.

  • This week in Summary 9/11-9/15

    🩸The IHS National Honor Society would like to thank everyone who participated in their first blood drive of the year. NHS is excited to announce their collection total of 55 pints! Thank you to Culver’s who rewarded each donor with a pint of frozen custard in the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” promotion. Mark your calendars for their next drive on December 5th.

     

    🏆Special Olympics Michigan - We are excited for our students that were afforded the opportunity to join this amazing group. We can’t wait to see all the great things they will do!

     

    🏫Morning tutoring and study sessions are now running from 7:10-7:35 in the Learning Center. Any student needing a quiet place to work, assistance on homework, test preparation, or a comfy place to read, come on in!

     

    👗Cinderella’s Closet🤵🏼 is now accepting donations. Cinderella’s Closet will be open to all IHS students on September 23rd from 8-Noon. Email Ms. Doesburg @ edoesburg@ioniaschools.org with any questions.

     

    📞Attendance Hotline: Please call the attendance hotline @ (616) 527-2780 (goes directly to voicemail) or (616) 841-4050 to report an absent, early dismissal, or late arrival.

     

    ❗Next Wednesday, don’t miss Ionia Community Awareness as they present: Caitlin Cusack Purple Concert & Music Video Shoot

     

    Next Week 9/18-9/22

    • Achieve Rotation: Mon = 5th, Tues = 6th, Weds = 7th, Thurs = 1st
    • Monday: Josten’s meeting with Sophomores (class rings)
    • Wednesday: Josten’s meeting with Seniors (cap & gown)
    • Thursday: Picture Day (make-up from heat day)
    • Friday: No school for students, all day PD for staff

    This week in Summary 9/4-9/8

    🎶On Wednesday, our Vocal Music students played host to Caitlin Cusack, class of ‘10, as they practiced for ICA Presents: Caitlin Cusack Purple Concert & Music Video Shoot.

     

    🛟On Thursday, our students and staff took part of SmartBoot Safety Training. We learned how the new SmartBoot system works, how it can keep us safe, and we went through 2 simulations. More information about these comprehensive security upgrades along with other sinking fund promises kept can be found here. 

     

    🚗After School Student Pick Up: DO use the designate student pick up areas. DO NOT use the YMCA turnaround nor the bus lot. Our bus drivers thank you for your cooperation!

     

    🩸The Ionia National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive on September 13 from 9 to 3 at the Ionia Educational Center (High School). You must be at least 16 with parental permission. If you are 17 or 18, you do not need permission. You can pick up a permission slip or sign up with Ms Tackmann in Room 105 during Achievement Hour or by using this link. Proceeds from this blood drive will be donated to the Ionia Community Awareness.  

     

    🗓️IHS Family School Guild Volunteer Date: 4 Helpers are needed at Culver’s on 9/12 from 5 - 8 pm. All profits go directly to help fund IHS student activities throughout the school year. If interested in volunteering, please email Traci Flanner at ihsfsg@ioniaschools.org. 

     

    Next Week 9/11-9/15

    • Purple Spirit Week is here!
      • Mon = PJs, Tues = Neon, Weds = Country vs Country Club, Thurs = Soccer Moms and BBQ Dads, Fri = Purple Day
    • Achieve Rotation: Mon = 7th, Tues = Adult Advocate, Weds = 1st, Thurs = 2nd, Fri = 3rd
    • Monday: Powerlifting meeting w/Mr. Branch, Family School Guild (FSG) Pizza Hut Fundraiser
    • Wednesday: Unified meeting w/Mrs. Siverly, Family School Guild (FSG) Culver’s Fundraiser
    • Thursday: SADD meeting w/Mrs. Aves, NHS Blood Drive
    • Friday: Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) meeting w/Mr. Bowen in the GRIT room

    This week in Summary 8/28-9/1

    🧮Students in Mrs. Minikey’s Geometry classes used mobius strips to predict characteristics after being cut into halves, thirds and fourths.

     

    💻Our freshmen and sophomore students completed their fall NWEA testing. NWEA testing not only measures growth and proficiency but it also offers our staff insights to help tailor instruction.

     

    🔗Thank you to all that came to the LINK Crew sponsored tailgate before the Patriot Football Game. The LINK Crew and their advisors, Ms. Tackmann and Mrs. Dahms, have worked hard to make our freshmen feel at home in the high school. 

     

    🚗After School Student Pick Up: DO use the designate student pick up areas. DO NOT use the YMCA turnaround nor the bus lot. Our bus drivers thank you for your cooperation!

     

    Next Week 9/4-9/8

    • Achieve Rotation: Tuesday = 5th hour, Wednesday = 6th hour, Friday = 7th hour
    • Monday: No school - Labor Day
    • Tuesday: Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Meeting - sign up w/Ms. Linda in the SSO if interested
    • Wednesday: Interact Meeting - sign up w/Mrs. Pfaller if interested
    • Thursday: SmartBoot Safety Training @ 10 am for all students and staff - Please read this excerpt from Superintendent Gurk’s August Excel Newsletter for more information

    Looking Ahead

    💜The Ionia Community Awareness Purple Week kick off is 9/9. Click here for all event information. 

