February 26, 2023

A Note from the Director

Dear families,

As we look ahead to March, I want to thank our staff and students for the wonderful dialogue they have engaged in throughout February about diversity and advocacy. Black History Month was an opportunity to share many creative and in-depth lessons and discussions across programs.

A reminder that for those who are interested in work-based learning opportunities for their young adults, it's never too early to learn about the Project SEARCH program. Ivymount School and SEEC will offer a virtual presentation this Wednesday. Scroll down for meeting information.

Finally, a big thank you to the many parents who attended our latest Foundation Gala meeting. See below for a wrap-up. Have a great evening.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

March 1

Project SEARCH Info Session

March 17

Professional Day

No School for Students

March 19

Outreach Resource Fair

12 pm - 3 pm

April 3 - 10

Spring Break

No School for Students

PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout

Wednesday, March 8

9:15 am to 10:15 am

Corner Bakery

(across from Westfield Mall)

2023-24 Calendar Dates to Note

July 5 First day of 2023-2024 School Year
August 7-22 Summer Break
August 23 Classes Resume
Dec 18-Jan 1 Winter Break
January 2 Classes Resume
Mar 25-Apr 1 Spring Break
April 2 Classes Resume
June 7 Last day of 2023-2024 School Year

Students/Teachers Decorate Doors for

Black History Month

Students and homeroom teachers in the Aspire Applied Academic High School Program decorated their doors to celebrate Black History Month. Classroom doors feature influential African Americans whose contributions helped shape the world. Through research, students learned about the many contributions of African Americans and selected important facts, images, and famous quotes to display on their doors.

One homeroom chose to highlight historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). HBCUs educated African American pioneers and leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Vice President Kamala Harris. Another door encouraged students to lead, compete, write, study, dream, play, invent and more like well-known Black leaders. And another door created a wonderful 3-D display plus quotes from African American icons.

Learn About Project SEARCH this Wednesday

Ivymount School and our partner SEEC will hold a virtual information session about Project SEARCH on Wednesday, March 1 at 6 pm. Project SEARCH provides employment readiness training for young adults aged 18 to 30 with intellectual and developmental disabilities through intensive internships and classroom instruction.

Parents, professionals, and applicants who are interested in applying to the Project SEARCH programs should make plans to attend. Click to read the flyer.

Share the Fair!

Final Days for Exhibitors to Register

Do you work with great service providers that other families could benefit from? Tuesday, February 28 is the exhibitor registration deadline for providers to be part of our Outreach Resource Fair. Please share the link.

We also hope you will put Sunday, March 19 on your calendar to stop by the fair for information and complimentary workshops, led by Ivymount experts. Meanwhile, check out the Resource Guide for service providers in many categories.

Sunday, March 19

12 pm - 3 pm

Ivymount Campus

Exhibitor Registration

Registration Deadline Feb 28

Donate to the Student Drive for Pets

Room 234 is collecting items to give to the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF), which is dedicated to helping animals find loving homes. You can donate at the green box in the lobby or at the yellow box at the top of the stairs until March 10. Feel free to donate puppy and dog toys, kitten and cat toys, and dog and cat food. Please do not donate open food.

LDCRF Accepted Items

Ivymount Foundation Gala Update

Thank you to the many parents who attended our latest Ivymount Foundation Gala planning meeting. The Memories and Momentum Gala celebrating six decades of Ivymount doesn't take place until October 14, but we're working hard now to plan a wonderful event and a successful fundraiser that will invest in staff training, programs for students, technology and so much more that benefits our community.

We discussed the silent auction and our goal to solicit items in a variety of categories, including: Getaways; Sports; Entertainment; Wine & Dine; Technology. We need donations of items and gift cards and everyone can help! Do you frequent a business or restaurant or use a service that might donate an item or gift card?

This week, we'll share an Auction Item Packet, which contains a cover letter, donation form, and About Ivymount flyer to help you explain the Ivymount mission. Your own experience described in your own words may also explain it best! Thank you for helping with the gala and look for the materials this week.

News from AmazonSmile

Occasionally in the past, we have reminded families that if they shop online they could benefit Ivymount by making purchases through AmazonSmile. We wanted to pass on the news recently announced by Amazon that it has ended the program to focus on several specific philanthropic areas. You can read more about the AmazonSmile announcement here.

Thank you for your supporting the program. Since 2014, Ivymount has received a total of $7,850.57 from AmazonSmile through your generosity!

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

You're Invited!

Join the Parent/Caregiver Hangout

Wednesday, March 8

9:15 am to 10:15 am

Corner Bakery (across from Westfield Mall)

We're all used to remaining behind screens for the past few years but there's something about getting together in person that fuels the soul and fills the mind. The Ivymount PTA invites you to our Parent/Caregiver Hangouts, where we swap ideas, pass on contact information, and of course, share some much needed laughs with people who have similar challenges, interests, and needs. We hope you'll join us. Contact ckgottfried@gmail.com if you have any questions.