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Dear Irwin Families and Friends,
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we want to share some important updates and reminders to help ensure a strong and successful finish for all of our students.
📚 CAS Assessment Testing Dates
Our students will begin CAS Assessment Testing this month. Please review the schedule below for your child’s grade level:
3rd Grade:
- Math – Unit I: May 6 | Unit II: May 7 | Unit III: May 8
- ELA – Unit I: May 14 | Unit II: May 15
4th Grade:
- Math – Unit I: May 5 | Unit II: May 6 | Unit III: May 7
- ELA – Unit I: May 8 | Unit II: May 9
5th Grade:
- Math – Unit I: May 13 | Unit II: May 14 | Unit III: May 15
- ELA – Unit I: May 5 | Unit II: May 6
To help your child perform their best, please ensure they get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day. Research shows that students who are well-rested and properly nourished are more focused and perform better on assessments.
⏰ Important Testing Reminder: Once testing has started, students will not be allowed to enter the classroom or interrupt the session. Any students arriving after 8:30 AM—whether coming to school late or returning from breakfast in the cafeteria—will be directed to the Media Center until testing concludes. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time.
🍎 Teacher Appreciation Week – May 6–11
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we are excited to honor our incredible Irwin teachers for the amazing work they do every day for our military-connected families. A heartfelt thank you to our amazing PTO, who have planned special activities and events throughout the week to celebrate our staff. Your support makes a big difference!
🎨 Thank You for “Chalk the Walk”
We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support our “Chalk the Walk” event. It was truly inspiring to see all the heartfelt, encouraging messages of resiliency and support written for our students. Your words matter and help uplift our Irwin community.
🎉 End-of-Year Events & Focus on Learning
We have many exciting and fun-filled events planned to wrap up the school year and celebrate our students' hard work. That said, we kindly ask for your support in encouraging your child to stay focused on learning during this important time. Every day counts!
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let’s finish strong together!
Warm Regards,
Irwin Admin Team
Ms. Johnson and Ms. Cook
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Gentle Reminders:
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100% ID CHECK: Please remember to show ID. We have a 100% check when picking up students.
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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.
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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 in support of our students!
Visit their Facebook page
Email them at irwinintermediatepto@gmail.com
Stay Cool and Hydrated This Spring!
As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, staying hydrated becomes more important than ever—for both kids and adults. Warmer temperatures mean our bodies work harder to stay cool, especially when we’re active outside. Drinking enough water helps keep us energized, healthy, and ready for all the fun spring activities!
Why is hydration so important?
Water is like fuel for our bodies—it helps our brains think clearly, keeps our energy up, and even makes our skin feel good. When we don’t drink enough water, we might feel tired, cranky, or even get a headache. Staying hydrated helps us feel our best!
Tips for Parents and Kids to Stay Hydrated:
- Carry water everywhere! Make it a habit to bring a water bottle to school, sports practice, or even the park.
- Choose water over sugary drinks. Water is the healthiest way to quench your thirst.
- Eat water-rich snacks. Fruits like watermelon, oranges, and strawberries are delicious and full of water!
- Keep an eye on the weather. On hot and sunny days, drink even more water than usual.
- Fun Hydration Challenge: Here’s a fun activity for the family: Keep track of how many cups of water you drink each day for a week. Can you reach eight cups? Cheer each other on to hit your goal!
Remember, staying hydrated helps everyone enjoy the sunny days ahead. So, grab your water bottles and let’s make springtime happy and healthy!
Here are some additional tips to encourage healthy hydration for both parents and children:
1. Flavor the Water: Add natural flavors to water, like slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or berries, to make it more appealing. Try making "fruit-infused water" together as a fun activity.
2. Create Hydration Routines: Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning to start the day right. Encourage kids to drink a cup of water before and after outdoor play or physical activities.
3. Use Fun Containers: Give children their own colorful, reusable water bottle with fun designs or stickers. For parents, a stylish or insulated water bottle can help with staying hydrated on the go.
4. Set Reminders: Use an alarm or timer to remind everyone to take water breaks, especially on hot days. Parents can encourage hydration by setting an example—make water breaks a family routine.
5. Monitor Hydration Levels: For kids, teach them to check their pee color as a hydration guide: light yellow = hydrated and dark yellow = drink more water!
