October 31, 2023

Every adult at IMSA is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of every student we serve. One way that we help foster a safe environment is by training for crisis response situations. On October 2nd, 3rd, and 5th students participated in ALICE training. This training includes option-based responses to violent intruders.

Following the response training on October 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, the IMSA community will participate in a violent intruder drill observed by law enforcement held the week of November 6. The mandatory law enforcement drill requires prior notice to parents/legal guardians. It is further required that parents/legal guardians have an opportunity to exempt their child for any reason from participating in the law enforcement drill. The violent intruder drill exercise will not include simulations that mimic an actual school shooting incident or active shooter event. Parents/legal guardians desiring to have their child exempt from the law enforcement walk-through lockdown/active threat drills may do so by completing the Lockdown Drill Exemption Form by Sunday, November 5, 2023. Once documentation is received and reviewed, your student will be exempt.

The IMSA Community is welcome to join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the observation of Dia de Muertos. Dia de Muertos is celebrated throughout Latin America to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us. During this holiday, families throughout Latin America decorate Ofrendas or Altars with pictures of their loved ones.

We invite members of the community to bring a picture of any loved ones you would like to honor and include on the Ofrenda, and then enjoy traditional Mexican Pan de Muerto and Chocolate Champurrado (a traditional hot chocolate-like drink thickened with corn flour). The Ofrenda will be displayed in the CAC Commons for all community members to see.

During the week of Thanksgiving, IMSA will have Virtual Engagement Days on Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21. This allows students to return home before Thanksgiving week while still having the opportunity to engage in their academics and academic support remotely.  

Additional Details:  

• Virtual Engagement Days will not be regular, full class days via Zoom. Each faculty member will have an appropriate plan for their course and students, which may or may not include some synchronous meeting times via Zoom.  
• Assignments and assessments can be given and/or due on the Virtual Engagement Days.
• For attendance, if a student cannot participate in any synchronous meetings during the Virtual Engagement Days, the family must notify the Attendance Office, just as during a normal day of class. If a student has an unexcused absence from a required meeting during the Virtual Engagement Days, it will be marked as such in the attendance records. 
• Faculty and Academic Support (CACs, Learning Strategies Coordinator, etc.) will communicate any synchronous meeting requirements or opportunities to students as early as possible but no later than Friday, November 17, 2023.
• The B-Day (Monday) and C-Day (Tuesday) schedules will remain in place so that faculty who want to schedule synchronous meetings have a designated time to do so without creating scheduling conflicts.
• Faculty may still host office hours/drop-in Zoom time outside their regularly scheduled class times, just as during normal class days.

Any questions about the Virtual Engagement Days can be directed to Paul Gaszak, Dean of Academics and Equity, at pgaszak@imsa.edu. 

Herff Jones will be on campus to take cap and gown measurements for the Class of 2024.

All seniors need to stop by their table outside the CAC Office to record their measurements on Friday, November 3 during the Support and Engagement Period.

Herff Jones will also be outside the CAC Office on Thursday, November 9 from

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for anyone wanting to order a class ring or letterman jacket.

Bring your laptop and your lunch!

AI Session #2 Lunch & Learn features four tools handy for education: Khanmigo, Notebook, Woebot, and Bing AI. The second half of the hour is a sandbox session with hands-on time to download and test Bing AI or another tool you'd like to try!  

We will provide handouts! We love beginners, as well as those with experience who can share their knowledge and help others. 

Did you miss Session 1: Intro to AI? Watch the recording here.

Thank you to ITMC for providing the link to our new asynchronous learning opportunity.

The Peer Tutor Spotlight highlights a Peer Tutor nominated for the excellent tutor they are. Meet Khushi Kranthi '25.

What is your favorite subject?

My favorite subject is History, and I love my class, Ancient World Religions and Philosophy. My teacher is incredibly knowledgeable in the subject, and I just love learning about different perspectives and backgrounds.

What do you do outside of Peer Tutoring?

Outside of Peer tutoring, I do way too many things, but the one thing I am most involved in is Martial Arts. I have been practicing Taekwondo for almost 7 years and Hapkido for 2. In those 7 years, I have earned my 2nd Degree Black belt and a certification to teach martial arts. I also compete in Poomsae competitions, am a part of North Shore Martial Art's (NSMA) Demonstration team, and sparring team, and spend at least 3 hours per week teaching younger students Taekwondo.

Do you have any advice for your peers?

Don't over-commit. I am a part of 16 different extracurricular activities, on top of school work and my 7 classes. You don't need to do that to yourself. Pick 2 or 3 things that you really enjoy and spend as much time as you want on those. Nothing, not even a well-rounded college app, is more important than your sleep and mental health.

