Monday Message for May 20, 2019
Upcoming Events
Monday, May 20th: iSUPPORT Meeting, 9 a.m. in the Village
Tuesday, May 21st: ELAC Meeting, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, May 22nd: Explorations Coffee Connections, 10 a.m. in the Village
Monday, May 27th: No School – Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30th: NSLP – Wellness Meeting, 9 a.m.
Looking ahead!
Friday, June 7th: Drama Club POL “Lighthouse Rock” in the Village
Saturday, June 8th: Backyard Bash (Kona Ice will be there, too!)
Monday, June 10th: iSUPPORT Meeting, 9 a.m. in Synergy
Thursday, June 13th: Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
Friday, June 14th: Last Day of School!
iSUPPORT Meetings
iSUPPORT (PTA) meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 20th at 9 a.m., and Monday, June 10th, at 9 a.m.
We need you!
iLEAD asks each family to volunteer 40 hours per school year in any way you can. No contribution is too small! Start today.
CLICK HERE to read last month’s iSUPPORT (PTA) meeting notes in Parent Square.
NOTE: We will be discussing 2019/20 iSUPPORT (PTA) events and tasks at the next iSUPPORT (PTA) meeting.
The 2019 Backyard Bash is Coming!
Calling all entrepreneurs, artists, and performers! Join us for the 2019 Backyard Bash, Saturday, June 8th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event includes iLEAD Lancaster, iLEAD Antelope Valley, iLEAD Exploration at Lancaster, Empower Generations, iLEAD Innovation Studios, and Little iLEADers. Hosted by iLEAD Antelope Valley, located at 2110 West Avenue K in Lancaster.
Sign up HERE to participate.
Questions? Contact one of our Event Coordinators:
iLEAD AV:Holly
iLEAD Lancaster: Ashleigh
Outreach Coordinator for all other schools or vendors: Kristan.
Brandy Leopard: Mealtime Memos
Hi families,
Part of our National School Lunch Program asks our school community to form a wellness committee comprised of parents, staff members, and learners. This committee is dedicated to reviewing, updating, or modifying our wellness policy, as appropriate. We want our wellness committee to create an action plan to ensure progress is being made on our wellness policy and procedures.
Developing an action plan will help our school prioritize a few action steps each year. Consideration will be given to all areas such as nutrition guidelines for school meals and snacks, physical fitness activities, and related school activities. The committee will evaluate what additional resources, if any, will be needed for each action step.
When developing our wellness plan, we will ensure our activities are well grounded in our goals by developing SMART objectives:
- Specific: Identify the exact area to improve.
- Measurable: Quantify the progress.
- Attainable: Determine what is achievable.
- Realistic: Consider your resources and determine what can reasonably be accomplished.
- Time-bound: Identify deadlines for goals and related tactics.
Please join us for our meeting on Thursday, May 30th at 9 a.m. in the Village. We look forward to working together for a healthier, happier community of learners!
Just a reminder, our recess and lunch teams invite parents to volunteer anytime between 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; the help is always needed!
Feel free to contact me through the front office or email me directly at brandy.leopard@ileadlancaster.org with any questions.
Scenes from the 2019 Vision in Education Benefit Dinner
Here are some more highlights from our Vision in Education Benefit Dinner! A special recognition to our learners for being the stars of our evening!
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DreamUp Projects Headed to International Space Station
We are thrilled to announce the teams selected for flight in the 2019 DreamUp to Space challenge, representing learners from iLEAD Agua Dulce, iLEAD Lancaster, and SCVi. These are the experiments that will head to the International Space Station (ISS) this fall. Proposals and videos from the top 9 finalists were reviewed by an independent panel of science and space experts.
The three teams selected for flight aboard the ISS are:
“What is the Effect of Microgravity on Mycelium?” (SCVi, 11th grade)
- Team Members: Brayden Hall, Connor Raskin, Mario Robles, Adam Simpson (Click here to see the team’s video pitch)
“What is the Effect of Microgravity on Ulva Lactuca?” (SCVi, 4th/5th grade)
- Charlie Halvorsen, Gabriel Olmos, Maliah Sanmarti, Skye Van Verseveld (Click here to see the team’s video pitch.)
“What is the Effect of Microgravity on Aloe Vera?” (Agua Dulce 5th/6th grade, Lancaster 6th grade)
- iLEAD Agua Dulce learners Cody Anderson, Leo Cuellar, Samantha Diem, and Kaylee Pippin
- iLEAD Lancaster learners Brianna Angel, Ana Lopez Barahona, Mariana Lopez, Estrella Perez, Uriah Mack, and Lizette Monze Trujillo
- Click to see the video pitches from Agua Dulce and Lancaster.
The assessor team concluded that, given the similarities, both Aloe Vera teams have been selected and should merge and work together to optimize their experiment. This is common practice within the science community, collaborating to produce best results.
“We are so impressed with the innovation and creativity across all of the applicants, so this final decision was extremely difficult,” said Carie Lemack, CEO of DreamUp (click for bio). “The assessor team is excited that the three selected teams have the opportunity to see their research take place in microgravity!”
Consideration for the selection included the teams’ written proposals, their video submissions, and their responses to questions regarding how they will use this opportunity to share with the community.
“All the proposed experiments tackle questions that can be applied to long term human space exploration and colonization,” said Dr. Jacob Cohen, Chief Scientist, NASA Ames (click for bio). “As is common with all flight experiments, prior to launch, ground optimization of the experimental protocol is critical for execution and interpretation of the data derived from the flight experiment.”
