Spring time is upon us! Students are entering into the 2nd grading period. Project launches are rolling out for Exhibition of Learning. Make sure you save the date to join your student in their learning!
Mr. Schmidt and I were invited to present at the California Charter Schools Conference next week. Our topic is Restorative Practices: Strengthening your school community through humility and belonging. We are very honored to share our practices and will let you know how it goes!
While we are gone, teachers and staff will be using a day of self-care (March 13) and another day dedicated to planning and preparation (March 14). There will not be students on campus for either day. Rest up!
___________________
STUDENT VOICE
Our Fall student surveys are so important to us. More than 90% of students reported liking our school and feeling safe here. 88% of them reported that their teacher empowers them to be a better thinker. These percentages are well above the state average for public, charter, and private schools. Here are some of their comments.
What does IVA High do well?
IVA has taught me to learn (about) myself and build my character. I have figured out who I was as I've been in school.
They have done well to create an environment where students aren't criticized by other students.
IVA has done well making a community where everyone can feel safe.
They have created a safe space to learn at my own pace, and been a huge help when trying to grow as a person.
Help me feel like I could be vulnerable and helped me feel like I could be myself and not be judged. As well as making me feel understood and empowered and I have more confidence in myself, with my work, and my body.
As always, I think the model of IVA is amazing. The smaller classrooms and the project-based learning system has always proved to be IVA's strongest assets.
What can IVA High do better?
Focus on getting better food for lunch. For anyone to have the privilege to order food. Be able to go off campus to get food then come back after.
To be on top of grading and giving students more the a few days notice before an event.
More community based stuff.
I would like them to focus on offering students help and explaining things over again when you were absent, tardy, or maybe just weren't understanding it the first time.
We value our students voice and will be using their feedback to continue to improve our school.
Best,
Summer Sanders
Head of School
IMPORTANT DATES
March 10
Late Work Deadline
March 15
Grades Updated
March 13
IVA High Free Day
No School
March 14
Faculty Day No School
March 31
Career Cafe
April 5
Exhibition of Learning
April 6
Minimum Day
April 7
Good Friday
No School
April 10-14
Spring Break
No School
Welcome New IVA Staff
Patricia is a Long Beach native who fell in love with education. Growing up in a home with a tenacious mother who wanted to exemplify the importance of education she found it only natural to do the same. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis of Journalism from CSU Dominguez Hills and furthered her educational endeavors by receiving her Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. She has a strong educational management background and has previously worked at a charter school. Her pursuit is to engage, encourage, guide, support, promote and lead students into understanding the statement; “Knowledge IS power, and no one can take that away from you.”
“As a native Long Beach Afrolatina, I felt compelled to work at IVA High because I felt like I could relate to the students and the community. I find the charter school system to be such a unique institution for students who need a second chance or for those who need a “community approach“ to education. IVA High shows that they care about their students, they are empathetic to their needs, and put their ideas first. I am grateful for the opportunity to be apart of such a well-diversified organization and look forward to changing students lives everyday”.
Linda Jensen will be taking over the Forensics class and Art classes. She joins us after teaching science in Los Angeles for 8 years and being a Department Chair. After receiving her BA in Environmental Geography at CSULB she completed her teaching credential at CSUDH. Previous adventures that add to her experience include working in engineering and drafting, project-based learning, and moving to California from Canada. She is passionate about science, art, gardening and nature.
“I chose IVA High because my own teaching philosophy aligns completely with the Intellectual Virtues that the school is based on. Students are empowered to have a voice and autonomy and I know great things will happen here.”
Classroom Highlights
English 9 - Romeo and Juliet
In Ms. Buie's English 9 class, students are reading Romeo and Juliet and interpreting scenes from the story. In the video above, students are taking on the perspective of a character to answer questions about a scene in the play. For Exhibition of Learning on April 5th, students will be selecting a scene or monologue to perform live!
College and Career Readiness - EXP Internship
In Ms. Marquez's College and Career Readiness class, students are working through nine internship readiness workshops led by EXP Future's program manager, Daisy. After participating in a resume and cover letter workshop, students created their resume/cover letter and gave each other feedback to make improvements to them. Students who are participating in the EXP Internship program will submit their draft portfolios this week to be considered for a PAID INTERNSHIP!
Campus Highlights
IVA High Debate Team
A couple weekends ago, two IVA High debate teams competed at the Sandra Seville Jones tournament at the University of Southern California. The teams moved up to Novice level since the last tournament and competed in the preliminary round in this weekend's tournament. Dahlia, a sophomore, received an award for 7th place individual speaker in her division! They are activity recruiting students to expand their team.
In collaboration with We The People, IVA High students organized a dance for both student bodies. Our students invested a lot of time and work to make this dance a reality, and we are so proud of them! We are grateful for the families who contributed to the dance through food or monetary donations!
EXP Women in STEM Field Trip
Several IVA High students visited LBCC for the Women in STEM Field Trip hosted by our community partner EXP. Students heard from a keynote speaker about her engineering career and met with many STEM professionals. Our students asked many questions and learned a lot about the STEM field!
Campus Updates
Career Cafe
On Friday, March 31st, IVA High will be hosting a Career Cafe for our students! We are looking for professionals in the following fields: public service (firefighter, officer, etc.), trades (plumber, electrician, etc), medical (doctor, physical therapist, etc.), and sciences (marine biologist, researcher, etc.). If you or someone you know is interested in presenting to our students, please reach out to Ms. Marquez at marisol.marquez@academylongbeach.org.
E-Sports Club
We are proud to announce that our E-Sports Club is being sponsored by Scholars Collective for students to attend free of charge! Esports will be an after school club on Thursday's and Friday'sheld at Scholar's Collective, located on 236 E 3rd St, Long Beach, CA 90802. We would be happy to receive support from any IVA parents to chaperone! Please email Ms. Darlin at darlin.ortiz@academylongbeach.org for more information!
Late Work Deadline
This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for late/missing assignments is this Friday, March 10th. We highly encourage your students to reach out to their teachers if they need extra support, or if they have any questions on an assignment/project. Grades will be submitted next week, and progress reports will be sent out soon after.
Enrollment Update
IVA High is currently enrolling students going into 9th through 12th grade for next school year! Spread the word, invite your friends and family to learn more.
There is still time to enroll for the fall! Families can access our application on our website.
Private tours and shadow dates are available! Please email info@academylongbeach.org if interested in enrollment or a tour.
.png?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=Black%20Modern%20Game%20Over%20(Flyer).png)
