newsletter april 7.pdf

Inside this issue:

ACT Aspire 2-3 IMS/Bojangles/Relay night 4

Junior Scholars 5 Flight of the Butterflies 6

Monarch & Milkweed 7 Pulsera Project 8

Spring Pictures 9-10 Irmo Summer Opp. 11

Job Shadowing 12 Nurses/Subs needed 13 Summer School Info 14

Irmo Middle School 6051 Wescott Road Columbia, SC 29212 (803) 476-3600

www.lexrich5.org/ims School Hours: 8:20 a.m.3:35 p.m.

If you have news for the

Buzz, email Allison Redick

at [email protected].

April 7, 2015

Dates to Remember:

Black Week

Tues 4/7 St. Govt. Mtg. Rm 812 7:45-8:15 AM Report Card Pick up Night 6-7:30 PM @ IMS Gym

Wed 4/8 Report Cards go home Thurs 4/9 Junior Scholars Recog- nition Ceremony 7 PM Irmo High Aud. Fri 4/10 Spring Picture Day

The Buzz at Irmo Middle School

Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal

[email protected] https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Report Card Pick-Up Night:

Tuesday, April 7th 6:00-7:30 pm

In the IMS Gymnasium

Parents and students will be able to pick up their

report card and briefly speak with teachers.

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PLANT SALE

Tuesday, April 7th 6:00-7:30pm &

Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm.

Our 7th grade science students from team iGrow, under the in-

struction of Mrs. Regan Moore and Ms. Brinton Fox, are hosting

their first plant sale. Tended and grown in our very own, on-campus greenhouse,

plants for sale will include: spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and a selection of

flowers. The sale begins on Tue., April 7 during interim pick-up night and again on Sat-

urday, April 11 from 8am-1pm in the IMS greenhouse - which is located behind the 7th

grade building. All proceeds from this sale will be used to fund future horticulture pro-

jects at IMS. Please support your Irmo Middle School community and help to provide

our students with unique and relevant learning experiences by attending the plant sale!

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MAKING TEA:

After watching the video about Chinese Tea, students

learned about how to pick, prepare and make different

kinds of tea. Today in class, we had a tea appreciation party

sponsored by our Chinese student, Yating Zheng and her

family. Thank you, Yating!

The Buzz at Irmo Middle

Page 2 The Buzz at Irmo Middle

Standardized Testing Info for Irmo Middle Parents:

Dear Parent / Guardian,

The SC Department of Education has been actively working with ACT, Inc., to plan for the spring 2015 statewide administration of ACT Aspire, The ACT, and the WorkKeys tests.

As communicated earlier through previous blog entries, newsletters, etc...The SC Department of Education has let us know that, starting this school year, an assessment called ACT Aspire must be administered to stu-dents in grades 3 through 8. ACT Aspire includes tests in writing, English, reading, and mathematics.

The reading and mathematics assessment test items include multiple choice and constructed response ques-tions. Students will write an essay based on a writing prompt for the tests writing component. The English section includes only multiple choice questions.

These ACT Aspire assessments will give us important information that will allow us to determine not only how your students are progressing at their current grade level, but also how they are progressing toward future college and career readiness by helping your students teacher understand where your student is suc-ceeding, as well as where your student needs extra help. The ACT Aspire test results will also be used for school, school district, state and federal accountability purposes.

In addition to ACT Aspire assessments, students in grades 4 through 8 will still take the SC Palmetto Assess-ment of State Standards (SCPASS) in science and social studies.

SCPASS, which contains multiple-choice items only, measures the progress of fourth- through eighth-grade students toward the states academic standards in science and social studies. Each student can receive a score of Exemplary, Met or Not Met in each area tested.

Exemplary: Student demonstrated exemplary performance in meeting the grade level standard. Met: The student met the grade level standard. Not Met: The student did not meet the grade level standard.

For your information, the schedules and time allotted for each test appear below. Please put these testing days on your familys calendar. It is very important for all students to be at school and on time because all test sessions are mandatory. Students who are absent or tardy on test days will have to make up the tests.

Grades 6 & 7 Grade 8

Help us make your child feel confident and comfortable as your child takes ACT Aspire and SCPASS testing. Be sure your child goes to bed early, gets a good nights sleep, eats a good breakfast, and arrives at school on time. Please note that students are not allowed to have cell phones, tablets or any other electronic commu-nication devices on their person. We prefer that students not bring them into the testing room. However, if they bring a device, it must be turned off and stored in a designated location in the classroom.

