Volume 4 | Article 4_August 22, 2022 | |
Your Weekly News & Updates | |
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Updates for the Week of August 29, 2022
Dear Innovation Families:
This week we started with our first round of F.A.S.T. Progress Monitoring ELA and Math. The majority of our students completed the test and we will be able to communicate preliminary results soon. For any student who missed the test due to absence or technology issues, a make up session will be offered starting next week.
Our girls and boys soccer teams have been practicing hard and are ready to take on Lake Nona Middle School for their first game on Monday, August 29th at 5 pm. This is an away game and will take place AT Lake Nona MS.
We will have our first spirit day on Friday, September 2nd. Students are being asked to wear colors to represent their favorite college or university. This national spirit day, College Colors Day, helps to promote awareness for post secondary education. Students who are wearing their colors will be asked to join in for a spirit picture in the courtyard at 9:15 am.
Let's be good neighbors to our friends in Storey Park. It has been reported that many parents are picking up their children along Story Time Road. By doing this, the right of way being blocked and thru traffic can not flow smoothly. Our neighbors in Storey Park have requested that parents use the car loop on the east side of Innovation MS as a place to wait for students to be released from school.
Continue to work with your student to practice "The Phoenix Way" which includes a set of values we strive to model in everything we do. Our six core values are: Inclusivity, Collaboration, Respect, Discipline, Persistence, and Effort. Throughout the school year you will see how we will use these values to build, grow, and celebrate the legacy your students will leave behind at Innovation Middle School.
Please read on in this week's newsletter for information about upcoming extra curricular activities, yearbook sales, PTSA Spirit Night, as well as a review of other important information.
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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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.
*New for 2022-23*
Pursuant to Florida Statute 1001.42, HB 1557: A parent/guardian MUST Opt In for health services: Opt in MUST be completed on-line for screenings, clinic services, and other health services.
Directions to complete digital document:
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Log in to the OCPS Parent Portal: https://parents.classlink.com/ocps
- Complete Parent Consent Forms
- Any questions, please reach out to Mr. Baumbach
Skyward Family Access
How to Use 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.
Student Emergency Information Form
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Join the School Advisory Council | |
Join us for our first S.A.C. Meeting on Tuesday, August 30th at 6 pm in the Media Center. During this meeting we will discuss our primary purpose and will prepare for S.A.C. elections and membership. All parents, teachers, students, and community members are welcome! | |
Please join us at Innovation Middle School's first Spirit night at the Lake Nona North Lake location Tijuana Flats on August 31st from 5-8pm. In person or online using code SPNT127 | |
Extracurricular Activities | |
Are you a leader who wants to make IMS a better place? The first informational meeting occurred this past Wednesday and applications are due by Friday, September 2nd at 4 pm. | | |
Pre-Order Your 2022-23 Yearbook | |
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At this point, all students should have an OCPS issued device or have one they are using as part of the BYOD program. If there is an issue with the device, students can make an appointment for Tech Help/Device care using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044ea5aa2ba3fc1-innovation2
For more information about OCPS Digital Learning policies place visit: https://www.ocps.net/departments/curriculum__and_digital_learning/digital_learning
To help protect the new laptops, Innovation Middle PTSA is selling laptop sleeves for $20. You can purchase the sleeve at https://innovationmiddleptsa.org/Home and it will be delivered to your student at school.
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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Attendance is very important to us at Innovation MS. There is a very strong link between regular attendance and learning. There are times when students do need to miss school and it is important to follow our procedures to ensure absences don't lead to a truancy issue.
It is also important that your child arrive to school on time in the morning. All students should be on campus by 9:20 am at the latest. The ensures students have enough time to get to their first period class on time so learning can begin promptly.
You can view our attendance policies on our website:https://innovationms.ocps.net/parents/attendance_policy
If you have additional questions about attendance, please reach out to our attendance clerk, Mrs. Qureshi at 133274@ocps.net
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Cafeteria & Lunch Policies | |
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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Student Cell Phone Policy | |
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 | |
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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City of Orlando All-Stars Program | |
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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IMS Bell Schedule 2022-23 | | | | | |
