Jan 12, 2015

The Buzz at Irmo Middle School

Irmo Middle School

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

Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow

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

Inside this issue:

International Magnet
School Choice
ACT Announcement
Mid Year Exam Schedule
Summer School Info

rsjackso@lexrich5.org

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal

https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

The "Butterfly Effect". Student scientists in Mr.

2
3
3
4

Important Message for

8th Grade Parents:
Students are required
to have a signed
permission form to
attend IHS tour on 1/20.
Permission forms are
due this Thursday, 1/15.

Green's 7th grade class have been studying the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, one of nature's
most beautiful and delicate creatures. After presenting
to the Irmo Town Council, they were featured in in the
Irmo News (12/ 3/14) edition with the following write up:
The council heard a presentation from Irmo Middle Schools Monarchs and
Milkweed project, a mission designed to save the monarch butterfly population.
The global project was developed in alignment with the schools internationallyfocused magnet theme. To preserve a butterfly population now threatened with
distinction, the students are encouraging people to plant the food that would help
them survive milkweed. They asked the town to consider planting milkweed in
the town park. Public Services Director Whitt Cline said the childrens garden at
the new Community Park of Irmo already has some of the milkweed plants and
more could be added.
In response to the presentation, Ms. Beth Watson, of District 5 Board of Directors,
relayed the following praise:

Dates to Remember:
Gold Week
Mon 1/12
C Team Basketball
@ Home vs. Lexington
5:30
Tues 1/13
St. Govt. Mtg. Rm 812
7:45-8:15 AM
End of 2nd Quarter
Thurs 1/15

C Team Basketball
@ Home vs.
Pleasant Hill 5:30
Fri 1/16
Teacher WorkdayNo school for
Students
Mon 1/19
MLK, Jr. Holiday
Schools Closed
If you have news for the
Buzz, email Allison Redick
at aredick@lexrich5.org.

"You and your students were very impressive during the presentation to the Irmo
Town Council. Thank you for what you are doing with these students. I love the
fact that you are making available to them real-life research opportunities plus
the opportunity to make oral presentations."
We are excited about the high-quality, authentic work of Mr. Green and his students! See IMS students tagging monarch butterflies, https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vx277Zqw6yk.
*****************************************************************
IHS is thrilled to host Living Rhythms at the Center of Arts on
Tue. Jan. 20th & Wed. 21st where two teaching artists will
instruct up to 70 students on African dance & drumming- likely
from West or Central Africa.
IHS and IMS students & parents are welcome to join & participate in the workshop Tue. 20th from 4-5:30. Send sign ups to
Shelly Chambers at IHS by noon Mon. 19th.
If any workshop students would like to be on stage performing
with Living Rhythms, they will have a student performance on
Wed. 21st during our Magnet Open House from 6-7:30 p.m.
We are excited to share this opportunity and hope that your students are able to
join us.
Shelly Chambers, (803) 476-3037, schamber@lexrich5.org

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

GREAT Choices for Rising 6th, 7th & 8th Graders

On January 23rd the district will begin accepting applications from families who would like to have
your child become a part of the International Academic Magnet program at Irmo Middle
School for the 2015/16 school year.
New for next year will be the addition of a sixth-grade class that will allow students to start their
middle school career at IMS a year early. There are a limited number of spaces available for this
opportunity and anyone interested must apply to be accepted. This choice option is open to all
current fifth-graders across the district.
The district will also begin accepting applications for current 6th & 7th graders who are not zoned for
Irmo Middle School to choose to come to the International Academic Magnet in 2015/16. We will be
hosting two Open House nights for families to learn more about our programs and how to apply to
join iAM. Watch our video for highlights of our school, and mark your calendar to visit during one of
our Open House events.
Tuesday, 1/20/15, 6:00pm-7:30pm Open House for Rising 6th Grade families.
We will share information on the terrific array of programs and educational opportunities that are
available at IMS and about the new 6th grade level that will be added to our International Academic
Magnet in the Fall of 2015. We will also answer questions on how to apply to become a part of the
iAM program. Event is located in the IMS Cafeteria.
Thursday, 1/22/15, 6:30pm-7:45pm Open House for Rising 7th & 8th Grade families.
We will share about how we incorporate international themes into our core curriculum, as well as
highlights of our new Algebra readiness, STEM and literacy labs, our foreign language offerings, and the
recent upgrades to our state-of-the-art International Arts programs. We will also share how our
launch of Expeditionary Learning is benefiting our students and our overall school community. Event is
located in the IMS Cafeteria.
Watch the 2015 inside iAM video here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/AiIG3G4zrcc

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

New State Assessment: In an effort to keep you informed, we would like to offer the latest
information pertaining to the selection of a new standardized test in South Carolina effective this
school year in the Spring.

The State of South Carolina has selected ACT Aspire as the new statewide assessment in English
Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Mathematics for all 3 rd through 8th grade students. Additionally, 9th grade students will begin taking this assessment in the 2015-16 school year
and10th grade students will be added in 2016-17. ACT Aspire is a timed assessment (test). In order
to prepare our students for this timed test, our teachers will begin to use timed activities after
winter break. We hope that providing timed activities for practice purposes will minimize the stress
often associated with timed tests.
As we transition to a new assessment, we are awaiting specific information regarding testing accommodations for students with IEPs, 504 Plans and the length of time allowed in each content area
tested.
SC-PASS will continue to be the statewide assessment in Science and Social Studies for all students in
grades four (4) through eight (8). These assessments are not timed. Third (3rd) grade students are
not required to take the SC-PASS in Science and Social Studies beginning this school year.
We will be providing more information as it becomes available.
**********************************************************************************************************

Mid Year Exam Schedule

Semester Classes
Jan. 8th.6 and 1
Jan. 9th.2 and 4
Jan. 12th...3 and 5
Jan. 13th...Make up day

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

Summer School 2015 @ Irmo Middle!

Attention Students, Parents, and Families,
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 families so everyone can plan for their summer vacations. We are very confident that our interactions 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 summer school, please contact Mr. Glenn Hutto, Assistant Principal for Instruction at 476-3663.

Summer School Information

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 district students cannot enroll in this program.
Where will summer school be held?
Summer School will be held at Irmo Middle.
Rising 7th Graders attend Irmo Middle
Rising 8th Graders attend Irmo Middle
Rising 9th Graders attend Irmo Middle
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.