Thursday, October 21, 2021
Important Dates/Events

October:
21: Parent/Teacher conferences
22: Fall Fest 12:30-2 p.m. (please remind your child to dress warmly, not in their Halloween costume. We will be outside for this event).
29: 5th and 6th grade Halloween mixer
29: End of 1st quarter

November: 
2: School Picture Retake Day
5: All-Pro Parent Breakfast (6th grade) @ 7:15 a.m.
12: Waiver Day: No school for students
16: PTO mtg @ 5:30 p.m.
23: Grandparents' Day--Postponed date TBD
24-26: Thanksgiving Break: No school

December:
1-2: IMS holiday shop
17: All-Pro Parent breakfast (7th grade) @ 7:15 a.m.
20-31: Winter Break: No school
Halloween Update

Students are permitted to wear costumes to school next Friday, October 29. If your child plans to dress up for Halloween this year, set guidelines are in place to maintain safety and learning for this day.

The following are not permitted:

  • No costume masks that cover the face (face masks to cover mouth and nose are permitted).
  • No weapons or props that need to be carried.
  • No images or symbols that would be deemed offensive.
  • No costumes that would pose as a hazard or restrict a student from sitting or moving through the hallway.
  • School dress code applies (appropriate length/not revealing)

Thanks for your cooperation as we try to make the day fun and exciting. While still focusing on our primary responsibility of teaching and learning.
School Nurse

I am writing to ask for your help with sending in your child's vaccine records. It is a state mandate to have on file that all grades have these vaccines prior to the start of school. I am sure most of the students have had the required vaccines. If they have not had them please have them get them ASAP. We just need the documentation of them being given or an exempt form filled out if they did not get them.   

You can email immunization records to me at pwestbrooks@independence.k12.oh.us 
or the Medical assistant in the IMS clinic cspeights@independence.k12.oh.us. 
You can also send a copy in with your student or have the doctor's office fax them to the school fax number (216) 642-1247.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your prompt response. 

Pamela Westbrooks BSN,RN,CDE
District Nurse
Wrestling

ATTENTION 7th and 8th-grade boys and girls! Wrestling sign-ups will be going on the rest of this month. See Coach Stasek or sign up in the cafeteria. There is a signup sheet on the table upfront by the water fountain.
Power of the Pen

Any 8th grader interested in joining Power of the Pen, there will be a meeting in Mrs. Yaro-Linderman’s room after school this Friday, October 22 from 2:40 - 3:15 p.m. If you have play practice, the meeting will not interfere with your scheduled time.

See you then!
Mrs. Wagner

The Land of To Be Continued
By: Matilda Marie Averre
Pep Club

The 2021-22 Pep Club will be meeting this week to discuss and plan our "WIMS Positive Segments" throughout the year. Further, we are going to resurrect our "Christmas Paper Candy Cane Sale" to benefit the St. Augustine homeless community. In addition to keeping spirits high at IMS, we are also a philanthropic group!
Band

The IMS bands are back in full swing with 5th Grade Band meeting on Mondays for percussionists, Wednesdays for brass players, and Fridays for our woodwind friends. The 6th Grade Band meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 7th/8th Grade Band meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We are continuing to use the Traditions of Excellence series for all of our classes - the red book for 5th and 6th graders and the blue book for 7th and 8th graders.
Builders Club

We met on Oct. 18 to plan our events for the year and are super excited to change the world this year. If you would still like to join Builders Club, join us for our next meeting after school in Mrs. Koussa's room on Monday, October 25 from 2:45-3:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!

And...if you have not downloaded the Box Tops App, take a moment to download it and scan your receipts! All money raised goes towards service projects and helping those in need.  

Any questions, contact Mrs. Koussa mkoussa@independence.k12.oh.us
Stadium Cleanup

Thank you to the 5th-grade team and students for organizing a giveback and a small campus community cleanup during Advisory time. Tackling the cleanup of the stadium grounds was a HUGE undertaking and is very much appreciated! Also, a big thank you to Mr. Durny for capturing the event on camera and turning it into a video.
Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Presentation to Students and Parents

On Tuesday, October 12, members from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Unit (ICAC) presented to all students grades 7-12. The day concluded with a community presentation in the evening in the middle school auditorium.
Link for the PTO Halloween Mixer: Link for the Halloween Mixer
Safe School Helpline

This helpline has been developed for you and other students, parents and staff members to help maintain your safety and the most positive school environment possible. The purpose of the Safe School Helpline is to promote school safety and report wrongdoings or illegal activity. Any type of information involving a threatening situation to students, the school, or staff should be reported. Examples include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, weapons, bullying, drugs and alcohol, and theft.


800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359
800-418-6423/ Text:66746, TIPS
Independence Local Schools | www.independence.k12.oh.us