THE END IS...HERE (PART 3):STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

SENIOR PERSPECTIVE: THE IMSA BALL

WRITTEN BY JACKIE 

When I was younger, every time I had to take a big test, my mom would give me chocolate as a snack. Through ISATs and ACTs and SATs, it’s become a sort of a good luck charm, a preemptive reward for hard work. Two years ago before my very last finals of sophomore year, I tore open a paper wrapper to take a bite into a dark block of bitter chocolate. Disappointed, I closed the package and let it sit in my fridge until I moved back home. Now, I kind of wish I had bitten through the bitterness and tasted the sweetness inside.

My last May at IMSA is kind of like that. There was a lot of initial bitterness for me on May 1st. I committed to a college that wasn’t my top choice and watched my friends announce schools like Caltech, MIT, and UChicago. I felt crushingly disappointed that I wouldn’t be one of those glittering pupils headed to an Ivy, but I didn’t dwell on it. I couldn’t, because something more important was coming up—prom, the midnight ball of every Disney Channel movie of my childhood.

Jackie Wu getting asked to prom!

Preparations were stressful; there’s no denying it.  For months, there was a list taped to my desk that I slowly checked off as May 8^th approached: buy dress, get alterations, buy shoes, book hair and makeup. The week after spring break, I got asked with cupcakes and roses by my friend who’s lived on the same street as me since 4^th grade, and right after that, the girls of our group had to scramble to get a full table together and collect forms and money for tickets. The night before prom, I lay awake in my bed, going over my packed schedule and the terrible looming weather forecast of “thunderstorms all day”.  The night of the 7^th came and went, and by the time I woke up, it was D-Day.

Somie Park and Jackie Wu

Despite the muggy weather, sweltering heat, and pouring rain, it was an amazing night, thanks to our senior class club, which my lovely quadmate Rhea Harsoor is a part of. We left IMSA just as it started raining and arrived at Brookfield Zoo an hour later, where we were given a motor tour and had hors d'oeuvres at the underwater bear exhibit, where many pictures were taken and many hairdos were wilted in the humid air. Then, after a quick ride at the carousel, we arrived at the venue for our prom, where we were seated and served dinner. After that, there was dancing. Despite the sweaty and crowded dancefloor and certain questionable choices from the DJ, everybody had an amazing time. At around midnight for our post prom, we arrived at Brunswick Zone for bowling, arcade games, and laser tag.

From left to right: Rhea Harsoor, Jackie Wu, Somie Park, and Sara Nookala

At 2 in the morning, we had all packed up and gotten back in our buses for the drive back to IMSA. As I sat sleepily in the bus, I realized that I was approaching the last few minutes of my senior prom. The seniors who sat in the bus have been with me for the past 3 years, and we share so many incredible memories, from our very first meeting in 2012 at orientation to this quiet moment in 2015 in the middle of the night on a dark bus headed back to school. I wondered if sophomore me would have thought this way, or if I would have just seen my classmates as contenders for spots at prestigious universities, people to measure up against in the eyes of admissions counselors. The past 3 years were hard, definitely, but there are some truly precious moments that come with 3 years of work and stress and disappointments, moments that made me into a better person. If I were the same person I was 3 years ago, I don’t think I would have been able to look past who got accepted where and see my classmates as companions instead of competition. In 2 weeks I will be graduating and leaving this part of my life behind, and even though it’s been months since I’ve taken a standardized test, I’m so glad that I didn’t give up and kept on going through the bitterness to reach the sweet prize in the middle of the chocolate bar.

From left to right: Bhairvi Shah, Sharon Johnson, Patty Li, Airshwarya Raj, Somie Park, and Jackie Wu

SOPHOMORE PERSPECTIVE:WEEKEND AT IMSA'S

WRITTEN BY EMMA MATTSON

            When looking at what constitutes a high school experience, IMSA’s experience or life is more difficult to describe because there are simply more facets of life at IMSA than there would be at a normal high school. IMSA not only excels in academia, it strives to create a welcoming home for all of its students, and many of its students pick up this dream, working as wing leaders to foster a positive encouraging environment for their wing during the week. What happens during the weekend is totally off book and different every weekend.

