"We are needed in this world for our talents and gifts." 
IWA was blessed to host Shannon Dietz, founder of Hopeful Hearts Ministries, at last week's Listen n Lead.  Mrs. Dietz shared her story of finding strength in the wake of physical abuse in her teens.  After years of inner suffering, Mrs. Dietz found solace in her faith and felt called to help others find their voice through counseling ministry.  Take a moment to read a YLP-student-written reflection guide on Mrs. Dietz' leadership style.  You can also learn more about this inspiring speaker from Buzz Magazines Student Correspondent Cristobella Durrette.  
IMPORTANT DATES
  • Jan 20: Winter Ball at Double Tree Houston at 8:00pm
  • Jan 21: Shrek Set & Costume Workday 10:00am-2:00pm
  • Jan 25: YLP "Popcorn Leadership" at flextime (details below)
  • Jan 30-Feb 2: Super Bowl Week - 2:44pm dismissal; no flextime or after-school activities
  • Jan 31: Service Hour Graduation Eligibility Deadline (details below)
  • Feb 1: Financial Aid Application deadline for returning students (details below)
  • Feb 3: No School 
  • Feb 9: Sophomore/Junior Parent Meeting at 6:00pm
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Encore! 
This weekend three of our girls made IWA proud as they participated in the Texas Private and Parochial Schools Music Educators Association Region 3 Treble Choir.  Susanne Wilson, Sarah O'Connor, and Maria Bello had a full weekend of beautiful music making with some of the best singers in the area.  Well done!
Financial Aid Information for 2017-2018
While the 2016-2017 school year is still in full swing, it's time to look forward to the next year of growth in Academics, Values and Spirituality for your daughter(s). As we have shared with you before, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament are committed to keeping tuition affordable for families while still offering an innovative academic and co-curricular experience for students.   As part of the Sisters' commitment to affordability, we encourage you to log into your Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) account and begin the application process for tuition assistance. All applications and tax forms are due by  February 1, 2017  to be considered for tuition assistance in the 2017-2018 school year.  Please click  here  to be directed to the application page. 
Course Selection for 2017-2018 
Current freshmen, sophomores and juniors will meet with an academic advisor between January  24 and  March 3 to discuss courses for next school year. Sophomore parents are asked to attend the meeting with their daughters because sophomores are beginning the college search process, and many are transitioning to the rigor of Advanced Placement classes as juniors. Parents of freshmen and juniors are welcome to attend in person or by phone, but are not required to do so.   Students should use the following links to sign up for an appointment:
After the meetings, students and parents may review the course options and must return the course selection form to the front office by  Friday, March 3 .
Tale As Old As Time Winter Ball |   JANUARY 20TH
Join us for IWA's Winter Ball 2017 on Friday, January 20th from 8:00pm until 11:00pm at the Double Tree Houston.  Formal attire is required for all attendees.  On January 20th, students will be dismissed from school at 2:44pm to give students time to prepare for Winter Ball. 
YLP Freshmen Program - Popcorn Leadership |   JANUARY 25TH
The YLP Freshman Program team has been working diligently to create programming to teach freshmen important leadership skills and behaviors. This month, the Freshman Program team will re-introduce "Popcorn Leadership," a series of meetings that will focus on unearthing leadership traits in characters from popular movies. On January 25th, by popular demand, the team and the freshmen will be watching scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone during flex-time in the auditorium and analyzing it through the scope of the YLP "Be a Better You" theme for the year. If you are a freshman, stop by at flex time on the 25th to see how the Harry Potter characters embody our "Be There" mantra!
A Message from the Choices Counselor 
Hello IWA Parents! This month's Choices topic is Depression, Anxiety, Suicide Prevention, and Coping. See the handout of the month for more information on this topic. Check out the discussion questions and start conversations with your daughters about mental health. If you have any questions about Choices or how to be more involved with Choices, please reach out to Sonia Roschelli, LCSW, IWA Choices Counselor, at  281-200-9263.
Super Bowl Week 2017 - No School Friday, February 3rd
We are anticipating heavy activity around IWA during Super Bowl Week, January 27th-February 5th. In order for schedules to run as smoothly as possible, we are working with the city and and an HPD liaison to create a "game plan" for student drop-off and pick-up .  Please look out for a separate email about Super Bowl Week protocol in the near future.  As of now, this is what we know: 
  • The Super Bowl around downtown Houston will begin at 3 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.  Therefore to help with dismissal there will be no flex time that week.  Students will be dismissed at 2:44 pm the entire week.
  • We encourage students not to stay after school due to heavy traffic in the area at that time of day.
  • On Friday, February 3rd, Super Bowl activities are beginning at 10:00am.  We are concerned about traffic and access to IWA that day, therefore IWA will be closed on Friday, February 3rd.  
Senior Reminder: Graduation Eligibility Deadline |   JANUARY 31ST
Seniors must turn in their 100 Service Hours document into Ms. Valdez by the end of the day January 31 to be eligible for graduation.
Sophomore/Junior Parent Meeting |   FEBRUARY 9TH
This year's Sophomore/Junior Parent Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 pm. Note that this is a date change due to anticipated Super Bowl activity and traffic on the original date. Families will receive detailed PSAT score reports, information on how to interpret them, and information about what sophomores and juniors need to be doing this semester to prepare for the college search process.  
Sewfest Updates |  MARCH 6TH
Sewfest planning is underway and we hope you all are marking your calendars to come be part of this incredible event on  March 6 .  We have set a goal to make 150 pillowcase dresses this year.  For those of you who don't sew, there is an awesome new volunteer opportunity since we are making superhero capes and masks for the boys.  This will give the boys at Cafe Con Leches School in Santo Domingo something to get excited about.  Stay tuned for more details about Sewfest!
ATHLETICS
Upcoming Games
BASKETBALL
Tuesday January 24th: Away vs. Concordia Lutheran @ 4:30/6:00 
Thursday January 26th: Home vs. The Village School 4:30/6:00 (Senior Night)

SOCCER
Tuesday January 24th: Home vs. Kelly @ 6:00 at STHS
Thursday January 26th:  Away vs. Duchesne @  4:30

SWIM
Saturday January 28th: HAPPI meet at Spring Branch Natatorium
Texas Bowl & Monster Jam Sign Ups
The next chance to volunteer at NRG stadium is coming up and we need more volunteers to  sign up !  Please come out and have a great time supporting our athletes!
Steps for Students Registration Open |
FEBRUARY 18, 2017
Steps for Steps for Students 2017 registration is officially open!  This annual 5k race, which will take place on  February 18, 2017 , raises awareness for Catholic education in Houston and is a great way to give back to our school community.  You can learn more about the race here. Please follow this link to learn more and register for the race.  Please make sure to select Incarnate Word Academy as your team.  Thank you for your support!
St. Thomas High School Cheer Tryouts
It's getting close to that time of year again! STH will be hosting cheer tryouts for girls from IWA, DASH, and SAA from  March 28-31.  Learn more information here .