Jan. 30, 2018 e-Newsletter
Showcasing Science
Eighth-grade students in Mrs. Copeland and Mrs. Ferrell's science classes have worked since early November researching and testing popular consumer products. On Jan. 29, they presented the outstanding results of their efforts as part of the 2017-18 Consumer Product Showcase in the gym. Scientists and engineers from local research groups, graduate students, school administrators, faculty, family and friends were all in attendance for the event.
The long-term project challenged the students to utilize and demonstrate their abilities in research, critical thinking, writing, design and public speaking. The eighth graders worked both individually and in pairs, and their presentations were evaluated by a panel of experts based on three rubrics:
- general presentation (preparedness, posture and eye contact, and use of visual aids)
- content (hypothesis development, data collection and conclusion/summary)
- trifold poster (attractiveness, graphics and display)
The students' hard work and dedication to the Consumer Product Showcase certainly showed, and their visitors took notice!
For a complete photo gallery of the event, please click here.
REMINDERS
IPA Lunch Volunteers Needed
The IPA is still in need of lunch delivery volunteers through the end of the school year. We welcome parents and grandparents to sign up and spread lunchtime cheer to our students.
Latest presentation available in Parent Portal
Please log in to the Parent Portal and look under Announcements for Parents to view the slides from "What is Occupying the Adolescent Mind?" as presented by Dr. Dahra Williams, Independence's Consulting Psychologist, at our Parent Coffee on Jan. 16.
The Student Government Association and the Independence community raised $1,285.55 for the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware from a school-wide dress-down day on Jan. 19 and a middle school dance for grades 6-8 later that night.
On Jan. 24, the five members of the SGA's Executive Committee were joined by Mrs. Yatzus, Head of School, right, and SGA moderator Mr. Raab, left, to present the check to Denni Ferrara, Executive Director/President of the LRFDE, fourth from right.
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RE-ENROLLMENT BEGINS THIS THURSDAY, FEB. 1
Re-enrollment contracts for 2018-19 will be posted to your "My BackPack" account this Thursday, Feb. 1. Please log in to locate the re-enrollment link and follow the instructions to submit your contracts online. You will be prompted to print a payment voucher that should accompany your re-enrollment deposit check. Contracts and deposits must be received by Thursday, March 1, 2018, to secure enrollment for next year. Please contact Donna Sentman, Admission Coordinator, at dsentman@tisde.org with any questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/1 - Re-enrollment contracts for 2018-19 published online (due 3/1)
2/6 - View-ahead Day for Kindergarten and grade 1 at 8:30 a.m. (2/9 - Snow date)
2/7 - Third-grade field trip to Alpine and Rafetto Orthodontics
2/12-13 - Eighth-grade field trip to UD STAR Campus
2/13 - IPA Meeting from 6-8 p.m. at Food Bank of Delaware's Newark Branch
Click here for the 2017-18 calendar at a glance.
Click here for the full 2017-18 school calendar.
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Registration for our next session on Tuesday, Feb. 13 is now available. If you're interested in this FREE program, please email Donna Sentman, Admission Coordinator.
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Click the logo above to visit the winter sports "Teams & Results" page, where you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and recaps about Patriot athletics!
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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.
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Did you know that Extended Day offers a variety of special programs throughout the school year? Click here for all the details.
Tackle Hunger for the Super Bowl!
With the Philadelphia Eagles advancing to the Super Bowl for the first time in 13 years, Mrs. Yatzus, Head of School, has issued a fun challenge to our students: Tackle hunger as a team and fill the two Food Bank of Delaware bins in our front office lobby to earn a late school opening on Monday, Feb. 5, the day after Super Bowl LII.
- Fill one barrel for a one-hour delay
- Fill two barrels for a two-hour delay
Additionally, Extended Day will be offered to families who cannot go into work late.
Support the home team and the local community by filling the bins by this Friday, Feb. 2!
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(Above) Congratulations to the 10 Independence eighth graders (including those not pictured) who have been awarded scholarships to Padua Academy. They are joined by Mrs. Cindy Mann, Head of School at Padua, left, and proud Indy/Padua/University of Delaware alumna Samantha Scarpone, right, who currently teaches at Padua. (Below) We also congratulate the three young ladies named Ursuline Scholars (including those not pictured).
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"STEMfest" returns on Thursday, April 5!
Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., with a welcome presentation at 6 and activities from the Michigan Tech MindTrekkers to follow from 6:15-8. The event is free, but pre-registration will be required. Further registration details are forthcoming.
We are looking for parent volunteers from the science, technology and engineering fields. Those interested should email Mrs. Bernadette Gilmore, Director of Academics and Curriculum. Independence alumni interested in volunteering should email Mrs. Godsey, Alumni Relations Coordinator.
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Please visit our Summer at Independence website at www.SummerAtIndependence.org to browse our diverse variety of 2018 camp options in one of three easy ways:
- By category
- By grade level
- By week
You will also find a helpful FAQ, and you can thumb through galleries from every week of camp last year to relive the excitement and memories or simply see all the fun your child can have this year. Don't delay on planning your child's 2018 Summer at Independence!
Please note that registration is scheduled to open this Friday, Feb. 2.
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NEXT IPA MEETING ON FEB. 13
The next IPA meeting will be held at the Food Bank of Delaware's Newark Branch (14 Garfield Way, Newark, DE 19713) on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6-8 p.m. This will be a "working" meeting where we encourage parents and their kids to come and lend a hand to those in need. You are welcome to stay for the full two hours or for part of the time.
The Food Bank does require children to be a minimum age of 7, and everyone must wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes. We hope you can join us for a fun night of giving back to our community. Please RSVP to IPA President Pooja D'Souza by emailing poojavdsouza@gmail.com.
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Have you checked out our official Alumni page? You can keep up with all the latest news on our talented graduates. If you have your own alumni submission, please fill out the new form on the page or email Tanya Godsey, Alumni Relations Coordinator.
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