Sept. 19, 2017 e-Newsletter
WELCOME ABOARD!
From left to right: Donna Sentman, Class of 1980 (Admission Coordinator), Jason Lazar (middle school math) and Jennifer Saggese (fourth grade).
The Independence School proudly welcomed three new members to its faculty and staff for the 2017-18 school year, with two of the three possessing previous ties to our community.
Donna Sentman took over as Admission Coordinator in July, following the summer retirement of Carol Bergner after 27 years of service. A member of the Independence Class of 1980, Mrs. Sentman is also the mother of a current eighth grader at our school and two other children who were graduates in the Classes of 2013 and '14. She brings her strong background in the corporate world, along with her passion for our school, to her new role.
Jennifer Saggese joined the fourth-grade team with Sarah Gilmore, following the retirement of Toni Wright after 22 years of service. Mrs. Saggese worked with our fourth-grade faculty throughout the 2016-17 school year to ensure a smooth transition for this year's students. She brings strong elementary teaching and differentiated instruction experience to our school. Mrs. Saggese is also the mother of four current Independence students, including three middle schoolers.
Jason Lazar joined Kerri Kacmarcik in the middle school math department, following the retirement of Diane Finocchiaro after two decades of service. Mr. Lazar brings experience teaching math in both independent and public schools. Most recently, he taught middle and high school courses at Worcester Preparatory School on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Prior to that, he worked at St. Anne's Episcopal School in Middletown, where he implemented a problem-solving program into the curriculum. Mr. Lazar is the father of a pair of new Independence lower school students.
ON OUR WEBSITE
- "Indy Insights" blog: Back-to-School Jitters (by Dr. Dahra Williams, Consulting Psychologist)
- Faculty members 'make space for change' at PBL workshop
REMINDERS
Online Ordering
You can purchase school lunches online by clicking here. Additionally, if you would like to volunteer for IPA Lunch Delivery, you can sign up here.
Intramural sports
Intramural sports for grades 5-6 will begin this Monday, Sept. 25! Co-ed cross country, field hockey, boys' soccer and girls' volleyball will all be offered.
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/25 - Secondary School Night for 8th graders and their parents at 7 p.m. (meet in Gore Auditorium)
9/27 - Lower School Picture Day
9/28 - Middle School Picture Day
9/28 - Academic Open House for ECI-grade 4 at 6 p.m.
Click here for the 2017-18 calendar at a glance.
Click here for the full 2017-18 school calendar.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our free Preschool Playtime sessions throughout last school year and over the summer. Details on the 2017-18 schedule are forthcoming!
THE INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL BLOG
Click the "Indy Insights" logo above for a collection of useful ideas, guidance and resources by members of our faculty, administration and staff.
Did you know that Extended Day offers a variety of special programs throughout the school year? Click here for all the details.
Our wildly popular "Family Bingo Night," presented by the IPA, will take place on Friday, Oct. 13, from 6-8:30 p.m., in the gym. The entry fee of $6 per person (age 3 & up) includes a bingo pad, a snack and a beverage. Online registration is available by clicking here, and you can also pre-order cheese pizzas from Cacciatori's and daubers. VERY limited spots remain, and the event may be sold out by the time of this mailing, in which case you can join the waitlist.
For those wishing to volunteer at this event, please click here.
SAY CHEEEEEESE!
Back by popular demand: School pictures will be taken outdoors by Apple Branch School Photography!
Picture Day will take place on the following days:
- Lower School students – Wednesday, Sept. 27
- Middle School students – Thursday, Sept. 28
Class pictures will also be taken on these dates.
Apple Branch has a pre-pay program where you order your child's photo before Picture Day.
You can order in one of two easy ways:
1. Online by clicking here.
2. Fill out the paper order form that will be coming in your child's folder and return it to the school on or before Picture Day. That form can also be accessed here: front and back.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Does your child…
- Like to work with others in a team environment?
- Like to solve problems?
- Like to work creatively?
- Like to think "on his or her feet"?
- Enjoy competition?
If so, look for an email soon about joining Odyssey of the Mind!
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative, competitive, problem-solving activity for students in Kindergarten-grade 8, supervised and coached by parent volunteers. It provides students with the opportunity to experience problem solving, teamwork, brainstorming, self-reliance and respect for individual strengths.
ADMISSION OPEN HOUSE
Admission Open House is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12, from 1-4 p.m. However, if you know of any interested prospective parents, please inform them that they are more than welcome to schedule a tour before then by calling the Admission Office at 302-239-0332 or emailing Donna Sentman, Admission Coordinator.
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