August 20, 2024

Titan Tuesdays are packed with valuable information. Depending on your email settings, you may need to click 'View Entire Message' at the bottom to read the full content of Titan Tuesday. We look forward to sharing important updates with you each week and encourage you to reach out if you have questions or topics you'd like us to include. If you ever need to refer back to a previous edition, you can find all the information in our Titan Tuesday Archive.

Day of Service is tomorrow! Students should sign up for a service project using their Helper Helper account. As a reminder, Day of Service is required for all sophomores. Upperclassmen are strongly encouraged to sign up for a project as well. There are multiple projects on campus and within the community.

As crews work to complete the new roof, a crane will be in use near the IMSA pool. The pool and part of the west circle drive will be inaccessible from August 21 and 22. During this operation, staff and students are prohibited from entering the area unless authorized by the contractor safety coordinator. Please see the map below for the exact locations and times

Last Friday, the campus gathered to celebrate the annual Convocation ceremony, marking the beginning of the academic year. Students, faculty, and staff heard inspiring speeches from community members, including IMSA Alumnus and English Faculty member, Dr. Michael Hancock '89 and Deputy Governor of Education, Martin Torres. Watch the recording of this special event here.

Following the ceremony, the excitement continued with a research symposium, where over 100 students showcased their projects. The event highlighted the innovative research our students completed during their summer SIR, Internship, and SRELO programs. View the Summer Symposium abstract booklet here.

Students have been busy with Welcome Week activities! We are looking forward to continuing the fun with Day of Service and Carnival this week.

The Class of 2027 took their first of many class photos together.

Groups of students took trips to get to know the Aurora area last weekend. This group visited Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora.

Students gathered on Yare for an outdoor movie on Saturday night.

There are still some exciting events coming up! Make sure to refer to your Welcome Week Schedule to see what's ahead.

Senior Add/Drop Time

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Junior Add/Drop Time

12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Students may:

• Drop a class they do not need for graduation.
• Add a class that fits into an open mod on their current schedule.
• Drop a class they do not need for graduation and replace it with a different class during the same mod(s).

Students may NOT:

• Rearrange their schedule to free up space for additional changes unless there is an error (e.g., duplicate courses, missing required courses, insufficient credits for graduation).
• Request changes based on preferences for instructors, class meeting mods, or replacing an alternate with a primary elective.

Any student unable to meet with a CAC on Wednesday will be invited to Add/Drop on Thursday, August 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friendly reminder to the Class of 2025: Your completed College Application Plan is due to your College and Academic Counselor by August 31. Please drop it off to your CAC Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Over the past week, the Illinois Department of Public Health has observed an increase in cases of COVID-19, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Human Parvovirus infections statewide. These illnesses can cause significant respiratory symptoms, including coughing, fever, and cold-like symptoms.



As members of this community, we share a responsibility to protect each other’s health and well-being. To help reduce the spread, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• If you feel unwell, stay home. Students should visit the health office or notify their Resident Counselor (RC) immediately.
• If you develop symptoms while on campus, wear a mask immediately. Students should proceed to the health office for further assistance.
• Practice frequent handwashing, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and before touching your face. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and ensure your hands are thoroughly dried.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
• Clean high-touch surfaces regularly.
• Avoid touching your face whenever possible.
• Improve indoor air quality by increasing air circulation, using an air purifier, and spending time outdoors when feasible.

Additionally, anyone exhibiting a fever over 100.0°F, who tests positive for influenza or COVID, has vomiting or diarrhea, or who is too ill to participate in academic activities will be sent home to recover. Individuals may return to campus when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications and when their symptoms have significantly improved over the previous 24 hours.

Writing Center Hours

The Writing Center will be open for business starting Tuesday, September 3! Visit Writing Center Tutors in A109 (next to the CAC Office) to get help on written assignments.

Hours of Operation

A, B, and C days: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

I Days: 10:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

D days: 9:00 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Wednesday Group Fitness Class

Every Wednesday or I-Day

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Multipurpose Room

Are you looking to get stronger, have more energy, improve your confidence, or cross-train for a sport? Join the Wednesday Group Fitness class! Workouts consist of cardio and strength exercises to challenge you, help you gain muscle, and improve your cardiovascular endurance. We will be using weights, bands, and a battle rope. All students and staff are welcome!