     

    🩸The Ionia National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive on September 13 from 9 to 3 at the Ionia Educational Center (High School). You must be at least 16 with parental permission. If you are 17 or 18, you do not need permission. You can pick up a permission slip or sign up with Ms Tackmann in Room 105 during Achievement Hour or by using this link. Proceeds from this blood drive will be donated to the Ionia Community Awareness.  

     

    🗓️IHS Family School Guild Volunteer Date: 4 Helpers are needed at Culver’s on 9/12 from 5 - 8 pm. All profits go directly to help fund IHS student activities throughout the school year. If interested in volunteering, please email Traci Flanner at ihsfsg@ioniaschools.org. 

     

    📸2024 yearbooks are now on sale at yearbookforever.com. You may place an online order or see Mrs. Senters to pay cash/check. Orders are due January 29 and yearbooks will be distributed in May.

    This Week in Summary 8/21-8/25

    🏫It was a great start to the new school year! Students participated in a variety of activities to establish learning norms and re-teach expected behaviors. Some of those activities included:

    • Mrs. Ave’s Introduction to AP Psychology: students used bubbles to explore the connections between their experience and psychology. 
    • Mrs. Baldwin’s Introduction to Chemistry & Physics: students used teamwork and problem solving to build marshmallow towers made of only spaghetti and masking tape.

     

    🥇Academic Shoutouts! 

    • Congratulations to the following students for earning National Recognition Program Awardee status. This is due to their excellent GPA and outstanding performance on their AP exams: Evan Derusha, Evan Winters, Gabriel Hatfield, Jacob Montgomery, John Milewski III, Kaidence Thomas, and Kathryn Brown.
    • Congratulations to Carren Hope Adoyo who attended The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) in Washington D.C. in early August. NSHSS is an organization that recognizes high school students for their academic achievements as well as service to their community. Here, Hope attended a college and career fair. She said of the event, “I met and explored opportunities with educational and government leaders from renowned organizations and universities around the country.”

    🗓️The IHS Family School Guild is hosting their 1st meeting of the year in the Learning Center on Monday evening at 6 pm. All IHS families and school members are invited to attend and get involved. We hope to see you there!

     

    🏈Our 1st home varsity football game of the season will be the 8th annual Patriot Game on 8/31 at 7 pm. It will be Red-White-and-Blue day for students at school as we show our support for all those who have served. Be sure to arrive early to see the Choir sing before the game, the Cheerleaders lead our student section in spirit and our Band & Color Guard perform throughout the game and at halftime.

     

    🔗Before the game on 8/31, the LINK Crew will be hosting a “Tailgate Party” for all freshmen and all IHS staff at the old tennis courts (new parking area) starting at 5:30 pm. We hope to see all of our freshmen there!

     

    Next Week 8/28-9/1

    • Achieve Rotation: Monday = 1st hour, Tuesday = 2nd hour, Wednesday = 3rd hour
    • Monday: IHS Family School Guild Meeting @ 6 pm in the Learning Center
    • Tuesday: Interact Meeting during Achieve
    • Wednesday: SADD Meeting Achieve
    • Thursday: Pep Assembly during school, Patriot Football game @ 7 pm
    • September 1-4: No School - Labor Day Weekend

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

     

    This Week in Summary 8/14-8/18

    🎺On Thursday evening, the IHS Marching Band performed at Emerson Elementary School’s open house to help celebrate their 100th year!

     

    🏫On Wednesday and Thursday, IHS staff readied their classrooms in anticipation of the 1st day of school and participated in school and district wide professional development and training. I am confident and excited stating: IHS is ready for our Bulldogs to return on Monday, August 21st!

     

    🎒Schedules on Day 1: Students should attend the class schedule that appears in Skyward. If a class is missing or incorrect, please report to the Counseling Office during the time frame of the conflict. For example, if a student's schedule is correct with the exception of 3rd period, the student should report to all of their other classes and request an appointment from their 3rd period instructor during 3rd period.

     

    🚗Student Drivers: IHS Student Parking Permit Agreement

     

    👋Be sure to check out my Welcome Back Letter that was sent out on August 1st for important school updates, the daily schedule, and much more! 

     

    📝Click here for Suggested Back to School Supplies.

     

    📩We ask all families to visit the Family Portal and click on “Apply For Benefits” so our school district receives all of the Title 1 and 31a monies that are intended to be allocated to our district. Follow these steps:

    • Apply For Benefits → Accept → Next → Accept → Accept → Next → Next → Add Student (you will need to click on Add Student for each of your students that attend an IPS school)

    ⚕Medication and Health Information Forms:

    • Health information/allergies/etc need to be updated every year. Please visit this link to update the online Medical Information Sheet 
    • If your student(s) has medications they take during the school day, please fill these forms out right now online 
    • Please notify the school office of your doctor's fax or email and they forward them on for the doctor's signature.

