December 6, 2020
Director's Note
Dear Ivymount Families,

As we kick off December, here at Ivymount we will be celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. Since its inception in 2001, this week has highlighted the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, and it is an opportunity for educators and students to discuss what more needs to be done.

The events of 2020 have been a catalyst for Iymount to reaffirm our commitment to diversity through advanced training, and review of our student supports and curricula. Our curriculum team has created a new toolkit of materials, read-aloud sessions on social justice topics, and the integration of these topics into our English and Language Arts curriculum. In the last IvyNotes, Library Media Specialist Ed Tamulevich pointed out several books for young readers that can be purchased through Scholastic. A reminder that today is the final day of our virtual Ivymount Book Fair. Scroll down to see the link.

With winter break approaching, we encourage everyone in the Ivymount Community to continue to stay safe by following the latest public health guidance. For example, Montgomery County has issued an Amended Health Directive that limits indoor gatherings to 10 people and requires residents to wear a face covering when they leave their homes if they are likely to come in contact with others who are not members of their household. The directive also clarifies certain conditions where a face covering is not required. Learn More.

We have several next steps related to the COVID-19 situation:
  • We've reached the December 6 determination date for the possible return to on-site programming on January 6. With the recent significant increase in COVID-19 numbers, we are well outside the criteria that would make it possible to return. As a result, we do not plan to return to campus on January 6. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any updates to our plans. We are eager to have our students back on site and continue to work toward this goal.
  • In the coming weeks, we will be surveying families and staff to better understand your latest comfort level with on-site and distance learning.
  • Our leadership team will be engaging in long-range planning for the Spring, including how best to maximize on-site instruction days when weather improves and we potentially have lower virus rates. This may include a potential shift in the dates for Spring Break. We will provide as much notice as possible regarding any changes to the school calendar.

On behalf of all the staff thank you for the awesome virtual e- card that you put together as the PTA. It was a wonderful way to convey your appreciation to our well deserving team. We are truly fortunate to have your partnership during this difficult time. The finished product is shared below. Thank you!

I hope you have a good week. Stay safe, make sure to get your flu shot, and wear masks.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt
Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 22 to Friday, January 1
Winter Break
No School for Students/Staff


Last Chance for Book Fair Orders
The virtual Ivymount Scholastic Book Fair ends tonight but there's still time to browse the thousands of award-winning and best-selling books, boxed sets and other products available at your fingertips!

All orders will be shipped directly to your home and all purchases benefit Ivymount!
"In some ways, namely selection, the virtual book fair is better than an in-person fair, though I, for one, still miss the heft and smell of the real object prior to closing a deal," says Ed Tamulevich, Ivymount Library Media Specialist, about the book fair. "I encourage everyone to make their purchases now and they'll be shipped in time for the holidays."

His book recommendations:

  • Freak the Mighty is a classic that addresses deep friendship and overcoming disability and bullying.
  • Undefeated is a beautifully illustrated Caldecott winner.
  • All Because You Matter is a great starter on the Black Lives Matter theme in picture book format.
  • Kind is a collection of beautifully illustrated tales that is a good resource for social learning.
  • The Witches is the Roald Dahl classic, recently brought to the screen.

Software Support Team Introduces Chromebook Guide for Families
We know how hard you are working to keep up with live classes, lessons and homework. We also know how frustrating it can be to have internet and/or connectivity issues during this time and how much you rely on your computer and network.

The Ivymount Software Tool Support Team is bringing you this guide on how to problem solve and prevent such issues. They recommend:

  1. Downloading this guide to your desktop
  2. Reviewing it to ensure you are following best practices of hardware maintenance and upkeep
  3. Referencing when you have internet or connectivity issues (which, if saved on your desktop, should be easily accessible!)

Please note, the tips provided are suggested for Chromebook devices however, they may also be helpful when problem solving connectivity issues with PC’s, iPads and other personal devices! 
Complete the IvyMoves Survey
The Physical Education team is gearing up for our second annual IvyMoves Month in January! They want to be able to provide activities, ideas, and support to help get the community moving. To do this, the team asks that families complete a very short survey to provide information on current levels of physical activity as well as limitations that your family might face.

