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!!