September 9, 2013 Issue 3 Irmo Middle School 6051 Wescott Road Columbia, SC 29212 (803) 476-3600 www.lexrich5.

org/ims School Hours: 8:20 a.m.-3:35 p.m.

The Buzz
rsjackso@lexrich5.org
Dear Parents and Guardians, 2 3 4

at Irmo Middle School

Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal
https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Inside this issue:

Open House Guidance Buzz On-line Sign Up

Your student(s) will be issued a school ID and tardy card on Monday, September 9th. For safety and security purposes, all students are expected to wear their ID everyday. We are asking that parents, guardians, and students familiarize themselves with the ID and tardy policies as there are consequences associated with each infraction. ID and Tardy Policy Tardies: The first 5 tardies will be recorded onto the students Tardy Card using a hole punch. This Tardy Card will be given at the same time the ID is issued. Once a child has been tardy a total of three times, a phone conference will be held between a teacher and the parent. Students who lose their Tardy Cards will automatically move to a consequence for being tardy. New Tardy Cards will only be issued at the beginning of each nine weeks. Students who have no tardies at the end of the semester will be rewarded. Students who earn more than 5 tardy infractions will receive the following consequences, per nine weeks: 6th Tardy=Conference with an Administrator 7th Tardy=After School Detention 8th Tardy=Extended Detention 9th Tardy= 1 Day ISS 10th Tardy=Overnight Suspension Pending Parent Conference IDs: Student and teacher ID cards are made at the beginning of school or when a new student enrolls. Student ID cards will contain the students legal name only. These picture IDs, including temporary IDs, must be worn at all times while on the school grounds, during school sponsored events and while riding buses. If a student does not have his or her ID at the beginning of first block, a new one will be ordered. The teacher will notify the ISS monitor who will issue a temporary ID at a cost of $0.50 each to the student. These temporary IDs must be worn on the students upper left torso (where you place your hand during the Pledge of Allegiance). At the fifth ID ordered, a new permanent ID will be made at a cost to the student of $5 and students will begin earning consequences for failing to have an ID. 6th ID=Conference with an Administrator 7th ID=After School Detention

Dates to Remember: Tues. Sept 10 Volleyball AwayWK Wed. Sept 11 Football Home Lex 5:00 Pm Thurs. Sept 12 Volleyball away-Chapin Tues. Sept 24 Explore Testing for 8th Graders Open House & Interim Pick Up 5:30pm7:30 pm Wed. Sept 25 Yearbook Make Up Pics

If you have any news you would like to see in the Buzz, email Allison Redick at aredick@lexrich5.org.

8th ID=Extended Detention 9th ID= 1 Day ISS 10th ID=Overnight Suspension Pending Parent Conference

Reminder: Please do not drop your student/s off prior to 7:45.

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle School

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle School

Mrs. Sheila R. Inabinet, Guidance Director, Counselor A-G Mr. James Fanning, Counselor H-N Mrs. Tina Stevens, Counselor O-Z Mrs. Allison Redick, Career Specialist Mrs. Judy Deans, Guidance Assistant Mrs. Beth Ayers, Registrar Ms. LaToya Geiger, Records Assistant
Eighth Graders begin to EXPLORE their future Career opportunities More than ever before, it is important that all students have the skills needed to be successful in college and the workplace. Becoming college-ready does not happen overnight; students develop these skills by taking rigorous courses in middle and high school. On Tuesday, September 24th our 8th graders will take the EXPLORE Assessment. EXPLORE helps 8th graders build high school course plans that will prepare them for college and work. It introduces them to relevant career options.

September Activities
Character Trait Responsibility

EXPLORE identifies;

Activity Wednesday September 4 September 18 September 21 September 20

Areas where they need extra help or additional courses. Suggestions for improving their skills. Careers that match their interests.
EXPLORE scores provide early indicators of whether students are on track for college. With plenty of time before graduation, students and teachers can use this information to focus on areas of need. To learn more about EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT resources at www.actstudent.org. EXPLORE includes: Tests in English, math, reading, and science just like the Plan (10th grade) and ACT (11thgrade).

International Day of Peace

IMS Observance Open House

September 24 5:307:30

A career section that shows you which careers match your interest. Questions about your plans for high school and beyond. A guide stating what your scores mean and how you can use them.

Tips for Doing your Best on Explore:

Get plenty of sleep the night before the test. Follow directions exactly, and dont be afraid to ask questions. EXPLORE is a timed test, so pace yourself! Dont spend too much time on any one question. Not sure of the answer? First rule out every wrong answer you can. Then, pick the best answer from those left. If you finish early, go back and review your work.

Check out some EXPLORE sample test questions @ www.explorestudent.org

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle School

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be meeting every Friday morning in Room 707 (Mrs. Floyd - off of the 7th grade traffic circle) from 7:35-8:05. All car riders attending the FCA meetings may be dropped off at the 7th grade traffic circle. All bus riders will need to inform the IMS faculty or staff on bus duty in order to attend. If you have any questions regarding the IMS huddle of FCA, please visit our web site at http://www.lexrich5.org/IrmoMS.cfm?subpage=1219 or feel free to contact Mrs. Floyd (LFloyd@LexRich5.org or 476-3677) or Mr. Carter (TCarter@LexRich5.org or 476-3703).

FCA

Yearbook Picture Make Up Day Wednesday, Sept. 25th

For students who did not have pictures made at Jacket Jamboree

SIGN UP FOR THE BUZZ ONLINE

http://www.lexrich5.org/IrmoMS.

LAST CHANCE: No paper copies distributed after 9/9/13

This newsletter is posted on our Irmo Middle School website where you may view it at anytime, under the Communications tab. Please sign up to receive your copy via email every Monday by signing up for E News at the Irmo Middle School website at http://www.lexrich5.org/IrmoMS. Parents and grandparents are welcome to sign up for E News! We encourage you to use these tools to stay connected with what is going on here at IMS. If you would like to have a paper copy sent home with your student on a weekly basis, please return this portion of the page to Ms. Allison Redick or the front office. Please send home a paper copy of The Buzz Newsletter with my student weekly, I do not have access to email or internet to view it online. Students Name: __________________________________________________