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April 7, 2015

Irmo Middle School


6051 Wescott Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3600
www.lexrich5.org/ims
School Hours:
8:20 a.m.3:35 p.m.

Inside this issue:


ACT Aspire
2-3
IMS/Bojangles/Relay night 4
Junior Scholars
5
Flight of the Butterflies
6
Monarch & Milkweed
7
Pulsera Project
8
Spring Pictures
9-10
Irmo Summer Opp.
11
Job Shadowing
12
Nurses/Subs needed
13
Summer School Info
14

The Buzz at Irmo Middle School


Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow
rsjackso@lexrich5.org

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal


https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Report Card Pick-Up Night:


Tuesday, April 7th 6:00-7:30 pm
In the IMS Gymnasium
Parents and students will be able to pick up their
report card and briefly speak with teachers.
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PLANT SALE
Tuesday, April 7th 6:00-7:30pm &
Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm.
Our 7th grade science students from team iGrow, under the instruction of Mrs. Regan Moore and Ms. Brinton Fox, are hosting

Dates to Remember:
Black Week
Tues 4/7

St. Govt. Mtg. Rm 812


7:45-8:15 AM
Report Card Pick up
Night 6-7:30 PM
@ IMS Gym
Wed 4/8
Report Cards go home
Thurs 4/9
Junior Scholars Recognition Ceremony 7 PM
Irmo High Aud.
Fri 4/10
Spring Picture Day

their first plant sale. Tended and grown in our very own, on-campus greenhouse,
plants for sale will include: spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and a selection of
flowers. The sale begins on Tue., April 7 during interim pick-up night and again on Saturday, April 11 from 8am-1pm in the IMS greenhouse - which is located behind the 7th
grade building. All proceeds from this sale will be used to fund future horticulture projects at IMS. Please support your Irmo Middle School community and help to provide
our students with unique and relevant learning experiences by attending the plant sale!
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MAKING TEA:
After watching the video about Chinese Tea, students
learned about how to pick, prepare and make different
kinds of tea. Today in class, we had a tea appreciation party
sponsored by our Chinese student, Yating Zheng and her
family. Thank you, Yating!

If you have news for the


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

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Standardized Testing Info for Irmo Middle Parents:


Dear Parent / Guardian,
The SC Department of Education has been actively working with ACT, Inc., to plan for the
spring 2015 statewide administration of ACT Aspire, The ACT, and the WorkKeys tests.
As communicated earlier through previous blog entries, newsletters, etc...The SC Department of Education
has let us know that, starting this school year, an assessment called ACT Aspire must be administered to students in grades 3 through 8. ACT Aspire includes tests in writing, English, reading, and mathematics.
The reading and mathematics assessment test items include multiple choice and constructed response questions. Students will write an essay based on a writing prompt for the tests writing component. The English
section includes only multiple choice questions.
These ACT Aspire assessments will give us important information that will allow us to determine not only
how your students are progressing at their current grade level, but also how they are progressing toward
future college and career readiness by helping your students teacher understand where your student is succeeding, as well as where your student needs extra help. The ACT Aspire test results will also be used for
school, school district, state and federal accountability purposes.
In addition to ACT Aspire assessments, students in grades 4 through 8 will still take the SC Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) in science and social studies.
SCPASS, which contains multiple-choice items only, measures the progress of fourth- through eighth-grade
students toward the states academic standards in science and social studies. Each student can receive a
score of Exemplary, Met or Not Met in each area tested.
Exemplary: Student demonstrated exemplary performance in meeting the grade level standard.
Met: The student met the grade level standard.
Not Met: The student did not meet the grade level standard.
For your information, the schedules and time allotted for each test appear below. Please put these testing
days on your familys calendar. It is very important for all students to be at school and on time because all
test sessions are mandatory. Students who are absent or tardy on test days will have to make up the tests.
Grades 6 & 7