           In the entirety of my sophomore year, I’ve only stayed at IMSA 5 or 6 weekends (out of the maybe 40 weeks), and each time has been different. This last time I was finishing up a research paper, and I spent a lot of time with one of the few of my friends who had stayed the weekend. I remember a time last semester when I stayed a weekend (it was near the end of the semester), and I worked all Saturday on a variety of assignments, but there just always seemed to be more work to complete.

         One weekend I stayed, I spent the whole time with my friends, eating meals and working together on math projects. Staying the weekend at IMSA definitely shows one a different side of the campus—it’s much emptier and much quieter. It can be lonely—on most weekends, few people remain. It can be freeing—not worrying about appearances or sleeping in too late and missing a class. It can be beautiful—walking back to the residential hall, and looking up at the sky full of bright stars.

         One thing most IMSA students praise about IMSA is its deep, connected, diverse, meaningful community. On the weekends, however, a good portion of this community has gone home. What remains creates a different community, perhaps spending time with people you wouldn’t normally see, or visiting a place you normally wouldn’t have the time too.  Staying the weekend can be an immensely rewarding experience.

        Of course, that’s just one IMSA student’s experience, and I wouldn’t want to claim to speak for the whole IMSA population. There are lots of hard things too. But, I guess you could say, that’s life, and life at IMSA can certainly be beautiful.

THE END IS...HERE (PART 2): GOODBYE IMSA SENIORS...HELLO COLLEGE FRESHMEN!

Dear Parents and Students,

The end is two weeks away and counting. To review our hall closing/sign out procedure and expectations, or if you have not read through it, please do so by clicking HERE. Unfortunately this will be my last blog post for the year. On the bright side, the final post will include a sophomore perspective from Emma Mattson (02 hall senator) and Senior Jackie Wu. Click THE END IS...HERE (PART 3) to read about their perspectives. In addition to students' perspectives, be sure to read about where 02C seniors are going to college next year! (below)

First, before reading about the future plans of our college-bound IMSA Seniors, I would like to thank all my students and parents for making this another great year for me. Although coming in mid-year was somewhat rough, and took a lot of adjustment to the environment, this year was easier, allowing me to do more educational and fun activities compared to last year. For the next academic year, I aim to do  more in terms of programming and providing holistic (social, emotional, academic) wellness for the residents of our wing. I am especially excited to announce that 02C Wing Guides will be Mariah Yelenick and Tess Mangan. They were selected based on their innovative ideas, leadership skills, vision they shared for the wing,  and their observed rapport with other IMSA students.  Here's to the close of a great year, and a promise for another great one to come! 

02 C SENIORS: WHERE ARE THEY GOING? 

Seniors pin-pointed (literally) where they where heading off to school.

Last Thursday, our wing seniors gave a mini informal presentation on the college they were attending including advice for our aspiring students heading off to college in a year or two. Jackie, Somie, Rhea, Sara, and Sam provided some valuable insight for their fellow wing mates including the following:

• You do not have to solely explore colleges that your CAC introduces to you
• RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. Sometimes your CAC won't always have all the information
• Don't be fixated on attending a college because of the name or its considered a top school
• Consider your parents (Guardian) and where you are going to school in terms of cost

In addition to these points, I encourage students who are currently researching colleges or are embarking on that mission soon, to know themselves and what they want from campus life. Whether students are going to an ivy league school, a small liberal arts college, or a private university, what matters is making the most of the experience, academically and socially. Great things can come to those who have an idea of what their vision is beyond college and making the right connections and choices to fulfill their aspirations. Congratulations to all my seniors, three years of hard work and you finally made it!

Sam Arrez

• Knox College in Galesburg, IL 
• Area of Interest: Neurology 

Luselena Perez

• Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois 
• Area of interest: Pursuing the pre-med track to one day become a pediatrician

Rhea Harsoor

• Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee  
• Area of interest: Pursuing the pre-med track and interested in neuroscience

Jackie Wu

• Georgia Institute of Technology  in Atlanta, Georgia 
• Area of interest: Engineering 

Somie Park

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, IL
• Area of interest: Actively exploring 

Sara Nookala

• Grinnell College in Iowa Grinnell 
• Area of interest: English 

THE END IS...HERE (Part 1) IMPORTANT CLOSING INFORMATION.