ACT Aspire Test Dates Testing Time in

Minutes

Writing Tue., April 28 30

English Tue., April 28 35

Reading Wed., April 29 60

Mathematics Thur., April 30 65

Make-up Through May 13

SC PASS Test Dates Testing Time in

Minutes

Science Thur., May 7 Not timed

Social Studies Fri., May 8 Not timed

Makeup Through May 15 Not timed

ACT Aspire Test Dates Testing Time in

Minutes

Writing Tue., April 28 30

English Tue., April 28 35

Reading Wed., April 29 60

Mathematics Thur., April 30 60

Make-up Through May 13

SC PASS Test Dates Testing Time in

Minutes

Science Thur., May 7 Not timed

Social Studies Fri., May 8 Not timed

Makeup Through May 15 Not timed



Information For Families

About Assessment in Grades 3-8 With assistance from ACT, the EOC has devel-

oped a resource for school districts and schools to use to in-

form students and parents of students in grades 3-8 about up-

coming changes in assessment. Although ACT has developed a

letter and materials to educate families about ACT Aspire, this

additional resource also includes a schedule for testing in South

Carolina and reminds families that students will also be taking

SCPASS in Science and Social Studies. We hope this will provide an additional tool to assist districts in edu-

cating students and their families about these important changes in testing.

For additional family-friendly information about overall changes in testing, visit the EOC website.

Additional Resources:

SC Department of Education Assessment Information

ACT Aspire Resources

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In April, students will take the new ACT Aspire standardized test. This year, all students will be permitted to use an approved calculator for the math portion of the test. We encour-

age all students to begin bringing an approved calculator to school daily. If your student can-

not obtain a calculator, please alert his or her math teacher as soon as possible.

Scientific and graphing calculators are preferred, due to the advanced nature of the 7th and 8th grade curric-

ulum and standards. Most scientific and graphing calculators are approved.

The calculators most familiar to students at IMS are TI-83 & TI-84 graphing calculators. A graphing calculator

is an investment that a student can use year after year - in middle school, high school, and throughout col-

lege. Many families already have a graphing calculator from parents, older siblings, or family members who have recently taken high school or college courses. Check with friends, neighbors, and family prior to pur-

chasing a new one! We are asking that calculators be brought to school every day so that students become

more familiar with the functions. The following calculators cannot be used:

Calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality

Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers (this includes Chromebooks)

Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices

Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices

Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format).

If you would like to donate a calculator or batteries, please bring them to our front office. Thank you for

helping our students prepare for their academic success. We appreciate your support!

If you have any questions, please contact our math department chair, Mrs. Kelly Thacker ([email protected]).

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Bi-Lo Hometown Educational Awards: Save money for yourself & raise money for IMS by scanning your Bi-Lo card. The IMS code is 54883. Register and learn more

at http://www.hometowneducationalrewards.com/



Congratulations to the Irmo Middle School Junior Scholars!

We are please to announce that the fifty-four eighth-graders identified below have ex-

celled academically with their performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test

(PSAT) and have earned the 2014-15 Junior Scholar distinction. In addition, we would

like to recognize and congratulate all teachers and parents who made it possible for

them to achieve this honor. The student scholars are as follows:

The Junior Scholars Program was

developed by the South Carolina

Department of Education to identify

eighth-graders with exceptional aca-

demic talent and to develop strate-

gies for inclusion into special pro-

grams. The program includes a pro-

cess for screening, identifying and

recognizing students with high scho-

lastic achievement and intellectual

ability.

Eligible students include those who

score 50 or higher on the

PSAT (preliminary SAT) in verbal,

math, or writing or those who par-

ticipated in Duke University's Talent

Identification Program (TIP) during

their seventh-grade years, who met

the eligibility requirements as out-lined by that program and were

identified and recognized by Duke

TIP.

Students who qualify as Junior Schol-

ars receive an award of merit from

the South Carolina Department of

Education as well as information regarding summer academic experiences sponsored by South Carolina col-

leges and universities. They can use that special recognition to bolster their applications to colleges and uni-

versities.

In honor of their scholastic achievement, School District Five and PAGE 5 (Parent Advocates for Gifted Edu-cation) will recognize all students at an awards ceremony for Junior Scholars from Irmo Middle School,

Dutch Fork Middle School, and Chapin Middle School. This event is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2015, at

Irmo High School Center for the Arts.

