Mountain Island Charter School A K-12 Tuition Free Charter School Community The
RAPTOR CALL BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION 8.10.18 Dear MICS Families
Welcome back Raptors for gramming and events that every Friday afternoon, as the 2018-2019 school year! promote school spirit and well as subscribe to our Inside this issue: We have been busy this sum- Raptor Pride with a focus school’s Facebook pages. mer finishing up the new on serving our community A Message from 2 Elementary building as well through volunteerism. These first few newslet- Elementary School as making some significant ters prior to the opening of improvements to our arrival As in preceding years, our school contain all of the and dismissal carline sys- A Message from 3 9th year will have some new important information you tems. This year’s theme Middle School programs, better access to will need to have a suc- is MICS: Reaching Out, our communication tools as cessful year, and please let Reaching Up! A Message from 3 well as a few fun surprises us know if we can do any- High School in store for MICS, so make thing to make your start of We will continue to produce sure you stay informed via school the best yet! GO High School 3 outstanding educational pro- the Raptor Call which is RAPTORS! Student Parking published electronically
Breakfast/Lunch 4 ParentSquare with ParentSquare, you Important Tips Program will be able to update your Getting Started All families should have re- phone and/or email as the Athletics 4 ceived an invite from Par- school year goes on. If there When responding to a entSquare. To sign up for an any changes to an email or post, only you and the All Sports Pass 4 account, please click on the cell phone number, or if sender of that post will “activate button” in the invite you have not received the see the comments. Coaching 4 link and create a password. A invite link, please email Parents are automati- Opportunities welcome post has been sent as Lisa McConnell at cally added to a private well to all families which in- [email protected]. group (i.e.: a grade lev- PTO 4 cludes parent video tutorials el or class) so you are
to help you get started. Please able to receive notifica- make sure you read through ParentSquare allows you to tions from teach- the video tutorials to get a receive emails, texts, or ers/administration or a room parent. Need to know... better understanding and be- both. You may change come more familiar with Par- these Calendar Events Calendar for the 2018-19 entSquare. options school year These can be under Green = All School Events K-12 Dress Code. found by my ac- Orange = Group Events Bus Transportation Sign Ups clicking on count Blue = Grade Level/Class the question mark button in and K-5 School Supply List Events the upper right hand corner notifi- Download the app! You 6-8 School Supply List on the home screen. cation settings and choose can view the full site Student Parking to receive just emails or when using the app. After School Care Registration just texts or if you wish to Form With ParentSquare you will receive both an email and receive important school in- text. By Strauss Studios: School formation including school Picture Order Form closings and delays as well as Elementary School Hours: 8:20 staying up-to-date on what’s am to 3:20 pm happening here at MICS. Middle/High School Hours: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (Bell Schedule) As you get more comfortable Page 2 The Raptor Call A Message From The Elementary School
We are excited to be Kim Suchenski will also be joining Thomas "TJ" Toleno will be join- moving into our new the Kindergarten team. She holds a ing us as a physical education building and welcom- Bachelor of Science degree in Ele- teacher for elementary and middle ing in our new facul- mentary Education and Special Ed- schools. He holds a Master of Arts ty and staff to the K- ucation from Slippery Rock Univer- in Educational Leadership, a Mas- 5 team! sity and a Masters of Education ter of Science Degree in Educa- degree from California University of tion/Health Education, and a Bach- PA. This is her 18th year of teach- elor of Science Degree form SUNY This year we have added two new ing. She has experience teaching at Courtland. He has served as a members to our leadership team. Jer- kindergarten and exceptional chil- physical education instructor and emy Thompson, formerly a third dren. athletic director at Matthews Char- grade teacher at MICS, will serve as ter Academy and Invest Collegiate Assistant Principal of Student Ser- Transform in Charlotte. vices and Tarrah Jackson, who Melissa Newkirk is joining us as a joined us last year as an Exceptional third-grade teacher. Melissa Brooke Jolly will be joining our