March 3, 2015

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 at Irmo Middle School

Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow
rsjackso@lexrich5.org

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal

https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Inside this issue:

Carolina Soccer School
2
Mentor of the Year
3
Report Card Pick Up
3
Bi-Lo Educational Rewards 3
ACT
3
CATE Pet Grooming
4
Camp Burnt Gin
5
Summer School Info
5

Dates to Remember:
Black Week
Tues 3/3

St. Govt. Mtg. Rm 812

7:45-8:15 AM
Thurs 3/5

Course Fair Night

IMS 6-7:30 PM
Fri 3/6
SHHS Registration for
Rising 9th Graders

The International Academic Magnet at IMS invites families of rising 6th, 7th & 8th
graders to attend our Course Fair on Thur, March 5, at 6:00pm in the school cafeteria. You will be able to learn about our course offerings for the 2015/16 school
year, including newly approved honors courses for 6th grade.

If you have news for the

Buzz, email Allison Redick
at aredick@lexrich5.org.

You will also hear about the wide array of exploratory classes, including Pitsco STEM
and Algebra Readiness Labs, Gateway to Technology, Art, Band, Chorus, Dance, Orchestra, and Music & Media Technology.
Information on how to register for the classes that will be the best fit for your student
will be shared. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this exciting evening.

Page
Page 22

TheThe
Buzz
Buzz
at Irmo
at Irmo
Middle
Middle

Page 33
Page

TheThe
Buzz
Buzz
at Irmo
at Irmo
Middle
Middle

D5 Special Needs Educator Receives State Award for Mentoring Future Teachers.
A D5 educator has been honored with a state award, recognizing her work in mentoring future
special needs teachers. IMS teacher Liz Magee received this years SC Mentor of the Year
award at the Council for Exceptional Children conference in early February. Winners of this
years awards were nominated by other members of SCCES, representing educators, advocates and students across South Carolina.
Ms. Magee is an amazing educator, said Irmo Middle School Principal Robert Jackson. She
goes to great lengths to make certain all children she interacts with have an advocate. She is
passionate about teaching and working with children to ensure that they meet their goals. We
are absolutely thrilled that she has received this recognition. The SSEC is a statewide professional advocacy and support organization aimed at improving the educational outcomes and
quality of life of individuals with exceptionalities and their families through the actions of professionals, advocates and other agencies. District Five serves more than 1,200 students with special needs.
With more than 10 years teaching experience, Magee has mentored six student-teachers and several practicum teachers finishing their last requirements before pursuing jobs in the field. I know how important it is to have good experience and mentoring before you get into the classroom, said Magee, who is pursuing her doctorate. The better prepared going into teaching you are, the better youll be in your first couple of years which can be tough. I tell my student
-teachers that it takes about 3 years to feel like I got this. If I can help them prepare for those first days in the classroom and prepare for special education teaching, then I know that will mean a better experience for our students. The
recipients of these awards were nominated by other members of SCCEC, according to a statement by the council.
They represent educators, advocates, and students across South Carolina that are making a difference through collaboration and commitment to our special needs students and families.
*****************************************************************************************************************

Report Card Pick-Up Night: Tue, April 7th 6:00-7:30 pm

Parents and students will be able to pick up their report card and briefly speak with teachers.
*****************************************************************************************************************

Bi-Lo Hometown Educational Awards: Save money for yourself & raise money for
IMS by scanning your Bi-Lo card. The IMS code is 54883. Register and learn more at
http://www.hometowneducationalrewards.com/

*****************************************************************************************************************

In April, students will take the new ACT Aspire standardized test. This year, all students will be
permitted to use an approved calculator for the math portion of the test. We encourage all students
to begin bringing an approved calculator to school daily. If your student cannot obtain a calculator,
please alert his or her math teacher as soon as possible.

Scientific and graphing calculators are preferred, due to the advanced nature of the 7th and 8th grade curriculum and
standards. Most scientific and graphing calculators are approved.
The calculators most familiar to students at IMS are TI-83 & TI-84 graphing calculators. A graphing calculator is an investment that a student can use year after year - in middle school, high school, and throughout college. Many families
already have a graphing calculator from parents, older siblings, or family members who have recently taken high school
or college courses. Check with friends, neighbors, and family prior to purchasing a new one! We are asking that calculators be brought to school every day so that students become more familiar with the functions. The following calculators cannot be used:

Calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality

Handheld, tablet, or laptop computers (this includes Chromebooks)
Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
Calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices
Calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format).

If you would like to donate a calculator or batteries, please bring them to our front office. Thank you for helping our
students prepare for their academic success. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions, please contact our math department chair, Mrs. Kelly Thacker (kthacker@lexrich5.org).

Page 44
Page

TheThe
Buzz
Buzz
at Irmo
at Irmo
Middle
Middle

Page 55
Page

The Buzz at Irmo Middle

*****************************************************************************************************************

Summer Residential Camp

Camp Burnt Gin is a residential camp, operated by DHEC, for children and youth
with special health care needs.
Campers must be 7-15 years old to qualify for the child sessions, 16-20 years old for the
teen sessions and 21-25years old for the young adult session.
Applications are available on the web site : campburntgin@dhec.sc.gov or you can call
Marie Aimone, Camp Director at 803-898-0874 for further information.
ALL APPLICATIONS are due to DHEC by MARCH 1. (Acceptances will be notified by May 31).
*****************************************************************************************************************

Summer School 2015 @ Irmo Middle!

The following dates have been approved for students who will be attending Summer School
2015 at Irmo Middle. We are sharing this information early with students, parents, and families so everyone can plan for their summer vacations. We are very confident that our interactions and interventions throughout the year will minimize and/or eliminate the need for
summer school for most (if not all of our students). If you need any information about summer school, please contact Mr. Glenn Hutto, Assistant Principal for Instruction at 476-3663.
The Middle School Summer School Program is designed for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who have not mastered
the course standards in English, Social Studies, Math, or Science. This program is streamlined to concentrate on
academic mastery.
Who attends summer school?
Rising 7th and 8th grade students who have failed either one or two academic subjects. Those students who have
failed three or more classes are ineligible to attend summer school and may be retained in their current grade. Out of district students cannot enroll in this program.
Where will summer school be held?
Summer School will be held at Irmo Middle Rising 7th 8th 9th graders.
What are the dates for summer school?
Current 6th, 7th and 8th graders will take courses offered only on the following dates:
June 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30
What times will students attend?
Students will attend from 8:30am 1:30pm. There will be no afternoon sessions.
How much will summer school cost?
The tuition is projected to be $50.00 and may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master Card, Visa,
Discover or American Express card. No personal checks will be accepted.
How will my student get to summer school?
Parents are responsible for transportation arrangements (to and from summer school).
How do I register my child for summer school?
Registration packets will be available in the spring on our website and in the main office at the school.