April News & Notes –
2nd Annual “Bring a Friend Day” – April 1st. Current students are invited to bring friends to school and it’s not an April Fools’ Day joke! Last year 40 visitors from six different schools joined us. Invite friends from 7th grade through high school to spend a day with you at IMS.
Prayers for IMS – meets each Wednesday that we have school at7:30 am in the Conference Room. All are welcome.
A new exhibit opened in the art gallery March 10th. BethelCollege art faculty David Long and Rachel Epp Buller arel displaying ceramics, prints and photographs. The art gallery is open on dates listed on the calendar or by stopping at the office during school hours.
Prospective Family Night, Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:00 pm. All families considering IMS for their child’s high school education for the first time next year are invited to Celebration Hall to meet faculty and staff, current and past families and to get information on financial assistance, classes and extra-curricular activities. All of this and refreshments too! Please join us for a fun and informative evening. Any questions, please contact Candi at cschmieder@iowamennonite.org or 319-656-2073.
6th – 8th grade students are invited to a skating party on Friday, April 5th from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Wellman Skating Rink hosted by our FFA students. Bring your friends, $1 for skates and money for drinks and snacks. Pizza, fun and prizes will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Candi at cschmieder@iowamennonite.org or 319-656-2073.
Pre-registration – April 10th & 17th are dates set aside for our new students for the Fall of 2013 to come turn in applications and set up a preliminary fall schedule with Dwight Gingerich, guidance counselor. Times are available from3:00 – 6:00 pm each day. If neither of these dates work for you, please call the school to set up another time.
MCC Sale Children’s Booth: We are looking for adults and students to help plan activities and games for theMCC Children’s booth May 31st-June 1st. Please contact Candi as soon as possible if you are interested in helping with this activity.
IMS Senior Keilah Brokaw will present a recital of works for piano, guitar and voice on Sunday, April 7th at
2:00 pmin Celebration Hall. She will be assisted by family and friends in offering different styles of music. The public is invited to the concert and the reception that follows.
Yearbook Sponsors – Thank you to the following businesses for supporting the IMS Reverie. Maroon sponsors- Beatty & Peterseim Funeral & Monument Services, Bontrager Tax & Accounting & Consulting, Chris Schlabach Construction, CS Auto Body, Eldon C. Stutsman, EVERENCE Financial Advisors, Farmers Electric Cooperative, Farmers Supply Sales, Inc., Federation Bank, Fulton Insurance, Hawkeye Electric Motors, Helmuth Repair, Inc., Hills Bank & Trust Co., Home Gas, Inc., JK Creative Wood & Gifts, Kalona Builders Supply Co., Kalona Veterinary Clinic, MAX Mutual Aid Exchange, Livestock Equipment Sales & Service, Miller Medicine Cabinet, Ramsey Creek Woodworks, Inc., Schlabaugh & Sons Woodworking, Stutzman’s Studio, The Appliance Barn, Twin County Dairy. Black sponsors – Mowers Plus, Joetown Garage, Progressive Grower Solutions/Terry Erb.
Come one, come all to an hour of laughs on the Celebration Hall stage as the drama department offers silliness geared toward all ages. April 27th at 7:00 pmand 28th at 2:30 pmbrings to life Jack and the Beanstalk and other plays. Admission is by donation. Join us for a spunky time!
Coming this summer – CampCreamery!!! The Old Creamery Theatre from Amana is hosting a drama camp in Celebration Hall at IMS July 8th-12th from8:30 am-12:30 pmwith a performance July 12th at7:00 pm. The camp will be open to all 1st- 6th graders and 10th-12th graders in the area. Cost is $75, with discounts available for siblings registering together. Camp size is limited so register as soon as possible. Registration forms are available online.
The last day of classes will now be Thursday, May 23rd. Tuesday, April 16th is a snow make up day. The last day for seniors is Thursday, May 16th. This is assuming that there will be no more snow days!
March News & Notes –
Prayers for IMS – meet each Wednesday that we have school at7:30 am in the Conference Room. All are welcome.
Interterm, March 18-24, is one week of nontraditional classes offered every other year. We have 11 classes that will engage students in a variety of activities inIowa,Illinois,Missouri, andNebraska. Please pray that we will have a safe week.
Culinary Arts Café – The IMS Culinary Arts class will again be serving international meals in the lobby outside Celebration Hall. Our restaurant les aliments qui inspirent – foods that inspire, will open on March 27: German Cuisine, April 3: Brazilian Cuisine & April 24: Finnish Cuisine. Guests may arrive at8:15 am to be seated and serving will begin promptly at8:30 am. Cost is $8 per person. Reservations are required as seating is limited, and can be made for any of the restaurants by calling the IMS office at 656-2073.