Culture Show Volunteers Needed

Alma Latina Student Association has asked the Parents Association Council to support the upcoming Casa de Los Muertos at IMSA on November 10. Learn more.

 The Student Show is on Friday, November 10, and features a potluck following the show to showcase foods from the culture. All parents are invited to attend the Parent Show on Saturday, November 11, from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. There is no potluck following the Parent Show. The show will also be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Monthly PAC meeting

Join the PAC before the culture show for our first in-person PAC meeting on campus! 

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. on November 11 in IN2. The meeting will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend. If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP below so we have enough morning refreshments and seating.

Mental Health Initiatives Week Event

RC Connor Hernandez and Counselor Airianna Quantanilla facilitated a conversation with parents for Mental Health Initiatives Week titled "Awareness and Care: How Parents Can Support Their Students and Talk to Them About Mental Health." If you were not able to attend, the recording and handout are included below.

Resource Workshops

Faculty and staff will host weekly informational sessions on Thursdays to benefit the IMSA Community! Unless otherwise noted, these workshops will occur on Thursdays during the Support and Engagement Period.

Mark your calendar for the next session:

"I Think There's Been a Glitch"

Presented by ITS

November 2, 2023

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ac Pit

Join ITS for to learn more about general computer troubleshooting, resources available, and answers to any questions you might have!  

At IMSA, students build the capacity to live independently from home. It's quite remarkable to see the shift in 10th graders by January who often are quite homesick their first few months of school. Our Student Affairs, Residential Life, and DEI teams deserve a lot of credit for creating a welcoming environment filled with activities, events, clubs, seminars, and coaching related to life skills and social-emotional development.

With so much responsibility, you might wonder if our students are growing up too fast. Well, I can offer that we invite them to be kids when the opportunity presents itself. Halloween is a perfect example with pumpkin carving, decorating, costume wearing, and trick-or-treating around campus.

Check out some of the festivities of the day. Rest assured we will promote fun at IMSA.

If you have thoughts on this topic or wish that I discuss others, don't hesitate to reach out to me at eglazer@imsa.edu.

Dr. Glazer's math help will continue during A-days mod 2, and he has also added after-school help on November 1 and November 8 at 4:30 p.m. in the Science Study Area.

Student Spotlight

Divya Brahmbhatt '24 is one of two IMSA students attending the International Students Science Fair (ISSF) in Australia this December. This prestigious event brings together students who are passionate about innovative research and allows them to meet and collaborate with students from across the world. This year, the students will travel to the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology.

Each year, ISSF focuses on the UN Sustainable Development goals that bring attention to various global challenges, like health and well-being or sustainable development. Divya's project, "Precision Immuno-RadioNanoTheranotics for Metastatic Cancer" aims to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer. His research focuses on X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (XPDT), with specific emphasis on Immuno-RadioNanoTherapy (IRNT).

Please complete the Spotlight Submission Form if you have been recently recognized in your field, celebrated for your academic or professional achievements, or are working on a project you'd like to share. If you have any questions, please contact Alex Johnson at ajohnson2@imsa.edu.

Class of 2026

Your next LEAD elective module will take place on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Please bring a laptop, notebook, and writing utensils to every LEAD session. Please read through the 2023-24 LEAD Syllabus before Wednesday to review the attendance policy and upcoming modules. If you need an excused absence, email LEAD Program Coordinator, Ms. Emma Wilson, by Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

LEAD on November 8th, 2023 is an extended module. Please make sure you budget your time correctly in order to be there from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. This module will highlight all of the electives for the second semester, so you're not going to want to miss it!

Questions or concerns? Contact LEAD Program Coordinator Ms. Emma Wilson.

Check out the new search engine from the Illinois of Gifted Children for local STEM enrichment opportunities for all ages. This search engine was developed by IMSA Senior, Michael Meng!

Titan To Go is a resource for students to discreetly order basic toiletries when they cannot replace them before a trip home. Students may select from the following items:



• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes 
• Dental Floss 
• Deodorant 
• Menstrual products
• Hand soap 
• Body lotion 
• Facial tissues
• Lip balm  
• Contact lens cases

Requests are confidential and can be made by clicking on the button above. Requests received by 8:00 a.m. will be processed daily, Monday through Friday. You will pick up your items in a Smart Locker once you receive a notification that your package has been scanned in.

For more information, contact Michelle Bemis, Volunteer Coordinator for Titan To Go at mbemis@imsa.edu.

Mark Your Calendars! 

November 10 - Veterans Day Assembly

November 18 - Halls Close at 1:00 p.m.

November 20 - 21 - Virtual Engagement Days

November 22 - 26 - Thanksgiving Break

November 26 - Halls Open at 3:00 p.m.

ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY



1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506-1000 |  630.907.5000 |  imsa.edu

To ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific

minds that advance the human condition.