Important Check-Out Information For Parents And Students

The end is only two weeks away. The year went by quicker than I could imagine, and I enjoyed spending time with the girls via programming, having meaningful conversations, and other valuable interactions which took place during the year. I hope to continue this bond with the girls whether they are still in 02 c wing, moving to another wing/hall, or heading off to college.

And since the end is near, I wanted to share the following information with you so the moving out process will be smooth and stress free as possible. 

Points to keep in mind for ALL students

• Take home as much stuff as possible. If you plan to take your child home before the final move-out, I strongly suggest taking things they are not using.

• Supply your child with cleaning materials. During the end of the year, we often run into low amounts of cleaning supplies due to the number of students in our hall using them. I highly encourage bringing a vacuum cleaner since those are a hard commodity for students to get a hold of at the end of the year when everyone is doing their cleaning. Students will be charged for the cleaning of dirty rooms done by maintenance.  Furthermore, the RC room inspection is a preliminary room inspection. Maintenance will do a final check through and assess for any damages. I’ve included a link to end of the year room cleaning expectations here:ROOM CLEANING LIST  

• Also consider supplying your child with boxes to store things in during the Memorial day weekend. Computer boxes work great!

• Make sure to go over the room condition card on the day of move out to make sure no new damage charges will be incurred.

• Students will need to sign up for a check out time and do so at least 24 hours in advanced. Allow 30 minutes max for a check-out. Checkouts for Sophomores and Juniors is Tuesday-Thursday between 3 to 10 pm.  When an RC checks your child out, the room must be cleared and cleaned. Students must check out 24 hours after their last final unless they are performing at graduation or have prior permission to check out later from Dr. Hernandez.

• Seniors must check out between 1 pm to 5 pm on May 30th. They will need to sign up for an estimated check-out time. Room should be cleared and ready to be checked. This also applies to sophomores and juniors who are staying for graduation. 

And as always, if you have any questions or need clarification on anything, don't hesitate to ask!

CLASH REFLECTIONS AND SENIOR AUCTION PERSPECTIVES

WELCOME BACK

I would like to welcome back students from their week long Spring Break. Many students I've spoken to had a chance to catch up on their sleep (which is a treasured necessity that is hard to come by as an IMSA student), others had the opportunity to do some college visits, travel out of country,  or get involved with Habitat for Humanity. Whatever students did during that their week off, I hope it was relaxing and gave all the opportunity to spend time with loved ones! Included in this post are 

• Clash of the Hall Pictures/video(s)
• Sophomore Perspective (Michelle Zhu's  Musings)
• Senior Perspective (Rhea Harsoor: Senior Auction Success)

CLASH OF THE HALLS: AN ELECTRA-FYING EXPERIENCE!

If you recall from my last post "March Madness", CLASH OF THE HALLS planning was in the works. Unlike prior years, 2015 COH gave students significantly less planning time to dedicate themselves to various activities. In essence, this limitation taught them to choose their level of involvement wisely. Overall Hall 1502 Clash was a hit, with 02 ranking third. While I could devote several paragraphs talking about COH, I believe pictures, videos and a sophomore perspective of this popular/eventful time does better justice and thus be far more entertaining!

SMILES AND SILLINESS!

1502's 2015 COH Hall Mural. Artist: 1502 C's very own Jackie Wu. Great job Jackie!

THE FOLLOWING PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY ISP (IMSA STUDENT PRODUCTIONS) ALL CREDIT GOES TO THEM! You can check out hundreds of COH pictures HERE

02 STRONG AND UNITED!

 PEP RALLY HIGHLIGHTS AND 02 DRILL

CLICK HERE FOR 02'S DRILL PERFORMANCE

SOPHOMORE PERSPECTIVE: MICHELLE'S MUSINGS:

Moving into IMSA dorms felt like it just happened yesterday, but I’ve already been living here for seven months. Even though this year has flown by so quickly, I’ve made so many beautiful memories with amazing people given the great opportunities and special events.

