Friday, December 10, 2021 |
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Important Dates/Events
December:
13: Drive-Thru Holiday Caroling @ 6:00 p. m.
16: Choir Concert @6:40 p. m.
17: All-Pro Parent Breakfast (7th grade) @ 7:15 a.m.
20-31: Winter Break: No School
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Builders Club
Builders Club is spreading some holiday cheer for kids at Rainbow Babies downtown and families with babies in the Fairview NICU who will be spending Christmas in the hospital. We will be collecting gifts and monetary donations at lunch each day. Send in new games, toys, coloring books, blankets and sleepers. A complete list of items was sent home last week. The collection runs December 6-15, 2021. Any questions, contact Mrs. Koussa mkoussa@independence.k12.oh.us.
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Mock Trial
The Independence Middle School Mock Trial Team is now forming for this year. There will be a signup sheet at the Middle School office or you can sign up directly with me via the Remind Mock Trial Classroom by sending a text to 81010 texting @mrwbenos. Please include your ipride email address. Parents/Guardians can, and are encouraged to, join the Remind classroom as well. This year’s case is State of Arizona v. Susanna Morales and it is based upon the book: Greystone Secrets: THE STRANGERS by Margaret Peterson Haddix. A single team can have between 6 and 12 members. Right now it is planned that the majority of the practices will be after school on Wednesday in the school library (media center). There may be Zoom practices as well and other events (such as scrimmages with other schools).
Combine middle school students' love of argument with a love of good literature. Middle School Mock Trial cases are literature-based, with cases constructed from books most commonly read in the middle grades. Students learn first-hand about the law, court procedures, and the judicial system while also building critical 21st-century skills.
Middle School Mock Trial cases are based on popular literature, written by teams of teachers and lawyers. Middle school students act as witnesses and attorneys to argue cases involving their favorite characters. The program was designed with Ohio’s Learning Standards for social studies and English/language arts in mind and is ideal for interdisciplinary teaching. Students read and analyze witness statements drawn from the characters in the books. Students then work collaboratively to develop arguments for both sides and develop strategies to question the witnesses.
OCLRE Mock Trial provides the opportunity for students to put together a coherent argument for their side of the case using furnished testimonial and physical evidence. The comprehensive approach includes reading a case summary, trial briefs, and witness statements.
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Power of the Pen
This year's creative writing team is coached by Mrs. Wagner. The team uses Mrs. Yaro-Linderman's room every Monday after school to practice writing and to share creative stories written by seventh and eighth-graders. Both grade-level students are welcome to join the creative writing club, but only eighth-graders are competing in the tournaments. The first virtual Power of the Pen tournament occurs on January 22, so it's not too late to join the writing club. See Mrs. Wagner if interested in participating.
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Fifth Grade Interviews
The holiday season is upon us and many find themselves sitting at a dining room table with family and friends. It's a great time to share meals, laughs and stories. Some IMS fifth graders took advantage of this time by interviewing relatives to find out what life was like back when they were kids. Each of the students prepared a series of open-ended interview questions during Advisory. The questions served as the framework to spark conversations that would hopefully allow the kids to learn a little more about their loved ones while also allowing their relatives to learn a bit more about them. Students also presented their elder relatives posters that celebrated the wisdom and life-long experiences associated with being in many cases, far removed from fifth grade. Thanks to all the relatives who took the time to share a little about life back when you were ten or eleven.
CLICK HERE for the interview featuring Cole Farrar and his grandfather.
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Europe Trip
Mrs. Satola will be taking Independence High School students to Europe in June 2023. This 14-day trip will travel through England, France, Belgium, Germany, and Austria with an emphasis on World War II historic sites. This trip is open to current 8th grade students since they will have completed their freshman year by June 2023.
There will be a virtual meeting on December 14 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the trip and get all questions answered. There are limited spots available for this trip so don’t miss your opportunity to reserve your seat. One parent must be in attendance.
Can’t make the meeting but want more information? Click on the link to register and select “No but send info.”
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Seventh Grade All-Pro Parent Breakfast
All seventh-grade parents and students are invited Friday, December 17 to an All-Pro Parent breakfast in the IMS cafeteria from 7:15 -7:40 a.m.
All-Pro breakfast comes with a message for both parents and the child to takeaway. This is a FREE event for all.
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Wrestling
The Blue Devil Wrestling team went to Geneva Last night and hit the mat with 4 other teams. Mitch Meyer opened the night with a nice win against Geneva. Luke Masek, Jose Caban and Pete Dalton all took down their Cuyahoga Heights opponents for wins. Maverick Durden fought his way to his first victory of the year!! Also wrestling for the Devils Tevin Cullison, Vinnie Zygmond and Hayden Matalik. Great Job Blue Devils!
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Drive-Thru Holiday Caroling
In order to share the sounds of the holiday season with our Independence community, the IPS, IMS, and IHS music programs invite you to an hour of holiday caroling by our Independence students on Monday, December 13, between 6-7:00 p.m. on the campus of Independence Middle and High Schools. The hour will feature live and recorded performances by students in Grades 3-12. Audience members are invited to drive-thru our campus or park your car and walk the sidewalks of IHS and IMS. Details are provided at the link below and an electronic copy of the written parent letter distributed to students is available in the students' respective Google Classroom class. We hope you will join us to celebrate the season and our outstanding students!
The IHS Music Boosters are selling Krispy Kreme donuts at the holiday caroling event.
What: Delightful Drive-Thru Holiday Caroling with live and recorded performances!
When: Monday, 12/13
Time: 6-7pm
Bonus: Free hot chocolate and Krispy Kreme donuts for sale, $1 each or take home a dozen for $10 (cash sales only, while supplies last)
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These are great jobs for a retiree or a parent that can be off when their child is off. Please contact Francine Kane at 216-642-5853 if interested. |
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CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the COVID Procedural Update. |
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Safe School Helpline
This helpline has been developed for you and other students, parents and staff members to help maintain your safety and the most positive school environment possible. The purpose of the Safe School Helpline is to promote school safety and report wrongdoings or illegal activity. Any type of information involving a threatening situation to students, the school, or staff should be reported. Examples include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, weapons, bullying, drugs and alcohol, and theft.
800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359
800-418-6423/ Text:66746, TIPS
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