October 22, 2023

A Note from the Director

Dear Families,

It's a great time to celebrate the fall season, with the PTA's Halloween-themed movie night and our programs experiencing the pumpkin patch. In October, we also recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and I can't think of a better way to do so than telling you about new jobsites and new work skills that our students are learning. Scroll down for more details!

Once again, I would like to thank our entire community for the love that you continuously show to Ivymount. We celebrated our families, your students, our staff and our partners at last week's Ivymount Foundation Memories and Momentum Gala. We're proud of what the Ivymount Organization provides - trusted educational, therapeutic and professional services delivered by Ivymount School, The Maddux School, Endeavors Outreach, and Community Outreach and Services. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch a photo recap from the evening and a video about Ivymount's six decades of striving for excellence. See below for a link. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED!

Dates to Remember

November 10

No School for Students

November 22-24

Thanksgiving Holiday

December 18 -29

Winter Break

Endeavors Students Garden at New Jobsite

This week, students began visiting one of the Endeavors Program's newest jobsites, Koiner Farm in Silver Spring. Students play an important role in maintaining the garden by harvesting peppers, herbs, and flowers. In preparation for an upcoming event at the farm, students set up tables with table cloths, folded t-shirts and placed hats for promotional purposes. We are continuing to recognize the importance of employment for all during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and are so grateful to partner with inclusive jobsites like Koiner Farm!

Ivymount Partners with I Support the Girls

I Support the Girls is a warehouse in Rockville, MD that collects and distributes essential items, including bras, underwear, and feminine hygiene products. These items are then distributed to people experiencing homelessness and impoverishment. In a single work shift, Ivymount students support the team in scanning through all of the donations, and packaging up to 500 pieces of clothing!

180 in the Fall Spirit!

Students in the 180 classroom recently took a field trip to the nearby pumpkin patch to celebrate the new fall season and enjoy fun with classmates! Students enjoyed picking their own pumpkins and apples from the farm.

Ivymount Thanks Students and Community

It's been just over a week since we celebrated six decades with our largest fundraiser - the Ivymount Foundation's Memories and Momentum Gala on October 14th. It was a beautiful evening at the Washington National Cathedral, that featured Ivymount School graduate Ahnya McLeod and parents Melissa Flaim and Jeff Fischer as keynote speakers, student Greydon F (pictured) as an announcer, and the silent auction and other contributions of so many families. Thank you!

If you were not able to attend, we encourage you to watch our video recap of photos from the evening, plus our video describing the six decades of Ivymount and how our Investing in Excellence initiative contributes to staff, student and family success. Click Here to see it all.

Mark Your Calendar - Project Search Info Session

Join us for a hybrid information session

November 15th at 4:40 pm

Learn more about how the Project SEARCH program helps young adults make successful transitions from school to productive post-school life.

Parents, professionals, and applicants who are interested in applying to the Project SEARCH programs should attend.

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

Fun Thrills and Chills at Family Movie Night

The PTA was excited to get in the Halloween spirit with a great turnout of Ivymount School families who gathered to watch the movie "Hotel Transylvania 2" at our Family Movie Night. We encourage all Ivymount School families to attend these free events.

The PTA would like to thank Ivymount staff Kelly O, Katie Q, Jennie K and Alyson M, who helped set up and generously came on a Saturday night to make the event possible. Also, thank you to Gillian Economou, PTA VP of special events.

Sneaker Drive Raises Funds and Helps the Environment

The PTA's Sneaker Drive is going strong so check you closets for old sneakers that are gathering dust. Your old sneakers (and cleats), can help raise money for Ivymount AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills!

Sneakers can be in any condition (with or without laces/insoles). Pairs only. No crocs, sandals, dress shoes, or other types of shoes. We have partnered with GotSneakers for this ongoing fundraiser. Feel free to send shoes to school with your child any time or drop them off inside the main entrance of the school (there is a blue collection bin). If you have 12 or more pairs of shoes that you would like to donate, please email trish.stone@yahoo.com. I can arrange to send home a labeled collection bag with your child that you can fill with shoes and drop off at any FedEx location.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Keep the shoes coming!