Dear Innovation Families:
This upcoming school year marks the beginning of the 6th school year since we have opened in 2017 and I am incredibly honored to be starting this school year as the Principal of Innovation. I am proud of the work of our staff and students during the uncertainty of the last few years. This hard work culminated in an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education.
Our leadership team worked very hard the past two months to plan and prepare for an amazing 2022-23 school year. We welcomed a new Assistant Principal of Instruction, Timothy Baumbach, and hired a lot of teachers to accommodate the needs of our growing student population. Our team collaborated to redefine our vision for the school and detail the values that are important to our community. Our teachers spent hundred of hours learning about the new B.E.S.T. standards and how to plan for the shifts in instruction. Our custodians labored to ensure the school is clean and ready to welcome students. With the first day of school just a few days away we are ready to have our students back in "the nest".
The "The Phoenix Flyer" our weekly newsletter is dedicated to communicating important events and information to our parents. This week's edition is rather lengthy as there is a lot of information for parents to review prior to the start of the school year. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to myself or one of our assistant principals. I look forward to meeting our new Phoenixes and seeing our returning Phoenixes at Ignite '23 on Friday, August 5th.
Together We Rise,
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Jennifer Williams, Principal |
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Realize your potential
Inspire others
Show respect
Embrace differences
Utilize your resources
Prepare yourself
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While OCPS provides devices for all students, parents can choose to provide their own device for students, but it must meet specific criteria for compatibility with our digital learning program. This is referred to as the BYOD program and information and device specifications can be found at OCPS Digital Learning BYOD
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Ignite '23 - Meet the Teacher |
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Ignite '23 will allow you and your child an opportunity to meet your child's new teachers and become oriented with the campus. During this event, teachers will provide recommended supply lists. There will be opportunities to purchase PE uniforms (optional), sign up for PTSA, get information about lunch and transportation, as well as meet with other service providers who can offer additional activities or support to make this a great school year for your child.
If you have children in different grade levels, feel free to attend the session that best meets the need of your family. However, grade level teachers will only be available during the designated times (See graphic below). If you are unable to attend, students will meet their teachers and get to know the campus on the first day of school.
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Over the next few days, student schedules for the 2022-23 school year will be published to Skyward Family Access. Please note that schedule changes will only be made under the following conditions:
- You have previously passed the course
- The course is on your schedule for more than one period
- Your schedule is missing a core class (math, language arts, science, social studies)
- You are missing a class period
- You are scheduled into an incorrect course/level
- You are currently enrolled in the same course on FLVS or OCVS
*Electives changes can be requested but due to space and scheduling constraints changes may be denied.
To request a schedule change, you MUST use the Google Form. Due to high email volume at this time of the school year, counselors will not be able to respond to requests made via email.
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7th Grade Immunization Requirement |
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All student immunizations must be up-to-date to attend school in Orange County. The immunizations are recorded on a Florida Certification of Immunization (DH 680) form, which can be obtained through the Orange County Health Department or your doctor’s office. All students entering 7th grade must have received the TDAP booster. 7th graders who have not submitted an updated DH680 form with evidence of the TDAP booster will not be able to start school until this requirement has been completed. For additional information and immunization resources, visit OCPS.net
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Car Loop Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures |
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To ensure the safety of all students, it is important for parents to follow established drop off and pick up procedures. Students should only ever be dropped off or picked up along the sidewalk by the cafeteria (labeled pick up/drop off zone).
Students should never be dropped off or picked up in the Visitor and Staff parking lot by the front office. This creates unsafe conditions for students as they run across the parking lot to reach the cafeteria entrance.
In addition, students should not be dropped off or picked up along Storey Park Blvd or Story Time Drive. This often impedes the right of way backing up traffic.
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Bus route assignments for the upcoming school year will be available on the Find My Bus web application starting August 1, 2022. Because of anticipated driver shortages, afternoon routes for middle schools may return students home later than normal. As we learn more about how the driver shortage will affect our routes specifically, we will communicate that information.
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Student Cell Phone Policy |
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A student may possess a cell phone on school property and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours, the cell phone remains off and is concealed. However, cell phones/headphones can be used during the school day, if use is part of the curriculum and outlined in the teacher’s lesson/syllabus. Violations of this policy may result in confiscation of the cell phone and/or other disciplinary actions. In addition, if the cell phone is used in a criminal act (such as sexting as outlined in Florida Statutes and the Code), the cell phone will be provided to law enforcement and the student may face criminal penalties.
If confiscated, the parent/guardian will make arrangements to pick up the cell phone from the school, unless law enforcement has taken possession of the cell phone for a criminal act.