Grade 8

ACT Aspire

Test Dates

Writing

Tue., April 28

English

Testing Time in
Minutes

ACT Aspire

Test Dates

Testing Time in
Minutes

30

Writing

Tue., April 28

30

Tue., April 28

35

English

Tue., April 28

35

Reading

Wed., April 29

60

Reading

Wed., April 29

60

Mathematics

Thur., April 30

60

Mathematics

Thur., April 30

65

Make-up

Through May 13

Make-up

Through May 13

SC PASS

Test Dates

Testing Time in
Minutes

SC PASS

Test Dates

Testing Time in
Minutes

Science

Thur., May 7

Not timed

Science

Thur., May 7

Not timed

Social Studies

Fri., May 8

Not timed

Social Studies

Fri., May 8

Not timed

Makeup

Through May 15

Not timed

Makeup

Through May 15

Not timed

Help us make your child feel confident and comfortable as your child takes ACT Aspire and SCPASS testing.
Be sure your child goes to bed early, gets a good nights sleep, eats a good breakfast, and arrives at school on
time. Please note that students are not allowed to have cell phones, tablets or any other electronic communication devices on their person. We prefer that students not bring them into the testing room. However, if
they bring a device, it must be turned off and stored in a designated location in the classroom.

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Information For Families


About Assessment in Grades 3-8
With assistance from ACT, the EOC has developed a resource for school districts and schools to use to inform students and parents of students in grades 3-8 about upcoming changes in assessment. Although ACT has developed a
letter and materials to educate families about ACT Aspire, this
additional resource also includes a schedule for testing in South
Carolina and reminds families that students will also be taking
SCPASS in Science and Social Studies. We hope this will provide an additional tool to assist districts in educating students and their families about these important changes in testing.
For additional family-friendly information about overall changes in testing, visit the EOC website.
Additional Resources:
SC Department of Education Assessment Information
ACT Aspire Resources
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In April, students will take the new ACT Aspire standardized test. This year, all students
will be permitted to use an approved calculator for the math portion of the test. We encourage all students to begin bringing an approved calculator to school daily. If your student cannot obtain a calculator, please alert his or her math teacher as soon as possible.
Scientific and graphing calculators are preferred, due to the advanced nature of the 7th and 8th grade curriculum and standards. Most scientific and graphing calculators are approved.
The calculators most familiar to students at IMS are TI-83 & TI-84 graphing calculators. A graphing calculator
is an investment that a student can use year after year - in middle school, high school, and throughout college. Many families already have a graphing calculator from parents, older siblings, or family members who
have recently taken high school or college courses. Check with friends, neighbors, and family prior to purchasing a new one! We are asking that calculators be brought to school every day so that students become
more familiar with the functions. The following calculators cannot be used:

Calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality


Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers (this includes Chromebooks)
Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices
Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format).

If you would like to donate a calculator or batteries, please bring them to our front office. Thank you for
helping our students prepare for their academic success. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions, please contact our math department chair, Mrs. Kelly Thacker
(kthacker@lexrich5.org).
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Bi-Lo Hometown Educational Awards: Save money for yourself & raise money
for IMS by scanning your Bi-Lo card. The IMS code is 54883. Register and learn more
at http://www.hometowneducationalrewards.com/

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Congratulations to the Irmo Middle School Junior Scholars!


We are please to announce that the fifty-four eighth-graders identified below have excelled academically with their performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
(PSAT) and have earned the 2014-15 Junior Scholar distinction. In addition, we would
like to recognize and congratulate all teachers and parents who made it possible for
them to achieve this honor. The student scholars are as follows:
The Junior Scholars Program was
developed by the South Carolina
Department of Education to identify
eighth-graders with exceptional academic talent and to develop strategies for inclusion into special programs. The program includes a process for screening, identifying and
recognizing students with high scholastic achievement and intellectual
ability.
Eligible students include those who
score 50 or higher on the
PSAT (preliminary SAT) in verbal,
math, or writing or those who participated in Duke University's Talent
Identification Program (TIP) during
their seventh-grade years, who met
the eligibility requirements as outlined by that program and were
identified and recognized by Duke
TIP.

