Mustang Messenger
Welcome Back Irwin Families and Friends,
Happy New Year! Â We hope this message finds you well and that you had a wonderful and restful holiday break. Â As we begin the second half of the school year, we are excited to welcome back all of our students and families to Irwin Intermediate School.
This new year brings with it new opportunities for growth, learning, and success. Â Our teachers and staff have been preparing for a productive and engaging semester, and we can't wait to continue partnering with you in supporting our student's academic, soci9al, and emotional growth.
Please remember that we are here to support your child's educational journey, so don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Let's make 2025 a year filled with achievement, joy, and community spirit!
Warm Regards,
Ms. A. Johnson and Ms. C. Cook
Administrator Team
Gentle Reminders:
- 100% ID CHECK: Please remember to show ID. We have a 100% check when picking up students.Â
- Please do not drop students off prior to 8:00 a.m. (There is no adult supervision prior to this time other than for breakfast). Â
- Student transportation changes must be done in writing prior to 2:00 p.m. (M, T, Th, F) and by 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
We encourage you to join the Irwin PTO. Â
Learn more about the organization and the events they manage!
Visit their Facebook page Â
Email them at irwinintermediatepto@gmail.com
Ms. Angelique Johnson
91 Rhine Road Bldg B-6138
Fort Liberty, NC 28307-0089
United States
Good News is worth sharing! Follow, Subscribe, Like, Share our positive social media!
Ms. McAllister
School Nurse
New Year, New Healthy Habits
Dear Parents and Students,
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it's the perfect time to focus on building healthy habits that will keep us strong and happy throughout the year. This month, let's talk about setting health-related New Year's resolutions, staying well during the winter, and getting back on track with healthy eating after the holidays.
New Year, New Healthy Habits
The start of a new year is a great opportunity to set some health goals. Here are a few simple resolutions that can make a big difference:
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables: Try to include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your meals. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that help keep your body healthy.
- Stay Active: Aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This can be anything from playing outside, dancing, or even helping with chores around the house.
- Get Enough Sleep: Make sure to get plenty of rest each night. A good night's sleep helps you feel energized and ready to learn.
Winter Wellness Tips
Winter can be a challenging time for staying healthy, but with a few simple tips, you can keep those winter bugs at bay:
- Handwashing: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after playing outside. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
- Stay Warm: Dress in layers to stay warm when you go outside. Don't forget your hat, gloves, and scarf!
- Recognize Signs of Illness: If you start feeling unwell, let an adult know. Common signs of winter illnesses include a runny nose, cough, and fever. It's important to rest and drink plenty of fluids if you're not feeling well.
Healthy Eating After the Holidays
After all the delicious holiday treats, it's time to get back to healthy eating. Here are some tips to help you make nutritious choices:
- Balanced Meals: Try to include a mix of protein, whole grains, and vegetables in your meals. This helps keep your energy levels steady throughout the day.
- Healthy Snacks: Choose snacks like fruits, nuts, or yogurt instead of sugary treats. These options are not only tasty but also good for your body.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sometimes we forget to drink enough water in the winter, but it's just as important as in the summer.
By setting healthy goals, staying well during the winter, and making nutritious food choices, we can all have a happy and healthy start to the new year. Let's work together to make 2025 our healthiest year yet!
Stay healthy and happy, Nurse McAllister
Jessica.McAllister@dodea.edu
OR call 910-861-7131
Ms. DaSilva and Mr. Manuel
School Counselors
Why Goals Matter
We have entered into a New Year; however, nothing has really changed. It should. We are changing and adapting daily to different obstacles and challenges that we must overcome. Thus, the need for goal setting. Positive Psychology (2019), suggest that setting goals are linked to higher self-esteem, confidence and autonomy.
Setting goals should be an important part of our lives as well as ensuring students are understanding their purpose. The challenges and rigor of the standards set for our education system may make it difficult for students without setting goals, practicing and ultimately demonstrating mastery of content. Would you like to work for someone who doesn’t set goals for product, provide improvement/promotion opportunities and allow you to maintain the status quo?
Our students are counting on us to continue to support them as they navigate the school year. Not only are students expected to demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum, but they must also do so while interacting with other students, taking on tasks around the home and participate in extra-curricular activities. Helping students to set goals can allow them to set their own expectations and reflect on their results for improvement.
Do goals really matter? The clear answer is yes! Help students look past getting back into the school routine of awaking, attending and participating in school activities. Ensure your student(s) have clear goals set that will help them understand the importance of school and the endless possibilities that lie ahead if they set goals and achieve them.
Ms. Allen
Information Specialist
Welcome back Mustangs! Â The books have really missed the students. Â The library is back up and running and ready for students to make their way down to check out books.
Destiny Discover is no longer our library cataloging system. Â When students login to their Classlink account and click on the Information Centers folder they will now see MackinVision. Â MackinVision lets students know what books are and are not available in the library.
MackinVia is staying the same. Â MackinVia is where our eBooks, audiobooks, and databases are housed. Â DoDEA ensures our students have access to an incredible online library and multiple subscription-based databases. Â If you have not had your Mustang show you the incredible wealth of free resources ask them to show you today! Â
As always if you have questions, please reach out!
Julie Allen
Information Specialist
Ms. Eaton
Educational Technologist
In today's digital age, we are all increasingly reliant on digital resources and the internet. Â And that includes students of all ages which makes digital safety a crucial topic for families and educators. Children are often unaware of the potential risks they face online, such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and privacy breaches. It's essential for parents and teachers to educate young learners about safe online practices, including the importance of keeping personal information private, recognizing and reporting suspicious behavior, and understanding the consequences of their digital actions.
To support families in this endeavor, Google offers a fantastic resource called "Be Internet Awesome." This program provides a gamified exploration of online safety, making it engaging and educational for children. Through interactive games and activities, students can learn about key aspects of digital safety in a fun and memorable way. Families can access the valuable tools at Be Internet Awesome to help their children navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
There are two lands of exploration provided by Google.Â
*Interland which can be accessed on the DoDEA network - https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/interland Â
*Be Internet Awesome World on Roblox which students cannot access on our network but you may want to allow them to explore at home:
https://www.roblox.com/games/17756790122
We hope you'll tune in and consider subscribing or giving a thumbs up to our student broadcasters! Â Â
https://www.youtube.com/@MustangsBroadcastingNetwork
Each day a different group of students' Pledge of Allegiance video is featured. The only way to know which, is to watch. All students, with approved Media Release, are invited to participate in Pledge of Allegiance recordings and to sign-up to be a featured special guest each day. Parents who may have marked Decline or Yearbook Only can update Media Release permissions by visiting the front office. Â
DoDEA Chromebooks are assigned property provided to students in 3rd grade and above. If the device itself is lost or damaged, please report that to the school immediately. If replacement accessories are necessary due to loss or damage to the stylus, charger, or sleeve, please visit https://irwinis.dodea.edu/chromebook-collection for links to DoDEA approved after market products. All property components must be accounted for at the end of the school year or if a student withdraws. Â Â Â
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| School Hours | Regular Hours | Wednesday Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Office Hours | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm |
| Teachers | 7:30 am - 3:30 pm | 7:30 am - 3:30 pm |
| Students | 8:20 am - 2:55 pm | 8:20 am - 2:10 pm |
Wednesdays are Early Release days
| Cafeteria Hours | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:45 am | 8:15 am |
| Lunch | 10:30 am | 12:35 pm |