Orchestra Festival – Our 14-member Symphonic Band will travel to Goshen, IN, where they will participate in the annual Midwest Regional Orchestra Festival along with Bethany Christian School and Central Christian School. Bethany is located in Goshen, while Central will travel from Kidron, OH. Each school will rehearse and present a few pieces individually; they will then combine efforts to present a joint concert on Sunday, March 17. Please pray for safety for all who are traveling, and that all might be a positive witness throughout the weekend.
Student Work Day – All IMS students are being asked to work throughout the day on March 15; there will be no classes that day. Wages earned will support IMS’ Student Aid program, which provides financial assistance to more than 1/3 of the families attending. Please consider hiring one or more students for the day by calling Mary Lou Gingerich at 656-2073 or 683-2586.
Laura Hochstetler will present a senior recital of works for flute, piano, and voice on Sunday, March 10 at3:00 p.m. in Celebration Hall on the IMS campus. She will be assisted by family and friends in an eclectic offering of classical, Irish, sacred and folk music. The public is invited to the concert and the reception that follows.
IMS graduate Lara Troyer (’90), a professional soprano now teaching at Kent State University in Ohio, will return to the IMS stage on March 23 with Red Campion. The ensemble is comprised of four vocalists and one pianist, and they will perform in Celebration Hall as a part of IMS’ Fine Arts Series. Tickets are available by contacting the school; Adults – $12; Students (k-12) $8. More information about the group is available at http://redcampion.blogspot.com.
A new exhibit will open in the art gallery on March 10. Bethel College art faculty David Long and Rachel Epp Buller will display ceramics, prints and photographs. Their exhibit will also be open before and after the Red Campion performance March 23.
Tickets are available for a delicious Turkey Steak Supper to be served in the IMS gym on March 9. The IMS Alumni Association and Washington Township Optimists will join together in preparing and serving the meal. Please contact the school or members of either organization for tickets; proceeds will benefit the two groups, with IMS’ portion directed toward student scholarships. The meal includes turkey, baked potatoes, tossed salad, dinner rolls, homemade desserts and water/coffee.
IMS’ 25-voice Touring Choir will present six area worship programs this spring, beginning with the10:30 am service atSugarCreekMennoniteChurch on March 10. The choir is comprised of juniors and seniors under the direction of Josh Tyson. The remaining programs will be on April 7 (First Mennonite and St. Andrews Presbyterian, both in Iowa City); April 21 (Fairview Mennonite near Kalona); May 5 (East Union Mennonite north of Kalona); and May 12 (Washington Mennonite). Check our website for specific times.
Parents – please note that Wed. March 13 from 3-6 pm and Thurs. March 14 from 4-8 pm are Parent-Teacher conferences. This is an important time for parents and teachers to communicate about progress and concerns. Check our website for times that part-time teachers will be available.
We are looking for families to be hosts for international students for the 2013-14 school year. Hosts of students from China will receive a six hundred dollar monthly stipend. Call the school or email principal Tony Miller at tmiller@iowamennonite.org if you would like more information or if you have an interest.
February News and Notes:
Prayers for IMS – meets each Wednesday that we have school at 7:30 am in the Conference Room. All are welcome.
The Senior Class of ’13 will be hosting the annual Chili Supper on Saturday evening February 9 from 4:30-8:00 pm. The menu consists of chili soup, cheese sandwiches, relish, potato salad and homemade desserts. Tickets can purchased from any class member prior to the supper or at the door; Adults – $8; Children age 5-12 – $5; Children age 4 and younger are free.
Are you looking for a different way to send love to special people in your life? The IMS Chamber Singers will be delivering Singing Valentines all day on Thursday, February 14th. Song selections include: L-O-V-E, The Way You Look Tonight, Can’t Help Falling in Love and That’s All. Recipients will also receive six specialty cupcakes baked by the IMS Culinary Arts class. Call the school office at 656-2073 or 683-2586 to purchase a Singing Valentine. Cost is $35 for two songs and $60 for several songs for a group. Chamber Singers members are Bridgette Brenneman, Keilah Brokaw, Shay Durflinger, Laura Hochstetler, Cody Miller, Eleya Raim and Olivia Yutzy.