Their goal is to get students and the whole family moving and involved.
MLN Quests Foster
Fitness and Kindness
MLN students are getting a jump on January's IvyMoves theme by participating in a December Virtual Turkey Trot to earn points for engaging in various healthy habits and activities. Students can earn points by going for a walk or run, dancing to songs or completing a workout video, creating their own movement activity, and for completing different upper body, core, and lower body exercises. Students are loggings their exercises and activities across the week and are posting pictures or videos of themselves on FlipGrid. All participants and Ivymount staff are encouraged to reply to student’s videos! A winner will be announced at the end of the contest. Let’s all get moving!
MLN students participated in a Kindness Quest during the month of November. They were given 10 different tasks that focused on being kind to peers, parents, teachers, and themselves. Students created FlipGrid videos to share messages of gratitude and describe acts of kindness that they completed as part of the Quest. As they complete the tasks this week, they're encouraged to respond to one another for additional ideas and interaction.
MAP Hosts Trivia Challenge
The MAP program got students ready for Thanksgiving with a holiday-themed, 66-question Virtual Trivia challenge. Winners were able to choose between a $10 Amazon gift card or to have a pizza delivered to their home to celebrate. 

Congratulations to Colin M. of Room 234 for winning the Elementary/Lower Middle School Challenge and Avery N. in room 204, who won the Upper Middle School/High School Challenge. This year, the MAP program is thankful for opportunities like this for staff and students to connect and to have fun together even while apart! 

Outreach New Saturday Event
Register Now

Virtual Theatre and Bingo
Saturday, December 12
10 - 11 am

Ivymount Outreach will host a live interactive theatre and play workshop led by the amazing teaching artists from Only Make Believe! Through play, theatre games, and storytelling activities, participants will work together to create and perform their own virtual performance. Targeted audience is elementary and middle school-aged students but all ages are welcome. Maximum of 10 participants, so please register early.
Immediately following the performance, we will host online BINGO! We will email you all the materials you need to play along from home and prizes will be sent to the winners. The whole family is welcome to join in the fun!
 
Theatre workshop begins at 10 am
Bingo begins at 10:30 am

Sign up for one or both activities. These are "pay what you can" events with a suggested cost of $10 per household.
 
Only Make Believe provides programming free of charge. Any costs associated with this event are solely on behalf of Ivymount Outreach.
Ivymount PTA News
November staff raffle winners

The PTA would like to thank all staff for their incredible dedication to our exceptional students during these challenging times. As a small way to show our appreciation, the PTA has been having monthly raffles since August to provide gift cards to staff. Here are the raffle winners from the November raffle:

  • Hillary Grande
  • Kim Prati
  • Christina Ahlgren
  • Alexa Pianta
  • Karrah Dane
e-Card for Staff Unveiled

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, Ivymount Families want to thank you, Ivymount Staff and Teachers, for all you do for our exceptional students every day.

We know that making virtual connections can be challenging and we appreciate your creativity and enthusiasm in helping our students learn. 

Our students and families contributed to a virtual e-card to show our thanks. You can view our Thank You card as a slideshow if you click on the sideways triangle icon on the top right corner of the e-card. We hope this card conveys our gratitude and appreciation for all you do.
PTA's Biggest Fundraiser
Boon Supply
Still Underway
Order Now!

Thank you to the many of you who have already supported us by shopping on Boon Supply. There is still time to get your holiday shopping done early while supporting the Ivymount PTA with some awesome and unique products from Boon Supply. These are the same high-quality products available when the company was formerly known as Mixed Bags Designs, plus some exciting new items!
Help us spread the word about the fundraiser by emailing, posting and tweeting the link with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors – anyone can purchase with this link and 40% of the profits go to the Ivymount PTA to help us support our awesome teachers and staff: boonsupply.com/ 68316

Please email Ivymount Parent Monique Wintz with questions.
Helpful Links
Ivymount
School & Programs
301-469-0223