This year was the first time I joined a swim team and it was by far one of the best times I had. Each day Monday thru Friday I had practice for two hours where I was able to do what I love with the new friends that I met. It wasn’t all practice and meets though; as a team, we went to the mall and I am very thankful for the time I spent with them. I developed strong bonds that, to this day, are still growing.

IMSA, as we all know, is very different from the regular high school, from academic aspects to residential life, programs, and events. Academics, especially, stands out the most, as it is the main reason many students apply to and attend this school. Most people, including myself, feel very stressed out with the grades and amount of work we are getting, but within all of this frustration, we were all still able to find fun and happiness at IMSA.

As for residential life, there is a lot of freedom, though some would disagree with check and in-hall/in-room. Even before moving in, I especially looked forward to decorating my room and meeting new people. One thing that I love about IMSA is their lenience towards what we do with our rooms; we can rearrange and decorate it however we want, with a few rules of course. My roommate and I have known each other since seventh grade and I am glad we both have many of the same opinions, such as what to do with our room, etc. We have grown closer together and I love living with her. 

I am also very lucky to be one of those who live close ~ only about half an hour away and I go home almost every weekend. There are those few occasions where I stay because of weekend activities, usually volunteering opportunities. Recently, I was able to help out at the National Science Teacher’s Association conference in Chicago. Not only did I get closer with some friends, we were also rewarded with a nice surprise at the end. A group of IMSA students were filmed in Schmitty the Weather Dog’s channel.

It can be found on http://www.nsta.org/conferences/schmitty.aspx.

This year, the best memory is Clash of the Halls. Hearing my brother talk about it, it didn’t seem like much to me, but I learned that was not the case. I participated in drill and cheered on my hallmates for the other events, such as Talent Show and Minute to Win It. The Talent Show was a great way to kick off the Clash week. I was surprised by some of my classmate’s hidden talents and I learned to have real pride in all the things we do. Clash week was the best thing that has happened so far this year because I realized that all my friends are there for me and we are like one big family. If we lost in a competition, we all lost together; if we win, we are all winners. Getting third place over all is already a huge accomplishment, but we are all so proud to call ourselves the best girl hall. #electr02 #02fine

SENIOR AUCTION SUCCESS 

RHEA'S PERSPECTIVE:

              Last month on March 3^rd, Senior Class Club (SCC) hosted IMSA’s annual Senior Auction. Thanks to the generosity of the IMSA community, we are proud to announce that we collected more donations that ever before. Some of the donations included dinners with teachers such as Dr. Dong and Ms. Townsend, trips downtown with various quads, and a multitude of baked goods.

Some donations that stand out (in terms of bringing in the most money) include Luselana Perez’s donation: box tickets to see the White Sox. Student Life also donated a parking spot, which was sold for a grand total of $500.

          During the event, SCC President Tim Gietl, StudCo President Vinesh Kannan, and SCC Director of Marketing Quinn Lewis served as the nights MCs. They worked diligently as auctioneers to provide an efficient and enjoyable evening for all who attended the programs. Behind the scenes SCC Vice President Rhea Harsoor, SCC Director of Fundraising Emily Mu, SCC Director of Public Relations Vivian Jin, and CAB Director Becca Lewis worked logistics in order to ensure all items were paid for and given to the correct person. It was a long night, but the overall sales from the evening were something to be proud of.

         Overall, SCC has greatly benefited from Senior Auction and has been able to set prom ticket prices at $100 per person. They are currently selling cheesecakes, so if you are interested in purchasing one please email rharsoor@imsa.edu for more information. 

MARCH MADNESS

Welcome Parents and  IMSA Enthusiasts to the wonderful and very busy month of February and now March. The semester is in full swing, and I am excited to share some of the festivities the students are involved with.  

FEBRUARY: 02 AND 07 VALENTINES DAY PARTY

The Community Developers of 02 and 07 planned a very special Valentines Day Party. Click on the caption below the picture to view this memorable event!

Click Here for More Pictures!

