
IPS PICTURE RETAKE DAY! November 19, 2024
If your student was absent on the first picture day, there will be an ordering site available so you can order online. (cavanaughphoto.com/order) Or, if you placed an order before the first picture day and didn’t realize your child would be absent, it will be honored.If your student wants a retake, you must bring back the original picture packet that was ordered. Or, if you only ordered a hi-res digital file, please send a note in with your student stating that a hi-res digital file was purchased. If the packet or note is not returned, a new package will not be printed until the original is turned in.

📚 Mark your calendars, IPS families! 🗓️
Join us for Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 PM! ✨
Meet your child's teachers, explore our educational programs, and discover amazing ways to support learning at home! 🎓 Our PTO meeting will follow in the cafeteria.
🌟 Learn about:
Grade-level curriculum
Educational resources
At-home learning strategies
And more!
Got questions? We've got answers! This evening is all about empowering YOU to be part of your child's educational journey. 📝✏️
Location: IPS Cafeteria
Time: 5:30 PM
See you there!


Happy Halloween from your IPS staff! #iPride


Drone footage of our IPS Halloween Parade! https://youtu.be/5POnyAhlgJw

I-Pride Week is happening this week at IPS! Students are exploring themes of joy, togetherness, wellness, bravery and kindness through engaging activities and fun dress-up days. A highlight was the outdoor pep assembly on "Together Tuesday," where members of the IHS Marching Band and other high school students came to share the importance of kindness with the elementary students. Check out the video highlight to see all the school spirit! We used drone footage taken from our NEW IPS Drone Club! 👇
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vywZDiJ-vKMKr08swOW4YQ75WewiZGcQ/view


Did You Know? 🤔
IPS is launching a Drone Club this school year! 🚁✨
📅Starting early November, running for 6 weeks
📚Week 1: Intro to Drones - Laws and Regulations
🎮Week 2: Basic Operation
✈️Weeks 3-4: Flight Skills
🏆Weeks 5-6: Drone Skills and Maneuvers
📸Learn Aerial Photography
🛠️Work on Drone Projects
🎁6 drones purchased with PTO support
👥First session: 12 4th grade students
👨🏫Led by Mr. Gruber
Independence Primary School - Where innovation takes flight! 🏫🚀


📚 Did you know? School buses are the safest way for kids to get to school! This National School Bus Safety Week, let's appreciate our bus drivers. 👏 #ThankABusDriver



Did You Know? 🤔
IPS has incorporated an intervention block into the school day! 🏫⏰
🎯Targets support to personalize instruction
📚Strengthens foundational skills in reading, math, and more
📊Uses assessment data to inform instruction
👥Fosters stronger student-teacher relationships
🌟Boosts student self-confidence
🤝Enhances teacher collaboration and strategy sharing
🔄Allows for continuous improvement through reflection
📈Enables regular progress monitoring and adjustment
Independence Primary School - Creating a supportive, responsive, and effective learning environment! 🏆


Mrs. Crum's enrichment classes at Independence Primary School recently used Breakout EDU boxes! 📦🔓
🧩Turns learning into an interactive, puzzle-based experience
🧠Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving
👥Promotes teamwork and collaboration
🎮Makes learning feel like an exciting game
📚Engages various learning styles (reading, observing, listening)
⏳Develops real-world skills like time management
🎉Provides immediate feedback, sustaining motivation
Independence Primary School - Where learning is an adventure! 🏫🌟




Just a reminder! We are conducting our mandatory bus evacuation drills Thursday morning. Be sure your student dresses for the weather! Thank you!


📚🌱 Did You Know? 🌿🏫
IPS is taking learning outdoors! 🌞
🏆 With help from our amazing PTO, IPS secured a Dominion grant to revamp our courtyard and introduce sustainable learning tools!
🏡 One exciting addition: A brand new greenhouse near our pavilion! 🌼🍅
This green space will offer our students:
🔬 Hands-on plant biology lessons
♻️ Sustainable practices education
💧 Resource management skills
🌎 Ecosystem study opportunities
Our greenhouse isn't just a building – it's a living laboratory where students can grow their knowledge! 🌱📚
Stay tuned for more updates on our blossoming outdoor learning space! 🌺🌻🌼


It's National Principals Month! Our principals at Independence Local Schools are simply the best! Thank you for your incredible leadership and for always putting students first! 🎉


Because of the success of the IPS drama program and the demand for students to be a part of the production, the school is offering it to third and fourth-grade students this school year. For second-grade students, we are offering a six-week session for our second-grade artists to grow under a professional director and choreographer. This will help prepare them for the IPS drama production in third and fourth grades. The six-week program will end with a culminating showcase on October 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Civic Center.
The Junior Drama Club will foster creativity, confidence, and teamwork among our students. From the outset, the club provided a welcoming space for students to explore their imaginations and express themselves. In addition to performance skills, the club nurtures essential social skills. Participants will learn to communicate effectively, listen to one another, and provide constructive feedback. These experiences translate into improved interactions in the classroom and foster a sense of community among classmates.


Independence Primary School has successfully completed the iReady benchmarking assessment for all students! 🎉📚
📊 This assessment provides valuable insights into each student's performance in reading and math.
🧠 Our team will analyze results to identify trends, strengths, and areas of need across grade levels.
🎯 Data will guide targeted interventions and differentiated instruction.
📈 Our goal: Enhance engagement and learning outcomes for all students.
We're excited to use these insights to boost academic growth for all our IPS students! 🚀👩🎓👨🎓


So much appreciation for all of our custodial and maintenance staff! Thank you for all you do! #iPride


September 27, 2024
Due to staff illness and injury, we will have to run double routes this afternoon.
The high school and middle school students that ride bus 18 will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m. and arrive home about 20 minutes earlier.
The high school middle school students that ride bus 7 will be home about 20 - 30 minutes later.
The primary school students that ride bus 7 will also be home approximately 30 minutes later this afternoon.
Parents are welcome to pick up their children at school.

Just a reminder! No school tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 23.
Enjoy your day, Blue Devil students!


📢 Did You Know? 🏫✏️
Independence Primary School is growing! 🌱
🔹 We've added a new kindergarten section due to increased enrollment! This means:
• More spaces for our littlest Blue Devils
• Maintaining small class sizes
• Ensuring personalized attention for each student
🔹 Welcoming a new face! 👋 Meet Joy Lewis, our newest kindergarten teacher!
• Experienced educator
• Passionate about early education
• Already familiar with IPS through her substitute work
We're excited to provide an even better start for our kindergarteners! 🎒🍎
#IndependenceStrong #GrowingTogether #KindergartenRocks #IPride


📚🎨 Did You Know? 🏃♀️🎵
IPS is shaking up our specials schedule! 🌟
🆕 We've switched from a day-based to a letter-based rotation (A-B-C-D-E) for:
🖼️ Art
🏋️♂️ Physical Education
🎼 Music
📚 Library
💻 Design Technology
Why the change? 🤔
✅ Ensures fair time in each special
🗓️ No more missed classes due to holidays
📊 Balanced learning, even with breaks
This new system keeps our students' education well-rounded and consistent! 🌈📐
Excited to see our Blue Devils thrive in all areas! 💙😈
#IPSSpecials #WellRoundedEducation #StudentSuccess #BlueDevilPride


Today, we remember and honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Our thoughts are with their families and the brave first responders. Let us come together as a community to reflect, remember, and renew our commitment to unity and compassion.
