Weekly News

IDCS puts out a weekly newsletter most Fridays during the school year. These are sent to the one or two primary student contacts. However, other caregivers can be added by request to Executive Assistant, Rachel Stahl at [email protected].

Emails are easy to lose! Bookmark this page so that you always have the latest IDCS information at your fingertips!

September 16, 2022

Family Newsletter | September 16, 2022

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, Sept. 16: 12pm Dismissal
Friday, Sept. 19: IDEA Planning Mtg.
Wed., Sept. 21: IDCSGB Meeting
Friday, Sept. 23: All School, Pod B
Wed., Sept. 28: Picture Day
Friday, Sept. 30: All School, Pod C Thursday, Oct. 6: Hot Fudge & Fiction!

FUNDRAISING

Mums Pickup at Malerba's: 9/27
Picture Day: 9/28
Pre-order @ dp-costomers.com
IDCS Tag #54433
Pies: More Info Coming Soon!

EVENTS

Hot Fudge & Fiction, 10/6: Sign UP

MEETINGS

IDEA Planning Meeting, 9/19: Sign Up
Governing Board Meeting, 9/21: LINK

Extracurricular Activities

First After School Program: SIGN UP
Cross Country: LET'S RUN!
Instrumental Music: MAKE MUSIC!

Director's Message

Dear Parents/Guardians,
IDCS is off to a great start this school year. We are looking forward to parents becoming very involved in the school. There are two events that are coming up that we need your help. First, we need parents to volunteer to help during Picture Day on September 28. If you can volunteer for a few hours, please contact Dr. Ellen ([email protected]). Also, HOT FUDGE and FICTION as well as HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT is scheduled for October 6 from 5:30-7:00. Please see more information below for how you can help! Today, teachers are attending a professional development workshop on IDCS core tenets.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards, Dr. Ellen

Free/Reduced Meals

APPLY TODAY -
It's about more than just meals...

School Breakfast and Lunch
School Funding - Increased funding to ensure students receive the support they need at school.
After School Sports & Club Scholarships
Reduced/Free School Portraits
Winter Coats, Backpacks

Lunch Waves

11-11:30
Maletz, Williams, Bouregy, Cronin/Battista
11:45-12:15
Barrientos, McOmber, Lindstrom, Cyr, Gant
12:30-1
Temple, Shaw, White, Grant, Hawk

PARENTSQUARE

We are very excited to adopt a new form of communication at IDCS. ParentSquare is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and facilitate participation at school. It provides a safe way for the Director, Assistant Director, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians to:

Send and receive school and class information
Share pictures and files
See calendar items
Sign up to volunteer
and much more... all in one centralized place.

All school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text or you can download the app. Want more info? Watch this VIDEO.

What Else is Going On?

Toys at IDCS
We ask that students leave their toys at home, unless it is related to their share in morning meeting.

Absences & Dismissal Changes
Please contact Mrs. B. at the front desk (ext. 0 or [email protected]) to report absences or any changes in dismissal information. Dismissal changes should be reported no later than 2:15 on full days of school and no later than 11:15 on half days of school. Thank you!

ALL SCHOOL - You're Invited!

WHAT IS ALL SCHOOL?

All School is when ALL of IDCS' students and staff gather together as a community to share. All School starts with an opening song that the whole community sings together. Presentations by the classes from the POD of the week follow. IDCS students emcee and All School ends with a closing song that is sung by everyone.

We guarantee you'll give this IDCS tradition an A-PLUS, won't you join us?

When & Where

Day: Full day Fridays
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Who: Students present on a rotating schedule by POD.
Where: IDCS Gymnasium

ALL SCHOOL POD Schedule (subject to change):
POD A: 9/9, 10/21, 11/18, 1/27, 3/24, 5/12
POD B: 9/23, 10/28, 12/16, 2/10, 3/31, 5/19
POD C: 9/30, 11/4, 1/6, 2/24, 4/21, 5/26

POD ASSIGNMENTS

POD A: Strong AM PK, Barrientos K/1, McOmber 2/3, Lindstrom 4/5, Hawk 6, Gant 7/8
POD B: Williams K/1, Temple 2/3, White 4/5, Battista 7/8, Cyr 7/8
POD C: Strong PM PK, Maletz K/1, Shaw 2/3, Bouregy 4/5, Grant 7/8, Cronin 7/8

Habitat for Humanity

As you may know, Habitat for Humanity’s vision is to make a difference in the lives of our local communities by fulfilling the dream of home ownership with an affordable mortgage, while helping to eliminate sub-standard housing in Eastern Connecticut. This application round is now open and accepting applications for homes located in Gales Ferry and Norwich until September 30th. This will be the last chance to apply this year – the next round opens March 2023.
Thank you again for making this information available to the families, staff and communities your school district serves. There is more information on our website that goes into detail about how the program works, eligibility requirements and more: https://www.habitatect.org/homeownership/

The Fight for a Cure for CTLA-4

The Siblings and Mom of one of our IDCS students have a rare genetic autoimmune disease called CTLA-4 that requires constant medical attention, visits to specialists, etc. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help this family out. GO FUND ME

September 9, 2022

August 25, 2022

AUGUST 25, 2022

SCHOOL NEWS

FIRST DAYS

K-8 Students start school on Wednesday, August 31st.
- School starts at 8:00 a.m.
- Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m.
PreK Students start school on Thursday, September 1st
- Morning PreK runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Afternoon PreK runs from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 1st is a full day (8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) for K-8 Students.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

