Dear Ivymount Families,
In our final week before Winter Break, we want to celebrate the spirit that our students, families, and staff continue to bring to this very altered school year. We thank you for your continued partnership. See below for a list of daily themes that we will be celebrating this week.
Last week, we kicked off December by celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. See below for our draft equity statement and a set of resources for parents and staff to keep the conversation about inclusion, diversity, and equity going.
We remain committed to providing links to resources to keep the Ivymount Community safe and healthy during the pandemic. The CDC has released several checklists to help guide parents, guardians, and caregivers. The visual checklists include actions to take and points to consider for virtual and on-site learning, as well as resources to navigate stress and uncertainty. Click Here for CDC Checklists.
One way to reduce stress may be to join the Ivymount PTA and other parents for this Tuesday evening's Parent/Caregiver hangout. Get your Ugly Sweater ready and scroll down for the Zoom link. Also remember to check out the PTA's Boon Supply fundraiser. Thank you to parent Monique Wintz for her video explanation of the items. See Monique in action below.
Wishing you a safe and healthy week, with masks on.
Sincerely,
Susan Holt
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Upcoming Events
Monday to Friday, December 14 to 18
Winter Spirit Week Events
Tuesday, December 15
PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout
Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1
Winter Break
No School for Students/Staff
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King Holiday
No School for Students/Staff
Tuesday/Wednesday
January 19/20
Non-Instructional Days
No School for Students/Staff
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Ooops!
In the December 6 edition of IvyNotes, Winter Break was incorrectly listed as starting on Tuesday, December 22. In fact, the break begins on Monday, December 21. We apologize for the confusion. As always, thanks for your support.
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If you're holiday shopping on Amazon, remember that your purchases can also help Ivymount. Almost $5,000 has been raised through the AmazonSmile program for the Ivymount Foundation. These funds support staff training, technology and other materials for your student.
Click to learn how to designate Ivymount as your AmazonSmile recipient.
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Spirit Week Begins Tomorrow |
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All Ivymount programs are coming together to participate in a Winter Spirit Week to count down to Winter Break. So get your mustaches, sports teams, winter wear, Ivymount colors, and PJ's ready to show some spirit for the next five days. Students are encouraged to add a photo and/or video through FlipGrid so we can all share in the fun. Teachers will share with students how to upload to the FlipGrid site. Check Ivymount's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages for some highlights also. Let's have some fun!
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Ivymount Introduces Draft
Equity Statement
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This past week, Ivymount used the occasion of Inclusive Schools Week to develop our draft equity statement. We will further refine the statement with staff in the coming weeks but wanted to share its progress.
Ivymount School, Maddux School, and Ivymount Outreach are committed to:
- promoting policies, practices, training, and education that are proactively inclusive, culturally-sensitive, and embrace diversity, including neurodiversity among the individuals we serve, staff members, and families
- acting as advocates for diversity within the greater community to create substantive change
- identifying and discussing our differences and the impacts they have on our stakeholders, approaches, and actions
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challenging ourselves to identify, understand, and correct inequities we may discover
Our team also continues to compile numerous resources for thought and action to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. The resources include sites for parents and teachers, with links to content created by DC region educators, Common Sense Media, Common Sense Education, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Edutopia, and more.
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Complete the IvyMoves Survey |
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The Physical Education team is gearing up for our second annual IvyMoves Month in January! They want to be able to provide activities, ideas, and support to help get the community moving. To do this, the team asks that families complete a very short survey to provide information on current levels of physical activity as well as limitations that your family might face.
Their goal is to get students and the whole family moving and involved.
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Outreach Hosts
Online Theatre Event
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Ivymount Outreach continues to offer weekend events. Yesterday, Outreach partnered with theatre group Only Make Believe to plan and throw an online party using participants' imaginations. We hope you will plan to join in next time! |
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December Parent/Caregiver Hangout
Tuesday, December 15
7 - 8 pm
Are you missing your usual get-togethers with friends? Stressed out by these unusual times or the approaching holidays? Bring your cookies, beverage of choice, and maybe even your ugly sweater or tie and join Ivymount families for a no-demands hour of conversation.
It's a chance to make connections and share a laugh with other folks who "get it."
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 827 5823 6426
Passcode: 577945
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PTA's Biggest Fundraiser
Order Now!
Watch the video to see parent organizer Monique Wintz share some of the awesome and unique products available from Boon Supply. These are the same high-quality products available when the company was formerly known as Mixed Bags Designs, plus some exciting new items!
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Help us spread the word about the fundraiser by emailing, posting and tweeting the link with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors – anyone can purchase with this link and 40% of the profits go to the Ivymount PTA to help us support our awesome teachers and staff.
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Ivymount
School & Programs
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