Update

Good Evening Innovations Families,

Tonight’s informational message is long but all the information is very pertinent. It will focus on our last grand Family Night of this school year which takes place this TUESDAY at 5:00 p.m. But first, we have a couple of tidbits of information to round out the year:

• The last Explorations Classes are tomorrow. Please remember to bring any food supplies, and wear appropriate shoes and clothing for PE classes.

• We need a parent volunteer to help with the Kinder and 1st grade art classes from 1 pm to 3pm. It works best for students to have an extra adult.

• Next Monday June 13th from 10 am - 2 pm is IA's 3rd Annual Zany Races and Games. We need at least one parent helper from each class and drivers to transport our children to Allied Gardens Community Park and back. Please contact your child's teacher to let them know how you can help.

• We need parent helpers to prepare for our move to Scripps Ranch. In particular, next Saturday morning June 11th. Skip Glass will lead a group to help get our play bays back to original condition. We'll be tearing down the loft, patching walls and taping in preparation for painting. Please contact Jo Blaine if you can help. joblaine@aol.com
Now for the Family Night Info:

• Family Night is this Tuesday from 5-7. Come join us for dinner served by the 8th grade class as they continue to fundraise to pay off the trip to Sacramento. Pizza and more served for $5 a plate.

• BUS: IMPORTANT & TIME SENSITIVE IA Bus Program information is available on the IA website. Please go to the Community Page for all the details. OPEN REGISTRATION FOR THE BUS PROGRAM WILL END THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011! Seating is limited and will be assigned first-come, first-served, so don't delay or your child(ren) may not get a seat on the bus!
For parents with additional questions not covered in the online materials, please stop by our BUS FAQ TABLE during our Tuesday Parent Night located in the central courtyard out front. Your Bus Pricing Info Packet will be available there for pick up. Please note that a non-refundable $100 deposit per student rider is REQUIRED by this Friday, June 10, 2011! Don't forget your checkbook so you can be the first to reserve your child's seat! Checks will be held and returned if there is not enough interest to move forward with the Bus Program. You can contact the Bus Program Administrator at IABus@innovationsacademy.org. Thank you.

• Presentations: There will be presentations at 6:30 by students in Hip Hop, Glee, Graphic Arts and more. Your presence is greatly appreciated.

• Lost and Found: Please check the lost and found during family night to claim any of your children's items. All items left over on June 17th will be given to charity.

• Yearbooks for $15 will be on sale at Family Night and at drop off and pick up the rest of the week until our supply runs out. If you haven't purchased one yet, now is the time.

And last, what can you do with your child this week? Come to Family Night. Attending a Family Night shows your children that you care about their education and school. It is a way to find connection with their daily lives. And it is fun, too. Have a nice week.

Update and Next School Year

Good Evening, Innovations Families,

This is a reminder that we have half days this week, with students getting out at 12:00 and 12:30 Monday through Thursday, following our normal Wednesday schedule. On Friday we have a staff development day and there is NO SCHOOL.

Please be sure to contact your child’s teacher to sign up for an end of the year student led conference. At your conference you will be filling out a re-enrollment or No-Return form for next year. We need this completed by FRIDAY at which time we will be enrolling new students from our lottery. If you need assistance in determining if you will be returning, please feel free to email Christine@innovationsacademy.org

The Big Top Book Fair is taking place all week long. When you come for your conference, please stop in to the downstairs commons room, next to the front office. The teachers have wish list baskets as well. This is the time to stock up on summer reading material. There is quite a selection.

Sometimes it is difficult to find quiet time with our children. This week, pick one day to take a walk. Since the sun is setting later each day now is the time to take an evening and stroll around your neighborhood. I know it doesn't seem like much, but walking is energizing and relaxing at the same time. People are amazed at how much their children will share on a short walk.

Enjoy your week!

Update!

Good Evening, Innovations Families!

