Volume 4 | Article 7_September 12, 2022 | |
Your Weekly News & Updates | |
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Updates for the Week of September 12, 2022
Dear Innovation Families:
As I sit down to write this week's newsletter, I am prompted to reflect on today's date - September 11th. It has been 21 years since that horrific day in our country's history. As a young science teacher, I watched the events unfold throughout the day while comforting my students and seeking answers to my questions that mostly began with "why?" Like everyone else in our country I was glued to the news to hopefully find some answers which were not readily available. However, something changed after that day - strangers came together in the spirit of patriotism to help the people and the country mend. Out of the darkest days grew a renewed sense of hope for a unified and improved country. In the recent years September 11th has been recognized as Patriot Day - a day to remember, reflect, honor, and mourn.
“On Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we honor every life that was taken too soon. We honor the first responders—firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency workers, and service members—who answered the call of duty, and the brave civilians who rushed into action to save lives that day. Their courage embodies the American spirit and resilience, and their heroism continues to inspire new generations of Americans.” ~Presidential Proclamation 10254
Parents, I encourage you to teach your child the meaning of Patriot Day and let them reflect on how this same spirit can help us create a kinder, more inclusive place for all students at Innovation Middle School. We have to come together to raise all of our children to the values and ideals we wish for them to achieve.
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.
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 our Registrar, Nelly.Ugalde@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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Our boys and girls soccer season continues this week with two home games. Come out and support these athletes and cheer them to victory! Starting this season all tickets must be purchased online using our Go Fan website: https://gofan.co/app/school/FL72715
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door but cash will not be accepted.
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Extracurricular Activities | |
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 | | | | | |
