IA Reminders!

Thank you to all who came and contributed at the Potluck! It was a great time. You all are great with food!

Below are some reminders and information:

All School Meeting:

It was great to have an all school meeting last week. One thing the kids discovered was how much of a difference making eye contact and fully interacting (such as saying a greeting) with each other is to social interaction. In the mornings and afternoons I'm encouraging the kids to make eye contact and say a greeting when coming and going from school. Please continue this practice at home to build on citizenship!

Kroc Mural Skateboard Art Contest

The Kroc Center is inviting children, ages 5-19, to create a drawing depicting why skateboarding is so awesome. A mural will be installed at the Skatepark and your child's design could be featured. Please see the education desk at the Kroc for more details!

Also, next week:

Holiday on Monday for MLK Day. We'll see you on Tuesday, January 20th.

Classics4Kids 'Picture-Perfect' Concert
Thursday, January 22nd – 11:30am, Kroc Theater, $6/seat (including adults)

A picture can tell a thousand words, but did you know that a picture can also tell a thousand musical notes? The classics philharmonic is joined by members of San Diego Pantomime Theatre to perform an original portrayal of the story and pictures of Modest Mussorgsky's famous "Pictures at an Exhibition". Focusing on visual arts and music, this concert is sure to stir your students' imaginations.

More info: http://www.classics4kids.com

Less homework revolution

At IA we have a no homework policy. We're heard great responses from the parents about the extra family time they get at home.

Enjoy!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28624181/?GT1=43001

Divas Direct for Teen Girls

Divas Direct is a program coordinated by the San Diego Women Film Foundation. It is an opportunity for teen girls to create films. The sessions are so inexpensive because the program is funded by a grant program.

Divas Direct
Tuesdays from 5-7 pm
Starting Tuesday, January 13 (8 week session)
$5 session fee
Room B219 in the Education Building.

Innovations 2009

Hello Innovations Families!

Welcome to 2009 at Innovations Academy. I hope everyone had a great break.

I'd like to start off this blogging year with a note about punctuality as I noticed many students arriving late to school today. William Shakespeare said, "Better to be three hours too soon than one minute too late."

When students arrive on time (or early) to school it sets the pace for the day. When arriving late it disrupts the flow of the class as well as the ease in which students enter campus.

Starting on Monday, students arriving after 8:15am will need to sign in at the front office with a parent. This will ensure that we have their attendance. We feel that it is important for both parties to be present so that they can create a commitment to being punctual in the future.

Other IA Notes and Dates:

Ice skating will take place on the last Wednesday of every month

The All School Meeting will take place on the second Wednesday of every month from 12:15 - 12:45pm.

Report Cards will be available for pick up on January 28th - January 30th. All report cards not picked up by a parent/guardian will be mailed home.

January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, no school.

About Direct Instruction (DI) - Starting today, students are having more time for Direct Instruction in the mornings. We have adjusted our Social Emotional time so that we do some in the morning and some in the afternoon so that we can get in more morning minutes for DI.

Welcome Back Potluck! - Tuesday, January 13th from 5:30 - 8pm in the MPR - Bring your favorite dish to share!

Helix High School Lock Down

As a safety procedure today, Innovations Academy was ready to perform a lock down had the authorities warranted it. Our staff was immediately notified of the possibility (since we are not far from Helix High) and informed students of the procedure. Our site did not go on lock down and the lock down at Helix was lifted at 1pm.

http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/

Today I have a gratitude for being in a safe environment with a wonderfully responsive community.

~Danielle

All School Bake Sale & Holiday Sing-A-Long

All School Bake Sale & Holiday Sing-A-Long

Wednesday, December 17th
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
In the Multi-Purpose Room

Parents, please donate a baked good, and purchase one to take home.
All funds raised will benefit IA activities.

The singing will be led by Star, Virginia, Bill, and your children!
We invite you to sing along!

Thank you for your support!

Tis the Season!

Hey Everyone,

This has been a busy couple of weeks for IA! With the Thanksgiving break and Winter Break coming ahead there is a lot of energy and excitement around these parts.

Last week we had our first Parent Meeting and it was fabulous. I really enjoyed seeing all of your faces and being able to connect as one community. We went over some school policy as well as had an introduction to Compassionate Communication. As far as turn out, we had about 50% of our parent community in attendance. This is a good start and I know we can do even better in the future.

If you'd like to find out more about Compassionate Communication (CC) Practice Groups in the San Diego area please see: http://www.sdnvc.org/pages/events.html

IA News Below:

Don't want to wrap Christmas gifts yourself? Let IA students do it!

Students from the older grades here at IA have volunteered to help you wrap your Christmas gifts during their lunch break next week, 11am-12noon Dec 15-19! Donations will help support their spring field trip plans!

This Wednesday - School Presentation Show - Many classes will be presenting some of their projects and talents at this morning meeting starting at 8:30am. Parents are highly encouraged to attend!

Iceskating Wednesday - We've had a lovely time iceskating at IA and will be doing it again this Wednesday to close off the holiday season.

Wednesday Bake Sale from 12:30 - 1:30pm

Friday - Last day of school before break

Kim and Lisa's wax museum has been postponed until January.

No school on Monday the 5th!

January 6th - Welcome back!