Children educator will serve as Assis- has taught 1st and 3rd grade in team as a teaching assistant. She tant Principal of Curriculum and In- Charlotte for the past 5 years, and previously served as Uptown Kids struction. is looking forward to another suc- Worship Assistant with the First cessful school year here at MICS! Baptist Church of Charlotte. She Melissa holds Bachelor's and Mas- holds a B.S. Degree from the Uni- ter's degrees in Elementary Educa- Also joining our front office staff will versity of South Carolina. be Dana Washington, who will serve tion and Curriculum and Instruc- as our receptionist and Kelly Rob- tion from The University of Con- bins, who will serve as Office Manag- necticut, and is very passionate er. about mathematics. Her and her Amy Byrd will serve as a teaching husband, Patrick (our fourth grade assistant in Kindergarten. She has
teacher) have a 6 month old daugh- previously worked as a school re- The MICS faculty and staff would also ter named Kinsley, as well as two ceptionist at East Lincoln High like to welcome the following to our crazy dogs. School and as a preschool teacher MICS Elementary School team: at Cooks Preschool. She has 3 chil- Kelly O’Boyle also joins our third- dren who attend MICS. grade team as a classroom teacher. Amy Greene will be joining the Kin- She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from dergarten team as a classroom teach- U.N.C.C. She comes to us from the Dana Washington will serve as er. She has taught at Mountain Island Metrolina Regional Scholars Acade- our receptionist. She is currently Lake Academy. She was born and my where she taught Gifted and raised in Charlotte, NC. Amy gradu- Talented, and prior to that has enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts De- ated from UNCC with an Elementary taught second and third grade at gree program in Business Organi- Education degree. This will be her 6th Barnette Elementary School, and zation Management from Ashford year of teaching. She is married and Langtree Academy. University. Prior to joining us, she has 3 children: Aubree, Gabe and has worked as an office manager Chloe. with Clark Community Care Sys- Joy Gilbert will serve as a tem and as a substitute teacher at 5th grade teacher. She worked as a MICS. She has also worked as a Hannah Simmons will also be join- paralegal for 15 + years, and then patient account rep with Carolinas ing us as a Kindergarten teacher this decided to pursue a career in ele- HealthCare System. year. She is a fourth year teacher. She mentary education. She graduated taught for Gaston County Schools for from UNCC in May, 2018. She has the past 3 years. She is from Stanley, one daughter who will be attending Tamara Hill will join us a teach- NC. and loves spending time with her MICS this year. ing assistant with the second grade husband and dog, going to the beach, team. She is a former second grade and teaching Kindergarten! Hannah teacher. is so excited to be joining the MICS family! Back to School Edition 8.10.18 Page 3
A Message From The Middle School
The middle school pro- Our middle school team welcomes Barb linguistics from NC State. gram will now operate O’Donnell and Erin Vazquez to
on the same bell MICS. We also welcome Candance Nance schedule, 7:30am to 2:30pm, allowing stu- as a full time member of our middle/ dents greater flexibil- Ms. O’Donnell joins MICS from Gas- high school classroom support team. ton County Schools and holds degrees Be sure to check the middle school ity in course selections in grades 6-8. in both professional counseling and page under School Programs on our 6th grade students now have access to school counseling. Ms. O’Donnell will website for updates, including stu- year-long chorus, and students in serve as School Counselor (Grades 6-9). dent supply lists, as we approach the 7th and 8th grades will enjoy new elec- beginning of the school year. tives such as Video Production and
Exploring Business and Entrepre- Ms. Vazquez also comes to us from neurship. Standard level math classes Gaston County Schools and will serve as Middle School Spanish Teacher. Ms. will employ a co-teaching model, al- lowing for greater individualized at- Vazquez has both experience in both tention and support. local and international language in- struction and holds a master’s degree in
A Message From The High School
In June, the high expand face-to-face course offerings, Ms. Branum has worked with school celebrated including new electives such as AP MICS previously as a substitute the graduation of Physics, AP Statistics, Video Produc- teacher and will now teach grades the class of 2018, tion, Principles of Business and Fi- 7-12 Chorus. Be sure to check the which was com- nance, and Interior Design. high school page under School Pro- prised of 106 stu- grams on our website for updates
