Dear Ivymount Families,
I hope you've been having a good weekend. First, a reminder that there is no school tomorrow due to a professional day.
One of the many things I've been heartened to see over the past six months is how our Ivymount Community has remained so connected even though we haven't all been physically together. Nothing can replace the learning, socialization, and support that occurs at school. Knowing this, we are working hard to put in place the protocols, training, and safeguards that will make a gradual return to campus possible. As promised, I'll be sending more detailed information about our plans tomorrow.
Meanwhile, our staff has looked for ways to reach out to our families and to use technology to see, hear, and read what our students are thinking and learning during this unusual time. Our Ivymount Community remains strong and committed to our mission to serve our students, families, and the field of special education. Our collective dedication to this mission has made Ivymount a winner in the eyes of many. Thank you for voting Ivymount a Parent Pick for Special Education in a recent Washington Parent contest. See more below.
We will continue to have opportunities to safely meet - both on campus and through virtual meet-ups. Keep scrolling to read about seasonal Ivymount events, Best Buddies, and parent hangouts.
Stay safe, schedule your flu shots, keep social distancing, and practice wearing masks!
Sincerely,
Susan Holt
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 14
MLN/ESMS Pumpkin Painting
Wednesday, October 14
PTA Parent/Caregiver
Virtual Hangout
Friday, October 16
MLN HS Pumpkin Painting
Wednesday, October 21
Mental Health
Information Session
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Ivymount Voted Winner
Washington Parent Picks
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Thanks to the amazing support of our community, Ivymount was voted winner of the Special Needs School category in the 2020 Washington Parent Picks contest.
We appreciate everyone who took the time to cast a vote during the summer. Our families, alumni, educators, related service providers, administrative staff, and community partners are the beating heart of our community. You continue to make Ivymount a place of excellence as we head into our 60th year.
Thank you!
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Make a Difference on
Amazon Prime Days Oct 13/14
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Are you an Amazon shopper? You can make a difference to Ivymount this week if you plan to shop Amazon Prime Day deals on October 13 and 14.
Designate Ivymount, and your purchases through Amazon Smile will be recorded all year! It really adds up. In the past several years, almost $5,000 has been raised through the Amazon Smile program for the Ivymount Foundation. These funds support staff training, technology and other materials for your student.
Click on the button below to find out more about how to designate Ivymount as your Amazon Smile recipient.
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MAP Holds
On-site Halloween Activity
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The MAP Program had an on campus and virtual event to allow staff, families, and students to connect. It's one of the first of several Halloween-themed events that programs will be holding in October.
The on campus event involved 10 families and 14 staff. Each student and family had their own table set up outside to paint and decorate pumpkins. Thank you to Ivymount Art Teacher Kim Prati for all her support with the project.
The rest of the students and staff enjoyed a virtual gathering at the same time. Mr. Lester hosted a Halloween Trivia contest which was a very lively and exciting competition.
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Best Buddies and Ivymount
Pair Up for 20th Year
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This will be the 20th year that Ivymount is partnering with Best Buddies chapters at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and Georgetown Preparatory School. Best Buddies operates as a student-run friendship club, which creates buddy pairs between students with and without disabilities. The goal is to create an inclusive climate for students and a community culture of acceptance.
For Parents and Caregivers of MAP, MLN, Autism, and School to Work high school and post high school students, here are things to know:
- Best Buddies High School Friendship Program fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
- Monthly Best Buddies activities are totally voluntary for all participants and all activities are conducted outside of regular school hours. Events for Fall 2020 are expected to be virtual.
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To register, please complete the membership application at www.bestbuddiesonline.org. Students must re-apply each year even if they have previously participated.
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Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Once you have completed your online application, notify us at [email protected] so that we can ensure you are on Ivymount’s list.
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MLN Students
Publish Newspaper
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Students in the MLN Site Based Work Experience (SBWE) class have worked on a special project for the past few weeks - a student newspaper called The Ivymount Times.
Students had the opportunity to research article topics, complete graphic organizers, and write articles based on articles published online.
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Thank you so much to the incredibly generous families who have contributed to our first ever virtual PTA Dues Drive! We know that these are difficult financial times for some families and want to ensure that you know that all Ivymount Families are automatically members of the PTA and that PTA dues are voluntary.
However, we rely on parent and guardian support to fund staff appreciation activities as well as inclusive family events. This year, we are looking to support our amazing staff in as many ways as we can and if you are in a position to contribute, we would welcome your support.
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Plan to Attend!
PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout
Wednesday, October 14
7 - 8 pm
Join us for the next PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout, where Ivymount families can share and support one another.
Topic: PTA Parent/Guardian Hangout
Time: Oct 14, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 894 1588 8581
Passcode: 048756
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Just Added!
PTA Zoom Halloween Party
Sunday, Oct. 18
4 - 5 pm
We'll have a ghoulishly good time with two creepy crafts, a spooky story, and Halloween Freeze Dance. RSVP and get the list of supplies needed for the Halloween crafts on Signup Genius.
A Zoom link will be sent closer to the event. If you have questions, please contact PTA VP of Special Events, Ellen Sullivan at [email protected]
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Ivymount
School & Programs
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