    🚌Click here for Transportation information. 

     

    📷Picture Day: Thursday, August 24th and Friday, August 25th

     

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

    Dear IHS Families

    🏫We are 9 days away from the beginning of the 2023-24 school year! Hopefully you received my welcome back letter that was mailed out last week. If not, please view that informational letter here.

     

    📝Click here for Suggested Back to School Supplies.

     

    📩We ask all families to visit the Family Portal and click on “Apply For Benefits” so our school district receives all of the Title 1 and 31a monies that are intended to be allocated to our district. Follow these steps:

    • Apply For Benefits → Accept → Next → Accept → Accept → Next → Next → Add Student (you will need to click on Add Student for each of your students that attend an IPS school)

    ⚕Medication and Health Information Forms:

     

    • Health information/allergies/etc need to be updated every year. Please visit this link to update the online Medical Information Sheet 
    • If your student(s) has medications they take during the school day, please fill these forms out right now online 
    • Please notify the school office of your doctor's fax or email and they forward them on for the doctor's signature.

    🚌Click here for Transportation information. 

     

    👀Be on the lookout for the Bulldog Bulletin every Friday at 3 pm moving forward.

     

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

     

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 6/5-6/9

    📝Students did a great job of completing their exams this week. All grades will be finalized and posted to Skyward no later than 3 pm on Tuesday, June 13th.

     

    🏫Summer School/Credit Recovery: Summer school/credit recovery courses are online, self-paced courses with teachers providing both virtual and in person support. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the in person sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm (breakfast and lunch will be provided).  Please complete this application to sign-up for the summer school credit recovery classes. FYI: If a student fails a class and does not make it up during summer school, the student will be recycled back into the same class next year.

     

    👋Please view this fun farewell Enjoy Your Summer video from our staff!

     

    👀Be on the lookout for a welcome back letter from me in late July/early August. Until then - be good, be safe, be great and GO DAWGS!

     

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 5/29-6/2

    🎉The highlight of this week was our Super GRIT Assembly that was held on Thursday afternoon. Even though it was hot, students were able to chill out with Rainbow Ice and snacks from concessions while playing a wide variety of field games including cornhole, badminton, kick ball, top golf, can jam,  jenga, and many more. Students were even given the opportunity to purchase water balloons with their earned GRIT coins to soak a staff member! 

     

    🍨Link Crew invites all freshmen to Sundaes and Study. Tuesday June 6 from 2:35 to 3:30 in room 105.  Link Crew will provide ice cream and stuff to make sundaes. Students, bring your study materials!

     

    🤝Thank you for your support during these last few weeks of school as students prepare for exams next week. Study smart, eat/drink/sleep appropriately to maximize potential on the exams and take a big breath knowing that summer is right around the corner!

     

    🏫Summer School/Credit Recovery: Summer school/credit recovery courses are online, self-paced courses with teachers providing both virtual and in person support. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the in person sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm (breakfast and lunch will be provided).  Please complete this application to sign-up for the summer school credit recovery classes. FYI: If a student fails a class and does not make it up during summer school, the student will be recycled back into the same class next year.

     

    Next Week 6/5-6/9

    • Monday & Tuesday: normal school days

    • Wednesday: Full day of school with exams in 1st & 2nd hours w/locker clean out

    • Thursday: Half day of school with exams in 3rd & 5th hours

    • Friday: Half day of school with exams in 6th & 7th hours

    Full exam schedule here

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 5/22-5/26

    💙Thank you to all that attended the 2023 Graduation Ceremony. It was so rewarding to see our seniors turn their tassels to become graduates. Your support from home and partnership with our school over the past 4 years was paramount in this achievement.

     

    📽️2023 Graduation Ceremony: Order your digital and/or DVD recording here. Thank you to Mr. Hansen for capturing this moment in time for our graduates and their families.

     

    🏫The end of the school year can be exciting for some and difficult for others due to the sudden change of normalcy. What’s important for all, however, is that we end the year the same way we started this year and intend to start next year: transparent with our expectations and consistent with enforcing school board policy. Please review the IHS Student Handbook with your student paying close attention to page 4 about student responsibilities, page 60 about cell phones and page 62 about the dress code. Next week looks to be very warm. Your help in ensuring your student arrives at school with school appropriate attire is greatly appreciated.

     

    🎆To show our school spirit one last time and to celebrate the end of another successful year, we will have a spirit week next week. Tuesday = Twin Day, Wednesday = Pink Out, Thursday = Throwback Thursday, Friday = Beach Day

     

    Next Week 5/29-6/2

    • Monday: No School

    • Tuesday: SADD meeting during Achieve

    • Wednesday: PAC meeting during Achieve

    • Thursday: 7:15 am May Students/Citizens/Athletes of the month ceremony will be held in the Learning Center. Winners and their families are invited to attend this ceremony where each recipient will be recognized.