The specific launch vehicle is still to be determined, but anticipated arrival on the ISS is this fall.
Kathleen Fredette, iLEAD’s Director of STEAM Initiatives said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication that all of our semi-finalists and finalists displayed, and the leadership demonstrated by our amazing facilitators! Throughout history, only a select few have the opportunity to be included in science happening on the International Space Station, and our learners are actually part of this inspiring work! This is exactly why STEAM education is so vital and why iLEAD Schools is committed to projects of this nature. We honor all of you today and encourage you to continue to follow your dreams and goals, knowing this was a stepping stone to the next awesome thing you will do!”
Dawn Evenson, Co-Founder and CEO stated: “iLEAD is incredibly proud to contribute to research on the International Space Station! These three projects represent the best examples of how learner passion and authentic purpose drive achievement through project-based learning!”
Drama Club Needs Your Help
Drama Club will be holding a special rehearsal for “Lighthouse Rock,” Saturday, June 1st, from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Lancaster Village.
Thank you, parents, for bringing them! We’re really excited to show you what we’ve been working on!
The club has become so successful that we are asking for a few parent volunteers! You will enjoy seeing and hearing the talents of our learners laughing and learning. It will be an enjoyable experience for all. They really are making great progress!
Meetings are on Thursdays after school, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. We ask all participants to meet on the amphitheater at 3:30 p.m. and we’ll go to the rehearsal space together.
Thank you to our club facilitators, Miss Tiffany, Miss Daniela, and Miss Jenna!
Nurse’s Update
It’s time to Be Proactive and plan ahead for enrollment requirements for the 2019/20 school year. Nurse Noemi has provided the following information for incoming 1st and 7th graders. Please read thoroughly and direct any questions to Noemi via phone at (661) 722-4287 or by email at noemi.blanco@ileadlancaster.org.
Exploration – Home School: Save the Date
The deadline to submit VCI (Class/Service) order request is: Monday, May 20th by 11:59 p.m.
Exploration – Home School: FREE Educator University Classes – Sign Up!
Home School families are invited to attend FREE in-person workshops and online webinars to help guide you in your homeschooling journey. Click here to view the flyer with details:
Sign up here to reserve your spot.
You will receive the login information by email once you RSVP. Make sure to Save the Date!
Exploration – Home School: Coffee Connections
Whether you are a “homeschool veteran” or “brand new” to homeschooling, collaboration is the key to success!
Date: Wednesday, May 22rd
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: In the Village at iLEAD: 254 E. Ave.K-4, Lancaster, CA 93535
Come for an informal gathering over coffee and make connections with other homeschooling parents! This is a time for parents to get some homeschooling ideas and build a support system. Networking is a powerful resource tool, so bring your notepad and get ready to learn & connect!
Please RSVP to your Educational Facilitator with the total number of adults and children (if childcare is needed). Hope to see you there!
Exploration – Home School: New Studio Classes & Tutoring
Studio classes are offered to home study learners exclusively to explore a variety of academic topics! We will start each 6-week session with a thematic topic and guide the learners to explore multiple aspects of it. This will include a fun activity, a group discussion, and individual guidance from the Educational Facilitator (EF). During each session, EFs will provide materials, mini-lessons, activities, guidance, and expertise on an as-needed basis to support each learner with their thematic project. Parents will be updated on how they can support at home, if needed. By the end of each session, the learners who engage with the available resources will provide evidence of their growth that is related to an authentic experience!
Cost: Studio Class prices have been discounted to only $75 each per 6-week session.
Need Tutoring Help?
Sign up for any 5th-8th grade tutoring session and work one-on-one or in a small group with a qualified, credentialed teacher. This is a great way to complete work samples to turn into your EF at your monthly Learning Period (LP) meetings. Use your school stipend to cover the individual tutor sessions at only $13 for 1 ½ hours each or sign up for all five sessions for $65. Space is limited, so sign up now to reserve your spot. Be sure to bring all needed supplies and homework with you!
Studio classes are offered every Wednesday from 10-11:30 a.m. on the following 6-week session schedule:
Session #5: May 1 – June 5
TUTORING: June 12
All sessions include an optional Lunch Alive! period from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
To sign up, submit your VCI order request form to your EF and indicate the Session # and/ or Tutoring dates.
Exploration – Home School: Blended Classes
Mix and Match! Sign up for both the Studio Experience and/or blended classes. Blended classes are individual, 30-minute sessions that are not designed as a “drop-off” day. Classes are held in on-campus classrooms by grade level and are integrated with both on-campus and home-study learners. This gives learners the opportunity to gradually build stronger social skills as they interact with their peers during short collaborative sessions.
Classes are only $45 each per 9-week rotation schedule:
Ends JUNE 14th
Ask your EF for specific dates/times offered by grade level class, then submit your request for any of the following blended class options:
- Musical Theater
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Art
- P.E.
- Exploratorium (Computers)
- Makery (Woodshop)
Exploration – Home School: Rockin’ Jump
Attention all homeschoolers! Rockin’ Jump has a special discounted Jump Time just for YOU! Every Thursday afternoon from 12-3 p.m. we invite our homeschool families to jump for only $10 per child for up to 3 hours! You may purchase tickets at the door or online by clicking here. Rockin’ Jump is located at 1301 W Rancho Vista Blvd Unit B, Palmdale.