1. Book Fair: ‘Carnival Book Fair’ on Monday, May 23rd to Thursday, May 26th from 8am until 2pm. We need volunteers to work the book fair. Contact Donna if interested or sign up at the downstairs common room. There is a website to help you with information and to help you follow the event. Go to:
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/innovationsacademy

2. We are looking for a replacement basketball hoop or some other substitute(such as a badminton net and equipment?). If you have one that you would like to donate, contact Alex who manages the play space for Innovations. Alex@innovationsacademy.org

3. The Innovations Academy Board Meeting is tomorrow, Monday at 6:30 p.m.

4. Website: Innovations is looking for a professional web designer or web design company to do a makeover of the website. If you are that person or have a referral, please contact Christine@innovationsacademy.org

5. The Coffee Connection, will be held as usual, this Wednesday at 9:00. Next week, during our half day week, the Coffee Connection will take place on Monday instead from 9:30-10:30. Please come by to see me.

And last but not least, here is a suggestion of something to do for the week. Have your child pick a new recipe from a recipe book you have around or from any recipe website. Have a meal that you cook together. It can be interesting to improvise as well. Math is a huge part of cooking!

Have a great week.

Update and Facilities Meeting

Good Evening, Innovations Families!

Facilities 2011-12 Meeting: Final facilities information will be given in a meeting to be held this Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. I will be available again at 5:15 for parents that can’t come until later. Please come with any questions and comments and to get information. The meeting will be held upstairs in the 3,4,5 space.

Thank you! A huge thank you to everyone that supported the 8th grade fundraisers. They left for Sacramento on Saturday morning and will be gone all week. Due to their absence, there will be no PIZZA sales this Friday.

Book Fair: Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon and will transform the commons room in the K-2 space into our very own book store. There you will find hundreds of books from new and favorite authors, popular series, cool posters, school supplies, and fun for everyone! The Scholastic Book Fair will be here from May 23rd through May 27th during the Student Conferences.
We need Parent and Student volunteers to organize, setup and pack up the book fair in the coming weeks. We will need organizers who can work as a liaison between the chairperson ‘Stacy Pairish’ 3rd grade parent and the students/teachers. We need a few artistic parents who can help the students create some of the artwork for the ‘Circus/Carnival’ themed event. Also, we will use the Explorations Graphic Arts class to create some of the unique pieces for the ‘big top’ A big turnout at this event will make it successful and we can only get the turnout we need if you each choose to participate. If you can , please volunteer to help Stacy on the parent and student crews.. You can contact Stacy through Donna at the front desk.

Reminder: Student Conferences and long weekend: Student Lead Conferences will be held during the week of May 23 and there will be half days every day that week. Please schedule a conference with your child’s teacher. On Friday, May 27th there is no school due to a Staff Collaboration Day.

Have a wonderful week!

Weekly Update

Good Evening, Innovations Families!

- Help the 8^th graders pay for their trip to Sacramento. They are currently selling $3 tickets for their Ipod raffle. Buy a chance to win an Ipod. Purchase tickets in the class, from an 8^th grader or at the front desk.

-Speaking of Sacramento, there has been a last minute issue and we are in urgent need of a chaperone who is willing to drive the trip. You would need to take next week off, drive a mini-van and enjoy a week long vacation. If you know of any responsible, flexible, fun adult that would like to discuss this possibility, please have them contact Lisa Moncrief : Lisa@innovationsacademy.org

-This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please check the flier that went home this week for what to do. Monday is for food, Tuesday is a flower, Wednesday is school supply, Thursday is a personal card, Friday is a sweet treat or small gift.

- UPS has asked that we not block the curbside areas during pick up times. It's getting to be a safety issue again. We are asking that parents please park and come in for a visit. While you are there see some of your child’s recent work. If for some reason you can’t come in please arrange with your older child to meet you behind the building or in the side lot. But please be safe.

-Students in PE & cross country fitness need to dress appropriately for these classes on Monday. Sneakers and comfy clothes are the requested dress.

-Need Art class parent helpers for May 2nd, 9th, and 16th for the morning: 9:30 - noon and the afternoon 1 -3 pm. Please email michelle@innovationsacademy.org if you can help on any of these days.

Remember how fun field trips were? Well they are not just for school. What field trip could you plan for your family?

Have a great week!!

Positive Discipline Conference in July

This is a great conference for both educators and parents!

