March 14, 2016

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:

Registration 16-17
Safety Request

rsjackso@lexrich5.org
2
2

Camp Catch Your Breathe 3

Student Led Conferences 4
Individual Graduation Plans 5

Dates to Remember:
MAP Testing this week
Monday 3/14
Spring Hill Reg. forms
are due to Crew
teacher
Irmo Middle Reg.
forms are due
Tues 3/15
G40 Mtg. 7:45-8:10
Media Center
SIC mtg. 5:30
PTSO mtg. 6:30
Thurs 3/17
C Team Track Meet
@ Irmo High 5 PM
Fri 3/18
FCA Mtg. 7:40-8:10
AM Room 904

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal

https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Course Registration Materials for Irmo Middle School

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

We had an amazing turnout last night for our Course

Fair Exhibition. Well over 300 families attended, listened to the overview presentation, visited exhibits,
asked questions, and discussed with their children
their elective course choices for 2016-17. We realize
that some families had conflicts that prevented their
attendance. In an attempt to make sure all families
get the information needed to make decisions on elective course selections for next year, we are including all the materials from last
night. Please take a moment to review these materials, discuss options with your
child, fill out the appropriate forms, and send back to the school.
Sheila Inabinet (A-E) - sinabine@lexrich5.org
James Fanning (F-M) - jfanning@lexrich5.org
Tina Stevens (N-Z) - tstevens@lexrich5.org

Course Fair Exhibition Presentation - Course Fair 3816 PDF

http://www.scribd.com/doc/303377432/Course-Fair-3816-PDF

Course Guide 2016-17 - 16-17 Course Book FINAL

http://www.scribd.com/doc/303396800/16-17-Course-Book-FINAL

Course Registration Forms

6th - https://www.scribd.com/doc/303396802/16-17-Registration-Form-6th-Blank
7th - https://www.scribd.com/doc/303396803/16-17-Registration-Form-7th-Blank-pdf
8th - https://www.scribd.com/doc/303396804/16-17-Registration-Form-8th-Blank-pdf

If you have any specific course questions, contact Mr. Glenn Hutto, Assistant
Principal for Instruction at ghutto@lexrich5.org or 476-3612.
******************************************************************************

Early Dismissal and Change Transportation Cut-off is

3:00 pm
The cut off for early dismissal and change transportation for
students is 3:00 pm. This is a safety issue and will be enforced.

If you have news for the

Buzz, email Allison Redick
at aredick@lexrich5.org.

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Registration 2016-17
We have been busy this last week with our registration 2016-17 process. Spring Hill High
School and Irmo High School counselors met with 8th grade students to conduct High
School Registration. Irmo Middles rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders received a registration
guided lesson to help them select exploratory electives and prepare for the next school
year.
Please be sure to check with your student to view their course form and discuss the options they selected. We encourage students to make course choices that will set them on their path of being a
productive citizen and prepared to solve tomorrows global challenges.
Please make sure you and your student are aware of the registration deadlines:
Spring Hill forms and are to be turned in by Monday, March 14 to the Crew Teacher.
Irmo Middle forms are due back to school by Monday, March 14, 2016.
Irmo High forms are to be turned in by March 22, 2016 to the students Math teacher.
Registration for IMS Core Courses will occur in April, 2016.
****************************************************************************************************

