Inside this issue:

Tech Grand Prize Winner 2

Fight Flu and Germs 3
I AM Fit Block Party 4
RETHINK Contest 5
Honoring Veterans 6
Sports 7-8
Career Corner 9
Summer School 10
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.
If you have news for the
Buzz, email Allison Redick
at aredick@lexrich5.org.
Nov 3, 2014
With the cooler temperatures, it is almost time for the
winter sports season. We are pleased to announce the
2014-15 C-Team (Girls and Boys) Basketball Schedule
for Irmo Middle School. As I am sure you know, attend-
ing games and supporting students through interscholas-
tic competition encourages them to do better in the
classroom. When they do better in the classroom and
on the athletic fields and courts, they become well rounded "global" citizens.
Month DT Day Opponent Loc Girls/Boys
***************************************************************************************
Holiday Buzz Bazaar Sat 12/6
IMS Special Education is sponsoring a holi-
day gift and craft sale, Sat. Dec. 6 from
8am-1pm in the cafeteria.
Come and shop from local vendors and
crafters, and enjoy holiday cheer. Help
support the IMS special education activity
and expedition fund. Admission is free!!
Stay tuned for more details about vendors and special prizes for shoppers...
Dates to Remember:
Gold Week
Mon 11/3
Make up Pictures
Tues 11/4
Election Day:
No School
Thurs 11/6
Google CS Club
3:45 Rm 705
Girls C Team Basket-
Ball tryout IMS Gym
3:45-5:15
Fri 11/7
Girls C Team Basket-
Ball tryout IMS Gym
3:45-5:15
Sat 11/8
Iam Fit Block Party
9 AM 12
IMS Gym
$5 per person
The Buzz at Irmo Middle School
Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow
Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal
rsjackso@lexrich5.org https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal
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IMS awarded $45,000 in Technology Grants
IRMO A Lexington-Richland District Five school (IMS) is one of only two nation-
wide awarded $45,000 in grants to help increase the use of advanced technology in
classrooms.
Irmo Middle School is a grand prize winner of the 12th annual Win a Wireless
Lab Sweepstakes from digital content provider Discover Education and technol-
ogy service provider CDW-G, the companies announced Oct. 29. As part of the
prize Irmo Middle will receive:
- around 20 notebooks or tablets - an interactive whiteboard
- three wireless access points - notebook cart
- document camera - a printer
- $5,000 digital media grant from.
North Miami Beach Senior High School was also a winner of the nationwide contest.
Our science department is thrilled to be able to implement this technology into their lesson plans, said
Irmo Middle Principal Robert Jackson. Our teachers are constantly looking for innovative ways to
supplement the curriculum and guarantee that our students have the tools and resources they need to
succeed. These new resources ensure that every student in our science classrooms has access to the
latest digital tools needed to help them master the academic standards and develop the prerequisite
skills required for college and career readiness.
Irmo Middle science teacher Cheryl Harrison entered and won the sweepstakes for the international
academic magnet school. She says the technology can be used to make lessons interactive and hands-on
for students.
Were excited to be a winner of the wireless lab, she said. Were already thinking of ways that we
can use the technology in the classroom and the ways that the content from Discovery Education will
help our students. At Irmo Middle, our students are using technology on a daily basisso the technology
from CDW-G and content from Discover Education will enhance some of the technology our students
already use here at our school.
Officials with Discover Education and CDW-G planned a November training event with students and
teachers at the two schools to help them best utilize the new technology. Irmo Middle and North Miami
Beach Senior High School were randomly selected from more than 417,000 entries from all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Since its inception, the Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes has awarded al-
most $2 million in classroom technology, including complete mobile classrooms implemented in 33
schools across 21 states.
Technology is the way of the future and our students will dictate that future, said Joe Simone, di-
rector of K-12, CDW-G. CDW-G sponsors Win a Wireless Lab because it enables us to put innovative
technology in K-12 schools and in the hands of our students, giving educators the opportunity to rede-
fine the classroom experience.
Mary Rollins, senior vice president for Discovery Education, added: Discovery Education is thrilled to
provide educators and students with todays latest digital content to successfully transition classrooms
into 21st-century learning environments. These dynamic, digital resources will engage students and en-
hance classroom instruction beyond the limitations of traditional textbooks, promoting collaboration,
creativity and participatory learning.
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IMS to Honor Veterans on November 11, 2014
In honor of Veterans Day 2014 Irmo Middle School students, faculty and staff would
like to celebrate our military family with a Military Honor Wall and Pastries for Patriots
Breakfast. Please complete the attached form with the information requested along
with a photo of your service member. If you would like to join us for a light breakfast
in the cafeteria from 7:30am - 8:10am please fill out the slip below. Parent/ Guardian
permission is required for students to eat with service member if they are not the par-
ent or guardian. Please return to Mrs. Sheila R. Inabinet in the Guidance Department
by November 4th. Everyone is encouraged to wear Red, White and Blue on this day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I ______________________________, give my student_________________________________
permission to participate in Irmo Middle School 2014 Veterans Day Celebration.