6. Limit Dehydrating Drinks : Explain that drinks like soda or juice are okay occasionally, but they can’t replace water. Parents can offer milk or 100% fruit juice as alternatives but emphasize water as the main drink.
7. Cool Down with Frozen Treats: Make homemade popsicles using water and fruit for a hydrating, tasty snack. Parents can enjoy these treats too—it’s a refreshing way to stay hydrated in warmer weather.
National Stress Awareness Month is a special time in April when we learn about stress and how to handle it. Stress is when you feel worried, nervous, or overwhelmed. It's like having a big knot in your tummy. But don't worry, there are lots of ways to feel better!
Parents play a crucial role in helping children manage stress, especially during National Stress Awareness Month. Here are some practical tips for parents to support their kids:
- Create a Calm Environment: Ensure your home is a peaceful place where your child feels safe and relaxed. This can include having a quiet space for them to unwind and engage in calming activities.
- Encourage Open Communication: Let your child know it's okay to talk about their feelings. Listen actively and validate their emotions without judgment. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there to listen can make a big difference.
- Teach Relaxation Techniques: Show your child simple ways to relax, such as deep breathing exercises, stretching, or mindfulness activities. Practicing these techniques together can be a fun and bonding experience.
- Promote Healthy Habits: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals, and stays physically active. These habits can significantly reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Limit Screen Time: Encourage breaks from screens and promote activities that involve physical movement or creativity, like playing outside, drawing, or reading.
- Model Stress Management: Children often learn by observing adults. Demonstrate healthy ways to cope with stress, such as taking breaks, exercising, or talking about your feelings.
- Plan Fun Activities: Organize family activities that your child enjoys. Whether it's a game night, a walk in the park, or a movie marathon, spending quality time together can help alleviate stress.
- Stay Involved: Be aware of your child's school activities and social interactions. Offer support and guidance when needed, and encourage positive relationships with peers and teachers.
By incorporating these strategies, parents can help their children develop resilience and healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress effectively. 🌟 What are some activities your family enjoys doing together?
📚 Information Center News – End of Year Reminders!
The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and we have a few important reminders from the Information Center!
📅 Important Dates:
- Last day to check out library books: May 23rd
- All books are due back: May 30th
After May 23rd, library checkout will be closed as we begin inventorying our collection. But don’t worry—reading doesn’t have to stop!
💻 Keep Reading All Summer Long:
- MackinVia will be available to all students throughout the summer!
- Throckmorton Library will also offer an incredible summer reading program—look for more information coming home at the end of May.
- Or visit the Fort Bragg Summer Reading Program online: https://bragg.armymwr.com/programs/summer-reading-program
📕 Lost or Damaged Books?
If your child has a missing or damaged library book, it will need to be replaced. Please follow our replacement guidelines:
- We are not allowed to accept money.
- Please purchase a new, hardback book that is appropriate for 2nd–5th grade students.
- Picture books, chapter books, or nonfiction (true) books are all welcome.
- If possible, please replace the same title that was lost or damaged.
Your child can help you choose a great replacement book from the children’s section of any bookstore or online vendor.
We appreciate all your support!
Thank you for helping us keep our library collection in great shape and encouraging a love of reading at home!
💯CAS Assessment Testing is completed online. It is imperative that student Chromebooks are fully charged and at school.
📝As a reminder, DoDEA issues Chromebooks to 3rd-12th grade students at the beginning of the school year. Sponsors and students sign Property Use and Responsible Use Agreements. The purpose is for students to have equitable access to digital resources for school purposes.
☑️At the end of each school year, those school issued devices must be returned to the school for accountable property inventory and IT updates. At the time of issue, students received a Chromebook, power supply, stylus, and protective sleeve. The expectation is that the bundle of property is returned in working order to prepare equipment and be for next school year.
👩👦Sponsors who need to replace accessories may learn more at: https://irwinis.dodea.edu/chromebook-collection
Sponsors should report any lost or broken equipment to their child's teacher.
Learn more about DoDEA Technology and Innovation Division, including Educational Technology here: https://www.dodea.edu/education/technology-and-innovation
We hope you'll tune in and consider subscribing or giving a thumbs up to our team of student broadcasters! They have set a goal to reach 1,000 subscribers this school year. https://www.youtube.com/@MustangsBroadcastingNetwork Parents can share good news content to have their student introduced for Meet A Mustang or for a congratulatory shout-out for Time To Shine.
Each day a different guest student participates and a 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.
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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 |