Update

Good Evening, Innovations Families!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. To all those who celebrate Easter , I hope you enjoyed the holiday. Tonight we have 6 messages.
-If your students have cooking for an Explorations class, please be sure to check with them early in the week for items needed the following Monday.
-Don't forget to wear appropriate shoes and clothing for those students in PE and Cross Country Fitness classes on Mondays.
-Final week for Yearbook sales. The cost is $15. Please bring money to Donna.
-While you are out shopping, if you are able, please pick up an extra roll of paper towels for the school. It can be left at Donna’s desk. Thank you for your support.
-We have begun the state testing and all is going well. The California Department of Education (CDE) created a website to help parents gain a clearer understanding of the STAR Program. The website is located at http://www.starsamplequestions.org/ .
-May 2nd - 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week. Students will be bringing home important information about the activities planned and how families can help celebrate the special teachers we have at Innovations. If you are interested in helping organize this week's activities, please contact Michelle@innovationsacademy.org. A committee has been formed and more help is needed.
What is your child’s absolute most favorite activity? Have you participated in this activity with them lately? Take some time this week to do whatever you can to show your child that they inspire you with their interests and skills.
Have a great week!!

Spring Break Update

Good Evening and Welcome Back from Spring Break!

The reason for this call on a Saturday instead of Sunday is that we have a special need to have some foods brought to school on Monday for the cooking class. Getting the message out today will help you understand the need and respond if you can. A special email and call went out to the families of the students in those classes, too . If you can provide any of these ingredients, please email Michelle@innovationsacademy.org to tell her what you can bring. Here is the list:

* Tomatoes ( Vine ripe or roma or from the garden ~ 6 nice size)
* Tomatoe juice (2 small cans)
* eggplants ( 2 nice size or 4 small)
* Zucchinis ( 2 bags of 5 each)
* Yellow Squash (2 bags of 5 each)
* Onions ( 2 nice size or 4 small one)
* Garlic ( 1 clove)
* Kalamata Olives (1 jar)
* Chicken broth ( 4 cans or 1 plastic container)
* Skinless Chicken tender strips (2 packets of 8 to 10 small chicken tender)
* herbs from Provence 1 jar (mixed herbs of rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc..)
* Olive Oil
* Rainbow Peppercorns (mixed peppercorns)
* Cooked Baby potatoes

Thank you for your help.

Yearbooks are on sale now. Cost is $15 each. Please buy early. Absolute last day to purchase a yearbook is April 29th.

At Parent Night a FACILITIES survey was distributed. I only received 44 surveys so I decided to make an online survey. Please follow this link to respond to our facility survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NNKLXYD

The last session of the year of B.B.I.A.(Lego Builders Club) will start on April 20th and end on May 25. It will be a 6 week session and will cost $30 per student. It will continue to run from 12:30 to 2:30 on Wednesdays. The website again is www.bbia.shutterfly.com.

A Science EDUCATION EcoFair will be held on Saturday, April 16th. 10 am - 3 pm, at NU's Spectrum Campus, 9393 Lightwave Ave, SD 92123 (near intersection of Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Ruffin Road). This is an effort by National University to educate and demonstrate concepts about environmental and economic sustainability and stewardship. This year's theme is Save Green by Going Green, which promotes household solutions that are earth-friendly and ultimately wallet-friendly. The Fair will have informational booths and demonstrations from companies, government agencies, NGOs, plus activities for kids and families.
More info: http://www.nu.edu/Calendar/Eco-Fair-2011.html

And finally, I have some thoughts on how to help your children love reading. The most wonderful thing about these ideas are that they are easy. Helping your child be a self motivated learner does not have to be complicated. First you can read to them throughout their lives(even teenagers). Read any and everything: comics, poems, magazine articles, picture books, the news, signs on the road, biographies of people that fascinate you. Second, you can read with them. Take turns reading to each other. And lastly, you can read. If you are reading and excitedly share about the material you have chosen, that excitement and enthusiasm will model for them the benefits of reading.
Thank you for listening. Have a wonderful night.

Update

Hello, Innovations Community! I hope you had a beautiful weekend.

1. Enrichment Classes:
Fencing: First session of fencing is ending but another will begin. Mondays 3:30-4:30, Students in grades 3 and up who would like to join are welcome. Cost $120 for 10 classes from March 28-June 13.
Spanish: After school classes are starting a new session. If interested, see the flier at the front desk. Cost $125 for 8 one hour classes. Tuesdays for K-2 and Thursdays for 3-8.