FEBRUARY: TALES FROM THE HOMEFRONT

Tales from the Homefront is a yearly event coordinated by BELLAS, and is required for all sophomores to attend during their first year. What makes Tales so unique is that true stories are submitted anonymously by IMSA students, faculty, and staff. Although personal accounts read aloud by BELLAS tend to be emotionally sensitive and dense, students are comforted in knowing they are not alone in their battles, and no matter how difficult the circumstances, there is always support.  Two sophomores summarize their outlook on Tales below:

Tales from the HomeFront: Student Perspective 1:

"Tales From the Home Front made me see a different side of the IMSAcommunity. It talked about things that not many people share with anyone, really, and that's what made it more inspiring. People somehow related to the IMSA community shared their stories that changed their life and their outlook. Some stories were about a torturous childhood, whereas others were about the issues many people struggle with such as depression and other personal problems. For me, it showed me that everyone has a story, everyone has problems, and everyone has a different way to deal with it. I see a different side of people now, knowing that I have the power in making their day just a little brighter, and that nobody deserves to be judged without knowing their past. I am so grateful now to see that the things I take for granted, like a loving family and friends, and a purpose in life, are things not everyone is lucky to have."

Students stand behind a lighted screen to share stories anonymously 

Tales from the HomeFront: Student Perspective 2:

"I thought Tales was a really great event for all the student body. Sometimes we forget that not everyone is as fortunate as we are and this reminded us. It also helped to show us to be careful with our words and actions around us, because we don't know everyone's story. I also thought about what my story would be if I told it, and how people would respond. Afterwards, we broke off into small discussion groups and talked about what we heard and how it impacted us. It also included a moving (no pun intended) activity called Step Forward. We got to see how much we have in common with other IMSA students, and although we come from different schools, towns, families, and friend groups, we all have things in common. Overall, the experience was very impactful and I hope to attend in the upcoming years."

FEBRUARY: LUNAR and a Senior Perspective

The past couple of months, students were busy rehearsing for  several hours a week for their annual Lunar show. Lunar celebrates the Chinese New Year, and the celebrations at the Academy were in full swing! Lunar is  is a time for a multitude of Asian cultures to show pride through song, dance and music. A.S.I.A.S Mayuri Yasuda, from 1502 D wing did a wonderful job coordinating this event. Don't forget to congratulate her again on a job well done! 

SENIOR STUDENT PERSPECTIVE: LUNAR BY SOMIE PARKS 

"Throughout my many years at IMSA, I’ve participated in Lunar New Year each year. Every year ASIA (Asian Students in America), the club responsible for putting on the show, put it in a lot of time and effort to make the show great. They start planning months ahead of time, planning dances and writing the skit. The skit is different every year; for example my sophomore year, it was a rendition of Mulan and junior year, it was a romance story. This year it was about trainees trying to debut into the vicious music Asian industry while also dealing with their love lives. This year, I participated in senior dance. We put in a lot of time and energy, practicing twice a week in the month leading up to the dance. It was fun because as seniors we knew each other. Throughout the course of learning the dance, there was quite a bit of trial and error. The song for the girls’ dance had to be slowed down because not many people could dance to the original speed. The throw for boys’ dance was something that had to be practiced quite a bit for it to be consistent. Learning formations was difficult because of the limited practice time on stage and some people not coming to practice due to conflicting schedules. But in the end, it all came together into something that we were proud of and more importantly, something that we had fun doing. This was true for everybody participating in the show."

JUNIOR DANCE

CURRENTLY THIS MONTH: CLASH

One of the most talked about and anticipated events coming up, perhaps more celebrated than homecoming, is IMSA's Clash of the Halls. This is the opportunity for halls to show unity by participating in various actives. Although halls do compete with each other through various activities, students are encouraged to remember that the spirit of clash promotes togetherness. Students will spend this month prepping for different events for CLASH. Some things students should keep in mind

• Student's don't have to do EVERYTHING that clash offers
• I highly encourage students to get involved, but not to the extent they forget other responsibilities
• It is o.k. to say no
• Clash is only fun when it is not forced or is something students feel obligated they need to do. With that said, if students cannot do certain events because they already have enough on their plates, saying no is perfectly o.k.
• Bullying/forcing students to do COH events will not be tolerated 
• COH is a great time to put artistic/creative talents on display
• Finally, students who are at unsatisfactory academic standing will not be allowed to participate in Clash related events until grades are brought up. The current restrictions include
• Students with two or more Cs may participate however must check in with the RC to discuss their plan on accomplishing homework/projects
• Students with at least one failing grade are not allowed to participate until grades are brought up to at least a C.  

