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Dear Irwin Families and Friends,
As we move into the month of February, we are excited to share several important updates and events with our school community.
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, February 7th: Jersey Day – We encouraged all students and staff to show their school spirit by wearing their favorite sports jersey. We enjoyed seeing everyone’s team pride on display.
- Wednesday, February 12th: No School – There will be no school due to staff development activities.
- Thursday, February 13th: PTO Family Dance Ties & Tiaras – Join us for an evening of fun at our Family Dance, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Please place order by February 13th with PTO. This event is a wonderful opportunity for students and their families to come together and enjoy a lively and memorable experience.
February Facts:
- February, the shortest month of the year, is derived from the Latin word “februum,” meaning purification. It serves as a timely reminder to reflect on our progress and refresh our commitment to excellence in all areas of life.
- February also marks Groundhog Day, where tradition tells us whether we will see an early spring or six more weeks of winter. A fitting occasion to embrace the unpredictable nature of the year!
Student Focus and Dedication
We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made this year. Their dedication to their studies and their continued focus on academic growth have been impressive. We encourage all students to maintain this commitment to learning as we move through the second semester.
The Importance of Attendance
Regular school attendance is vital to student success. Consistent attendance ensures that students stay engaged with their lessons, build strong relationships with their peers, and continue to develop essential academic skills. We ask for your support in prioritizing attendance and ensuring that students are present every day to make the most of their educational experience.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Irwin Intermediate. We look forward to a productive and enriching month ahead.
Sincerely,
Ms. Johnson and Ms. Cook
Irwin Intermediate School Administrators
Gentle Reminders:
- 100% ID CHECK: Please remember to show ID. We have a 100% check when picking up students.
- 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).
- 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.
Learn more about the organization and the events they manage!
Visit their Facebook page
Email them at irwinintermediatepto@gmail.com
Ties and Tiaras PTO Valentines Dance
Thursday, February 13th from 4:00-6:00
Find ticket details on their Facebook post
Email them at irwinintermediatepto@gmail.com
Good News is worth sharing! Follow, Subscribe, Like, Share our positive social media!
Ms. McAllister
School Nurse
Happy February! I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we step into February, I wanted to share some important health tips and updates to ensure our students stay healthy and happy.
1. Heart Health Month: February is Heart Health Month, a perfect time to focus on keeping our hearts strong. Encourage your children to engage in physical activities like playing outside, riding bikes, or even dancing. A healthy heart is key to overall well-being.
2. Winter Wellness: With the cold weather still upon us, it's important to dress warmly. Make sure your children wear layers, including hats, gloves, and scarves. Also, remind them to wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Flu Season: Flu season is still ongoing. If your child shows symptoms of the flu, such as fever, cough, or body aches, please keep them at home and consult a healthcare provider. This helps prevent the spread of illness.
4. Hydration: Even in winter, staying hydrated is crucial. Please make sure that your child brings their water bottle to school each day. This will help to encourage your children to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can add a slice of lemon or a splash of juice to make it more appealing.
5. Dental Health: February is also National Children's Dental Health Month. Remind your children to brush their teeth twice a day and floss regularly. A healthy smile contributes to overall health and confidence.
6. Mental Health: Winter can sometimes bring the "winter blues." Ensure your children get enough sunlight and outdoor playtime. Encourage open conversations about their feelings and provide support when needed.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Wishing you all a healthy and happy February!
Warm regards,
Jessica McAllister MSN, RN
Irwin Intermediate School Nurse
Ms. DaSilva and Mr. Manuel
School Counselors
Welcome to the February edition of our Counseling Department Newsletter! We hope this month brings warmth and joy to you and your family. The character trait for February is Trustworthiness. Teaching children to be trustworthy helps them build strong relationships and develop a sense of responsibility.
Trustworthiness means being reliable, honest, and dependable. A trustworthy person:
· Keeps promises and follows through on commitments.
· Tells the truth, even when it's difficult.
· Acts with integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
· Takes responsibility for their actions and admits mistakes.
You can reinforce trustworthiness at home with these simple activities:
· Trust Jar: Create a "Trust Jar" where you add a marble each time your child demonstrates trustworthiness. When the jar is full, celebrate with a special treat or activity.
· Honesty Hour: Set aside time each week for "Honesty Hour," where family members share something honest about their week.
· Responsibility Chart: Use a chart to track responsibilities and commitments. Praise your child for following through on their tasks.
Here are some great books that teach trustworthiness:
· "The Berenstain Bears and the Truth" by Stan and Jan Berenstain
· "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire" by Diane deGroat
· "A Big Fat Enormous Lie" by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
By working together, we can help our students understand the value of trustworthiness and how it impacts their relationships and community. Thank you for your support in reinforcing this important character trait at home.
Warm regards,
The Counseling Department
Ms. Simmons
Information Specialist
Happy February Irwin Readers!
Our new catalog, MackinVision is up and running. Did you know your student can earn badges in MackinVision? Students have been excited about this new feature. There are badges for writing book reviews, turning in books on time, and reading a variety of titles! Please ask them about it and consider having them show you the badges in their MackinVision account. They can access their account through Classlink.
Mark your calendars! Read Across America week will be March 3rd-March 7th. The Irwin Library will be partnering with our PTO to make it a special week! More information will be coming soon.
Julie Simmons
Information Specialist
Ms. Eaton
Educational Technologist
February features two tech awareness days which are relevant for all; regardless of our ages, grades, or occupations.
1. Safer Internet Day takes place on February 7th. This is a global campaign to raise awareness of emerging online issues or continuing challenges such as cyberbullying, social networking, and digital identity. Many students talk about using Roblox at home on their personal devices. While Roblox is not a DoDEA approved application, we wanted to share a podcast article that you may find helpful if your child is a fan of this popular program: https://connectsafely.org/podcast-inside-robloxs-mission-to-make-gaming-safer/
2. Digital Learning Day takes place on February 13th this year. This is a day focused on how technology connects us, transforms education, and brings "heart" into learning. We encourage your family to take time to create a digital project highlighting your love of learning. Students have access to creativity tools such as Adobe Express,Google Slides, and Wixie through ClassLink. They may visit Share the Good @ Irwin IS (which is in ClassLink) to access templates specifically for this project. Your family's project just may be featured on our positive social media platforms. No last names should be included in projects, please.
We hope you'll tune in and consider subscribing or giving a thumbs up to our student broadcasters!
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.
Monitoring children's use of technology is important. As parents and educators, we have a shared responsibility to guide, model, and monitor safe, appropriate use. The DoDEA IT Division utilizes Lightspeed Filter on student Chromebooks to provide web content filtering. Lightspeed Filter is designed to increase a safe online experience whether students use the device at school or elsewhere. This a web filtering technology for K-12 schools, powered by 20 years of web indexing, designed to block students from visiting inappropriate content.
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, 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.
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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 |
We’re excited to share that DoDEA has won the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award – Website Award of Merit for our School Newsletters Project! This NSPRA award honors outstanding school communication efforts that help connect schools with their communities. This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our amazing school webmasters. Thank you for keeping families connected with your hard work and heart!