2. There are two excellent web based resources that Innovations Academy will be using to improve the quality of our program. Both require the use of a FREE gmail account by the student. This message serves as a notice that I have given direction to our teachers to establish gmail accounts with the students in grades 3-8. We will manage these accounts carefully and have access to them for safety. Students will be using the gmail accounts only to access google documents for written work and the Khan Academy for Math/Science skills development. This is a requirement. If you have problems with this, please contact Christine Kuglen Christine@innovationsacademy.org

3. Patty from Canela Photography will be here on Thursday, March 24th to photograph new/absent students. Pictures will be available for review/purchase at the Canela website and Patty will provide the login information after the pictures are uploaded.

4. 7th and 8th graders remember to bring lunch and be warm for your Tuesday fieldtrip to see the Hovercraft. The group is leaving at 9:30 sharp, so please be on time and drivers arrive at 9:00.

5. And finally…some ideas about how you can help your child as they continue on their journey as a life long learner: Help them set one goal at the beginning of the week to be met by Friday. It can be the goal of doing something new: learning something new, saying hi to one new person, finding a new book to read, asking a question aloud or it can be a goal of not doing something; refraining from complaining, hanging up their jacket every day…. Let them choose the goal and follow through on Friday.

Another idea is to find something to do in the car. Those minutes add up and can be fun and productive. How about looking for names of states on license plates? Listening to an audiobook? Learning the lyrics to a song? Finding the alphabet in order on the signs along the road? Most important is to have fun with it.

And for yourself. Look up the movie Race To Nowhere on the internet. You might want to see it.
Enjoy your week! Spring break is coming…

Update

Hello, Innovations Community! I hope you had a beautiful weekend.

1. Spanish After school classes are starting a new session:
Spanish Kids Beginning A (K-2) Tuesdays 3:15-4:15pm
March 22,29 April 12,19,28 May 3,10,17
$124.80 (minimum 5 students)
Spanish Kids Beginning A (3-8) Thursdays 3:45-4:45
March 22,29 April 12,19,28 May 3,10,17
$124.80 (minimum 5 students)

2. Panda Express will be offered for lunch next Friday instead of Pizza The cost will be approximately $4.50.
3. 4th, 5th and HLC students need to be at school early this Thursday to attend Biztown. Those classes will be leaving campus at 8:45 a.m.
4. Negotiations for a new facility resume this week. I will keep you posted.
5. Our new Explorations classes will be starting next Monday. We will spend this week addressing the concept of treating our guest teachers as we do guests in our home. Please support this conversation by helping your child understand that when they are with guest teachers they are representing themselves and our school.
Thank you for listening and have a great week.

Weekly Update

Good Evening, Innovations Community! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I appreciate this moment of time to communicate with everyone.

1) Perhaps the most important message this week is about the active role we all can take this Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. I know we all want a school facility for our children where they can have both outdoor and indoor space to learn, live and grow. Innovations Academy is in the middle of negotiations with the district for a facility. They need to hear how important it is to us that our children receive a workable solution RIGHT NOW. Our community can be heard at their board meeting at 5 on Tuesday at the district ed center 4100 Normal St. in North Park. Children are welcome. Fliers went home on Friday and you will receive a reminder phone call and another flier this week. This is where we can stand up as one and be heard.

2) There is a continuing parent class. The next class will take place this Wednesday. See the front office for more information.

3) 7th and 8th graders are building Hovercrafts as part of their Math/Science project. They need drivers for a Field trip on March 8th to see a real hovercraft. Since drivers will need to have military clearance Lisa needs to have the names of drivers so she can get them cleared. Please contact her tomorrow if you can drive.

4) The Last Beach Bums Club fieldtrip needs drivers, too. The field trip to the LJ Children’s pool will be March 4th(this Friday) leaving school at 12:30. Please contact Lisa if you can drive.

5) And finally…some ideas about how you can support your child on their learning journey:
Find one thing to do next weekend that will be interesting and different. Put it on the family calendar; Watch a movie with your child and point out how setting has an effect on the story being told; Read a news article(on paper or the internet) or a magazine article aloud at the dinner table or before going to bed. And most of all, enjoy being with them, speaking with them and learning about them.

Have a wonderful week!

Update for January 19th

Good Evening, Innovations Community! There are 5 messages. But first an apology for having forgotten to send the message over the weekend.