Cameron Andrews Calvin Guyette

Marielle Muro Buckingham

Mary Blitch

Adriann Halbisen

Dana Nicholas

Emma Bryant

Jayla Hayes

Noah Overcash

MacKenna Bryant

Esha Hegde

Kesha Patel

Madelen Bushman

Mina Heidari

Kathryn Pierce

John Cox

Lauren Henderson

Jordan Reeder

Jazmine Davis

Robert Hutto

Alana Revels

Kendall DeLong

Addaline Johnson

Christian Romleski

Surin Desai

Aden Johnson

Logan Sawyer

Sarah Deschamps

Madeline Knowles

Corinne Smith

Drew Dewar

Anna Koon

Victoriana Smith

James Dooley

Chris Koverman

Walker Smith

Madeline Duffie

Cole Lewis

Devon Solet

Evelyn Edgar

Haley Litz

Jacob Vickio

Atashanay Eskridge Erin Medlock

Nieky Wang

Candace Evans

Katie Weber

Tommy Metts

James Minick
Aaron White
Students who qualify as Junior Schol- Hunter Fallat
ars receive an award of merit from
Becan Floyd
Caleb Montgomery Robert Wolff
the South Carolina Department of
Education as well as information regarding summer academic experiences sponsored by South Carolina colleges and universities. They can use that special recognition to bolster their applications to colleges and universities.
In honor of their scholastic achievement, School District Five and PAGE 5 (Parent Advocates for Gifted Education) will recognize all students at an awards ceremony for Junior Scholars from Irmo Middle School,
Dutch Fork Middle School, and Chapin Middle School. This event is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2015, at
Irmo High School Center for the Arts.
The ceremony begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Tami Richardson (Coordinator of Gifted Programs) at
tmrichar@lexrich5.org.
I look forward to seeing you on April 9th.

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7th Graders at Irmo Middle School need your help to raise awareness of the devastating
decline of Monarch Butterflies internationally, and how the school is working together
with community partners to help save this species!
Through a partnership with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF), Irmo Middle School (IMS) is
presenting a two-day screening of the film, Flight of the Butterflies, to raise public awareness of the
Monarchs plight. They will invite other students in Lexington/ Richland School District 5, as well as the general public.
This film is an interconnected scientific adventure story that spans not only thousands
of miles, but generations. Its about the remarkable Monarch butterfly migration, the
most incredible migration on Earth, and the determined scientist who spent 40 years
trying to discover exactly where the butterflies mysteriously disappeared when they
flew south for winter.
The film will be shown on May 15th & 29th in Irmo High Schools new auditorium - this screening will be the first time this film has been shown in South Carolina! IMS students will make a presentation before the film on their project,
and each attendee will have the opportunity to take home a packet of milkweed
seeds to create habitat for Monarchs in their own backyard.
Sponsors are needed to help offset the costs for rights to show the film, as
well as the costs for the packets of milkweed seeds. We hope your business will consider supporting this event at any level! Sponsors will be provided with tickets and thanked publicly at the event and on SCWF & IMS
websites and through statewide social media.
Funds are being funneled through the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and proceeds will benefit wildlife habitat
conservation programs in Irmo and surrounding areas. Please see next page for more details about the partnership.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yes, I will support Irmo Middle Schools project by sponsoring this event!
$100 minimum donation

Check Enclosed OR Credit Card Payable Online at www.scwf.org


Sponsor Contact Information:
Business Name: _________________________________________________________
Contact Name/Title: _____________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________ Phone: ________________________
Please make check payable and return to:
South Carolina Wildlife Federation 215 Pickens Street Columbia, SC 29205

