Dear Ivymount Families
Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you're enjoying the long weekend. Remember, there's no school tomorrow on President's Day.
Whether through distance learning or in person instruction, students truly are at the heart of what we do at Ivymount. I want to thank all parents and staff for the way that you have prioritized students throughout this unprecedented situation.
We were pleased to share with you last week our plan for a gradual return to campus. All families will continue to have the option to continue in distance learning. You should have all received an email with the full details and a follow-up email from your Program Directors. Details are also shared below for your convenience. Please note that we have added two professional days for staff and there will be no school on March 5 and April 26. Please continue to work with your Program Directors on your plans for returning. Your confirmations are important in order to proceed with transportation, staffing, and planning. We are excited to be moving forward in order to safely return to campus.
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I also want to thank many families and staff who are helping to make a difference in the community by donating to the MAP food drive in support of Manna Food Center. Your contribution is a demonstration of the ethos of February's IvyCares month.
Keep reading for highlights from school, a mental health presentation for parents this week, a follow-up survey from our IvyMoves team, and the latest from Outreach Programs.
Sincerely,
Susan Holt
Executive Director
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Upcoming Events
Monday, February 15
President's Day
No School for Students/Staff
Wednesday, February 17
Mental Health Lecture Series
Friday, March 5
Professional Day
No School for Students
Saturday, March 6
Outreach Educational Programs Begin
Monday, March 8
PTA Parent/Caregiver Hangout
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Proud
to Be
Guidestar Platinum
Ivymount has achieved the highest level of Guidestar transparency by including metrics in our profile that show the progress we’re making toward our mission. Guidestar provides information that enables donors and grantmakers to make informed giving decisions.
Your gift to the Ivymount Annual Fund directly supports our #LearningInANewAge initiative.
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We are eager to return to classrooms and to engage with your students in person. We have missed them and we recognize the tremendous role that the school environment plays in our students' well-being and ability to learn. That's why our school leadership team, board of directors, and staff are committed to restoring a consistent and safe school environment for your students.
The conversation about when and how we should return students to campus has continued with input from staff and families, local school systems, and state and federal agencies. Our team has put significant thought and care into devising a plan that we feel is reasonable, that we can implement, and that has layered mitigation strategies to ensure the health and safety of all involved.
- The plan has 5 phases to gradually return students to campus
- Students will be offered on-site options through a hybrid model that includes 2 days of on-site instruction and 3 days of distance learning
- Phase 1 will begin March 1
- Students who do not wish to return to campus will be offered a continuation of Distance Learning based on their current continuity of learning plan
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Two professional days have been scheduled for March 5 and April 26. This leaves one additional professional day that may be used in May.
- Spring Break remains March 29 - April 5 and falls between phase 2 and 3.
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We will run distance learning for all our programs (no on-site programs) April 6 - April 9 to allow students and staff to quarantine after travel and conduct PCR testing following break.
Please click to review the Ivymount School Return Plan. This document includes important details and dates for Phases 1 - 5, as well as information about testing requirements and safety plans to participate in on-site programming. Your program directors will be in touch with more information specific to your child's schedule.
We also encourage all families to read our updated Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan, which can be found on the Ivymount website. It includes updated decision-making criteria for on-site programs.
You will receive an Operoo form to confirm you have reviewed the plan and the oath of personal responsibility. We ask that you complete this before participating in any on-site activities.
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Vaccine Information
Fairfax County
According to the Fairfax County Health Department, primary caregivers of those with ID/DD are now included in phase 1a and persons with disabilities ages 16-64 are now included in phase 1b. Primary caregivers should select “1A - Health care personnel” from the drop down menu on question 1 of the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Questionnaire. For persons with disabilities, select “1B - Persons ages 16-64 years with Certain Conditions or Disabilities that Increases Their Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19” from the drop down menu. As of now, no documentation is required. Once you are registered, you get an email when it’s your turn to schedule an appointment. Fairfax County is now vaccinating both 1a and 1b.
Montgomery County
Hospitals include:
Retail partners include:
Pre-registering on the County’s vaccine page does not mean you are registered with other venues.
