January 17, 2021
Director's Note
Dear Ivymount Families,

We hope you're enjoying this long weekend and will find a meaningful way to spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We look forward to having our students and staff return to distance learning on Thursday. There is no school Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Keep scrolling to read some of our students' inspiring Dream Statements in their advocacy for equality, plus information about Project SEARCH, the significance of giving back through the MAP Food Drive, and how the Ivymount Community is staying active now that we're half-way through our IvyMoves Month.

By honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. following the events at the capital, we are all reminded of his legacy of peace and nonviolent protest in the fight for racial equality. At Ivymount, we are committed to advocacy, support and education while we recognize past and present implicit bias, systemic racism and take actions to ensure equality. Let us remember, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" – Dr. King

Our 46th president's inauguration occurring this Wednesday amid the global pandemic puts us in a significant time in history. While we are not physically together, I celebrate our ongoing partnership and am proud to be in this supportive community with all of you.  

Finally, we need your help to develop our return to campus timeline. Please see below for more information on our January Family Survey.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt
Executive Director

Upcoming Events

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

Tuesday, January 26
Ivymount PTA Meeting

Saturday, January 30
IvyMoves Virtual ZamDance

Wednesday, February 3
Project SEARCH
Information Session


COVID-19 Safety

It's always a good time to think about proper handwashing. Click here for information on how germs spread, steps to wash hands the right way, and links to training and education materials
MLN Students Share
Dream Statements
In MLN Elementary/Middle school adaptive classes this past week, students learned about and discussed Martin Luther King Jr. - who he was, what he advocated for, and how we can follow his example.

As part of the discussion, students were asked to complete an “I Have a Dream” PowerPoint where they identified three dreams: one for the world, one for their family, and one for themselves. Here are some of their thoughtful and meaningful answers. 

COVID-19 Updates
It has been one year since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in the US and 10 months since Ivymount students have been away from campus. Over 100 million people have been infected and 2 million have died, 400,000 in the U.S. Unfortunately, the per capita numbers in Maryland, DC, and Virginia all increased to new record highs this week.

We continue to follow the research and learn more about layered mitigation in schools and research on transmission in children. We are very optimistic about increased testing and the impact that vaccines will have on our return to school. Ivymount is committed to returning students to campus as soon as it is advisable to do so.

As we evaluate our plans, we need information from you. Our January 2021 Family Survey will update us on how your child is doing with mitigation strategies (i.e. face masks and social distancing) and your thoughts on when to return to campus, and will provide us with feedback on your student's current participation in distance learning. Please complete this survey by Friday, January 22.
Vaccination Updates
Last week, more than 30 Ivymount staff received their first dose of the vaccine. While we are not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, we are encouraging it for all staff. Many of us were able to get the first dose last week as health care providers through Ivymount Outreach and in counties outside of Montgomery County. We are actively working with the state of Maryland and Montgomery County to ensure our staff will have access to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

Some parents and caregivers are involved in community advocacy to expedite access to the vaccine for their students who are age 16 and older. The MCNeeds and MCTransitions listservs are a resource for information. The Montgomery County Council is also hosting a Virtual Community Town Hall about vaccines with public health leaders Tuesday, January 19 at 7 pm. Participants must register in advance.
 
Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan
We have updated our Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan with edits to the format and updates, including changes based on revised Maryland School Guidance and CDC guidelines. Please make sure to note the following changes:
  • 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.  
 
Project SEARCH Plans Info Session
Project SEARCH provides employment readiness training for people aged 18 to 30 with intellectual and developmental disabilities
through intensive internships and classroom instruction.

Parents, professionals, and potential students who are interested
in applying to the Project SEARCH programs should make plans
to attend this information session.

Wednesday, Feb 3
6 - 7 pm

The agenda will include:
  • Information on host business
sites —Project SEARCH NIH; Project SEARCH Montgomery; Project SEARCH Smithsonian
  • “A Day in the Life of a Project SEARCH Intern”
  • Hear from a former PS intern and parents
  • Review application process and receive application materials
Help Local Families Through the MAP Food Drive
MAP Food Drive 2021
Mark your calendars to contribute to the MAP Program school-wide food drive by dropping off items from Jan 21 to Feb 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.

Need inspiration? Read the article that Room 237 students Liam Callahan and Gus Alegi wrote about the significance of giving back and specifically what Manna Food Center needs most.

Let's Keep Moving - IvyMoves Month
Today's daily fitness move suggested by the Ivymount PE team is Child's Pose - it's one of the most relaxing yoga poses there is and a fitting reminder that even though students are not in school Monday through Wednesday this week, they still have a chance to do After-School Movement this Wednesday. This week's class will focus on Yoga. We hope your whole family will join.

Save the Date!

  • Weekly After-School Sessions on Wednesdays from 4 - 4:45 pm
  • Jan 20 - Yoga
  • Jan 27 - Movement Bingo



  • Saturday, Jan 30, ZamDance, 10 - 11 am

Let's Keep Moving!

See below for a calendar of IvyMoves Month exercises 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. 
IvyMoves Jan 17 tracker
Keep Tracking Your Minutes!

We ask that you USE OUR ACTIVITY TRACKER to enter your minutes of family activity per week by each Wednesday. We'll then follow up with a tally each Sunday in IvyNotes to show how we're doing. This week, we tracked 282 hours of community movement for a two-week total of 426.25 hours. We're almost half-way to our goal!


Movement Apps
Explainer Video

Families today are spending lots of time on their smartphones and tablets, but did you know technology can help you and your family, stay active? Watch the video for a quick look at three apps that Ivymount's Adaptive Physical Education team recommends for your student.
Ivymount PTA News
Save These Dates for PTA Events

PTA Meeting

Tuesday, January 26
7 - 8 pm

Parent/Caregiver Hangouts

Thursday, February 11
7 - 8 pm

Monday,March 8
7 - 8 pm

Join the PTA Listserv
Join the Ivymount PTA listserv 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 listserv, 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. 
 
Helpful Links
Ivymount
School & Programs
301-469-0223