Parent/ Guardian Signature ____________________________________________________
Student/ Faculty/ Staff Name ___________________________________________________
Veterans Name ______________________________________________________________
( ) Yes, I plan to attend Pastries for Patriots on November 11, 2014.
( ) No, I do not plan to attend Pastries for Patriots on November 11, 2014.
* Student must be accompanied by their Veteran.
Veterans Day Hero Recognition
Veterans Name:_________________________________
Branch of the Military: _____________________________
Years of Service: ________________________________
Honored By: ___________________________________
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Sports
Info & forms: www.IrmoAthletics.org
Interviews & videos: www.MidlandsHSSports.com.
Athletic Office: 803-476-3006.
All-Sport Passes are available for students K-12 for only $50 ($695 value). These passes provides stu-
dent admission to all athletic home events for all sports contentsfall, winter and spring excluding the.
South Carolina High School League playoffs. Passes can be purchased in the Athletic Office/Field
House. 803-476-3006.
Yellow Jacket / Booster Club membership packets are available for adults and families. Memberships
not only support our Athletic program but also provides savings for our fans. Applications may be ob-
tained online www.IrmoAthletics.org (files and links folder). Applications may be mailed to the IYJC,
address provided on form or delivered to the Athletic Office/Field House 803-476-3006.
Pre-ordered packets not yet picked up will be disbursed when you enter the reserved parking lot
(corner Emory Lane/St Andrews Rd) in the front of Irmo High School. A Yellow Jacket Club Member
will greet you with your packet and provide convenient parking. Thank you for supporting our Yellow
Jackets!
Game Info: 7:30 p.m. kickoffs, General Admission $6, Reserved Section $8.
Reserved Parking: Corner of St. Andrews Rd & Emory Lane for $5 until sold out!
Come early to get your convenient space. (Priority Reserved parking is included in IYJC
Membership Packets).
Athletic, Physical, and Concussion forms & IYJC Membership applications are available online:
www.IrmoAthletics.org under the files and links.
The Sting Store (spirit apparel and memorabilia) is under new management and being offered through
our Athletic Booster Club (IYJC). Be sure to shop at the Varsity Football Games for GREAT closeout
prices while they last to show your spirit.
Cheerleading (Fall). Please support our Cheerleaders at fall competitions:
Nov. 6 State Qualifiers at River Bluff High
Nov. 15 State at the BiLo Center in Greenville, SC
Girls Basketball (pre-season / Winter Sport).
Varsity Girls Tryouts - Main Gym (IHS). Contact: Head Coach, Monica Wil-
liams mwilliam@lexrich5.org or www.IrmoAthletics.org
Mon. Nov 3: 5-7:00 pm, Tue. Nov 4: 10-12:00 (Holiday), Wed. Nov 5: 5-
7:00 pm
JV Girls Tryouts - Main Gym (IHS)
Mon. Nov 3: 5-5:00 pm, Wed. Nov 5: 4-5:00 pm
C-TeamGirls Tryouts - Irmo Middle Gym. Contact: Coach Caitlin
Vaughn cvaughn@lexrich5.org
Thur. Nov 6: 3:45 - 5:15 pm, Fri. Nov 7: 3:45 - 5:15 pm
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Sports (contd)
Info & forms: www.IrmoAthletics.org
Interviews & videos: www.MidlandsHSSports.com.
Athletic Office: 803-476-3006
Baseball (pre-season / Spring Sport). Baseball Players are selling a variety of
choices of baseball tee-shirts and crew and hoodie sweats--short sleeve
and long sleeve in colors of black, gold, gray and white. Dri-Fit short and long-
sleeve (same color choices) are also available to order. You may order from
any Baseball Player or download an order form online
www.IrmoAthletics.org (files and links). Contact: Coach Ca-
nady rcanady@lexrich5.org
Softball (pre-season / Spring Sport). Varsity & JV Softball- Pre-season
practice will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. Please bring your
glove, cleats, and any other softball equipment you may need.
Softball will be having a pancake breakfast Saturday, November 8th at
Fatz Cafe on Broad River Road in Irmo. $7 ticket includes pancakes, sausage
links, choice of coffee, tea, milk or juice. Support our Softball program by pur-
chasing a ticket from any player or Coach Vaughn, cvaughn@lexrich5.org.
Contact the Athletic Office for information, 803-476-3006.
Boys Lacrosse (pre-season / Spring Sport)
B-LX Garage Sale - Start packing up your treasures for a Garage Sale Sat,
Nov. 15, 8:00-12 noon at IHS Cafeteria. Donate items to sell or rent
a table for $10/table to sell your own items. Crafters are wel-
come! Contact: Laura Hawsey lhawsey@bellsouth.net
Wrestling (pre-season / Winter Sport)
Mon, Nov 3: Registration for The Stingers Wrestling Club; ages 4-12 - Con-
tact: Coach Rinehart 477-5311 or Coach Denning 727-6371. Sat, Nov 15: Po-
tential Wrestlers must have weight certification by Athletic Trainers, Coach
Kinney or Coach Dickinson before Sat, Nov 15. Be sure you are hydrated! Train-
ing Room (East Wing): (1) 7:45 - 8:10 am, (2) 12:00 - 2:00 pm, (3) 6:30 - 7:30 pm
(after football practice).