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Please consider sponsoring Irmo Middle Schools


presentation of Flight of the Butterflies to help us
spread the word about Monarch population decline, and
what we can all do to make a difference!
Background of IMS Monarchs & Milkweed Project:
When 7th graders at Irmo Middle School were tasked with choosing a science project with an international scope to tie into their schools magnet
theme, they investigated many possibilities. Around the same time, national news media started running stories about the drastic decline in Monarch
Butterflies migrating to Mexico. The 97% decline in population is mostly
due to loss of critical habitat the milkweed on which Monarchs depend
for a caterpillar food source.
Over the past year, students have been studying this species and researching the threats and conservation practices. They began tagging Monarchs
during the 2014 fall migration to aid in international research efforts. Students have been growing milkweed
indoors, and have plans to install a acre milkweed garden on the school grounds this spring. They also
made a presentation to Irmo Town Council, and received a commitment from the Town to plant milkweed
on town property throughout our community. Student-created posters are being distributed to town facilities, local plant nurseries and schools in the community to encourage citizens to plant milkweed for Monarchs in their own yard.
For more details about the IMS Monarchs & Milkweed Project see:
www.lexrich5.org/webpages/wgreen/monarchs.cfm
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is a non-profit organization who works with local partners to
conserve and restore South Carolinas wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy.
SCWF has been consulting on the wildlife habitat enhancement project at IMS since its inception and we are happy to
help them bring this inspiring and educational film to their community.
Questions? Please contact SCWF Director of Education,
Sara Green, at (803) 609-4778 or sara@scwf.org.

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Students at a Lexington-Richland District Five middle school are using handwoven bracelets to raise awareness about the educational needs of youth in Nicaragua.
Irmo Middle School is participating in the Pulsera Project, a nonprofit campaign
that gives Nicaraguan youth weavers a market to sell their intricate bracelets and
raise funds for educational programs. Students at the school have sold a few dozen bracelets, or pulseras in Spanish, since the weeklong project started on March
23. The bracelets cost $5 each, and all proceeds go to the Charleston-based Pulsera Project.
Educators say the project teaches many valuable classroom and life lessons to
students at Irmo Middle, an international academic magnet school.
We decided to do the Pulsera Project because its a great global project to help our students grow as global citizens while helping needy
kids in other countries, said Irmo Middle Spanish teacher Nancy Ellis.
Our students are learning how to do some true worldwide community service to promote something from the goodness of their hearts
without reward for themselves.
Showing off one of her favorite bracelets, seventh grader Sade Allen
said the student response has been great and the bracelets are becoming popular around the school. She said the fact that all the proceeds go back to helping students gives the project added meaning.
It helps them get an education, which is something everyone needs and should have, Allen said. Although
we dont know the people were doing this for personally, it still feels good to help and show the beautiful
bracelets these kids are able to make.
Seventh grader Evan McConnell said he enjoys helping students in another country. The project has made
him grateful for the opportunities he has and more mindful of global issues.
We learned in class that some of these kids in Nicaragua are living on a budget of $2 a day, McConnell
said. So when we learned that they were making bracelets through their own skills, we thought it was a
great way to raise money for them.
This is the second year that Irmo Middle School has sponsored the Pulsera Project. Nearly 600 bracelets and
other hand woven items were delivered to the school for sale. In 2014, the school sold all of its bracelets,
netting a total of around $3,000 for Nicaraguan artisans.
I think the lesson we can all take from this is that we all need to be more grateful for simple things, said
Melanie Daniel, a parent who volunteered to help with the schools Pulsera Project. Not only are the bracelets beautiful, they are bracelets with a cause behind them.
Ellis added, This is a project the students at Irmo Middle School really take ownership of. I think because we
are an international magnet, the students are really tuned into finding ways to help others globally and like
the idea of impacting the world. This project lets them do thatthey are able to be that agent of change in
their small way, and it resonates with them.

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Spring Pictures
Pictures
Fri., April 10th

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Spring Pictures are Tue., April 10th. Are You Ready?