    • Look Ahead:

      • Exam Week is June 5th-9th

      • June 8th & 9th are half days

      • Full exam schedule here

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 5/15-5/19

    On Monday, Mr. Cairns’s Ancient Civilizations class made food from Mesopotamia to help the students get a real taste of what they had been learning.

     

    🏁Friday morning marked the last day of high school for the class of 2023. They began the morning at 6 am for the Sunrise Breakfast. (Thank you to all the parents that donated food and their time!) Here, the seniors played games, drove 3 wheelers, a tractor even made an appearance and, of course, shared memories of their high school days. The seniors ended their high school journey with the traditional senior march. Congratulations to the class of 2023! We will see you at the football stadium on Tuesday morning at 8:30 am for mandatory graduation rehearsal.

     

    🎓🅿️Graduation Parking - Please plan ahead for parking if you are attending graduation on Thursday, May 25th. Gates open at 6 pm with graduation starting promptly at 7 pm. Overflow parking will be available in the YMCA parking lot. Please DO NOT park on the shoulder by the road.

     

    IHS Family School Guild Meeting on Monday, May 2nd @ 6 pm in the Learning Center. All families are invited!

     

    🏫Summer School/Credit Recovery: Summer school/credit recovery courses are online, self-paced courses with teachers providing both virtual and in person support. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the in person session on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm (breakfast and lunch will be provided).  Please complete this application to sign-up for the summer school credit recovery classes.

     

    Next Week 5/22-5/26

    • Monday:

      • Interact meeting during Achieve. 

      • IHS Family School Guild meeting @ 6 pm in the Learning Center.

    • Tuesday: 

      • Graduation rehearsal for seniors at the football stadium @ 8:30 am.

      • Student Council meeting during Achieve.

      • Class of 2023 Scholarships and Awards, 7:00 pm, Ionia Theater.

    • Wednesday: 

      • Principal’s Advisory Council meeting during Achieve.

    • Thursday: 

      • 7:15 am May Students/Citizens/Athletes of the month ceremony will be held in the Learning Center. Winners and their families are invited to attend this ceremony where each recipient will be recognized.

      • Graduation Commencement Ceremony, 7 pm, Lloyd T. Smith Stadium.

        • Student Arrival Time: 6:15 pm.

    • Friday ½ Day of School

     

    GO DAWGS!

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 5/8-5/12

    🚀On Tuesday, Mr. Ondersma’s Science and Engineering class took to the softball to launch their rockets. It was a blast ;-)

     

    🏅On Thursday, it was Special Olympics Michigan Capitol Day in Lansing. Mrs. Syverly and her Unified Sports team and coaches attended the event in Lansing where they were recognized in both the House and Senate by our State Representative Gina Johnson and our State Senator Rick Outman. Our students met with Special Olympics representatives along with Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Outman to discuss how the positive impact of inclusion has been seen at IHS.

     

    🎈On Friday, Miss G, our Career and College Advisor, hosted Decision Day for our seniors. Music, snacks, sweet treats, raffles and much more highlighted this event that showcases what our seniors are planning to do after graduation - career readiness, college, trade school and military.

     

    ❗Attention Seniors: 

     

    ⚕️If you have meds at school for your student, please see this important link. 

     

    🤔Interested in hosting an exchange student next year? Check this out for more information.

     

    🏫Summer School/Credit Recovery: Summer school/credit recovery courses are online, self-paced courses with teachers providing both virtual and in person support. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the in person session on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm (breakfast and lunch will be provided).  Please complete this application to sign-up for the summer school credit recovery classes.

     

    Next Week 5/15-5/19

    • Tuesday: Link Crew meeting during Achieve

    • Wednesday: AP Biology Exam, Bridges meeting during Achieve, Spring Band Concert

    • Thursday: 

      • Final Exams for Seniors (hours 1, 5-7)

      • MCC trip for Sophomores. Email Miss G with questions mgustitus@ioniaschools.org 

      • Vocal Music Concert Night on Broadway @ 7 pm @ Watt Auditorium

    • Friday: 

      • Final Exams for Seniors (hours 2 & 3)

      • Senior Walk @ 10:45 am during Achieve

    • Saturday: Senior Lock-In

     

     

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 5/1-5/5

    🛶Mr. Branch’s Senior English class is currently experiencing their “One More Step” unit centered around the focus text Unbroken, the story of Louis Zamperini. Zamperini experienced 47 days adrift at sea with two crew members after his B-24 was shot down. To try and grasp the complexity of this taxing mental and physical experience, Mr. Branch’s classes were set adrift in their “lifeboats” for 25 minutes. They will use this experience as a connecting detail to the text in their final unit projects as a connecting experience to Zamperini’s experience. 