1) There are flyers/info in the office for:
free vision screening on Jan 22nd
free pertussis vaccines being offered every weekend
free dental sealants/floride varnish on Feb 12th

2) An Innovations parent, Sandy Holmes, is offering a Technical Theater Production Workshop for ages 10-16 which will begin on January 20th. The cost is $225.00 and will run through the end of March. The program is in Scripps Ranch and fliers are available at the front desk.

3) Fencing to begin on Jan 24th for 3-6th graders. Get info at the front desk.

4) Friday Clubs started last week. Ask your child about their Friday Club.

5) Remember to send a reusable bottle/cup for water to school. Label it with your child's name.

Have a great week!

News from IA!

A message from INNOVATIONS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

Good Evening, Innovations Community! 1) Baby Food Jars: The Kindergarten class needs about 12-15 baby food jars with the labels off for their work. If you have any bring to front desk or K class. 2) This Wednesday is IA Fundraiser Night at Chilis (at the intersection of Mission Gorge and Camino del Rio N.) Families, friends and neighbors can join IA staff at Chili's anytime Wed from 11 am to 9 pm. Get a flier at the front desk. 3) Fencing: If you have a child in the 3rd through the 6th grade, ask them about fencing classes after school on Mondays. We need a minimum of 6 students registered to start the class and we are almost there. Classes will begin on Monday, January 24th. Your child got a flier today. 4) Two programs to help families in need. I hope an Innovations family can benefit from this or can help spread the word to appropriate neighbors and friends a. Free Computer through the public library( San Diego Public Libraries) b. REBUILDING TOGETHER SAN DIEGO’S HOME RENOVATION PROGRAM – NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS Do you know of a community resident who may be in special need of assistance with home repairs? That's all for tonight. Have a nice night!

Additional info for the week

Dear IA Families,

We have some additional information for you. Please note the deadlines.

1) Fresh & Easy Grocery Receipts need to be turned in by this Friday Jan 7th. Please put receipts in the box outside Donna's office. WE get $1 for every $20 of groceries purchased.

2) IA Night at Chili's is Wed January 12th from 5pm - 8 pm. Come out and join other IA families and teachers for a fun evening out. Our drama students from last session will perform at 7 pm at Chilis. Our school gets 15% of all proceeds spent that night. Invite family, friends and neighbors. Fliers will go home at the end of this week.

3) Our after school enrichment programs start next week. Fencing for 3rd - 6th graders is offered on Mondays, 10 classes for $120. Registration forms are at the front desk.

For our Kinders - 2nd graders Spanish is offered on Tuesday and Chinese on Thursdays. The cost is $195 for 10 lessons. There is an early registration discount of 20% if you pay by this Friday. Email sd@languagedoor.com or complete the registration form (available at front desk) and payment and leave with Donna to take advantage of this opportunity.

Thanks!

Update for the New Year

Good Evening, Innovations Community! There are six important information segments.

1) No school tomorrow, Monday but we are so excited to see your children back in full gear on Tuesday!

2) Please help us bring an excellent Science Resource to our school for $3. Every 4th – 8th grader can participate by bringing in to their teacher $3 if you haven’t already done so. Zingy Learning has grade level science programs aligned to California's grade-level content standards and frameworks. A flier will go home this week with detailed information. If you have not paid, and most have not, and you can afford $3, please send it in Tuesday with your child.

3) After School Enrichment Classes are slowly becoming available for your child: Fencing will be held on Mondays for 3rd through 8th graders starting on 1/10, Legos is on Wednesdays for all ages, Language Classes will be available for K-2nd grade students: Spanish starting 1/11 will be held on Tuesdays and Mandarin Chinese on Thursdays starting 1/13 for the young ones. Details and cost of each of these classes on fliers available at the front desk.

4) A Fundraiser is happening on Wednesday, January 12th at Chili’s Restaurant. Mark your calendars and ask your child for the flier or stop by the front desk and ask Donna.

5) Many sweaters and jackets were left around the school. We will be taking all of them to a thrift store or giving them away this Friday. If you are missing any PLEASE stop by our Lost and Found , your child’s classroom and the play bays before Friday to look for them before they are GONE.

6) Don’t forget Pizza and Fruit for lunch this Friday. $3 for one slice, $4 for two.

Welcome back and Happy New Year!!!