Dear Ivymount Families,
We certainly experienced a difficult week in our nation. As educators, we are committed to giving our students a safe space to ask questions and share differing perspectives. It was warming to see students and teachers working together through this turbulent time. Please see below for a pdf that lists several resources for discussing violent events with your students.
We have all been saddened by the ongoing COVID-19 spread in our community, news of the new strain's development, and the inconsistent transmission trends and significant spikes in cases. I hope that you and your families have remained strong and healthy during this challenging time.
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While the current situation does not feel promising related to reaching our threshold numbers to return to on-site instruction (i.e., under 15 cases per 100K and 5% test positivity), we hope the new promise of vaccines for staff will help change the conversation about on-site instruction criteria while also impacting the transmission rate. Thank you for your partnership as we continue to process the ever-changing climate and respond based on the information we have. It is difficult for us not to have concrete timelines and benchmarks for our return to campus; however, we will continue to share information with you and guarantee our active stance to return as soon as it is possible. Please see below for more information on vaccination and an update to our plan.
On a happy note, we are thrilled to announce that Ivymount has once again been chosen a "top vote-getter" by the influential and widely-read Bethesda Magazine. Thank you for the vote of confidence. Scroll down for more.
IvyMoves Movement Month is here. See details below on daily fitness moves you can do from home, weekly virtual group movement sessions, and a closing virtual community event. Remember to keep track and log those minutes.
MAP students are leading a school-wide food drive supporting the Manna Food Center. It kicks off tomorrow. See below for how and what to donate so that together, we can make a big difference for local families in need.
Finally, we need your help. As the pandemic continues, we understand that some families choose to travel outside the DMV for periods of time while remote learning is in session. While we are grateful your student can continue to attend classes while traveling, we want to ensure you understand the impacts of travel on your student's individualized education program (IEP) and the provision of related services.
Related service providers’ licensure and ability to provide services are regulated by each state (where the student is currently located). We cannot provide telehealth services to your student if they travel or currently reside outside of Maryland, DC, or Virginia. This impacts the requirement that we provide your student with their full IEP and may require us to schedule an IEP meeting with the local education agency. Please consider these impacts before making travel plans and notify us before traveling. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Susan Holt
Executive Director
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 13
IvyMoves After-School Movement Event
Wednesday, January 13
PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King Holiday
No School for Students/Staff
Tuesday/Wednesday
January 19/20
Non-Instructional Days
No School for Students/Staff
Saturday, January 30
IvyMoves Virtual ZamDance
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Family Resources
It was another unprecedented week in national news, with violent events that may have been upsetting for students and families. Click the image below for some resources on how to talk to students about difficult subjects.
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Ivymount a Top Vote Getter |
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Ivymount was voted Readers’ Pick for Best Private School for Non-Traditional Learners in Bethesda Magazine’s 2021 Best of Bethesda issue. This is the sixth year that Ivymount has been a top vote-getter in this category. Ivymount was also named Best Private School for Special Needs in 2012.
Thank you, to our dedicated staff, to our students and families, and to the readers who voted for Ivymount. Your support continues to make Ivymount a place of excellence as we head into our 60th year.
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Vaccination Updates
Today, Directors Katie Quinn, Jennie Kampf and Susan Holt plus BCBA Consultant Amanda Allex were our first staff vaccinated on behalf of Ivymount Outreach. They qualified as a licensed health provider in Fairfax. Others from Outreach have scheduled appointments this week in Fairfax, Frederick and Baltimore Counties. We are thrilled the process has started!
We are actively working with the state of Maryland and Montgomery County to ensure staff will qualify to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. As of right now, the school falls into Montgomery County 1B Tier 2. We hope delivery of the first shot for that tier could begin by the end of January. Many Outreach staff and our school nurses fall into Montgomery County 1A Tier 3. We are hopeful vaccination for this tier could begin next week. Please see the Montgomery County Vaccination priority information for more details. Staff are encouraged to also follow their own local health department for information.
While the approved vaccines are approved for 16/18 years of age there is no current discussion at the state or county level about students receiving the vaccine. The current focus is on staff getting vaccinated, which requires two doses delivered several weeks apart.
Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan
- Modified criteria for on-site programs;
- New definition for a probable case
- updated guidance on when to quarantine for exposure to someone with COVID-like Illness
- Clarification on the length of quarantine for individuals that cannot isolate from a household member with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
- Updated travel policy due to elevated public health metrics
Return to Campus Criteria
Our updated criteria for on-site programs moves beyond the primary consideration being only public health data. We have introduced a second category that will continue to evolve based on current research on transmission in schools, the introduction of vaccinations, and the ability to implement mitigation strategies, including testing protocols successfully. Returning to in-person instruction is our highest priority beyond the individual health of all of you, our students, and our families.
Current Public Health Numbers
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MAP Food Drive Starts Tomorrow |
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MAP Program students will be hosting a school-wide food drive from January 11 to February 12 through a contact-less donation box located in the Ivymount vestibule. All food collected will be donated to the Manna Food Center, a nonprofit food bank which serves families in Montgomery County.
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Students from room 236 made FlipGrid videos which have been combined into a virtual announcement. Watch to learn about the food drive. |
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How to Donate
From Jan 11 - Feb 12 , drop donations in the box at the Ivymount entrance. Please wear a mask .
Most needed items are:
- Instant Oatmeal
- Brown Rice
- Whole Grain Pasta
- Canned Vegetables & Fruits
- Fruit cups
- Tuna, Salmon, & Chicken in water
- Dry or Canned Beans
- Natural Nut Butters
- Shelf Stable Individual Milk boxes
- Cooking Oil & Spices
- Infant Formula & Baby Foods
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Let's Keep Moving - IvyMoves Month |
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Sunday evening is a great time to practice tree pose. That's today's daily fitness move suggested by Ivymount's PE team. Last week's moves included fitness standards like squats, jumping jacks, arm ups, high knees and a family walk. See below for a calendar of moves for this coming week. The goal of IvyMoves month is to improve the Ivymount community’s overall health and wellness by creating positive lifelong habits. |
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Those Minutes Add Up!
As a community (students, family, staff), we aim to reach at least 1,000 hours of activity within the month of January. We ask that you USE OUR ACTIVITY TRACKER to enter your minutes of family activity per week - with just a quick click to enter the total minutes by each Wednesday. We'll then follow up with a tally each Sunday in IvyNotes to show how we are doing. This week, we reached 144.25 hours. Way to move!
Just like with Spirit Week, we will encourage students to upload an image or video to FlipGrid about how they're staying active.
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Nutrition Video for the Family
It's important to consume well-balanced meals. The Ivymount PE team provides some tips and tricks for healthy eating as part of a balanced lifestyle. Watch this informative video with your students and discuss how together you can get creative with fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods - fruit kabobs, veggie faces, or popcorn as a snack, anyone?
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Join Our After-School Sessions
Remember to attend the weekly after-school sessions on Wednesdays. Last week, Mr. Tim led a half-hour filled with warm-ups and dance moves! Coming up this week, learn about strength training.
Save the Date!
- Weekly After-School Sessions on Wednesdays from 4 - 4:45 pm
- Jan 13 - Strength Training
- Jan 20 - Yoga
- Jan 27 - Movement Bingo
- Saturday, Jan 30, ZamDance, 10 - 11 am
We will email a link for the Jan 13 event on Tuesday, Jan 12.
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Save These Dates for PTA Events
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Parent/Caregiver Hangouts
Wednesday, January 13
7 - 8 pm
Thursday, February 11
7 - 8 pm
Monday,March 8
7 - 8 pm
PTA Meeting
Tuesday, January 26
7 - 8 pm
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Hangout this Wednesday
Ivymount Parents and Caregivers - join to chat about strategies for what's been working with our kids and have some light-hearted conversation with other parents who "get it" in a non-judgmental and relaxed environment. We understand more than most that it is challenging to be on an hour-long Zoom, so feel free to come in and out of the Zoom call and/or mute video and sound.
Wednesday, January 13, 7-8 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 872 5317 2224
Passcode: 123533
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Are You on the PTA List Serv?
Join the PTA list serv and stay in the know about upcoming community and Ivymount events as well as resources in the Ivymount community. If you are interested in joining the list serv, email Melissa Porter at rancorswife@yahoo.com. You will receive an invite to join which you will then need to accept prior to joining. Be sure to check your spam folder for the invite.
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Ivymount
School & Programs
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