     

    ⚕️On Wednesday, IHS partnered with Sparrow Hospital, Life EMS of Ionia County and the School Emergency Response Coalition (SERC), founded by Kevin McGraw, to hold a cardiac emergency safety drill. We are thankful for our strong community partners who help us confidently prepare for situations that may occur in the future.

     

    🔨On Friday, Mr. Ondersma’s Engineering in Science class designed, developed and constructed furniture out of cardboard. Staff members tested and rated each piece. This week in the Engineering in Science class the students designed, developed and constructed furniture out of cardboard. The students were evaluated by staff members based on appearance, durability, and functionality. They built impressive projects to various degrees of success. Using recycled cardboard graciously provided by the food service department the class pushed the limits of design.

     

    🪩Also on Friday, Mr. Pischea’s US History kicked off their 1970 unit with a bang! It included a kahoot with 70's trivia, followed by class competitions in the following games: Connect 4, Battleship, Simon, Pac Man and space invaders. Of course the day included 70's music, and candy, including candy necklaces and wax bottles with sugar water.

     

    🏫Summer School: Summer school credit recovery courses are online, self-paced courses with teachers providing both virtual and in person support.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend the in person session on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm (breakfast and lunch will be provided).  Please complete this application to sign-up for the summer school credit recovery classes.

     

    🎡The 10 Best Days of Summer are near. Ionia Free Fair: Queen Contest! Register today for your chance to win up to $750 in scholarships.

     

    ❗Attention Seniors: 

     

    Next Week 5/8-5/12

    • Monday: AP Calculus Exam

    • Tuesday: SE Reverse Job Fair, StuCo meeting during Achieve

    • Wednesday: AP Biology Exam, Bridges meeting during Achieve, Spring Band Concert

    • Thursday: Unified Sports Lansing Trip

    • Friday: Adult Advocate, Decision Day Celebration for Seniors 11-12:30 pm w/Miss G

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 4/24-4/28

    🧹Spring Roadside Pick Up

    On Monday, the IHS staff along with spring sports and the NHS partnered to help make our community a better place by cleaning up the highway along M66.

     

    🚗Save a Life Tour 

    A big SHOUT OUT to Mrs. Aves (Social Studies and SADD Advisor) who arranged the Save a Life Tour to come into work with our students on Monday and Tuesday this week. The Save A Life Tour is a comprehensive high impact safe driving awareness program that informs, educates, and demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences resulting from poor choices and decisions made by the operator of a motor vehicle.

     

    The program specifically places emphasis on the following driving situations: Distracted Driving,  Impaired Driving, Driver Experience, Improper Driver Behavior and Seat Belt Usage.  The Save A Life Tour utilizes several methods for education including: video presentation, interactive demonstration with simulators, pre and post surveys and take-a-ways including a pledge card and a wristband.

     

    🩸Blood Drive

    Ms. Tackmann and the NHS collected 52 units on Wednesday. That brings their total number of 450 lives saved this school year. Thank you to all that donated!

     

    🏫Bulldog Scholars

    Our 9th, 10th and 11th grade students that have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher throughout their high school career were recognized on Friday morning in a ceremony where 2019 IHS graduate Brady Swinehart spoke to them about the opportunities, exploration and grit.

     

    🎨IHS Art Exhibit

    Many students and community members visited the IHS Art Exhibit this week. Mrs. Fuller did an excellent job of shining a bright light on the amazing work her students have been doing.

     

    Fine Arts in Action this Weekend 

     

    Next Week 5/1-5/5

    • 🏆Logo Competition: The IHS Family School Guild is looking for a logo that says we are Ionia but we represent all families, the school and, together, we are a team. Top prize is a gift card to Meijer. The deadline to submit your design to me via email is Friday, May 5th. Be sure to include 1 of our approved logos.

    • Monday: PAC meeting during Achieve

    • Tuesday: AP Psychology Exam

    • Wednesday: Bridges meeting during Achieve

    • Thursday: AP Statistics Exam

    • Friday: AP History Exam

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 4/17-4/21

    ⚖️On Monday, this semester's American Government classes were able to participate in the 'Teen Court' program for the first time since before Covid. The program gives the students an opportunity to participate in a real trial with a minor found guilty of a crime. Our students decided on the punishment for the minor that is meant to discipline and help correct undesired behavior. Thank you to Mr. Pischea and Mrs. Aves for making this possible.

     

    ✅This week, juniors completed the M-Step which marks the end of their state testing journey throughout their high school career. We thank them for working hard and persevering through the testing season. 

     

    👋On Wednesday night, IHS staff and students hosted 8th Grade Welcome Night. Next year’s freshmen were able to see all of the extracurriculars we offer, get a tour of the campus and meet many of their teachers.

     

    🥞The IHS Family School Guild hosts an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at the Ionia Applebees from 8-10 am this Saturday. We hope to see you all there!

     

    🏆Congratulations to our April Students/Citizens/Athletes of the month!