Questions? Email Counselor Alex Pratt.

IMSA invites all students, staff, and their families to the annual IMSA Carnival! Join us on campus for a day filled with rides, games, food, and more!

We rely on the support of our amazing parents and staff to make this event possible. We're seeking volunteers to assist IMSA staff with running games, serving food, and other activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up below.

Yearbook Pickup

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

E121

If you ordered a yearbook last year, please stop by E121 tomorrow to pick it up!

We are excited to welcome students back to IMSA to help them create memories that will last a lifetime. As a family member, your direct point of contact will be through the Residence Counselor and the College and Academic Counselor. However, it's likely you are looking for ways to become more involved. For starters, IMSA's Parent Association Council is a good place to start. You are also welcome to reach out to me for conversations that advance IMSA's mission and vision.

IMSA aims to transform the lives of our students by transforming educational boundaries through inquiry and innovation. State funding helps our core operations, however, we are ambitious to elevate IMSA everywhere - expand opportunities to our current students and also create opportunities for non-residential students. Please take a look at our strategic efforts, IMSA 2033, and let me know if you can help make connections. Examples may include:

• Creating access to research and internship experiences for our students, anywhere in the state, in-person or online, during the year or summer
• Helping to make IMSA programs available at your local school, particularly if you are not within driving distance of IMSA
• Connecting partners in government and philanthropic organizations that will contribute to capital development
• Introducing us to professionals who can mentor AI-related projects, or schools that would be interested in piloting an AI credential for students

If any of these ideas strike a chord, or if you have a different idea, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at eglazer@imsa.edu. We feel parents are instrumental in supporting innovation and the advancement of our institution.

Fatema Shikora '26 was recently honored with the Heartstrings Award by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) for her outstanding volunteer contributions. Fatema has been actively involved with the UMDF since 2023, organizing its fundraising walkathon called the Energy for Life Walk. This year, she has taken on the role of co-chair for the Chicago event, scheduled for September 8th, 2024. Over the summer, Fatema has worked tirelessly to coordinate the event.

For Fatema, volunteering with the UMDF has been a deeply rewarding experience, not only because it helps to improve the future of those with mitochondrial diseases but also because it has sparked her passion for genetics. Looking ahead, Fatema is eager to continue her work with this incredible cause and hopes to inspire more of her IMSA friends to get involved as well.

LiveSafe allows IMSA to connect with students directly in cases of emergency situations such as severe weather, school closures, safety drills, and more. This safety tool also allows community members to report incidents and emergencies.

Other important safety and security resources are available including SafeWalk, a feature in which users can invite contacts to virtually follow their progress on a walk to ensure they reach their destination safely. This app is a primary means of relaying important communication to our IMSA community.

The LiveSafe app is available in the Apple Store or Google Play.

IMSA leadership invites students to attend an important meeting to discuss IMSA's three equity and inclusion goals for the year. Your student voice and input are crucial as we work toward enhancing the following:

1. Student Academic Success
2. Student Safety and Belonging
3. Increased Faculty/Staff Engagement and Belonging

This is an opportunity for you to share your ideas and help shape our initiatives for a more inclusive and supportive IMSA community.

Did you know one blood donation can save up to three lives? IMSA is happy to announce the first blood drive of the year to address the need for donors. All participants will receive a T-shirt for their participation.

Scheduling an appointment is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. If you are under 17 please be sure to have your parent or guardian complete the consent form to donate.

Helpful Tip: Make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating!

The online Titan Spirit Wear store is back for a limited time! Order your new Titan merch today! All proceeds will go to Senior Class Club to help offset the student cost of Prom.

August 21 - Day of Service

August 24 - Carnival

September 2 - Labor Day (No Classes, but Residence Halls will remain open for the entire weekend)

Click below to view the complete 12-month calendar, along with other helpful information about various bell schedules. Please refer to these calendars for important dates and special class schedules throughout the year.

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.