A Message From Our President
Dear IMS Family & Friends,
 
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that you are enjoying time spent with your loved ones! Christmas is always a special time. At Independence Mission Schools, our students spent Advent preparing their hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Through their preparations and celebrations, they gave witness to the fruits of love, joy, and peace as they learned the true meaning of the season – the one gift they will always have.
 
As we prepare to welcome a New Year, I am filled with hope and excitement for the future of IMS. Looking back on the past seven years, IMS has come a long way from a time when our 15 schools were in danger of closing, to becoming a strong independent and centrally-supported network of Catholic schools.
 
Over the past several months, our leadership team has been working on a strategic plan that will ensure the long-term success of our network. Our five-year vision is that IMS will be a sustainable network of high-quality elementary schools that provide our students with a transformational education rooted in Catholic values that prepares them for success in high-caliber high schools, in college, and in life.
 
To make this vision a reality, we believe it will be important to make investments that will allow us to enhance and expand our academic program, create better incentives to retain our best teachers and school leaders, build a robust and strategic development capacity and upgrade our facilities to ensure safe, welcoming, and productive learning environments.
 
Whether you are an employee, a parent, a student or a supporter, I believe that there is no better time to be part of the IMS family and I hope you will join in my excitement for our future!
 
I want to express my gratitude for each and every one of you, because without you – each employee who gives 110 percent each day, each parent who entrusts their child to our care, each student who comes to school ready to learn and become the best version of themselves, and each supporter who invests their time, talent and treasure in our mission – none of this great work would be possible. THANK YOU!
 
I am looking forward to a great New Year!
 
Sincerely,
Bruce Robinson
President & CEO
"Santa Ray" Raises $5,500 for St. Helena-Incarnation
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of "Santa Ray", Incarnation alum (Ray Cline, class of '94), many children will be able to receive the same Catholic education that he credits to his success! "Santa Ray" came to town on Dec. 12th to deliver presents to each St. Helena-Incarnation Pre-K student and present a "big check" of $5,500.

Why This IMS Parent Chose Catholic Education
One of our St. Martin de Porres (SMdP) Catholic School parents was featured in an article by the Philadelphia Inquirer! She shares her reasons for choosing to send her children to Catholic school - including great academics and a faith-centered environment - and said that her experience with SMdP has been "nothing but superb".

Our Network's Newest Principal Shares Some Advice
Meet Courtney Lemon-Tate – the newest Principal to join the IMS network this school year, serving at Holy Cross Catholic School. Courtney brings nearly 10 years of teaching, administrative and leadership experience to the IMS network. Keep reading to learn why she joined IMS and her tips (for teachers and parents) for preparing middle school students for high school.

IMS Celebrates Leadership Donors at "With Grateful Hearts" Event
This November, over 100 people – including IMS supporters, principals, pastors, board members and leadership staff – gathered to give thanks to our IMS Leadership Donors, celebrate the profound impact that their generosity continues to have on our mission and share some exciting plans for the future success of Independence Mission Schools. We are so grateful for them!

The Time to Re-Enroll is Now!
ATTENTION IMS FAMILIES: On January 1st you will receive an email from TADS that contains a specific link to be used for re-enrollment. Please re-enroll your child (or let us know if you do not plan to re-enroll) by the re-enrollment deadline of January 30th.

FBBCF Presents $39,500 Check to IMS
On October 29th, the Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation (FBBCF) held it's 2019 Beneficiary Party where riders, donors, sponsors and representatives came together to celebrate the fundraising success of the 32nd Annual “The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour”. IMS was one of 42 local charities to receive a grant check! IMS partners with the FBBCF Police Youth Alliance to bring after school enrichment programs to our schools.

Make Your Tax-Deductible Year-End Gift Today!
Please consider an end-of-year gift to one of our 15 Independence Mission Schools! Your tax-deductible, charitable donation will go a long way to helping deserving children living right here in Philadelphia receive a transformative Catholic education that combines rigorous academics with Catholic values and will put them on the path to a bright future. Thank you!