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We need your help with a few observed safety concerns relating to arrival and dismissal at Irmo Middle. Over the past few weeks, we have noticed an increase in the number
of children (not attending Irmo Middle School) being allowed out of their parents automobiles as they wait for dismissal. These children have been observed playing, running in
between vehicles, entering the building to get water, and disrupting classes. We have to
ask that everyone immediately discontinue this practice as it is a safety issue and disrupts
classroom instruction at the end of the school day. We are asking all parents at dismissal
to keep their small children in their vehicles where they can be properly supervised.
Also, we continue to observe parents dropping off children in the bus loading zone and staff parking lot in the
morning. To ensure that our students are safe at all times, we have designated separate drop-off and pick up locations for buses and vehicular traffic. Parents and guardians who bring and pick up students from school are
asked to use the designed car rider lines (adjacent to subway for 6th and 7th graders and adjacent to Wescott
Acres Pet Resort). Utilizing these car rider locations will enable us to keep students from running in front of
buses to get into the buildings.
Finally, we are noticing that some parents are using the staff parking lot and bus lane to turn left, to avoid circling
the car rider line at arrival and dismissal. Vehicles are being observed speeding through our lot and endangering
staff members who are arriving to or departing from campus. Again, we are asking that this practice be discontinued immediately.
We are hopeful that we can garner your support as we strive to keep all students, parents, and staff members
safe at Irmo Middle. By utilizing the designated drop off and pick up locations along with established vehicular
traffic patterns, you will do your part to help us keep everyone safe.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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We are pleased to announce that this year we will be facilitating student-led conferences (SLC's). For those of you who may be new to this procedure, the student-led
conference process empowers the student to direct and report on his/her progress at
school that specifically addresses certain learning targets and our school-wide Habits
of Scholarship. SLC's are research-based and used in many exemplary middle
schools. Our Crew leaders have been trained to assist, direct, and support our students throughout the preparation process. They have coached, critiqued, and evaluated their students in order to have them ready to present to their parents and guardians. In short, the students will be leading the conference while reflecting on their progress and setting goals for advancement.
During the conference process students will report on academic progress, articulate goals, report on assessment
data when appropriate, and share examples of their course work. They will present samples of schoolwork from
all of their classes.
The student-led conference process is much different from the traditional parent teacher conference in which the
teacher does most of the talking and the parent does the listening. Often in such conferences, the student is not
even present. The role of the Crew leader in a student-led conference is one of coach, mentor, and advocate. It
is likely that there will be several conferences will be taking place at one time within the same room. The Crew
leader will circulate and be present for specific questions related to the process and support students as they reflect on their work. If a parent wants a parent teacher conference with any particular teacher, they may request
one at any time.
We believe that the student-led conference process allows students to take ownership of their learning and possess the responsibility for creating goals and identifying support structures needed to achieve their desired level
of success. We are pleased with the learning that is happening at Irmo Middle School's International Academic
Magnet and know that our students are eager to present their progress to their parents.
We thank you for working with them in this journey. Below we have included some frequently asked questions
and answers.
Why are we doing them at Irmo Middle School? How does it impact student achievement? When students
are a vital component of student-led conferences, they have more ownership in the learning process with opportunities for increased student success. Students have an opportunity to present their work, reflect on learning,
revise goals, and determine specific strategies for continued growth.
When: Student-led Conferences will take place in March 2016 for all IMS students.
6th Grade March 7-11, 7th Grade March 21-24, 8th Grade March 14-18
Where: Crew leaders classroom, or another location decided upon by the Crew leader.
*Parent/guardian(s) will be given different times (20 minute time slots) during that week that they can sign up to
attend.
What Should Parents Expect: Parents will be welcomed, and then invited to sit with their student as their child
communicates their progress towards academic learning targets and Habits of Scholarship.
How can parents assist: Please support your child by signing up for a 20 minute time slot the week of their student-led conference. Your attendance at their student-led conference will mean so much to them! Our goal is for
100% of parents to attend. Sign up information will be sent home the first week in February.
For a sample of how these work, take a moment to watch the video at the following URL: https://
vimeo.com/45140230

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What are Individual

Graduation Plans (IGP)?
The Economic Development Act (EEDA) was passed in 2005. The implementation of this law was designed to
better prepare yourself for what you want to do after high school and to help you and your parents/guardians
make informed decisions about your education and future. The core of this law is the idea of planning. You,
along with your parent, will begin to create an IGP in the 8th grade as you prepare to enter the high school. During this time, you will select a cluster of study as you map out courses to take in high school. A career cluster is a
way of organizing classes around an occupational group. Each year in high school, you will review your IGP with a
guidance counselor and changes can be made based on your interest.
The Guidance Department will be scheduling the IGP meetings for 8th graders. You will receive a letter in the
mail over the next few of months which will have a scheduled appointment time. This meeting will allow your
student to choose a cluster of study. This plan can be changed and will be re-visited each year during registration. If you have a conflict or unable to attend the assigned appointment time, please contact Allison Redick at
803-476-3668 or email at aredick@lexrich5.org.

Tips for Parents

In helping your child
chose a Career path:
Start young. Develop career awareness by discussing career opportunities when reading books and
newspapers, watching television and observing
worksites.
Support you childs efforts to assess his or her own
interests, aptitudes, values and work styles.
Share your job experiences. A child delights in hearing about his or her parents jobs.
Encourage participation in job shadowing and internship opportunities.
Help your child understand the value and importance of his or her academic courses for success in a future
career.
6. Advise your child that there is more than one education pathway to a good job. More than 50% of the fastest growing jobs require an associates degree. There are a variety of routes to success: on the job training,
technical college, four year college, apprenticeships or the military.