     

    Class of 2023

    • Fine statements were mailed out this week (if you don’t receive a statement, then you don’t have a fine). All Senior fines need to be paid before receiving a cap and gown for graduation. Library fines can be paid to Mrs. Klein in the Library and all other fines can be paid to Ms. Slater in the Main Office. Cash and checks are accepted. Checks can be made out to Ionia Public Schools.

    • Senior Lock-In tickets are on sale in the main office.

     

    Next Week 4/24-4-28

    Sunday: Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery

    This Week in Summary @ IHS 4/10-4/14

    On Wednesday students completed the PSAT (9th & 10th graders) and SAT (11th graders) tests. The Juniors turned it around on Thursday and completed the ACT WorkKeys as well. The IHS staff was very proud of how serious the students took the tests and how hard they worked. We can’t wait for the results to come in!

     

    The turnout this year at the Ionia Community Awards Ice Cream Social was amazing. It was great to see so many of our hard working students, staff members and volunteers be recognized. Congratulations once again to the IHS Volunteer of the Year, Mrs. Jenna Perry.

     

    The week ended with the Senior Scholar Breakfast for our 40 Senior Scholars. Here, Mayor Dan Balice spoke to these scholars about the importance of building relationships and the impact those relationships can have on their future success.

     

    Cinderella’s Closet will be open to all IHS students today from 3-5 pm and again on Saturday from 8-12 pm. Email Ms. Doesburg @ edoesburg@ioniaschools.org with any questions.

     

    Next Week @ IHS 4/17-4/21

     

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

    Craig Bowen

    Principal, Ionia High School

    This Week @ IHS 4/10-4/14

    I hope everyone had a restful spring break. I strongly encourage everyone to read this great article from Parents.com about returning to school after a break. It references winter break but the 7 tips apply to spring break as well. The transition back to school after a break can be difficult for students and adults. Here at IHS, we will do our best to hop back into our daily routine and certainly will allow some grace with students as we review our 4 core values (GRIT).

     

    Testing Week is here! All of the daily preparation that students and teachers have put in since late-August in partnership with the practice opportunities provided through the 10 Weeks to Peak Academic Challenge (along with khanacademy.org and our testing tips) will assuredly pay off as our freshmen and sophomores take the PSAT on Wednesday of this week and our juniors will take the SAT on Wednesday and the WorkKeys on Thursday. 

     

    For our juniors, here are some reminders on What to Expect on the day of the test along with Tips on sleeping, nutrition and on overcoming test day anxiety.

     

    Daily Calendar this Week:

    • Monday:

      • All IPS students return to school.

    • Tuesday 5-8 pm @ the Wagon Wheel: the IHS Family School Guild, along with Mr. Mercer and Mr. Manciu, host our first ever fundraiser to help with the Super GRIT assembly in May. Email ihsfsg@ioniaschools.org with any questions.

    • Wednesday: 

      • PSAT & SAT testing for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students.

      • All 11th grade students will be testing in the gym (SAT) and will be dismissed from school at the end of the SAT test on Wednesday. However, no transportation will be provided at the end of the SAT test. Students who are leaving must provide their own transportation. Those juniors that want to stay, may report to the library. A sack lunch will be provided for all 11th grade students.

      • Senior students are not required to attend school. We strongly encourage all seniors to participate in a job shadow, college visit, or career/military exploration activity on this day.

    • Thursday:

      • Normal day of school for all 9th, 10th and 12th grade students.

      • All 11th grade students will be testing in the gym (Workkeys) and will return to class when finished.

    • Friday:

      • Senior Scholar Breakfast from 8-9 am. Invites were sent out earlier in March.

    • 🕺Prom: Save the Date💃

     

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great week and GO DAWGS!

    This Week @ IHS 3/27-3/31

    💪On Tuesday, Mrs. Anne Swinehart’s PE classes learned a variety of self defense skills. The No Defense to Self Defense group volunteered their time to educate and empower our students with hands-on self defense training and safety education. The qualified instructors were amazing and very knowledgeable. We recommend that you all check out this local, non-profit on their website at nodefensetoselfdefense.com.

     

    🏀On Wednesday, Unity Week was capped off when the entire student body came together during Achieve to cheer on our Unified Sports Basketball team. We cannot thank our students, staff, coaches, players and those who organized this amazing event enough for their support. I can’t quite put it into words how meaningful this week and game was to everyone but I think this half court buzzer beater will.

     

    🌴😎🌴Spring Break begins this Friday for all IPS students and staff. I hope you all have a restful and fun break. We will see you all again on Monday, April 10th.

     

    Looking Ahead:

     

    Thank you for your continued support from home and GO DAWGS!

    This Week @ IHS 3/20-3/24

    🎉We are proud to announce that IHS Sophomore Stevie Gross has been accepted to participate in the Michigan Health Sciences Pre College Exposure Academy (SPEA) this summer at the University of Michigan. Have a blast Stevie and learn lots!

