February 10, 2014, Issue 21 Irmo Middle School 6051 Wescott Road Columbia, SC 29212 (803) 476-3600 www.lexrich5.

org/ims School Hours: 8:20 a.m.-3:35 p.m.

The Buzz at Irmo Middle School Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow
Morning and Afternoon Traffic Needs
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Inside this issue:

Math Counts C Team Basketball Detour Postponed D5 Dance Marathon February Job Shadowing

Dear Parents and Guardians, 1). Follow the Posted Speed Limit - We are asking that all parents and guardians obey the posted speed limit on Wescott Road. We have received reports of hurried vehicles (both morning and afternoon) and exceeding the posted speed limit. We have students who walk to school and use the crossing guards. Any speed used in excess of the posted limit endangers our students and staff members. 2). Use the 7th and 8th Grade Drop off Areas - All parents are asked to use the 7th and 8th grade car rider drop off areas and refrain from dropping students off using the bus loop and the staff parking lot. We often see kids darting through the parking lot, which is a huge safety concern. Additionally, during both arrival and dismissal, we see many students being dropped off and picked up at locations that are off-campus (Subway, Crossroads Middle School, Irmo High School, Dr. Pitners Office, etc...). For the safety of our students and staff, please use only the designated areas for drop-off and pick-up. 3). Make a Right Turn Only - During the morning arrival time, we are asking all 7th and 8th grade parents who are exiting the campus to make a right turn only. The length of the lines, proximity to the light on Wescott and St. Andrews roads coupled with the amount of pedestrian traffic, are the primary factors for this procedure. If all vehicles turn right, it will expedite our dismissal process. 4). Orderly Dismissal Lines - During PM dismissal, we have several reports of vehicles that are jumping ahead of parents that are already in the dismissal line. We are asking that this practice be discontinued immediately. We realize that schedules are hectic and school dismissal can tighten already dense schedules. We will continue to expedite our dismissal process and get students to their locations in time to be picked up. Parents and guardians can help by instructing their children to report immediately to the correct pick-up location, enter their vehicles, and not delay the process by socializing. We appreciate your diligence in adhering to our safety precautions. It is our desire to keep students and staff members safe at all times. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me here at school. Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal

Dates to Remember: Gold Week

Mon Feb 10 -Basketball Championships @home Girls 5:30 vs. Pleasant Hill Boys 6:45 vs. Sand Hills Tues Feb 11 -Stud Govt 7:45-8:15 Room 713 Thu Feb 13 -Valentines Dance 3:30-5:30 Fri Feb 14 - Valentines Day - FCA 7:35-8:05 Mr. Carters Room 603

************************************************************ February 17thSnow Day Make Up Day

If you have any news you would like to see in the Buzz, email Allison Redick at aredick@lexrich5.org. February 17 has been changed from a professional development day to a normal school day. Students and teachers will report, and we will have classes as normal. Why is this the case? Per state law, every public school must have 180 days of instruction.

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

The Columbia Chapter MathCounts Competition was today and we rocked it!!! Each school identifies 4 students at team members. The top 3 teams advance to State. Then the top 3 individuals that werent on winning teams also advance to State. Our team won 2nd and we had an individual win 3rd individual so 5 IMS students are advancing!!! Team: Sanatana Reddy (8th grade) Jonathan Floyd-Evans (8th grade) Sophia Zhou (7th grade) Noah Overcash (7th grade) Individual: Calvin Guyette (7th grade) Sanatana and Calvin also were in the top 16 individuals so they got to compete in a buzzer round. Calvin made it through the first bracket! Sanatana made it all the way to 4th place! Other team members that attended were: Ben Collinsworth (8th grade) Khoa Tran (8th grade) Kendall DeLong (7th grade) Lauren Henderson (8th grade) Please congratulate all of them and wish them luck at State on March 8th! If youre curious in the other top teams: Dent 1st, IMS 2nd, Dutch Fork 3rd, and Chapin 4th. Lex/Rich5 clearly dominated!

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IRMO STRONG!!!
For the first time in school history, both the girls and boys teams will play for the conference championships. Come join the excitement and Support your Team!!!! Monday, February 10 Lexington Middle School Girls: Irmo vs. Pleasant Hill 5:30 Boys: Irmo vs. Sandhills 6:45

The Irmo Drive detour for construction had been moved to the Summer. Actual dates to be announced.

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Lets Go Irmo!!!!

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

To Register:

www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/D5DM

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The Buzz at Irmo Middle

Job Shadowing is a great time to explore the world of work.

Job Shadowing gives students an opportunity to see that the skills they learn in school are related to the skills they will need in the workplace. Job Shadowing is considered a shortterm experience to introduce a student to a particular job by a one-on-one pairing of a student with an employee in a work environment. The student shadows the worker up to one day to better understand the requirements of a particular career. All students are encouraged to participate in this activity. Important Information about Job Shadowing:

Students and their parents/guardians will make arrangements for the student to shadow a parent/guardian, friend, relative or another person in a career of interest at the work site to include transportation. Students are eligible to have ONE day per school year for this activity. Job Shadowing can be completed in a couple of hours, an entire day, weekends and/or holidays. Students provide their own lunch during shadowing, if applicable. Students should demonstrate punctuality, honesty, good grooming habits, appropriate dress and willingness to learn. Students serve as an observer, not a worker. Students are not permitted to shadow teachers at Irmo Middle school. Any school work missed as a result of being absent for shadowing is the responsibility of the student.

If interested, please have your student contact Allison Redick, Career Specialist to pick up a packet or go to our IMS Website under the Guidance Department/Career Specialist to print a packet. Also, if you need assistance for a particular career to job shadow please contact Allison Redick @ 476-3668 or email: aredick@lexrich5.org.