Independence Middle School

Hope you've all had a nice weekend! Here's a look at the week ahead from the IMS News Update: https://conta.cc/3wF2JYL

Independence Local Schools has launched the search for its next superintendent, partnering with Finding Leaders through the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio to lead the process. Our Board of Education wants to hear from you! On Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m., a community focus group discussion will be held in the Independence High School media center. This is a chance to share thoughts on desired qualities and priorities for the new superintendent role. Your perspectives will help shape criteria used to evaluate candidates. The discussion will last approximately 45 minutes. All parents and community members are encouraged to attend. Your input is valuable for determining leadership goals and the district's vision moving forward. Would you consider joining this focus group? Please sign up below. Thank you! https://forms.gle/2ZS1ELzqeEBGJ9NL7

The Pandemic affected our ability to complete our 1:1 student device initiative. It meant scrambling to make every spare part and computer functional until supply chains reopened. Once reopened, federal ESSER funding, earmarked specifically for student technology, allowed us to complete our 1:1 technology goal. We are now on track to update student devices for every 5th and 9th grade student, every year. Students will then use that device for the duration of their time at IMS and IHS. Our youngest learners, at IPS, will use the same device during 3rd and 4th grade. Kindergarten, First, and Second grade have chromebooks available in carts and remain at school. This year lenovo did a device refresh. You will noticed, if you have a 5th or 9th grade student, that their devices look different. They are gray instead of black, have a built-in stylus, and are lighter and just a little smaller than previous devices. We are fortunate not to currently have a technology fee for families. However, the cost of repair and maintenance of student devices increased every year. Please stress the importance of device care to your child. #DidYouKnowFridays

Independence Local Schools' Cultural Fair! 4/25 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Civic Center! Free event...2nd and 6th graders are collaborating to share cultures from around the world! Samples provided by local restaurants, too.

Today, the IMS 6th grade students came down to IPS to begin their small group projects with our 2nd graders for our Cultural Fair. They played human bingo and have begun working on the culture they will present at the Fair! ⭐️Save the date for our Culture Fair on Thursday, April 25th from 6:30-8pm. ⭐️ We look forward to a night with students, staff, family, community members and local restaurants! 🌎❤️

We were excited to welcome members of the Cleveland Clinic to IMS again today as part of our 8th grade immersive career exploration experience 💙💛 We can't wait till April 30th when the Clinic hosts our 8th graders at their main campus to tour the facility, experience the Clinic culture, and check out their state of the art simulation center!

🇺🇸 This Presidents Day, we celebrate all the leaders 👔who have served our country 🫡 We're grateful 🙏 for the chance to educate students about the presidents' legacy 📜 and the leadership qualities 💪 that make America strong 💥 #PresidentsDay

Hope you've all had a great President's Day weekend! Here's a look at the week ahead from the IMS News Update: https://conta.cc/48j38x5 Also, we have our 6th grade All-Pro Parent Breakfast this Friday 2/23 at 7:15am 💙💛 Hope to see you there!

Good luck to our Power of the Pen teams competing at the district tournament today! ✍️💙💛

So grateful for our amazing SRO's, Officer Keegan and Officer Green! You both constantly go above and beyond for our students and school community - we appreciate you today and everyday! 💙💛

Hope you're all having a great weekend! Here's a look at the week ahead from the IMS News Update: https://conta.cc/488Ryo3

IMS teachers continue to meet and use student assessment data to drive instructional change. Data teams from IPS and IMS unpacked our fall benchmarking results and talk about supporting student master. Teachers continue to refresh their understanding of the tools we have to support struggling learners and push our advanced students. iReady benchmark assessments help identify specific Learning Standards where students are "below grade level", "early grade level, "on grade level", and above grade level. This information helps teachers organize small group learning, whole group instruction, and when they might need to return to a lesson that students did not master. #DidYouKnowFridays

Mark your calendars for the weekend of March 22! Homework-free weekend and Sunday, March 24 there will be no ILS activities so families can spend the evening together!

Many thanks to all our counselors for guiding and empowering our students academically, socially and emotionally! #iPride

IMS 8th-Grade Chopped Challenge today! Basket ingredients: ground beef, rice, bell peppers, & cheese! Sgt. Haworth, SRO Keegan & two school staff were judges! The officers did their best Gordan Ramsey impressions as they got to sample several meals.

IMS is so grateful to Mrs. McClain and the impact she continues to have on the lives of our staff and students - we can't thank you enough for ALL that you do!! Happy National School Counselors Week to you and all the incredible ILS counselors 💙💛

Hope you've all had a nice weekend! Here's a look at the week ahead from the IMS News Update: https://conta.cc/49CPYfF

IMS loves to celebrate our students! 💙💛 Yesterday Coach Adams and Coach Weiss held their 2nd annual football signing day ceremony 🏈 Congrats to all our current and future football players! This morning students were welcomed to the building by Mr. Vanek and our teachers with music and high-5s 🖐️ on their way to the auditorium, where we had our monthly I-Pride Assembly and honored various winter extracurricular groups for their achievements and upcoming adventures. Let’s give it up for our January Students of the Month, 2nd quarter Students of the Quarter, and I-Pride shout out winners!! 🎉

Leaders from the district have been engaged in conversation about AI and its effect on education! #DidYouKnowFridays If you are curious about AI, here are some great resources: AIedu.org ibm.com, What is Machine Learning? www.commonsensemedia.org/ai

Happy I-Pride Day! IMS is continuing to accept donations through the end of the week to benefit Cornerstone of Hope. The grade that raises the most funds will receive breakfast before school! Proceeds will continue to be collected in the auditorium before school, and we look forward to seeing everyone in their special spirit week attire - Thursday is college gear/jerseys, and Friday is PJ day 💙💛