At no time shall OCPS be responsible for theft, loss or damage to cell phones or other electronic devices brought onto its property.
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Student Dress Code Policy |
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Innovation Middle School will follow the Student Dress Code as written on the OCPS Student Code of Conduct. Please consider these guidelines when shopping for back to school clothing.
The dress and grooming of Orange County Public Schools’ students shall contribute to the health and safety of the individual, promote a positive educational environment, and not disrupt the educational activities and processes of the school. These standards of dress and grooming apply to all students in the public schools of Orange County, unless a specific exemption is granted by the principal. Any request for an exemption shall be made to the principal.
- Clothes shall be worn as they are designed. For example, suspenders should be over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, belts buckled, no underwear as outerwear, no underwear exposed.
- Clothing must cover the body from one armpit across to the other armpit and down to approximately mid-thigh. Tops must have straps. Undergarments must not be viewable. Rips, holes, or tears in clothing must be below mid-thigh.
- Shoes shall be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment. The following shoes are not acceptable for any OCPS student: cleated shoes or shoes with wheels.
- Headgear shall not be worn on campus during the school day, unless the headgear is approved by the principal.
- Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear, and must be approved by the principal before being worn during the school day.
- See-through, revealing, or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meet the minimum requirements of this dress code.
- Gang paraphernalia, garments and/or jewelry, tattoos, or other insignias, which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol, or tobacco-related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in school, shall not be worn.
- Clothing must not state, imply, or depict hate speech or imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected class.
- Clothing and accessories that endanger students or staff shall not be worn.
- Individual schools may implement school uniforms with community input and approval of the principal’s supervisor.
- Individual schools are expected to use the state and district dress and grooming guidelines as minimum standards; any adjustments may be made upon approval of the principal’s supervisor. The principal at each school reserves the right to determine what appropriate dress is for the school as detailed in these minimum standards.
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Students will be required to dress out and purchase a locker rental for the 2022-2023 school year. PE Uniforms and locker rentals will be available to purchase via School pay through the Innovation Middle School website at the beginning of August. The cost of the PE Uniform will be $10 for a shirt and $10 for shorts. The cost for the locker rental will be $5 for the entire school year and the lock is included. No outside locks will be permitted to be used by students. Students can bring clothes from home to dress out in for PE Class but they must meet appropriate dress code rules. Appropriate attire for PE Class is a t-shirt, athletic shorts, and athletic shoes. Cut-off shirts, short shorts, crocs and any other open toed shoes are not permitted during PE Class. For more information about PE at Innovation visit their website.
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Students at Innovation MS can tryout to participate in interscholastic sports that are offered four times during the school year. The first sport is soccer with tryouts beginning on Monday, August 15th. In order for students to tryout they must have a completed sports physical - no exceptions. Middle school students are not required to have the ECG. Get the sports physical packet here.
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Cafeteria & Lunch Policies |
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Starting this school year, we no longer be able to offer meals free of charge to all students. We are asking that parents apply for free and reduced meal benefits through MySchoolApps.com. Having as many parents as possible apply for this would help us tremendously to ensure every student who can qualify is able to.
For students who do not qualify for free or reduced meal benefits, the cost of breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $2.75. The cafeteria does not accept cash at the point of sale so money must be loaded into the student's School Pay account. Students will provide their ID number and the fee will be deducted from the School Pay balance.
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Our Parent Teacher Student Association is made up of volunteers who want to make a positive impact on our students and greater community. PTSA events are planned and run by people just like you who are volunteering their time to help our learning community. Everyone is welcome to join PTSA. Payment can be made online at: https://innovationmiddleptsa.org/Home
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Skyward is our district's student information system. This system houses student academic records allowing access for students and parents/guardians. All parents/guardians have access to this system and can set up their account using the cell phone or email address associated with the student's profile. If you are unable to access your account, contact the Assistant Principal of Instruction - timothy.baumbach@ocps.net - for assistance.
Student schedules will be available prior to Ignite '23 on Skyward Family Access.
Be sure to check emergency contact information is up-to-date. If you need to make changes to these emergency contacts, you will need to fill out this form and bring to the front office.
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City of Orlando All-Stars Program |
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The City of Orlando All Stars Program provides services before and after school. The program hours are 7:30 - 9:30 am and 4:00 - 6:00 pm (3:00 - 6:00 pm on Wednesdays). To register visit: http://bit.ly/ASAS-SY2022-23
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It's Not Too Early to Purchase a Yearbook! |
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IMS Bell Schedule 2022-23 |
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