Parents and students can visit the COH OFFICIAL RULE BOOK  and the CLASH OFFICIAL WEBSITE for more information 

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

A NEW YEAR, AN EXCITING TIME!

Greetings All:

I would like to take this time to say Happy B-Lated New Year, and welcome back your child to another semester of IMSA. The start of the year is especially busy for us, and it is said that the Spring Semester goes by much faster than the first semester. I would like to take this time to share some important information about some exciting events coming up this semester. 

WELCOME OUR NEW WING GUIDE

1502 C wing has a new Wing Guide this semester. Megan Smiley is a Junior and is especially excited to serve as a guide and bring unity to our wing. I am excited to see the fun activities which Luselena and Megan have planned for the girls for the remainder of the year. Following are some events we have planned for the rest of the month

• Feb 10th: IAT Testing (Focuses on Multicultural Diversity)
• Feb 17th: Stereotyping Workshop
• Feb 19th: Chinese New Year Door Decs "What Animal are You?"
• Feb 23rd: Meet the Tutors Night Hall Event (French Toast will be served)
• 1502 C - Hot Cocoa Study Night
• Feb 24th: Sex in a Fishbowl (Hall Event)
• Feb 26th: Roommate Wars, solving roommate conflicts

INTERSESSION: STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Intersession is a week before classes begin and is a time students can spend a week involved in activities they are interested in, and normally are not classes during the spring semester. Michelle Zhu, 1502 C sophomore, had the opportunity to do a movie trailer with the ISP team. Like many students, Michelle had a lot of fun filming and acting with other people. She shared that she had an incredible time because it was extremely fun and gave her a chance to do what she loved with others. On a similar note, Senior Jackie Wu did two intersessions; one in Bioinformatics and an afternoon of Taste of Chinese Cuisine. According to Jackie, her second intersession was memorable because a large part of it was spent off campus eating. "The last day was especially fun because we went to Chinatown and had dim sum, then spent the rest of the day walking around." When it came to recommendations for intersession, Jackie had only good things to say about her time during Taste of Chinese Cuisine "Intersession is a week with lots of opportunities to have fun, so I would definitely recommend people to pick weird intersessions or ones that go off campus. In my 3 intersessions, the most fun ones were always the ones that went off campus. 

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

In addition to creating and mentoring minds of future generations so that they may use their skills and education to advance human condition, IMSA also takes pride in recognizing and celebrating diversity. An excellent way IMSA does this is introducing students to memorable guest speakers. The first week of February, the academy was honored to have three of the original airmen speak of their experience during World War 2.  For those who are unfamiliar with the Tuskegee Airmen; during the war and drafting, African American men wanted to prove their allegiance to the country by fighting alongside other solders. Unfortunately, due to racism and prejudice which plagued the country during that time, many African Americans were turned down from fighting in the war. Even within the military, African American men were still subject to Jim Crow laws, and the military was heavily segregated. The Tuskegee Airmen was the name given to the first and only African American Pilots, which included both fighter and bomber pilots. Eventually the Tuskegee Airmen included everyone who served as support personnel to the pilots. Currently there are not many Tuskegee Airmen present to share their experiences, and the chance to listen to three different perspectives was memorable for IMSA Faculty and Staff. Below is the Tuskegee Airmen with all IMSA students present at the event.

EXTENDED WEEKEND INFORMATION

February 12th is the first extended weekend of the semester. I would like to take some time to review the check-out procedures during these types of weekends as we have not had a regular extended weekend in several months. Residential Counselors will start to check out students between noon and 4:45 pm. Students who will be picked up before noon must get a clearance card signed from their residential counselor. A signed clearance card indicates that your child's room passed clean room inspections and they have finished their assigned wing clean. 