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Mental Health Presentation
Helps Prepare for Return
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Return to School
Practical Strategies and Self-Care
Wednesday, February 16
7 - 8 pm
The Ivymount Mental Health team's monthly Self-Care Parenting Series is set to return this Wednesday, February 16. The presentation, to be given by Mental Health Lead, Michael Stromberg, LCSW-C, will focus on helping parents prepare students (and themselves) for returning to in-person learning as well as self-care strategies to effectively and compassionately manage the ongoing pandemic and its related stressors. We are excited for this series to be back and hope to see you there!
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President's Day Lesson
Highlights Diversity
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Last week in MLN Social Studies, students studied President Biden’s Presidential Cabinet. They learned that the US Government is a representative democracy, and therefore are chosen to act and speak on behalf of a wider community. According to teacher Bridget Spaulding, students are an integral part of that community. "It is important for our students to recognize the individuals in the Cabinet as deriving from different backgrounds, racial groups and cultures, with shared experiences and knowledge mirroring theirs. Symbolic representation provides the crucial ingredient of trust. Representation in government gives children the reassurance that the President is seeking advice from experts who have shared experiences similar to their own," says Spaulding.
Students were taught about one role within the Cabinet, the Secretary of Education. President Biden selected Miguel Cardona to fill this role. "As we read about Miguel's background, a student interjected 'I am from Puerto Rico too!'. It was clear from the smile on his face, his self-esteem was boosted and the representation of his culture had him glowing with pride!"
As Presidents Day approaches, students are encouraged to reflect on the presidents who have worked tirelessly to evolve and strengthen our country in all manners, including diversity and empathy.
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Latest Ivymount Times Available
Also on this President's Day, check out some interesting facts about US presidents and inaugurations in the latest edition of The Ivymount Times, a creation of MLN's Site Based Work Experience class.
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Throughout February, Ivymount programs are celebrating Black History Month. In the Autism program, for example, some students are learning about achievements by African Americans each morning. Others are having weekly discussions on a series of topics, including the founding of Black History Month, the first Black americans to serve as President, Vice-President, and Supreme Court Justice, and the role of activism.
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Some high school students worked with Ivymount art teacher Kimberly Prati on a project inspired by African American artist Lorna Simpson. She is known for her artwork which explores identity and black hair. Here are two collages made by students, Nicole and Arianna. They called their project: Super power hair!
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Registration Open for Outreach Spring Educational Programs |
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Could your child benefit from instruction in how to be flexible and manage the "rules" associated with playing games with friends? |
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In Game Time, students are explicitly taught the skills needed to play structured and unstructured games with peers. The program helps children manage the common challenges of game playing, such as not going first, taking turns, and winning and losing gracefully. Participants are encouraged to apply cognitive flexibility scripts and strategies, such as Plan A/Plan B, Big Deal/Little Deal, Compromises, and Expect the Unexpected.
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IvyMoves Follow-Up Survey |
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The Physical Education team would like to thank you for participating in our second annual IvyMoves Month! We are seeking your feedback on the month to ensure we are meeting your needs and to help with planning for the event next year! Click the green link to take the survey and thank you for your support and participation!
We encourage you to keep moving throughout 2021 and aim to get the recommended 60 minutes a day of physical activity. Click the links below for some additional workouts you can try.
Perform exercises led by the PE team.
Perform exercises led by fitness instructors, videos we sometimes use during instruction.
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A Note to Our Members
We appreciate you - our extraordinary Ivymount parents and guardians - who have, despite the challenges of the past months, been active participants in PTA meetings, parent and caregiver hangouts and family craft events. We also appreciate your incredibly generous support through the PTA dues drive as well as the Boon Supply fundraiser.
As a reminder, all Ivymount families are automatically part of the Ivymount PTA and you are all encouraged and welcome to join the PTA list serve, participate in PTA meetings, parent and caregiver Hangouts and family events. Information regarding all PTA happenings is posted weekly here on IvyNotes and on the Ivymount PTA listserv. Thanks again for your continued support.
With sincere gratitude,
The Ivymount PTA Board
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Ivymount
School & Programs
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