Friday, October 15, 2021
Important Dates/Events

October:
19: PTO Meeting @ 5:30 p.m.
21: Parent/Teacher conferences
22: Fall Fest 12:30-2:00
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:
17: All-Pro Parent breakfast (7th grade) @ 7:15 a.m.
20-31: Winter Break: No school
Parent-Teacher Conferences 

On the evening of October 21st, we have scheduled parent-teacher conferences from 3:00-7:30 pm. Each grade level team of teachers is in the process of notifying families for meetings for areas in need. They will also be contacting any new to Independence Schools families to ensure all are fully comfortable with the transition to ILS and IMS. If you haven't been contacted by the team or even individual teachers and are requesting a conference, please reach out accordingly to ensure the team knows of special requests. Please know we are offering parents the choice of virtual or in-person conferences. For those selecting in-person conferences, masks are required for time spent in the building.
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 Dr'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 Independence Local Schools
Boy's Basketball

Independence Middle School 7th and 8th graders interested in playing basketball this coming year should plan to attend the Open Workouts beginning Monday, October 18th from 3:30 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. At these open workouts, participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a structured practice environment in front of the Middle School and High School coaching staff. Full practice will begin later that week. More details will be provided on Monday, October 18th. Please bring a light shirt and a dark shirt for the workout, unless you have a practice jersey from last year. Thank you.

Coach,
Crooks


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 up front by the water fountain.


Coach,
Stasek
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

Based on club surveys, Builders Club meetings will be held 2 Mondays per month after school from 2:45-3:30pm in Mrs. Koussa's room (808). Our first meeting will be held Monday, October 18th. If you have not picked up a permission slip please see Mrs. Koussa. Hope to see you there! We are looking forward to planning many service-related events this year to help those in need. And, as always, a reminder to submit those virtual BoxTops via the app! This super easy-to-use app generates money for Builders Club to use in local, city, and state service projects. Any questions, contact Mrs. Koussa mkoussa@independence.k12.oh.us
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