Arrival 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
- Parent Drop Off
  - Drop Off Line - Quick & Easy Drop Off is available by using the IDCS drop off line. Simply follow the traffic down Crown St and into the line that loops in front of the school. Several staff members are placed along the way to help guide you. Once you get in front of the school a staff member will open the door for your child, help them out, and shut your door. **PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD IS READY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PRIOR GETTING IN LINE**
  - Walking Your Child Into School
    - Park your car in one of the upper IDCS lots
      - Lot 1 is on your left as you drive onto Crown Street.
      - Lot 2 is on your right as you exit Thermos Avenue.
    - Following the crosswalks and sidewalks, you can walk your child all the way down to the school.
- Students arriving between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. will go to the gymnasium or dining room and will head to their classrooms at 7:45 a.m.
- Students arriving at 7:45 a.m. or later will go directly to their classrooms.
Dismissal 3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (or 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. on half days)
- Parent Pick Up
  - Park in one of the upper IDCS lots
    - Lot 1 is on your left as you drive onto Crown Street.
    - Lot 2 is on your right as you exit Thermos Avenue.
  - FIRST DAY: WE ARE ASKING ALL FAMILIES TO PLEASE WALK DOWN TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD/REN AT THE FRONT DOORS - EVEN IF YOUR CHILD IS OLDER OR TYPICALLY MEETS YOU IN THE UPPER LOTS
  - Students in PreK through Grade 3 are dismissed to the gymnasium.
    - Parents should walk down onto the playground and pick up their child/ren from the staff members stationed at the back gymnasium doors.
    - Students in PreK through Grade 3 can be dismissed with an older sibling AFTER THE FIRST DAY through the main entranceS only with a note from their parent/s on file.
  - Students in Grade 4 - Grade 8 are dismissed through the IDCS Main Entrances.
    - Students in grades 4 - 8 can meet their parents in a designated spot (top of the crosswalk, 1st lot, 2nd lot, etc.) AFTER THE FIRST DAY with a note from their parent/s on file.
- Dismissal changes should be reported to the main office NO LATER THAN 2:15 P.M. ON FULL DAYS AND 11:15 A.M. ON HALF DAYS by calling 860-892-1900 ext. 0 or emailing [email protected]
  - Changes to dismissal made after 2:15 p.m. (or 11:15 a.m. on half days) may not be received in time to notify your child.

FREE/REDUCED PRICE MEALS
We are asking ALL families to please complete and return the free/reduced meal application that you received during home visits or complete online at idcs.org/applyformeals/.
MEALS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS THROUGH THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER & POSSIBLY THROUGH OCTOBER - More information will be coming home soon.

WELCOME TO NEW IDCS STAFF!
Shannon Williams (K/1)
Megan Shaw (2/3)
Elisabeth Lindstrom (4/5)
Farrah Hille (School Counselor)
Karen Gehan (Speech Pathologist)

BEST WISHES TO IDCS STAFF WHO HAVE LEFT
Best Wishes to IDCS Staff who have left
Jen Spangle, Ashley Montgomery, Connie Murphy, Margaret Robertson, MaryEllen Sullivan

FUNDRAISING

MUM PLANT SALE

The annual IDCS Mum Plant Sale Fundraiser is here!! Order forms will be going home with your child on the first day of school and are DUE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2022. Once IDCS receives your form and payment, a "coupon" will be sent home with your for you to pick your mums up at Malerba's BY SEPTEMBER 26, 2022.

PRICING: $9 each or 3 for $23

PIE SALE COMING SOON!

AROUND IDCS

Building Computers for Humanity

Reverend Perry as a part of his organization Building Computers for Humanity and with funding help from Chelsea Groton Foundation and the City of Norwich American Rescue Plan Act worked with two IDCS families to build computers for their homes.

Upcoming Events

8.31 First Day K-8, 12:00 p.m. Dismissal

9.1 First Day PreK

9.5 No School, Labor Day

9.16 12:00 p.m. Dismissal, Teacher Professional Development

9.21 IDCS Governing Board Meeting 5:30 p.m.

9.28 Picture Day

September 2, 2022

Family Newsletter | September 2, 2022

Important Dates
Monday, Sept. 5: Labor Day, No School
Thursday, Sept. 8: Parent Info. Session
Thursday, Sept. 8: Director's Mtg.
Friday, Sept. 9: All School, Pod A
Friday, Sept. 16: 12pm Dismissal
Friday, Sept. 16: IDEA Planning Mtg.
Wed., Sept. 21: IDCSGB Meeting
Friday, Sept. 23: All School, Pod B
Wed., Sept. 28: Picture Day
Friday, Sept. 30: All School, Pod C
Thursday, Oct. 6: Hot Fudge & Fiction!

Director's Message

Welcome Back!
We had an amazing first week of school; First Day Flowers and All School were two big highlights. It was great to see all of the returning students, and meet the new students and parents. We are looking forward to four full days of school next week 😊

Our first virtual parent meeting will be on September 8th at 6:30 p.m. (directly after the Research Informational Presentation). Please join me!
JOIN MEETING HERE
Meeting ID: 857 7564 0883Passcode: FsD9na

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER

IDCS staff proposed ten different ideas for our 2022-23 School Year theme, votes produced a tie between the top two ideas. A second vote declared
"We Are Better Together" as the clear winner. Stay tuned next week for more information about this year's theme!

OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES

Our heartfelt sympathies to the Quinn/Robinson family ( Shawna who is a para at IDCS and her children who are students at IDCS) on the loss of their beloved Partner and Father, Bryan.

Extracurricular Activities

Soccer Tryouts Sign Up Here: LET'S PLAY SOCCER!
Cross Country Sign Up Here: LET'S RUN!

Breakfast & Lunch

We are pleased to be able to offer all families free breakfast and lunch for the first month or two of the school year. HOWEVER, because this is for a limited time only it is IMPERATIVE that families complete a Free/Reduced Meal Application as soon as possible. Click the link below for more information.