Father Daughter Mass 
The Incarnate Word Academy community was blessed to celebrate the annual Father Daughter Mass today.  Fr. TJ Dolce delivered a lively homily calling on the congregation to give thanks for our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and other important men in our life.  Fathers and daughters gathered together for a coffee and donut reception before heading off to class.  It was a wonderful morning and we are so appreciative to our guests, the Mothers Club and the Campus Ministry Team for continuing this beautiful tradition. See more pictures here! 
IMPORTANT DATES
  • Jan 16: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
  • Jan 17: Mothers Club Style Show Meeting at 8:15am ( details below); Leading with Service WINGS Interest Meeting at flextime; Spring Break Trip Student Meeting at flextime;   Shre k Rehearsals 3:30pm-6:30pm
  • Jan 18: Mass in Chapel at 7:30am; Herff Jones Graduation Orders Due; Shrek Rehearsals 3:30pm-6:30pm
  • Jan 19: Choices Assembly for all students at flextime; Shrek Rehearsals 3:30pm-6:30pm
  • Jan 20: Early Dismissal at 2:44pm; Winter Ball at 8:00pm
  • Jan 21: Shrek Set & Costume Workday 10:00am-2:00pm
  • Jan 30-Feb 2: Super Bowl Week - No flextime or after-school activities, 2:44pm dismissal 
  • Jan 31: Service Hour Graduation Eligibility Deadline (details below)
  • Feb 1: Financial Aid Application deadline for returning students (details below)
  • Feb 3: No School due to Super Bowl traffic
  • Feb 9: Sophomore/Junior Parent Meeting at 6:00pm
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
First Semester Honor Roll
Please see here for the complete list of first semester honor roll students.  Congratulations on your achievement!
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 23 and February 24 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 and parents will receive a link next week to an online sign up for course selection meetings. After the meeting, students and parents may review the course options and must return the course selection form to the front office by  Monday, February 27 .
No School for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday | 
JANUARY 16TH
Incarnate Word Academy will be closed on Monday, January 16th for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 17th.
LwS Project Wings Interest Meeting | 
JANUARY 17TH
Project WINGS is a partnership with the local Wesley Community Center that aims to create powerful one-on-one relationships with the underprivileged girls it serves. Each IWA student who chooses to get involved will be paired with her own "little sister" at Wesley. Through various fun activities throughout the semester, including bringing our little sisters to Sewfest, we aim to grow the leadership skills of all the girls in our program and create mentorships that will allow the Wesley girls to truly spread their "wings." All IWA students are welcome at our interest meeting on  Tuesday, January 17th , in room 306 to learn more about this opportunity to change a little girl's life forever.
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.  Tickets will be sold in the cafeteria from January 16th-19th for $35.  On January 20th, students will be dismissed from school at 2:44pm to give students time to prepare for Winter Ball. 
Super Bowl Week 2017 - No School Friday, February 3rd
We are anticipating heavy traffic 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 activities at Discovery Green will begin each day at 3 p.m., therefore, to try to help with traffic, there will be no flex time that week.  Students will be dismissed at 2:44 pm the entire week.
  • 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.  We have received verification that a waiver will be approved for that day, and the day will not have to me made up at another time this year.
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. 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. 
ATHLETICS
Upcoming Games
BASKETBALL
Tuesday January 17th: Home vs. St. Agnes 4:30pm/6:00pm
Thursday January 19th: Away  vs. Houston Christian 4:30pm/6:00pm

SOCCER
Tuesday January 17th: Away vs. The Village School 4:30pm
Thursday January 19th: Home vs. St. John XXIII  6:00pm

SWIM
Friday January 20th: TAPPS South Regionals at University of Houston 8:00am
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 . 
MOTHERS CLUB
2017 Style Show Meeting - Open to All! |
JANUARY 17, 2017
If you are looking for a way to get involved at IWA, please consider joining the Style Show committee.  Each year, the Mothers Club hosts a style show for the IWA students in an effort to promote inner beauty in an entertaining way.  The students sport chic fashions from various Houston vendors, and it is a wonderful afternoon to gather with friends & family for lunch.  This year's Style Show will be held at the Junior League of Houston on Sunday, March 26.  Email Beth Fischer if you would like to get involved.   Our next meeting will be held at IWA at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17 in the small conference room in the main office.  Please join us!  
Parents of models in the show: we could really use any help you can provide to the committee.  We need help with photography, retailers, etc.   If anyone has a connection with a local retail vendor who would be willing to sponsor the show by loaning outfits for the day, please contact the event chairs, Deirdre Wood or Lisa Phillips .