happy new year message tuesday

We have welcomed four new students to ICA this past week:   Maya (grade 5), Jacob (grade 3), Marisa (grade 5), and Alysha (grade 7).   We're delighted to have them as part of our student body and are working to help make their transition pleasant.
As the end of first semester approaches, we are gearing up for Electives Week.  For those who are new to ICA this year,  here is a brief overview of this much-anticipated multi-day event:
Each year between the1st and 2nd semester ICA hosts four days of classes presented by our staff, parents of ICA students, as well as various members of the Whidbey community.  
 
During the four-day Electives Week, each student in grades 3 and higher chooses four electives out of a pool of 18-20 choices, and attends the same four classes each day for one hour.
 
The PreK-2nd grades also participate by inviting presenters to come to their classrooms to demonstrate and teach them as a class.
This allows students to get exposure to skills and topics that they might not encounter in the average school year.  The week also serves to infuse some extra energy into that long stretch between Christmas and Spring breaks.
Here is a preview of a few of some of this year's offerings:
      Knitting, The Art of Cookies, Taekwondo, Intro to Ukelele, Measure Like a Scientist, Programming Mindstorm Robots, Intro to Volleyball Basics, Watercolors, Lego Stop Animation, Bread-making, Intro to Harmonica and many more!
  If you have a special skill you would like to share or have an idea for a class, we would love to hear from you!  We will also need a few parent volunteers to help with class and break monitoring during those days.  You can come for any amount of time that you have available (respond to Mrs. Ohme at [email protected]).
It's such a delight to offer this gift to our students.  Each year they are inspired and learn new things.  We will have a showcase of learning at our next Quarterly Awards dinner February 7th at 6 pm in the gym.  
Be sure to peruse the newly-designed Message Tuesday document attached to this email.  
Have a blessed week!


Brenda