The ceremony begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Tami Richardson (Coordinator of Gifted Programs) at

[email protected].

I look forward to seeing you on April 9th.

Cameron Andrews Calvin Guyette Marielle Muro Buckingham

Mary Blitch Adriann Halbisen Dana Nicholas

Emma Bryant Jayla Hayes Noah Overcash

MacKenna Bryant Esha Hegde Kesha Patel

Madelen Bushman Mina Heidari Kathryn Pierce

John Cox Lauren Henderson Jordan Reeder

Jazmine Davis Robert Hutto Alana Revels

Kendall DeLong Addaline Johnson Christian Romleski

Surin Desai Aden Johnson Logan Sawyer

Sarah Deschamps Madeline Knowles Corinne Smith

Drew Dewar Anna Koon Victoriana Smith

James Dooley Chris Koverman Walker Smith

Madeline Duffie Cole Lewis Devon Solet

Evelyn Edgar Haley Litz Jacob Vickio

Atashanay Eskridge Erin Medlock Nieky Wang

Candace Evans Tommy Metts Katie Weber

Hunter Fallat James Minick Aaron White

Becan Floyd Caleb Montgomery Robert Wolff



7th Graders at Irmo Middle School need your help to raise awareness of the devastating

decline of Monarch Butterflies internationally, and how the school is working together

with community partners to help save this species!

Through a partnership with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF), Irmo Middle School (IMS) is

presenting a two-day screening of the film, Flight of the Butterflies, to raise public awareness of the Monarchs plight. They will invite other students in Lexington/ Richland School District 5, as well as the gen-

eral public.

This film is an interconnected scientific adventure story that spans not only thousands

of miles, but generations. Its about the remarkable Monarch butterfly migration, the most incredible migration on Earth, and the determined scientist who spent 40 years trying to discover exactly where the butterflies mysteriously disappeared when they

flew south for winter.

The film will be shown on May 15th & 29th in Irmo High Schools new auditori-um - this screening will be the first time this film has been shown in South Car-

olina! IMS students will make a presentation before the film on their project,

and each attendee will have the opportunity to take home a packet of milkweed

seeds to create habitat for Monarchs in their own backyard.

Sponsors are needed to help offset the costs for rights to show the film, as

well as the costs for the packets of milkweed seeds. We hope your busi-

ness will consider supporting this event at any level! Sponsors will be pro-

vided with tickets and thanked publicly at the event and on SCWF & IMS

websites and through statewide social media.

Funds are being funneled through the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and proceeds will benefit wildlife habitat

conservation programs in Irmo and surrounding areas. Please see next page for more details about the partnership.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I will support Irmo Middle Schools project by sponsoring this event!

$100 minimum donation

Check Enclosed OR Credit Card Payable Online at www.scwf.org

Sponsor Contact Information:

Business Name: _________________________________________________________

Contact Name/Title: _____________________________________________________

Email: __________________________________ Phone: ________________________

Please make check payable and return to:

South Carolina Wildlife Federation 215 Pickens Street Columbia, SC 29205



Please consider sponsoring Irmo Middle Schools presentation of Flight of the Butterflies to help us spread the word about Monarch population decline, and

what we can all do to make a difference!

Background of IMS Monarchs & Milkweed Project:

When 7th graders at Irmo Middle School were tasked with choosing a sci-

ence project with an international scope to tie into their schools magnet theme, they investigated many possibilities. Around the same time, nation-

al news media started running stories about the drastic decline in Monarch

Butterflies migrating to Mexico. The 97% decline in population is mostly

due to loss of critical habitat the milkweed on which Monarchs depend

for a caterpillar food source.

Over the past year, students have been studying this species and research-

ing the threats and conservation practices. They began tagging Monarchs

during the 2014 fall migration to aid in international research efforts. Students have been growing milkweed

indoors, and have plans to install a acre milkweed garden on the school grounds this spring. They also

made a presentation to Irmo Town Council, and received a commitment from the Town to plant milkweed

on town property throughout our community. Student-created posters are being distributed to town facili-

ties, local plant nurseries and schools in the community to encourage citizens to plant milkweed for Mon-

archs in their own yard.