For students who are leaving after noon, they will be required to pass room and wing-clean inspections prior to being checked out. Students will be checked out from their respective RC Office, in this case, it will be 1502 for our 02 residents. After 4:45, students will be sent to the 1501 hall to be picked up. There is a fee past 5 pm students are picked up. If you have any questions regarding extended, please do not hesitate to call or email.

RELAY FOR LIFE: GET INVOLVED! 

This is the first year IMSA will be involved with Relay For Life in support for cancer awareness and raising money for cancer research. This is a great way for students to get involved in raising awareness and to team up with other IMSA students in the fight against cancer. I've created an IMSA team for our wing, and I am extending this invitation to parents who wish to walk with us. The tentative date is Saturday, May 16th from 6 pm to May 17th. If you wish to join our team, please visit: 1502 Relay for Life

It's October, how the time flies!

Greeting 1502 IMSA Parents:

I can’t believe it’s already October! So much has happened since Parent’s day (A GREAT thank you to EVERYONE who showed up or/and brought treats for the hall to enjoy!). Another special thank you to Sophomore Mariah Yelenick’s parents, Jon and Lori for gracing our wing with a piano. I've noticed quite a few girls take a liking to the instrument, and beautiful music now permeates  C wing...during reasonable hours of course!

 

Another thank you goes to parents who donated/signed up for wing dinners or made donations in their own way. Donations don't always need to be made in money; rather they can be made via items such as arts, crafts, food, cleaning supplies for the wing and other items suitable for the girls. If you have a question about donations or are unsure whether a donation would be suitable for the wing, please don't hesitate to ask. Any donation, big or small is received with gratitude and appreciation from the girls and I. The remainder of this post is important information and upcoming dates, specifically Extended Weekend, which is next week.

October Extended Weekend (Oct. 9th -12th)

When: Checkout is Thursday October 9th.  Students can begin checking out as early as noon, when all their classes/obligations are been attended to. Final checkout must be completed by 5 pm

Who: ALL students are expected to check out latest by 5 pm. At 4:45,  students who have not yet signed out will be sent to 1501.  If your child plans to utilize the ATC (Aurora Transportation Center) or is riding with an individual not on the parent permission list, parents must call the RC office beforehand to give verbal permission for child to check out with another person or allowing their student to take public transportation. Individuals who have parent permission to sign out your child must have their photo id on them. 

Other information regarding extended weekend checkouts: 

• Keys and fobs are collected every extended weekend and will be distributed back once students check in.
• If students need to leave before noon such as the night before, the reason must be approved and handled with the attendance office. A clearance card is required, and room inspect criteria must be met. See following bullet point.
• Students' rooms must be thoroughly cleaned. During extended weekends, the standards are somewhat different compared to our bi weekly room inspects.Rooms must be checked and approved prior to leaving.
• Most students who live downstate usually take the downstate bus during extended. Students must be on the bus by 2:15, bus departs at 2:30
• Due to the number of parents we expect to be checking out, and the limited number of badges we have, parents are not required to show picture id during this time.
• There is a $25 dollar charge every 5 minutes past 5 pm that a student is not picked up. 
• Students are allowed to check into the residence halls Monday anytime after after 3 pm.  Classes resume Tuesday morning.

October 15: 

End of first quarter. Grades are accessible via powerschool for parents, teachers, and all resident counselors. A common obstacle I see hinder students' performance is unwillingness/fear to get help. Please encourage your child that it is perfectly o.k. to ask for help, and earlier in the game they ask, the better. Consistency with classwork and thorough understanding of the material is vital to do well at IMSA

General information about student sign in/outs and entering wings

During the weekday, Monday-Friday, students who need to sign out before 3:30, need to sign out in the main building. The only exception to this is if students are with their parents. If a student needs to sign out on the weekend before the office opens (10 am), students are responsible for signing out the night before and getting parent/rc permission if they are signing out with someone on the parent permission list. 

Finally, a gentle reminder that anyone who is not an IMSA faculty, staff, or student is not allowed to enter the wing, unless they have some form of picture id and a numbered badge which is issued by an RC. Thank you to everyone for following this rule, and keeping the halls safe for our girls.

If you have any questions regarding this post , suggestions, or would like like to get involved with the wing, please send me an email at kadatia@imsa.edu.