Sept. 18, 2018 e-Newsletter
WELCOME ABOARD!
From left to right: Hilary Sophrin (middle school English), Jeff Smith (plant staff), Linza Godfrey (school nurse), Ellen Ryan (middle school social studies), Theresa Crossan (Early Childhood II associate teacher) and Pooja D'Souza (Development Manager).
The Independence School proudly welcomed six new members to its faculty and staff for the 2018-19 school year, with three of them having previous ties to our community.
Linza Godfrey took over as our full-time nurse, following the retirement of Denise Axe-Bree after 21 years of service. Mrs. Godfrey, who holds bachelor's degrees in both biology and nursing, worked Friday afternoons in the nurse's office during the 2017-18 school year and spent the past two years in the education field at St. Mary's Preschool. Prior to that, she served as a registered nurse in the hospital setting. Mrs. Godfrey is the mother of three Independence students, two in middle school and one in lower school.
Hilary Sophrin joined the middle school English department. Previously a high school English teacher, Hilary is excited about broadening her experience with the move into a middle school setting. Hilary earned her bachelor's degree in English education and a master's in Irish and Irish American studies.
Ellen Ryan joined Tina Palmer in the middle school social studies department, bringing seven years of experience teaching at that level. She obtained a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a minor in history and a master's degree in literacy, and she is also a certified reading specialist.
New associate teacher Theresa Crossan has partnered with Lisa McMahon in our Early Childhood II program, a collaboration that brings exciting new possibilities to their students. Ms. Crossan garnered her bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a minor in psychology and has worked with children from ages 2-7 over the past several years. She spent one Summer at Independence as a camp counselor and also subbed in Early Childhood through grade 3 a few years ago.
Pooja D'Souza rounds out the Development Office as our new Development Manager. Mrs. D'Souza previously served two years as Independence Parents' Association President, and her extensive background in customer service, office management and project management has proven to be a great asset in her new role at Independence.
Jeff Smith works the evening shift as the newest member of our dedicated plant staff. Mr. Smith possesses 24 years of experience as an electrician and is also a certified machinist.
REMINDERS
Online Ordering for Gym Uniforms, Lunches and INDY Apparel
You can purchase gym uniforms, which are required for grades 4-8, school lunches and INDY Spiritwear Apparel online by clicking the links below:
Additionally, if you would like to volunteer for IPA Lunch Delivery, you can sign up here.
Extended Day Special Programs
Did you know that Extended Day offers a variety of special programs throughout the school year? Click here for all the details. New offerings have just been added for the fall.
Creating Citizen Scientists
Through our partnership with Avondale, Pa.-based Stroud Water Research Center, Independence recently had two water sensors installed on our campus – one in the Wetlands and another in the stream by the baseball field. In addition to capturing data, the sensors will allow us to utilize our campus as a source for both learning and doing science.
In middle school, the sensors will help our sixth graders to understand the concept of watersheds and how everything we do on land impacts aquatic ecosystems, while also fostering an appreciation for our Wetlands. For our seventh and eighth graders, the sensors will enhance their data analysis and graphing skills.
Ultimately, connecting our work with Stroud and other citizen scientists brings relevance and engagement to what the students are learning.
For more information on Stroud Water Research Center and how this nonprofit organization is celebrating World Water Monitoring Day, please click here.
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SAY CHEEEEEESE!
School Pictures This Week
School pictures will be taken outdoors this year on the following days:
- Early Childhood II-grade 4 – this Thursday, Sept. 20
- Early Childhood I and grades 5-8 – this Friday, Sept. 21
Class pictures will also be taken on these dates.
You can order your child's photo from Barksdale in one of two easy ways:
- Online by clicking here and entering access code 01557 in the Login box.
- Fill out the paper order form that came home last week with your child and return it, along with payment, to the school on picture day.
Parents of our eighth-grade students may also want to purchase the group picture for the Class of 2019.
Please note that parents who are participating in the Beau Biden Foundation's child ID kit program should complete and return the form by their child's picture day.
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/19 - Yom Kippur (school CLOSED, Extended Day OPEN)
9/20 - School pictures for ECII-grade 4
9/21 - School pictures for ECI and grades 5-8
9/24 - Secondary School Night for 8th graders and their parents at 7 p.m. (meet in Gore Auditorium)
9/26 - Fall Sports Pep Rally for grades 5-8 and Scoreboard Dedication
9/28 - Kindergarten field trip to Milburn Orchards in Elkton, Md.
9/28 - "Family Bingo Night" from 6-8:30 p.m. (gym) - SOLD OUT!
Click here for the 2018-19 calendar at a glance.
Click here for the full 2018-19 school calendar.
Our wildly popular "Family Bingo Night," presented by the IPA, is now SOLD OUT!
Please email Development Manager Pooja D'Souza to join the waitlist. If more seats become available, you will be contacted.
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HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT INDY!
Please help us spread the good word about Independence. Would you consider hosting an "Independence Night" or "Learn about Independence Coffee Hour" for prospective families? The Admission Office team would be happy to come to your home to speak with prospective families about all that an Independence education has to offer. If you are interested in hosting an event or know of someone who would like to learn more about Independence, please contact Michele Harra, Director of Admission, at mharra@tisde.org or 302-239-0332.
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Fall Sports action is now underway! Be sure to click here or on the logo above to visit the "Teams & Results" page, where you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and recaps about Patriot athletics!
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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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