Feb. 27, 2018 e-Newsletter
TAKING ON THE WORLD
Congratulations to The Combusters, comprised of seventh graders Michael Connolly and Clare O'Dwyer and sixth graders Kate Connolly and Rai Kahlon, for earning first place at the First State FIRST LEGO League Champions Tournament on Feb. 24 at Delaware State University in Dover.
In LEGO League, students use software, sensors, motors and gears to construct and program a robot that maneuvers around a playing field. They also research a problem related to the Challenge theme and present their research solutions to a panel of judges.
The Combusters will travel to Detroit's Cobo Center in late April to compete in the FIRST Championship, which includes thousands of students from across the globe. They are also invited to participate in the FIRST Welcome Party and Closing Celebration at Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions.
For more details on Independence's trip to states, please visit our website later this week!
REMINDERS
Ordering Additional Pizza
If you would like to add an additional slice of pizza on Wednesdays for your child for the remainder of the school year, please email Pooja D'Souza and send in a check for $40, made payable to the IPA. All additional orders must be placed by this Friday, March 2.
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.
Making an Independence Education
Exceptional and Accessible
Join Board President Kevin Heitzenroder and Head of School Vicky Yatzus for a parent update on program and initiatives, followed by a panel discussion on affordability and recent tax law changes.
Our panelists will include local experts in areas of financial planning, tax law and financial aid.
This Monday, March 5 | Founders' Library
Wine & Cheese - 6:30 p.m.
Presentation - 7 p.m.
Please RSVP to Marci Sieja so we may plan refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you!
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2018-19 RE-ENROLLMENT DUE THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 1
Re-enrollment contracts for 2018-19 are posted to your "My BackPack" account. If you have not yet had a chance to complete the process, 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 this Thursday, March 1, 2018, to secure enrollment for next year. Please contact Donna Sentman, Admission Coordinator, at dsentman@tisde.org with any questions.
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Check your mailboxes…
40th Anniversary Auction & Gala invitations are on their way! Don't miss the most fun Indy parent event of the year, held on Saturday, April 14 at Deerfield Country Club.
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In celebration of the 100th day of school, kindergarten and first-grade students worked on an extended homework assignment finding different ways to present the number 100. This fun family project also taught time management skills and the importance of creating an appealing presentation. The assignment led to some amazing results and demonstrated a variety of wonderfully creative ideas. Each student's project went on display in the 100 Day Museum on Feb. 23 for classmates, teachers, administrators and parents to see.
For a complete gallery of the 100 Day Museum, please click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2/28 - Seventh-grade field trip to National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
3/1 - Re-enrollment contracts for 2018-19 due
3/5 - Annual Independence Update: Making an Independence Education Exceptional and Accessible, with Board President Kevin Heitzenroder and Head of School Vicky Yatzus, from 6:30-8 p.m. (Founders' Library)
3/8 - End of Trimester 2
3/8 - Roller Skating Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Christiana Skating Center)
3/9 - In-service Day (school closed, Extended Day open)
3/13 - IPA Meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Founders' Library)
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, March 20 will be available soon. 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.
ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST-EVER ALUMNI AWARDS
In celebration of our 40th anniversary, The Independence School is proud to introduce our first-ever Alumni Awards.
Outstanding Alumni Award
The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes an Independence alumnus or alumna who has graduated 20 or more years ago and demonstrates outstanding achievement, leadership, or innovation in a particular field, whether in his or her profession or through volunteer activities or personal dedication to a cause.
Rising Star Alumni Award
The Rising Star Alumni Award recognizes an Independence alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the last 20 years and demonstrates outstanding achievement, leadership, or innovation in a particular field, whether in his or her profession or through volunteer activities or personal dedication to a cause.
Nominations for these awards are now being accepted. If you wish to nominate a candidate for either award, please complete the required form by clicking here.
Recipients will be determined in early April, and the awards will be presented at our 40th Anniversary Founders' Day Assembly on Friday, April 20.
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POTATO OLYMPICS
Started several years ago as a way to celebrate the Winter Olympics, the recent third-grade Potato Olympics not only provided fun and excitement for the students, but they also incorporated math, creative writing and art.
With the assistance of our seventh graders, Mrs. Grothaus and Mrs. Robinson's classes weighed in and measured the "potathletes" using a balance scale and ruler. The third graders also wrote a biography about their potathletes, which described their families and Olympic skills, and created a flag and costume, as each potato represented a real or imagined country.
The potathletes participated in two events in as many days: the Potato Luge and the 100-Yard Dash. Closing ceremonies included recognition of the winners with a certificate and gold medals for all participants.
The Potato Olympics will return in 2022!
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THE WORLD IN MOTION
Each year, kindergarten students participate in the World in Motion unit, with the main objective being to learn, through exploration and experimentation, how ramp height and vehicle weight affect momentum. The design teams record observations from "play experiences" and use those observations to design a car that is a "good crasher" for a toy company. As budding engineers, the kindergarteners are tasked with working together to follow the design criteria and ultimately present their completed products to classmates. Mrs. Scarpone's class recently finished the unit, and their cars are currently on display in the Founders' Library. Mrs. Samuels' class is beginning the unit now, and we look forward to seeing their designs.
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Roller Skating Night
presented by the Athletic Department
Where: Christiana Skating Center
When: Next Thursday, March 8
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Entry Fee - $5; Skate Rental - $3
All ECI through fourth-grade students are required
to have a parent stay at the event.
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PROBLEM-SOLVING SOLUTIONS
Kindergarten through third-grade students participating in the FIRST LEGO League, Jr. program held their own mini-expo at Independence on Feb. 22. Each team explored how its members use water at home or in their community, the water's journey and how to improve a part of this journey. They created a Team Model to show a solution to the challenge with mechanized LEGOs and shared what they learned through their Team Model and a Show Me poster. Some of the teams also showcased their work at the First State FIRST LEGO League Champions Tournament on Feb. 24 at Delaware State University in Dover. These young children are making a difference in the world with their creative thinking and problem solving.
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2018 Summer at Independence registration is live!
Please click on the logo 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!
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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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