Good afternoon, IPA families,
Please find important information below for the upcoming week at IPA:
Registration is Open:
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. You have until May 31 to complete returning student registration. Emails have been sent to all families which include instructions for registration. Please pay close attention to the registration requirements and ensure that you upload the correct documents to verify proof of address. If your student is not returning to Champaign Unit #4 for the upcoming school year, please notify the main office and they will provide your next steps. If you have any questions please contact the main office at 217-351-3995.
Solar Eclipse
On Monday April 8th, a Total Solar Eclipse will move across a large portion of the United States to include the Champaign-Urbana area.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, the result is a moving region of shadow on Earth’s surface. In some places across the country the Moon will completely cover the Sun, this is referred to as totality. On April 8th we will experience 97% totality of coverage in Champaign at 2:05 pm. Our best viewing will be between 1:50 pm and 2:15pm. Here is the path of the shadow.
In order to observe the solar eclipse, it is necessary to have the appropriate viewers. The Unit 4 Teaching and Learning department purchased solar viewers that are compliant with international standards for safe viewing. All students and adults in our buildings, K-12, will use these viewers to safely view the solar eclipse. Stay tuned for more information about how IPA will view the solar eclipse and possible volunteer opportunities to support the viewing outside.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing:
IPA will be administering the Illinois Assessment of Readiness in grades 3-8 beginning next week. IAR measures students' ability in English language arts and mathematics. Testing will occur over a two week period. The week of March 25-29 will focus on English language arts and the week of April 1-5 will focus on mathematics. Over these two weeks it is important that all students get rest, eat breakfast at home or at school, and come to school ready to do their best on these tests. We have incredible students at IPA and we look forward to seeing the great work that they will do on these tests! Some additional testing reminders are below:
Ensure students arrive on-time for school so that they do not miss their tests
Students cannot have a phone or smart watch during testing. If your student struggles with these things, please have them keep their devices at home.
Uniforms for the 2024-2025 School Year:
IPA has been a uniform school since the school was created in 2014 and is currently the only uniform school left in the entire district. Over the past three years, participation in uniform wearing has decreased greatly. We honor our students coming to school and want to reduce possible barriers to school such as adequate uniforms. Therefore, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, IPA will no longer be a uniform school. Families may still send students in uniforms if they wish; however, we will no longer have any expectations to wear uniforms next school year. All students in K-8 will still be required to obey the district dress code which is included below:
Champaign Unit #4 Student Code of Conduct 2024
DRESS CODE (does not include clothing designated for religious reasons) - A student shares with his or her parents the right to dress according to personal preference except where such dress is dangerous to the student’s health and safety of others, or is distracting or indecent to the extent that it interferes with the learning and teaching process. Grooming and neatness is also the primary responsibility of students and their parents. Schools may prescribe standards of grooming and dress for participation in extracurricular activities. Each school may develop recommended guidelines that are consistent with these statements. They may prohibit students from wearing clothing or attire that, in the opinion of school authority, is contrary to acceptable health and safety standards, or may disrupt the education process or learning atmosphere. Students’ dress will conform to the following:
Elementary/Middle School: Hats, head coverings, jackets, coats, and gloves are not to be worn in school. Students must remove their head coverings upon entering the building. High School: Hoods are not to be worn in school. Students must remove their hoods upon entering the building.
Students will wear shoes.
Students’ clothing will cover undergarments and bare midriffs (such as may be associated with beachwear).
Garments or jewelry depicting alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs will not be worn at school.
Garments or jewelry with messages or symbols that include obscenity, derogatory language, sexual innuendo, gang affiliation, or occult reference will not be worn at school.
Pants must be worn at the waist so that undergarments and midriff skin are not visible.
8th Grade Promotion Save the Date:
Families of eighth graders should save the promotion date and time! IPA will host eighth grade promotion on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. in the IPA gym. Families will receive more information about the number of attendees that may be admitted, dress, and program schedule in the coming weeks. We are excited to honor our eighth graders as they are promoted to high school!
No School Friday:
There is no school on Friday, March 29, 2024 due to the district spring holiday.
Early Out:
There is an early out on Monday, April 1, 2024. All students will be dismissed two hours early from school.
Approved Flyers:
All approved district flyers may now be accessed on the website.
We hope everyone has a great upcoming weekend!
Best regards,
Jonathan Kosovski and the IPA team