Spring Visit Day - On Monday, February 18th, we will have another Visit Day for 8th grade and transfer students from 8:00 am – 3:10 pm. Parents are invited to join us from 8:00 – 10:10 am. If you are even remotely considering IMS for high school, you should come visit. You will have the chance to attend classes, chapel, meet students, faculty and staff and see what a day at IMS is like. Lunch will be provided. The day will be structured a little differently than our Fall Visit Day so if you have already spent time with us, we invite you to do so again. Parents may take a tour of the school, meet with members of school administration and the school board and attend chapel. This will give you a chance to obtain more information about IMS and get any questions you may have answered. Please RSVP by February 8th so we know how many to plan for lunch. Contact Candi at 319-656-2073 or at cschmieder@iowamennonite.org.
Enrollment Committee - February 18th, 6:00 p.m. at the IMS Library. Anyone interested in helping IMS with enrollment efforts is invited to join us for our meeting. We are currently planning an Open House, Children’s Booth at the MCC Sale, a summer drama camp and in-home meetings with prospective families along with new marketing pieces. It is a fun group with great ideas! You can meet monthly with us and/or help plan a particular event that you are interested in and/or help brain-storm marketing ideas. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Contact Candi with any questions.
6th – 8th grade skating party - February 22nd from 7:00 – 9:00 pm join us at the Wellman Skating Rink for skating, games and pizza. We will provide pizza and prizes. Please bring your friends and $1.00 for skates and money for any snacks or drinks you’d like to purchase.
Be a host family for 2013-14. If you are interested in being a host family to a student or students from China for the 2013-14 school year please contact Tony Miller at tmiller@iowamennonite.org or call the school. Host parents will receive a $600 a month stipend per student, plus have the opportunity to get to know students from another culture.
Red Campion an energetic ensemble of four singers and one pianist will present an evening of glorious vocal chamber music, favorites from musical theatre and the opera. 1990 IMS graduate and Wellman native, soprano Lara Troyer is part of the group. Tickets can be reserved for the March 23rd, 7:00 pm performance by calling the school office 319-656-2073. Tickets are $12/adults and $8/students grades k-12. Check our website for more information.
January News and Notes
Hosting an international student can be a great opportunity for your family to show hospitality and to learn about other cultures. IMS will be looking for families to host four students from China for the 2012-2013 school year. These students will be coming as 9th or 10th graders and plan to eventually graduate from IMS. Host families will be given a monthly stipend to cover cost such as transportation and food during the school year. If you are interested or have questions call Tony Miller at the school or email him at tomiller78@gmail.com.
January 10th: 6th – 8th grade girls basketball scrimmage during half-times of the girls and boys varsity games. Meet in the cafeteria with about four minutes left in the second quarter of each varsity game to get jerseys and divide into teams. Any 6th – 8th grade girls who are interested are encouraged to participate.
The Senior Class is hosting the annual Chili Supper on Saturday, January 14 serving from
4:30-7:30 pm. Tickets are available from any senior or can be purchased at the door, prices are; Adults – $8, Children 5-12, Children under age 4 are free. The menu consists of chili soup, cheese sandwiches, potato salad, relish and dessert.
The IMS Spanish Department in cooperation with JPOG presents a showing of Abused, a documentary about the Postville raids. It will be shown Sunday evening, January 22nd at7:00 pm in Celebration Hall.
IowaMennoniteSchoolwill host the Hesston College Wind Ensemble on Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m., in a joint concert with IMS’ Symphonic Band. Former IMS music instructor Bradley Kauffman conducts the ensemble. All are invited to the concert, and also are invited to consider hosting a student or two that weekend. Please contact the school (656-2073) for more information or to offer lodging.
Enrollment Committee meeting is on January 16th at 6:30 pm in the IMS conference room. We will further discuss priorities set at the November meeting and plan events for second semester. We are looking for representatives from the Wayland and Iowa City areas. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Candi at candi.schmieder@gmail.com or 319-656-2073.
Prospective Student Day will be coming up again on February 20th. Unless this date is used as a snow day by other school districts, most of them do NOT have school that day. If you know of a student in 8th – 10th grade who would be interested in attending IMS that day to observe classes, talk with teachers and administrators and spend time with other current & prospective students, please contact Candi at candi.schmieder@gmail.com or 319-656-2073. Please RSVP to this event by February 15th.
If you’re looking for a wonderful evening of food and entertainment, consider attending the Turkey Steak Supper in the IMS gym, followed by a performance in Celebration Hall, on Saturday, March 10. The show – Woody Guthrie’s “American Song” – includes IMS music instructor Karenza Yoder. The show first played to sold-out crowds in Amana earlier this year, and they will offer their final performance at IMS! A package deal can be purchased for the meal and show by contacting IMS; tickets are also available individually.