Monday, December 14, 2009

Updates for the week of December 14

All School Updates:

1. This is the last week before Winter Break. Remember, Innovations is closed from December 21 through January 4th.

2. Barnes and Nobles at Hazard Center is supporting IA this week. Please pick up a voucher from school and Barnes and Nobles will donate some of the proceeds to IA. Books make great gifts and you can support your school.

3. Starting this week Coffee Connection, a place to come chat with Danielle & Christine as well as other parents, will take place on Thursday at 9am.

4. Edudance update - Since Friday we have collected $210 for the Edudance program for our 7th & 8th grade students. We have $570 left to go. You can donate directly on our website or write a check to Innovations Academy. If every child brought in $3.50 (the cost of a lunch) we would have enough to support this amazing program that our students really want. We'd like to make Edudance a program that comes year after year as part of our MAPS program. Please help to bring them in now while we look for sponsors and grants to support the program for the future.

5. IA will hold its monthly Board Meeting on Monday at 6pm. All are welcome.

Classroom Specific Updates:

1. On December 14th - DeeDee's class will take a field trip to the Children's museum it is $5 per child. If you'd like to chaperon please speak with DeeDee.

Thanks for reading,

Danielle

Saturday, December 5, 2009

CSA at IA

Hello Parents.

Finally !!!!! Fresh local organic produce coming to our school. We are excited!

Garden of Eden Organics CSA is coming to our school starting January 2010.

What is a CSA?

This is a great way for you and your family to work directly with local farmers. By becoming a member you will receive a box of fresh picked local organic fruit and veggies delivered to our school every week.
CSA's are a great way to promote health, support the environment and save time and money. All while supporting your local farmer.

Here's what needs to happen:

We need a minimum of 30 families to pledge to get the program started. Spread the word to your family and friends as well.

This a great gift of health too if you would like a unique holiday present.

Check out their website for more details and sign up today. www.goeorganics.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Important Dates!

Tonight - 6:30 - 7:30pm - New Student Open house - Curious about IA? Come explore our school and get your questions answered.

Wednesday - NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day

Thursday - 5pm - 7pm - Family Night - "Me Project Showcase" 5pm dinner, 6pm presentations

Sunday - 10am - 4pm - School Choice Fun Fair - Come play with us at the fair! We'll have a bounce house, arts and crafts, performers, and booths about charter schools in San Diego.

*all events take place at our school site.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

School Update for the week of Nov 2

Hello IA Families,

I'm starting a new structure for these write ups: important info, then reminders, then classroom specific info.

Important Info:

1. IA needs 60 new students and we need your help. If we don't get these 60 students by the end of December we will be faced with program and personnel cuts. Have your friends' children shadow any day of the week. 99% of those who shadow, enroll at IA. You can also help by putting fliers out around your community and asking to make an announcement at community events. Grocery stores, coffee shops, and health offices are our friends. Get the word out. If you have a website please put a link to our school.

2. IA is hosting a School Choice Fun Fair. We know that people ask, "What's a charter school? How much does it cost? Isn't that an 'alternative' school?" Charters equal choice. The fair takes place on Sunday, Nov 15 from 10am - 4pm in our parking lot. High Tech High, Keiller Leadership Academy, ourselves, and Pacific American are confirmed for attendance. We'll also have a bounce house, craft booths, performers, and activities. Entrance is free though some booths may be selling items. If you'd like to help with this event contact iaparents@innovationsacademy.org or go to our volunteer page on the website (http://innovationsacademy.org/volunteer.php).

3. Family conferences are this Wednesday. Please schedule a time to meet with your teacher.

Reminders:

1. Coffee Connection is this Thursday from 8:30 - 9:30am. This is a great place to chit chat as well as to bring your friends who have questions about IA.

2. IA Board Meeting is tomorrow at 6pm. We're still looking for members with specialties in special education, law, and facilities.

Classroom Needs:

1. Justin and Karrlie's classes are collecting canned goods and blankets for the homeless. Please drop off items at their rooms.

2. Reading Buddies. Be a buddy and read to a child at IA. Reading to children increases literacy. There are times to read during and after school hours. This is a great way to volunteer and make a big difference with our kids. Contact Danielle if you're interested in being a Reading Buddy.

3. Have you noticed how nice lighting at home affects your mood? It's clear that classrooms that have lamps promote a more calm and focused atmosphere, rather than the intense fluorescent lights. If you have a spare lamp or would like to purchase one for your child's classroom please drop it with your teacher!

4. Do you own or manage a business? IA knows that the fiscal year is almost over and businesses may be looking to donate computers, printers, old furniture, etc. If you're work place is looking to donate, contact us for the tax write off!

Thanks for listening,

Danielle

Friday, October 30, 2009

Songs to inspire

This song, particularly the lyrics below, make me think of our kids. Enjoy!


Upside Down by Jack Johnson

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Our Mission...not just for the kids.

Though there are many other things I could be focusing on right now, I was dropped a ray of sunshine by a couple of our parents today.

I've always told people that our mission, "to powerfully create our lives," is not just for the kids. It's about everyone here, the kids, the moms, the dads, the teachers, ourselves, everyone. I've had some parents taken aback by that, "Oh, I never thought of it that way," they say.

One of our moms wrote to me today to say that she is thrilled that her son has gone from being the type of kid who would never ever talk about school, to the young man who now talks about going to college. He's having breakthroughs right and left this year. I can clearly see him fulfilling on our mission, he's powerfully creating his life...a new one envisioned for him.

Another mom, a prolific blogger, wrote, "While the journey is about my son, and I definitely don't lose sight of that, it is also about a very confused woman who is still finding her way, one delicate step at a time. In the nurturing environment I find at Innovations Academy, I have been given the gift of friendship, acceptance, respect and love. There is no price tag, no expectation, other than to show up and join in. What a miraculous place to be." She too is powerfully creating this year.

It's amazing to watch these changes before my eyes. Continue to shine on, our IA community, shine on.

Danielle

Monday, October 26, 2009

Updates for Innovations

Hello Everyone!

I'm sorry it's been so long since this has been updated. There has been a lot going on with the beginning of the school year.

For all of you blog lovers out there, I introduce to you: http://iahighlightssandiego.blogspot.com/

This is a blog maintained by one of our lovely parents who is on a mission to keep everyone in the loop. Please see her blog for updates as well as some interesting tidbits.

One great purpose for this blog can be to answer parent questions. If you have questions that you think other IAers would be interested in, please email me!

Thanks,

Danielle