     

    🤝Scheduling update: In the last 2 weeks, students have started planning out the courses they are interested in taking in the 2023-2024 School Year. We encourage you to have an in-depth conversation with your IHS Student about these classes. If you have additional questions, please contact the Counseling Office at 616-841-4015.

     

    🧪Science Olympiad: Congratulations to the Science Olympiad team, who competed in their regional competition this past Saturday. Mr. Ondersma reports that the team performed very well and were led by seniors Christian Perez, Sage Mason and Jason Bates. Click here for full Results.

     

    🏆On Thursday morning we held our March Students/Citizens/Athletes of the month ceremony. Congrats to these gritty students!

     

    📝All 9th-11th grade students received study guides with tips, suggestions and practice questions in their ELA classes this week to best prepare them for the PSAT/SAT testing that will take place on April 12th. Please review this with your student soon and often!

     

    💵Attention Seniors: You will find scholarship resources HERE and are linked under the"Scholarships" tab on the IHS website. DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, MARCH 30TH @ 3 PM!

     

    🏫IHS Family School Guild (formerly IHS PTG) Update: Our 1st ever Executive Board - President Traci Flanner, VP Mary McGuire, Secretary Siri Sims and Treasurer Cassondra Keller - invite you to follow us on Facebook or email us with your compliments/concerns/suggestions at ihsfsg@ioniaschools.org. 

     

    Next week @ IHS 3/27-3/31: IHS Inclusion Spirit Week

    • Monday: PJ Day 

    • Tuesday: Tie Dye Day, SADD Meeting during Achieve

    • Wednesday: Bulldog Blue Day, Unified Sports Basketball Game during Achieve - watch this video!

    • Thursday: Crazy Socks Day

    • This is our last week of the 10 Weeks to Peak Academic Challenge with KhanAcademy.org

      • Fresh/Soph = Focus on Geometry

      • Juniors = Complete Math (Calculator Ok) Section of Practice Test 1, Review your results and correct answers with a friend

      • Seniors = Careers: Choose 3 Career fields of interest and explore!

      • Study Buddies will meet during Achieve on 3/27 & 3/28

    • 🌴😎🌴Spring Break! (No school on 3/31-4/9 - see you on Monday, April 10th)

    • 🕺Prom: Save the Date💃

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great week and GO DAWGS!  

    This Week @ IHS 3/13-3/17

    🎶On Monday, the IHS Chorale traveled to Grand Haven to compete in the District Festival. The ladies performed 2 songs and were OUTSTANDING receiving a Division 1 rating with 2 perfect scores. Congratulations to the performers and Mr. Peterson.

     

    🗪On Thursday, 2007 IHS graduate Tara (Reisbig) Falcone spoke to our Bulldog Scholars and Senior Scholars about overcoming her adversity as a teenager and the tools she used to preserve, set goals and achieve those goals. We will share that video out to everyone once it has been edited.

     

    🎉Congratulations to our March Students/Citizens/Athletes of the Month. There will be a ceremony held on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. in the Learning Center. Winners and their families are invited to attend this ceremony where each recipient will be recognized.

     

    🏆Congratulations to IHS Educator of the Month Wayne Moak!

     

    🕊️Staff ended the school week with a full day of PD that focused on “The Power of Hope.” Here we discussed tools on how to take care of ourselves while teaching with hope and working with our students. “With compelling evidence (case studies) that hope contributes to academic success … teaching and developing hopeful thinking in the classroom may be one of the most effective and efficient efforts faculty can make to contribute to their student’s success” (inspired-engagement) Plus we ate pizza and played cornhole at lunch as a group. Love this group of educators! 

     

    🍀Best of luck to both our Forensics and Science Olympiad teams as they compete on Saturday along with our band as they perform at the sole and ensemble festival. #GODAWGS

     

    Next week @ IHS 3/20-3/24

    • Tuesday: Student Council Meeting

    • Thursday: There will be a ceremony held for March Students/Citizens/Athletes of the Month on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. in the Learning Center. Winners and their families are invited to attend this ceremony where each recipient will be recognized. Prom committee meeting during Achieve.

    • Next week is week 9 of the 10 Weeks to Peak Academic Challenge

      • Fresh/Soph = Focus on Operations and Algebra

      • Juniors = Complete Math (No Calculator) Section of Practice Test 1, Review your results and correct answers with a friend

      • Seniors = Financial Literacy: Complete Consumer Credit Unit Test with 100%

      • Study Buddies will meet during Achieve on 3/22 & 3/23

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great week and GO DAWGS!

    This Week @ IHS 3/6-3/10

    📰Family Survey: If you have not already done so, we would greatly appreciate it if you would share with us your feedback about the job we are doing at IHS.

     

    ⚕️On Monday, students attended Adult Advocate classes where they explored the topic of Social Awareness: Digital Literacy and Cyberbullying. We encourage you to continue the conversation at home with your student using these home resources: 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade.

     

    🎷On Thursday, Mr. Beyer and the IHS Jazz Ensemble traveled to Caledonia to compete at the District Jazz Festival where they earned a division 1 rating. Congratulations!

