September 2010

Enrichment Activities
Mrs. Dionne and Ms. Smith’s IB Biology classes ventured to the Clinton River North Branch to find out how the insects vary in different habitats along the river.  Equipped with waders and nets, students got into the river to collect and identify different insect populations.  The students were able to practice data collection and data analysis, which they evaluated to form a scientific conclusion.                                            

On Friday, August 20, Brown University sophomore Judy Hwang made a presentation to the students of the IAM about her experiences over the summer living with the Secoya tribe in the rainforest of Ecuador.  Ms. Hwang, a former student of Social Studies teacher Judy Depew, talked about the everyday experiences of a person living in the rainforest, but also spoke about how the tribe is struggling to adapt their way of life after having their territory badly contaminated through the excavation of crude oil.  Despite the bugs, giant spiders, the lack of facilities, the language barrier, the exotic food, and the overall difficulty of the lifestyle, Judy happily reports that she is doing everything she can to go back next summer.

Jayson Blair, a graduate of L’Anse Creuse High School North, spoke to the Drama and IB Theatre students about show business and acting on August 30.  Jayson focused on how to pursue an agent, the process of auditioning and his experiences performing on various commercials and television shows.  He also shared stories about his current role on an MTV sitcom.

Who are you? 
Picture identification badges will be issued to students on Thursday, Sept. 8. Students must wear their ID to school each day.  A second ID may be purchased and kept in the student’s locker to be used on those forgetful days.

Staying in Touch
The first of our monthly parent meetings, Principal’s Parent Advisory Committee, will take place in Room 20 on Friday, Sept. 24, at 9:30 am. Please join us!

If you have not yet acquired access to your child’s grades and attendance through PowerSchool, please download and sign the Parent Portal Agreement (on our website under the student section) and bring it to the IAM.  You will receive your username and password to access your student’s information records through a secure internet connection.

Our Open Doors
After Labor Day, entrance to the IAM during the school day will be limited to the main entrance of the Ninth Grade Center on Romeo Plank.

Student Handbook
Please remember that all 9^th grade students and their parents should read and discuss the IAM Student Handbook.  Sign the Review of Guidebook Acknowledgement form on page 42 and send it to the office by Sept. l7.  

To access the handbook, follow the procedures listed below:

• Go to www.IAMacomb.org
• Click on Student Information.
• Click on IAM Handbook.
• Please read and discuss the handbook with your student.
• Print page 42.
• Sign the printed form and have your student return it to school no later than 9/18/09

Counselor Corner
I am very excited to be here at the IAM! The focus of my role is to help all IAM students with academic achievement, personal development and career exploration.  I will support the students to reach their educational goals while they are here at the IAM and focus my time assisting them with their post-high school planning. 

I have been busy scheduling college and university representative visits, which will occur for the most part during lunches (with a few exceptions where we will have presentations to the juniors).  There is a calendar of visits outside the main office on the bulletin board.  We encourage all students to take the opportunity to meet with the representatives to explore colleges and universities.  I will be visiting with all the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade students this month to briefly discuss college planning and the upcoming PSAT. 

On October 13, 2010 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Grosse Pointe South High School will be holding a college fair, where over 100 college and university representatives will be available to meet with students. 

There are several selective colleges and universities making evening presentation visits in the metro-Detroit area.  This information is also posted on the bulletin board outside the main office.  Often times, the more selective colleges and universities are not able to make a lunchtime visit, so this may be one of your student’s only opportunities to meet with those representatives.

The PSAT is on October 13 during the school day.  All 10^th grade students will take the PSAT (which is a practice; there is no charge).  10^th grade students do not need to register.  11^th grade students who are interested in taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam do need to register.  There is a fee for 11^th grade students.  Fee is payable by check only and is $13 (check made payable to the IAM).  Even if you signed up to take it in the spring, you will now need to make the payment and formally register.  The deadline to register is SEPTEMBER 15, 2010.

I am currently working on setting up a link on the IAM website where you and your students will be able to access guidance and counseling information (including the college and university rep schedule).  I will let everyone know when that is up and running.

During second semester I will be planning a junior parent college planning meeting, so please watch for information about that important workshop.

I look forward to working with the IAM students and families.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

Dr. Laura Strong - IAM Counselor – (586-723-7206)

We are officially registered for the Kroger Community Rewards Program.  Please read the following information on how to become a Kroger Plus Card Member and earn $$ for the IAM.

International Academy of Macomb NPO number is 83888.

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

• Simply encourage your members to register online at krogercommunityrewards.com
• Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
• If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
• Click on Sign In/Register
• Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
• Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
• You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
• Update or confirm your information.
• Enter NPO number or name of organization, select organization from list and click on confirm.
• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
• REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
• Do you use your phone number at the register?  Call 877-576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
• Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

If you are interested in the alternate SCANBAR method of member registration, please call 800-837-4483 and a SCANBAR letter will be mailed to you.

Previous Newsletters

• August 2010
• June 2010