FALL PICTURES: A reminder that Spring Pictures are Fri., April 10th.
Are you ready? Have you picked out your outfit? What about your accessories? Here are some tips:
OUTFIT
Plan your outfit the night before picture day! A clean and pressed outfit will create a beautiful portrait. Ironing the collar makes all the difference in close-up portraits! Spring Portraits are generally full-body so check
your outfit from head to toe. Choose colors that compliment your eye color and skin tone. White does not
photograph well; solid colors and small patterns are generally best. Avoid spaghetti straps and off the shoulder tops, t-shirts with pop culture images, logos, superheroes and words.
HAIR
Wash your hair the night before so it will be clean and shiny. Practice new hairstyles and schedule all haircuts
at least a week before picture day to avoid unexpected Hairy situations.
SMILE
Be sure to show off your smile! Dont have kids smile with their mouth closed Natural smiles are best.
Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions!
Please remember to dress and look youre very best as these are the pictures that will be used in the yearbook. Students should have received a flyer from their Social Studies teacher that will allow you to pre-order
your child's pictures. Please send that payment to school with your child on Picture Day to turn in to the
photographer. You can also purchase online at www.strawbridge.net. We appreciate your support and encourage you to purchase your child's pictures, not only to capture this moment in their lives, but also because it is a very important fundraiser for our school!

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Job Shadowing is a great time to explore the world of work.


Job Shadowing gives students an opportunity to see that the skills they learn in school are related to the skills
they will need in the workplace. Job Shadowing is considered a short-term experience to introduce a student to a particular job by a one-on-one pairing of a student with an employee in a work environment. The
student shadows the worker up to one day to better understand the requirements of a particular career.
All students are encouraged to participate in this activity.

Important Information about Job Shadowing:

Students and their parents/guardians will make arrangements for the student to shadow a parent/
guardian, friend, relative or another person in a career of interest at the work site to include transportation.
Students are eligible to have ONE day per school year for this activity.
Job Shadowing can be completed in a couple of hours, an entire day, weekends and/or holidays.
Students provide their own lunch during shadowing, if applicable.
Students should demonstrate punctuality, honesty, good grooming habits, appropriate dress and
willingness to learn.
Students serve as an observer, not a worker.
Students are not permitted to shadow teachers at Irmo Middle school.
Any school work missed as a result of being absent for shadowing is the responsibility of the student.

If interested, please have your student contact Allison Redick, Career Specialist to pick up a packet or go to
our IMS Website under the Guidance Department/Career Specialist to print a packet. Also, if you need assistance for a particular career to job shadow please contact Allison Redick @ 476-3668 or email: aredick@lexrich5.org.

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Staff Needs
Nurses Needed: Fall 2015
School District 5 of Lexington/Richland Counties is looking to hire several
nurses to substitute in our health rooms as needed and to assist with our
vision , hearing and BP screenings for the Fall of 2015.
All interested nurses please complete the online application on the district
website. Notify Dyan McDowell that you have completed the application
(476-8145). Once references are completed online, Dyan will set up an orientation with Mrs. Richards, the nursing supervisor. They will also set up a
time to stop by Human Resources to complete W2 paperwork, etc. (Nurses
you will NOT have to wait for HR to hold a scheduled orientation, which
means you will be available to sub in a much more timely manner).
Please contact Kathy Jackson, IMS school nurse at 476-3609, if you have any questions or concerns!!!
We look forward to meeting and working with you!!!
How to apply:

D5 website www.lexrich5.org
Departments
Department of Human Resources
Application Procedures
Substitute Application Procedure

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Substitute Teachers Needed

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Summer Residential Camp


Camp Burnt Gin is a residential camp, operated by DHEC, for children and youth
with special health care needs.
Campers must be 7-15 years old to qualify for the child sessions, 16-20 years old for the
teen sessions and 21-25years old for the young adult session.
Applications are available on the web site : campburntgin@dhec.sc.gov or you can call
Marie Aimone, Camp Director at 803-898-0874 for further information.
ALL APPLICATIONS were due to DHEC by MARCH 1. (Acceptances will be notified by May 31).
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Summer School 2015 @ Irmo Middle!

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.
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 8th 9th graders.
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.

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