Irvington Weekly Newsletter

Now that the school year has been extended to include December 18-22, we plan to run instruction that whole week (with fun, pre-break activities, of course!). We understand that some families may have some travel plans that they cannot change. If your child will be absent on those days, please click here to let our office staff know about the absence. And while teachers will not be creating packets or alternate work for students who are gone that week, you can reach out to your child's teacher to learn more about the content of that week.

Conferences will be made up from 4-7pm on the following days: Jan 10, 11, 16, and 17. Teachers will ask you to sign up for a conference spot starting Monday (12/11). As with conferences last year, you will have the option to conduct the conference in-person or virtually.

December's Tea with Mr. G. will be next Friday, 9-10am. Our topic will be multi-tiered systems of support. If you're curious about how we support all students and student behavior, join us next Friday after arrival.

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges walked into first grade as the first Black student at an all-white Louisiana school. She faced unthinkable obstacles as school districts in the United States desegregated, and as an adult she has worked to promote tolerance and anti-racist practices.

Schools across the country honor Ruby Bridges with a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day every November 14. Due to the strike, PPS has rescheduled it to December 14. This is a way to remember the hardships that Black Americans have faced to receive a public education and celebrate trailblazers like Ruby who worked for equality.

We invite you to join us for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Thursday. Please see the map below for where to join the walk.

The Irvington community is proud to support our families every year during the holiday season. This year is no different! Our teachers will be shopping for clothing and toys, and we need your help! If you're able to help out a family in our community, please donate with either cash or a Venmo deposit to Ms Wich (@Katie-Wich, or use the QR code below). We can accept cash at arrival and dismissal up to Wednesday, December 13. Thank you!

The announcement of the OBOB teams went out to parents yesterday. If you did not receive the email, let us know at obob@irvingtonschool.com. Also, seeing as how last month was a little chaotic, if you thought your child was signed up and you didn’t get an email, or if they have changed their mind about participating, we are offering one last chance to sign up at https://forms.office.com/r/ZEjRs7h67R. Please fill out the form by Monday, December 11.

The PTA has surveyed Irvington Staff about their likes and preferences for future Teacher & Staff Appreciation days and, in case you could use the info as well, you can find the results on the PTA website! This information will continue to be updated and accessible throughout the year.

Please join us next Monday, December 11, for our next PTA meeting! This month’s PTA meeting will feature several opportunities for community building and minimal business. Together we will share a delicious locally produced Hawaiian style meal and cookies while celebrating our amazing community. Everyone is welcome, whether this is your very first one or you’ve been to them all.

Free dinner begins at 5:30pm and free childcare runs from 5:30-7:30pm. The meeting will begin at 6:00pm. Enter the building through the front doors of the school. Either ring the buzzer or text the phone number taped to the front door to be let in. We hope to see you there!

Enrollment for winter after-school classes is underway! See all the offerings and find links to register at www.irvingtonschool.com/afterschool/. Registration will remain open until next Friday, December 15, at 3:30pm.

Students on free/reduced lunch can apply for a scholarship for one after school class each term! Scholarship applications can be found online here, and paper copies can be found at the front office. Email scholarship@irvingtonschool.com with any questions. The scholarship deadline has been extended by one week. Please turn in scholarship applications no later than next Friday, December 15, at 3:30pm.

The second movie night of the year is happening next Friday, December 15! A free community event hosted by the PTA, this time we’ll be showing Elemental. See all the details below:

• Where: School cafeteria.

• When: Friday, December 15. Doors open and disco party at 6pm, movie begins at 6:30pm. Use the cafeteria doors behind the school for entry/exit.

• Who: Irvington students and their families! Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

• Food and Drink: Free popcorn provided! Please bring your own water bottles filled with water only. Picnic dinners are ok, too. Thank you in advance for cleaning up after yourselves.

• Seating: Bring a blanket or camp chair to sit on. Cafeteria tables are also available.

• Disco: Enjoy some fun lights, music and dancing before the show and during a short intermission.

If you are a parent or caregiver of an Irvington student who identifies as neurodiverse, we are having a coffee chat in the PTA room on Tuesday, December 19, after drop off (around 9am). This is an inclusive group with a broad definition of neurodiversity. If you're interested in this group and wondering if it's for you, come chat with us over coffee and find out. Contact Amy Dachtler at amydachtler@gmail.com with any questions.

We have rescheduled our next Families of Students of Color (FOSOC) potluck for Monday, December 18, 5:30-7:00. Bring a dish...or not! We plan to talk about culturally-specific events, so please try to attend if you want to be a part of the conversation.

The amazing program Girls on the Run will be returning to Irvington this spring! We are currently recruiting coaches. You do NOT need to be a marathon runner, have any interest in wearing spandex, or flex strong calves to be a coach! You just need an interest in helping girls learn to love themselves and their bodies. The program will be 10 weeks, Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 19 to May 30 (with one week off for Spring Break). Each practice is 3:00-4:45pm. Coaches are guaranteed a spot for their child in the program. Please email Carolyn Sykes (csykes@pps.net) if you are interested in being a Girls on the Run coach this spring. Student registration information will be available soon.

The Multi-layer Plastics recycling collection and Winter Recycling Event are happening at drop off and pick up on Wednesday, December 13. Multi-layer plastics include frozen food bags, crunchy plastic food bags, chip bags, thin wrappers with a shiny lining, candy wrappers, and more. Please shake or wipe out any crumbs, and if you need to wash something to get it clean, please make it sure it is completely dry. The Winter Recycling Event has been expanded this year to collect more items. Some highlights are styrofoam, light bulbs, empty Rx bottles, batteries, electronics, holiday string lights.

Monday, December 11: PTA meeting; 5:30 dinner and childcare, 6pm meeting

Wednesday, December 13: Multilayer plastic recycling at drop off/pick up

Thursday, December 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Friday, December 15: Spirit day (sparkle/glam)

Friday, December 15: Tea with Mr. G., 9-10am

Friday, December 15: After-school class registration closes/scholarship applications due, 3:30pm

Friday, December 15: Movie night, 6pm

Monday, December 18: Families of students of color potluck, 5:30-7:00pm

Tuesday, December 19: Parents of neurodiverse students coffee chat, 9am

Friday, December 22: Last day before winter break

See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/