     

    🎖️We are proud to announce our 2022-23 Bulldog Scholars. These are freshmen, sophomores and juniors that have earned a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher. These students are making great strides towards earning Senior Scholar status during their graduating year.

     

    🏆Congratulations to Camden Meir who was invited to the individual Quiz Bowl tournament on April 2. This is only for the top Quiz Bowl players in the country; only one other IHS student has ever been invited. Congratulations also go out to Lucas Shadoff who was a top-10 JV scorer for Quiz Bowl.

     

    🔦Social Studies Spotlight: As a way to wrap up their Ancient Egypt unit in Mr. Cairns’s Ancient Civilization class, students played games from 5000 years ago. They include Dogs and Jackals (sort of like Sorry and Chutes and Ladders), a form of checkers called Alquerque, Mancala, and Senet.

     

    🐶One of our Bulldog Scholars, Bryant Janetzke, is not only a ‘Dawg in the classroom but in the showmanship arena as well. Learn more about how Bryant’s grit has translated to success outside the classroom with this article by Showsight magazine.

     

    📺WoodTV8 visited school on Thursday to film a student of the week segment. See the story and video here. 

     

    GVSU is offering free K-12 Connect Homework Help Tutoring (not IPS sponsored).

     

    Next week @ IHS 3/13-3/17

    • Tuesday: SADD meeting during Achieve

    • Thursday: We are excited to welcome home 2007 IHS graduate Tara (Reisbig) Falcone to speak to our Bulldog and Senior Scholars about her journey from the small town of Ionia to making it big on Wall Street with a focus on entrepreneurship.

    • Friday: No school for students, all day professional development for staff

    • Next week is also week 8 of the 10 Weeks to Peak Academic Challenge

      • Fresh/Soph = Improve Mastery by ≥ 2 % in 4 of 4 categories

      • Juniors = Complete Writing and Language Section of Practice Test 1 then review your results and correct answers with a friend

      • Seniors = Entrepreneurship: Beth Schmidt - Founder of Wishbone.org and Choose 1 video from the “Sal chats” series to watch

      • Study Buddies will meet during Achieve on 3/13 & 3/15

    • Spring Sports start March 13th 

      • All students and parents must have completed the 2022-23 IHS Sports Registration (If you completed for the fall or winter season you do not have to complete it again).

      • All students must have an updated physical on file in the athletic director's office.

      • Contact the varsity head coach of the sport you are interested in if you have questions

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great week and GO DAWGS!

    This week @ IHS 2/27-3/3

    🤝Thank you all that attended conferences this week! It was great to see so many of you as we continue to strengthen our community relations. On behalf of the staff, I want to say “thank you” for your continued support from home. If you were not able to attend, please reach out to your student’s teacher(s) with any questions or concerns via email or contact the school at (616) 527-0600.

     

    🎷Congratulations to Mr. Beyer and both concert and symphony bands for earning straight 1’s at the District Festival on Thursday. Mr. Beyer is thankful to all of his wonderful student musicians and their families for their dedication to the program and their belief that we can do great things. Watch here (video courtesy of John Milewski)

     

    🎉We are very proud and excited to announce that 3 of our very own AP teachers - Mrs. Aves, Mr. Cairns and Mrs. Pfaller - have been selected to read AP tests for College Board this year. Here, these staff members will gain an in-depth understanding of the AP Exam so they can better assess students’ work and workshop best practices with other AP teachers across the country.

     

    🎓2022 Graduation Rates were released on Tuesday. Ionia High School is up 2.3% from 2021, 96.49% overall.

     

    🎖️Congratulations to senior Sam Eppler who was accepted into West Point. The Ionia Sentinel Standard wrote a very nice article about this high honor. 

     

    💵Attention Seniors: You will find scholarship resources HERE and linked under  the"Scholarships" tab on the IHS website. 

     

    Next week @ IHS 3/6-3/10

    • Monday: Adult Advocate during Achieve

    • Tuesday: Student Council meeting during Achieve

    • Thursday: District Jazz Festival

    • Friday: Unified Games during Achieve

    • Next week is also week 7 of the 10 Weeks to Peak Academic Challenge

      • Fresh/Soph = Improve Mastery by ≥ 2 % in 3 of 4 categories

      • Juniors = Complete Reading Section of Practice Test 1 then review your results and correct answers with a friend

      • Seniors = Growth Mindset - High School Activities: Keep going. Keep growing.

      • Study Buddies will meet during Achieve on 3/8 & 3/9

    • Spring Sports start March 13th 

      • All students and parents must have completed the 2022-23 IHS Sports Registration (If you completed for the fall or winter season you do not have to complete it again).

      • All students must have an updated physical on file in the athletic director's office.

      • Contact the varsity head coach of the sport you are interested in if you have questions

    Thank you for your support from home. Have a great week and GO DAWGS!
    Comments (-1)