For more details about the IMS Monarchs & Milkweed Project see:

www.lexrich5.org/webpages/wgreen/monarchs.cfm

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is a non-profit organization who works with local partners to

conserve and restore South Carolinas wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy. SCWF has been consulting on the wildlife habitat enhancement project at IMS since its inception and we are happy to

help them bring this inspiring and educational film to their community.

Questions? Please contact SCWF Director of Education,

Sara Green, at (803) 609-4778 or [email protected].



Students at a Lexington-Richland District Five middle school are using hand-

woven bracelets to raise awareness about the educational needs of youth in Nic-

aragua.

Irmo Middle School is participating in the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit campaign

that gives Nicaraguan youth weavers a market to sell their intricate bracelets and

raise funds for educational programs. Students at the school have sold a few doz-

en bracelets, or pulseras in Spanish, since the weeklong project started on March

23. The bracelets cost $5 each, and all proceeds go to the Charleston-based Puls-

era Project.

Educators say the project teaches many valuable classroom and life lessons to

students at Irmo Middle, an international academic magnet school.

We decided to do the Pulsera Project because its a great global pro-ject to help our students grow as global citizens while helping needy

kids in other countries, said Irmo Middle Spanish teacher Nancy Ellis. Our students are learning how to do some true worldwide commu-nity service to promote something from the goodness of their hearts

without reward for themselves.

Showing off one of her favorite bracelets, seventh grader Sade Allen

said the student response has been great and the bracelets are be-

coming popular around the school. She said the fact that all the pro-

ceeds go back to helping students gives the project added meaning.

It helps them get an education, which is something everyone needs and should have, Allen said. Although we dont know the people were doing this for personally, it still feels good to help and show the beautiful bracelets these kids are able to make.

Seventh grader Evan McConnell said he enjoys helping students in another country. The project has made

him grateful for the opportunities he has and more mindful of global issues.

We learned in class that some of these kids in Nicaragua are living on a budget of $2 a day, McConnell said. So when we learned that they were making bracelets through their own skills, we thought it was a great way to raise money for them.

This is the second year that Irmo Middle School has sponsored the Pulsera Project. Nearly 600 bracelets and

other hand woven items were delivered to the school for sale. In 2014, the school sold all of its bracelets,

netting a total of around $3,000 for Nicaraguan artisans.

I think the lesson we can all take from this is that we all need to be more grateful for simple things, said Melanie Daniel, a parent who volunteered to help with the schools Pulsera Project. Not only are the brace-lets beautiful, they are bracelets with a cause behind them.

Ellis added, This is a project the students at Irmo Middle School really take ownership of. I think because we are an international magnet, the students are really tuned into finding ways to help others globally and like

the idea of impacting the world. This project lets them do thatthey are able to be that agent of change in

their small way, and it resonates with them.



Spring PicturesSpring PicturesSpring Pictures Fri., April 10thFri., April 10thFri., April 10th



Spring Pictures are Tue., April 10th. Are You Ready?

FALL PICTURES: A reminder that Spring Pictures are Fri., April 10th.

Are you ready? Have you picked out your outfit? What about your accessories? Here are some tips:

OUTFIT

Plan your outfit the night before picture day! A clean and pressed outfit will create a beautiful portrait. Iron-

ing the collar makes all the difference in close-up portraits! Spring Portraits are generally full-body so check

your outfit from head to toe. Choose colors that compliment your eye color and skin tone. White does not

photograph well; solid colors and small patterns are generally best. Avoid spaghetti straps and off the shoul-

der tops, t-shirts with pop culture images, logos, superheroes and words.

HAIR

Wash your hair the night before so it will be clean and shiny. Practice new hairstyles and schedule all haircuts

at least a week before picture day to avoid unexpected Hairy situations.

SMILE

Be sure to show off your smile! Dont have kids smile with their mouth closed Natural smiles are best.

Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions!

Please remember to dress and look youre very best as these are the pictures that will be used in the year-

book. Students should have received a flyer from their Social Studies teacher that will allow you to pre-order

your child's pictures. Please send that payment to school with your child on Picture Day to turn in to the

photographer. You can also purchase online at www.strawbridge.net. We appreciate your support and en-

courage you to purchase your child's pictures, not only to capture this moment in their lives, but also be-

cause it is a very important fundraiser for our school!



Job Shadowing is a great time to explore the world of work.

