A day)
Wednesday, May 25: EOC Make-ups
Thursday, May 26: EOC Make-ups
Friday, May 27: EOC Make-ups
Parent Portal
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JJo2GggI-qK6yP-HJurP1-HBiT62_V8oUCeXvBpX6Nk/edit
First Jobs Initiative
Bring your Chromebook to Room 106 to apply for an on campus job! Contact Ms. Etheridge for more information.
Class of 2022: School Counseling needs your Scholarship Info
Please use your student Google email account when adding your scholarship awards, in case we need additional information.
A new form must be completed for each Scholarship Award. If you have questions, please see Mrs. Pearson.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpyDO92J4nmuIO--Epp0FC8l9jO4dSYpFaSOTILKAq_mWkrg/viewform
Graduation & Jostens Info
Graduation ** June 3rd ** 8:00am (plan to arrive around 6:30am) ** Colonial Life Arena.
1) There are no tickets required this year. This means you can invite as many guests as you would like to attend.
2) The Graduate entrance will open as early as 6:30am.
3) The CLA is working to make parking as simple/convenient as possible. But, any guests will need to prepare for traffic and parking issues with graduation being on a Friday morning work day in Downtown Columbia.
Stoles are available to purchase. Check with your school counselor or Ms. Whipple for more information.
ORDER
1) www.rhodesgraduation.com
2) Click on "Shop" - top right, then "Senior - Shop"
3) Click "South Carolina", "Columbia", "Irmo High School"
4) Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on "Regalia"
5) Far left package - Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Diploma Cover are required - add to cart
PAY
1) www.rhodesgraduation.com
2) Click on "Pay" - top right, then "Senior - Pay"
3) Click "South Carolina", "Columbia", "Irmo High School"
4) Top left you will see "Make a Payment" or "Find My Order" - you can look up your order to see your items purchased and how much of a balance you have left
Class of 2022 -- Scholarship Award Reporting is Important!
The School Counseling Department needs your help! Scholarship awards received by graduating seniors need to be documented. We want to celebrate your successes and to accurately report scholarship awards ( Academic, Athletic, Military or Other) for the Class of 2022.
Please use your student Google email account when adding your scholarship awards. The name and photo associated with your Google account will allow us to follow up with you if additional information is needed.
You will also be asked to upload a copy of the actual award letter or email. Please print to PDF or take a screenshot and upload.
A new form must be completed for each scholarship award. If you have questions, please see your School Counselor.
Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpyDO92J4nmuIO--Epp0FC8l9jO4dSYpFaSOTILKAq_mWkrg/viewform
Important Information from our Attendance Office
Parents/guardians are asked to email Ms. Menger at emenger@lexrich5.org.
The attendance office opens at 7AM and closes promptly at 3:15PM every day.
There will be no dismissals after 3:15PM.
For more information about our attendance procedures, please visit our website here.
Yearbook Info
- You can order your 2022 yearbook online!
- Visit www.yearbookforever.com to place an ad or order.
Juniors -- ACT or SAT prep is waiting for you!
FREE SAT/ACT TEST PRACTICE TESTS
You can access full SAT and ACT practice sections and tests for free online! You can take a practice test online, or print it and take it on paper. Be sure to score your practice tests, and review all the answer explanations, even the explanations for the answers you got right!
SAT practice test: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests
ACT practice tests: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
Practice Materials through the SAT Website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/
SAT Practice through Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
SAT Prep through Chegg: https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/sat
Practice Materials through the ACT Website: http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
ACT Prep through ACT Academy: https://academy.act.org/
ACT Prep through Chegg: https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/act
ACT Practice through Sophia.org: https://www.sophia.org/preparing-for-college/act-test-preparation
ACT & SAT Practice at PrepFactory: https://www.prepfactory.com
ACT & SAT Practice at USA Test Prep: http://www.usatestprep.com/
PowerScore: www.powerscore.com
Kaplan: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/events
Attest, LLC : www.SATPrepTeacher.com
Student Parking Information
Parking Registration for 2021 – 2022 School Year, Second Semester
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- IHS Student Parking Application - this Google form must be completed in its entirety.
Once a student/parent has completed the parking pass registration online, a follow-up email will be sent that will approve the student if all requirements are met. At that point, students/parents will be directed to the online payment center to purchase the parking pass. Once the payment is received, the student may pick up his/her permanent parking pass from Ms. Carlsen in the Main Office.
- A student needs to have completed the “Alive@25” course (given by the National Safety Council) prior to completing the parking application for first time applicants. This course only has to be taken once. For information and registration, go to https://scnsc.org/training/alive-at-25. The cost of the course is $40.
- Students must possess a valid driver's license to be eligible to purchase a parking space.
ALL of these conditions must be met for a student to be considered for a parking spot.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Debra Carlsen, dcarlsen@lexrich5.org, 803.476.3195. Thank you.
Revised Tardy Policy as of January 12, 2022
Being tardy means arriving late to class. Students who arrive late to class miss out on important learning opportunities and interrupt class.
When a student has tardies, these are the following consequences:
- 1-5 tardies: admin conference or 1 lunch detention
- 6-10 tardies: 2-3 lunch detentions and parent contact
- 11-15 tardies: 1/2 day ISS and/or parent conference
- 15+ tardies: full day ISS and parent conference
Chromebook Support - The Tech Nest is here to help!
Students, need a Chromebook repaired? Come to the Tech Nest in the Media Center between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday.
Online Lunch Application is Needed to Receive Other Benefits
Breakfast and lunch for students will be provided at no cost during the 2021–2022 school year.
Eligible families are encouraged, however, to complete the online meal applications for the 2021–2022 school year, which determines eligibility for other benefits, including P-EBT funding, scholarships, reduction in school fees, camp fees waived or reduced, ACT/SAT fees waived or reduced, etc. Families may complete the online meal applications at www.lunchapplication.com.
ATHLETICS
CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SCHOOL COUNSELING
Follow IHS on Social Media!
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/irmohighschool/
Twitter: @irmohigh
Instagram: @irmohigh