dents, making it as we approach the start of the the largest class of graduating seniors The faculty in the high school welcomes school year. to this point in time. 80% of graduates new additions, Gerald Herbert and proceeded into college, with 55% of Kim Branum. Mr. Herbert holds a graduates matriculating to a 4 year Master’s in Education from North Caro- college and 25% to a two year college. lina A & T and Principal licensure from Wingate University. He brings experi- The class was offered acceptance into ence from prior leadership roles at the 61 colleges and more than $5.2 million high school level and joins our team as in scholarships over four years of col- High School Assistant Principal. lege. The high school will continue to
Student Parking on Campus
Students who desire to park on cam- receive an ineligibility notification spaces as available to those who meet pus starting the first day of school may pick up parking permits at the C the requirements. Contact Mr. Her- must submit a completed parking ap- Building office between 9am and 2pm, bert ([email protected]), with plication by August 15th. Go HERE to 8/21-8/24, at which time the $25 fee questions. access the parking application. Gerald will also be collected. We will continue Herbert, HS Assistant Principal, will to receive applications throughout the contact any students who are consid- school year and will offer parking ered ineligible. Students who do not Breakfast/Lunch Program done electronically at lunch program visit us on the website Breakfast is served from 7:15-8:05 www.PayPams.com. You will HERE! Breakfast and lunch are ca- am and the cost is $2.50. Lunch is need your student's ID number to tered by Preferred Meals. More infor- served per grade level schedule and link your payment to their ac- mation about their services may be the cost is $3.75. All stu- count. All students have an ac- found at www.preferredmeals.com. dents must have an ac- count and must be prepaid - no Check out the MICS menu for meals count and must be pre- credit is issued. You may also pay that are served weekly. paid-no credit is issued. by check in the administration The 2018-19 free and reduced lunch office, made payable to MICS. (Free and Reduced Lunch Info) forms are now available HERE. Pay- Cash is not accepted. To find out ment for student meals can be more about our breakfast and
Athletics All Sport Passes the time of entry.
Please click HERE for the order Passes that have been purchased, you form to order fall athletic pictures. may pick them up at the front office. The card cannot be given to, transferred to or used by any- Any questions, please contact Lisa McConnell at [email protected]. one others than the person to *Stay tuned for the dates for the Middle whom it is sold or assigned. School athletic photos. Passes are not valid for post- Buy your ALL SPORTS PASSES for the season playoff games. 2018-19 school year! Passes allow admis- sion into all HOME athletic events for ALL sports. The card must be present at
Coaching Opportunities
The following MS coaching posi- Girls Head and Assistant Coach Volleyball tions are available. Please con- Lacrosse Varsity Assistant Coach tact Leah Bennett at lben- Head and Assistant Coach JV Head Coach [email protected] for details. Cheer The following HS coaching posi- JV Assistant Coach Basketball tions are available. Please contact Swim 6th Grade Boys Basketball Matt Steger at Varsity Assistant Coach (Head and Assistant) “A good coach [email protected] for details. Track & Field Girls Basketball (Assistant) can change a game, a great Varsity Assistant Co-Ed Swimming coach can Soccer Assistant Coach change a life.” -John Wooden JV Men’s Head Coach Cross-Country Football Assistant Coach JV Offensive and Defensive Line Soccer Coach
PTO
Welcome to year two of the MICS families, students, and staff. The www.facebook.com/MICSPTO/, visit PTO! We have so many fun events funds we raised helped build the our web site, www.micssoar.org, email planned for the upcoming school year brand new playground that opened [email protected] for info on meet- and are eager to have our families be just before school ended last year ings and to sign up to help! Or con- part of the PTO. Back to School among other projects. You just need tact Molly Calvello at mol- Night, Raptor Run, Scholastic Book to look around to see all the exciting [email protected] or Fair, and the Fall Festival are all on progress on campus…all possible 704-905-4490. tap for the first semester. Our events thanks to YOU! PTO meetings will be were a huge success last year because held on the first Thursday of each Parent Flyer of the hard work and dedication of our month. Like our FB page at