Job Shadowing gives students an opportunity to see that the skills they learn in school are related to the skills

they will need in the workplace. Job Shadowing is considered a short-term experience to introduce a stu-

dent to a particular job by a one-on-one pairing of a student with an employee in a work environment. The

student shadows the worker up to one day to better understand the requirements of a particular career.

All students are encouraged to participate in this activity.

Important Information about Job Shadowing:

Students and their parents/guardians will make arrangements for the student to shadow a parent/

guardian, friend, relative or another person in a career of interest at the work site to include transporta-

tion.

Students are eligible to have ONE day per school year for this activity.

Job Shadowing can be completed in a couple of hours, an entire day, weekends and/or holidays.

Students provide their own lunch during shadowing, if applicable.

Students should demonstrate punctuality, honesty, good grooming habits, appropriate dress and

willingness to learn.

Students serve as an observer, not a worker.

Students are not permitted to shadow teachers at Irmo Middle school.

Any school work missed as a result of being absent for shadowing is the responsibility of the student.

If interested, please have your student contact Allison Redick, Career Specialist to pick up a packet or go to

our IMS Website under the Guidance Department/Career Specialist to print a packet. Also, if you need as-

sistance for a particular career to job shadow please contact Allison Redick @ 476-3668 or email: ared-

[email protected].



Staff NeedsStaff NeedsStaff Needs

Nurses Needed: Fall 2015

School District 5 of Lexington/Richland Counties is looking to hire several

nurses to substitute in our health rooms as needed and to assist with our

vision , hearing and BP screenings for the Fall of 2015.

All interested nurses please complete the online application on the district

website. Notify Dyan McDowell that you have completed the application

(476-8145). Once references are completed online, Dyan will set up an ori-

entation with Mrs. Richards, the nursing supervisor. They will also set up a

time to stop by Human Resources to complete W2 paperwork, etc. (Nurses

you will NOT have to wait for HR to hold a scheduled orientation, which

means you will be available to sub in a much more timely manner).

Please contact Kathy Jackson, IMS school nurse at 476-3609, if you have any questions or concerns!!!

We look forward to meeting and working with you!!!

How to apply:

D5 website www.lexrich5.org

Departments

Department of Human Resources

Application Procedures

Substitute Application Procedure

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Substitute Teachers Needed


Summer Residential Camp

Camp Burnt Gin is a residential camp, operated by DHEC, for children and youth

with special health care needs.

Campers must be 7-15 years old to qualify for the child sessions, 16-20 years old for the

teen sessions and 21-25years old for the young adult session.

Applications are available on the web site : [email protected] or you can call

Marie Aimone, Camp Director at 803-898-0874 for further information.

ALL APPLICATIONS were due to DHEC by MARCH 1. (Acceptances will be notified by May 31).

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Summer School 2015 @ Irmo Middle!

The following dates have been approved for students who will be attending Summer School

2015 at Irmo Middle. We are sharing this information early with students, parents, and fami-

lies so everyone can plan for their summer vacations. We are very confident that our inter-

actions and interventions throughout the year will minimize and/or eliminate the need for

summer school for most (if not all of our students). If you need any information about sum-

mer school, please contact Mr. Glenn Hutto, Assistant Principal for Instruction at 476-3663.

The Middle School Summer School Program is designed for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who have not mastered

the course standards in English, Social Studies, Math, or Science. This program is streamlined to concentrate on

academic mastery.

Who attends summer school?

Rising 7th and 8th grade students who have failed either one or two academic subjects. Those students who have

failed three or more classes are ineligible to attend summer school and may be retained in their current grade. Out of dis-

trict students cannot enroll in this program.

Where will summer school be held?

Summer School will be held at Irmo Middle Rising 7th 8th 9th graders.

What are the dates for summer school?

Current 6th, 7th and 8th graders will take courses offered only on the following dates:

June 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30

What times will students attend?

Students will attend from 8:30am 1:30pm. There will be no afternoon sessions.

How much will summer school cost?

The tuition is projected to be $50.00 and may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master Card, Visa,

Discover or American Express card. No personal checks will be accepted.

How will my student get to summer school?

Parents are responsible for transportation arrangements (to and from summer school).

How do I register my child for summer school?

Registration packets will be available in the spring on our website and in the main office at the school.


newsletter april 7.pdf

Documents

irmo summer

irmo middle parents

irmo middle page

irmo middle school community

pm irmo high

plant sale

summer school info

school year