Track & Field (pre-season / Spring Sport). Anyone interested in participating
on the track team should meet Mon, Tues, & Thursday on the track from 4-5:30
for pre-season conditioning. You must have a completed, up-to-date physical to
participate. The necessary forms can be found online www.IrmoAthletics.org.
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Welcome to the IMS Career Corner!
My name is Allison Redick, the Career Specialist at Irmo Middle School. In my role as Career Specialist, I will
be assisting all IMS students in career awareness and exploration.
Who am I? Where am I Going? How do I get There? We hope with parents, teachers and counsel-
ors, we will help students begin to explore these questions and start setting goals and looking at their future ca-
reer options. By starting this process early, students will be able to discover their interests and hopefully be lucky
enough to find careers they will enjoy! Your career is all the education, training, and jobs you have during your
entire life. As a middle school student, they will need to plan for high school and their career after high school.
We want students to know it is okay to change theirs minds as they learn more about themselves, school, and
work. In fact, surveys says, that their generation might have 8-15 careers in their lifetime. While at IMS, students
will have many opportunities to start exploring through self assessments, speakers, field trips, Career Day,
Job Shadowing, activities and lessons during the year.
Career Day at IMS. November is National Career Month. The month is designed to highlight the impor-
tance of lifelong career development and the personal empowerment of all people. It also gives us another oppor-
tunity to show students how what they learn in school is related to the skills they will need in the workplace. On
Wednesday, November 12
th
from 8:30-10:15 AM, IMS will be hosting Career Day. All students will
have the opportunity to listen to multiple speakers from various career areas. Parents, if you are willing to share
you career experiences with our students on Career Day, we would appreciate your participation in this program.
Please contact Allison Redick at 476-3668 or email at aredick@lexrich5.org.
Tips for Parents helping your child to chose a Career path:
1) Start young. Develop career awareness by discussing career opportunities when reading books and newspa-
pers, watching television and observing worksites.
2) Support you childs efforts to assess his or her own interests, aptitudes, values and work styles.
3) Share your job experiences. A child delights in hearing about his or her parents jobs.
4) Encourage participation in job shadowing and internship opportunities.
5) Help your child understand the value & importance of their academics for success in a future career.
6) Advise your child that there is more than one education pathway to a good job. More than 50% of the fast-
est growing jobs require an associates degree. There are a variety of routes to success: on the job training,
technical college, four year college, apprenticeships or the military.
Job Shadowing starts October 24, 2014 thru April 24, 2015. Job Shadowing is a great time to
explore the world of work. Job Shadowing allows students 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 short-term experi-
ence 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 re-
quirements 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 arrange-
ments 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. This Job Shadowing opportunity is offered in lieu of Take-Your-Daughter/
Son To-Work Day and Groundhog Shadowing Day. Students are only 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 holi-
days. 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 or Crossroads Middle School. Any
school work missed as a result of being absent for shadowing is the responsibility of the student.
If interested, or if you need assistance for a particular career to job shadow, please have your student contact Al-
lison Redick, Career Specialist, 476-3668 or aredick@lexrich5.org. to pick up a packet or go to our IMS Web-
site under the Guidance Department/Career Specialist to print a packet.
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Summer School 2015 @ Irmo Middle!
Attention Students, Parents, and Families,
The following dates have been approved for students who will be attend-
ing Summer School 2015 at Irmo Middle. We are sharing this information
early with students, parents, and families so everyone can plan for their sum-
mer vacations. We are very confident that our interactions and interventions throughout the year will
minimize and/or eliminate the need for summer school for most (if not all of our students). If you need
any information about summer school, please contact Mr. Glenn Hutto, Assistant Principal for Instruc-
tion at 476-3663.
Summer School Information
The Middle School Summer School Program is designed for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who have not
mastered the course standards in English, Social Studies, Math, or Science. This program is streamlined
to concentrate on academic mastery.
Who attends summer school?
Rising 7
th
and 8
th
grade students who have failed either one or two academic subjects. Those students who
have failed three or more classes are ineligible to attend summer school and may be retained in their current
grade. Out of district students cannot enroll in this program.
Where will summer school be held?
Summer School will be held at Irmo Middle.
Rising 7th Graders attend Irmo Middle
Rising 8th Graders attend Irmo Middle
Rising 9th Graders attend Irmo Middle
What are the dates for summer school?
Current 6th, 7th and 8th graders will take courses offered only on the following dates:
June 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30
What times will students attend?
Students will attend from 8:30am 1:30pm. There will be no afternoon sessions.
How much will summer school cost?
The tuition is projected to be $50.00 and may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master
Card, Visa, Discover or American Express card. No personal checks will be accepted.
How will my student get to summer school?
Parents are responsible for transportation arrangements (to and from summer school).
How do I register my child for summer school?
Registration packets will be available in the spring on our website and in the main office at the school.
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