Welcome back to an exciting new year.
It was a grey and watery start to the 2019-20 school year last Monday, but s
tudents and staff shone brightly all week!
Thanks to all for your enthusiasm.
Make sure to check out details below about our many student-run businesses, including the
breakfast and lunch options
.
Mark your calendar for Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. More information to follow as we get closer.
We want to hear from you! Are there topics you would like covered in IvyNotes? Do you have other suggestions about the weekly e-newsletter? Fill out the 60-second survey below.
Welcome to all new families. We are thrilled that you have joined our programs and are now a part of our community. We hope to see many of you this Friday, July 19 at our New Parent PTA Coffee as well as our first PTA Meeting of the school year. See our registration link below.
We look forward to a productive and successful year. Please let us know if you have questions or feedback as the year gets started.
Have a wonderful week,
Susan Holt,
School Director
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Student-Run Businesses Foster
New Skills for Independence
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Several onsite businesses will begin operations this week after students spent the past week in training. Check your student's backpack for a letter explaining the numerous businesses operated at Ivymount, along with sample order forms. These forms can also be found on your
Family Portal under resources
.
In addition to offering the convenience of food options for students and staff at school, Ivymount businesses provide opportunities for students to practice purchasing skills in a store/café environment. They're also an important avenue for students to gain additional work experience. As one student said, "I like being at Ivymount because I like all the jobs I get to try."
Pre-Vocational Skills Training
Student-run businesses are part of a continuum of training offered in high school and post-high school that helps prepare students for their transition to adult life and employment. As one parent noted in a survey about the work opportunities, “They set standards of what a job is, what your responsibilities are, how professional you’re supposed to be." While the variety of tasks provide real-world experience, they're also a chance for teachers to offer feedback in a low-pressure setting.
Each student-run business occurs onsite with a variety of breakfast and lunch times, depending on the day and business. Check out the summer schedule.
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New Tactile Wall Brings Learning into the Hallway
It may look like another piece of vibrant art in the halls of Ivymount, but the new caterpillar near the All Purpose Room has a special function.
Created by the OTPTPE department, the area is a new space for students to utilize for self-regulation and sensory exploration.
The tactile wall provides students with the opportunity to interact with a variety of textures (as each segment of the caterpillar’s body is a different texture). The textures used are: soft and fluffy, hard and bumpy, squishy and smooth, and firm.
Sensory Input through Tactile Feedback
Staff are encouraging students to feel all the different textures, help them understand what they are feeling, and supporting them in deciding which textures are preferred and non-preferred. Please feel free to ask your child/children about the wall and to visit it yourself if you’d like!
Our thanks to
staff Erica Wirth, Carley Sturges, and Kirsten Suhr, who led the development and installation of the tactile wall.
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Tell Us What You Think!
We want the information, stories, and images we share in IvyNotes to inform and inspire you.
Our 60-second anonymous survey is a quick and easy way to tell us how we can make sure that IvyNotes keeps you in the know about what's happening at Ivymount School and Programs.
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Art Program Needs
Your Newspapers
Art teacher Kim Prati is planning a range of new projects for the 2019-20 school year. One item that she can use is donations of old newspapers.
If you have newspapers that you usually recycle, consider sending them in your student's backpack or bringing them with you if you're planning to visit Ivymount. Thanks!
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ALL Ivymount Families Welcome
at the New Family Coffee
Friday, July 19
9 – 10 a.m.
Ivymount Conference Room
There are a few more days left to RSVP for our annual New Family Coffee. Do you have questions? Want to get to know people and programs? This is a great opportunity to meet other Ivymount families as well as staff from various departments.
Make the most of your trip to Ivymount. There will be a PTA Meeting immediately following the New Family Coffee from 10 - 11 a.m.
We hope you are able to join us.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 16 to let us know you're planning to attend.
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PTA Fundraiser
Night Out at Attman's Deli
Tuesday, July 30
4 - 8 p.m.
Take a break from making dinner and support the Ivymount PTA on Tuesday, July 30 by stopping at Attman's Deli in Cabin John Mall, 7913 Tuckerman Lane.
Attman's will donate 15% of all eat in and take-out orders when you mention "Ivymount"
.
All proceeds will go to the Ivymount PTA.
The wide-ranging
menu
features soups, salads, a variety of classic deli sandwiches (including vegetarian options), sour pickles, dinner entrees, cheesecake and other desserts, and even all day breakfast!
So remember to mention Ivymount and support your PTA.
(Uber deliveries not eligible)
Get Students Movin' With a Reuben
The Night Out at Attman's is the "kick off" to a second fundraiser that is linked to National Deli Month. For the month of August, Attman's will donate 25% from the purchase of all Reuben Sandwiches to Ivymount. This fundraiser will support the purchase of a second mobility van.
So, if you can't make it on July 30, please stop by Attman's during the month of August to support mobility at Ivymount!
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Save the Date!
Ivymount PTA Fall Family Picnic
Saturday, September 21
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
We're planning a Fall event for the entire family to kick off the school year. Look for more information in the coming weeks.
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Friday, July 19
New Family Coffee from 9 to 10 a.m.
PTA Meeting from 10 to 11 a.m.
ALL FAMILIES WELCOME
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Monday, August 8
First day of August break for Ivymount students
Wednesday, August 28
Classes resume for Ivymount students
Tuesday, September 10
Back to School Night
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Monday - Friday
9:05 - 9:30 a.m.
Monday - Friday
2 - 2:45 p.m.
Opens Thursday 7/18
Gator Lunch Shop
Monday
11:30 a.m. - 1
p.m.
Tuesday lunch delivery
Closed for the Summer
Friday
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
SGA Summer Ice Cream Business
Wednesday and Friday
GF Outshine Fruit Bars & Ice Cream Cups
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Ivymount School & Programs
301-469-0223
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