Central IB Programs

December 2023 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

December 5th: MYP Showcase 8:20-11am in the Central Commons

December 5th-8th: MYP Service Project Week

December 7th: Orchestra Concert 6pm

December 8th: DP/CP Senior Trip to Crystal Bridges

December 12th: Choir Concert 7pm

December 15th: Band Concert 6:30 pm

December 18th-22nd: Finals Week

December 22nd: IB Alumni Day 10-11 am in Central Commons

December 23-January 2nd: Winter Break

Please check out our Central IB Website for program information, policies, and so much more!

https://sites.google.com/sps.org/central-ib-programs/home

Coordinators' Corner

Whew! We've almost made it to the first semester finish line! We encourage students to use the remaining weeks in first semester to get caught up and do their best to finish strong. We want all of our IB students to remain in honors and Diploma classes, so it's important to earn passing grades in all your classes.

As we finish up 2023, we want to make sure and reflect on our successes and "growth opportunities" as we make a fresh start in 2024. If 2023 wasn't all that you had hoped it would be, it's time to make new goals, set new expectations, and start off strong for second semester in 2024!

To our seniors--you've only got one semester left! Make. It. Count. Shrug off that growing senioritis for second semester and make your last five months at Central matter!

To all our IB Central Bulldog families--we hope you have a wonderful holiday season full of peace and joy!

Molly Gray, DP Coordinator

mgray@spsmail.org

523-9605

Donita Cox, CP Coordinator

dcox@spsmail.org

523-9606

Gretchen Teague, MYP Coordinator

gteague@spsmail.org

523-9706

CHS Bell Schedule

SPS District Calendar

Red/Black Day Schedule

CALLING ALL 8TH GRADERS!

If you know an 8th grader who is interested in coming to Central to pursue IB, please share the following information with them:

Students need to complete an "IB Application of Intent" and submit a Transitional Transfer Request with the district (if living outside Central's attendance area) Both are linked below, but can also be found on Central's IB website:

IB Application of Intent

Transitional Transfer Request

CHS IB Website

Applications and Transfer Requests are due by December 8th at 4pm

IB Parent Advisory Board

We would like to create an IB Parent Advisory Board, made up parents/guardians of students grades 9-12.

We are seeking a diverse group of parents to serve in an advisory capacity to help support IB program implementation, fidelity, and growth. We would like parent perspective to provide insight into student support and inclusion of IB students at Central, and also to help with networking to community opportunities and needs. Meetings would potentially be held two to three times a year, depending on stakeholder interest and availability.

If you would be willing to serve, please fill out the google form linked below.

IB Parent Advisory Board Interest Form

Shoutout to Central Orchestra!

On Saturday, 15 orchestra students auditioned for all-state orchestra. This audition was among hundreds of musicians across the state. A HUGE congratulations the following students who are among the best in the state and will participate in all-state orchestra in January:

Colin Andrews, Bass

Madison Gong, Viola

Naomi Meng, Violin

Brayden Miao, Violin

And congrats to the following students who may play in January and who still received an honorable mention:

Sophy Wickham-Zhou, Violin Alternate

Dakota Walton, Cello Alternate

Grant Aho, Cello Honorable Mention

Bracken Potter, Viola Honorable Mention

In addition to this excellence, Naomi Meng auditioned this summer and was selected to play for the Springfield Symphony (as a professional musician). On top of this, she has been serving as our co-president and she has been putting together multiple opportunities for the CHS orchestra to reach out to the community and perform for them. Their first performance will be this Saturday, December 9th from 12:00-2:00 where the Springfield Symphony will have a “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa Event.” Families can get their picture with Santa and have family fun before the Holiday Matinee. If you are interested in attending, it is $10 a person to support the Springfield Symphony.

Heads Up to Students taking Launch Classes!

Anyone taking an online class through Launch needs to be aware that you MUST submit at least one to two assignments as week in order to remain in the class, as well as maintain a passing grade. Launch has changed up it's policies and will now drop students for inactivity and will not readmit them afterwards. You CANNOT wait until the last minute to submit assignments!

We don't want Central students to risk meeting important graduation requirements through online classes! Please reach out to your counselors if you have any questions or concerns.

IB Course Updates

DP Seniors have begun working on their Theory of Knowledge essays. This essay is a first-person investigation of a question related to how we know what we know and is the major assessment in TOK for the senior year. Students will create a rough draft before Winter Break, then revise and submit these papers in the third quarter.

IB Seniors have started work on their Higher Level Essays in HL Literature. These analytical essays explore a literary aspect of a book of the student's choice from the IB English reading list. This is one of four assessments in the course, which will be submitted to IB for external grading during the third quarter.

Central Speech & Debate

Students Honored

Three students have been recognized by the National Speech and Debate Association as being both excellent in debate, as well as in academics. They have each received the honor of being named Academic All American. These students are:

Samuel Cummings

Eli Moody

Garrison Taylor

Central's Envirothon Teams "Clean Up" at the Regional Competition

Last month Central took three teams to the Nature Center to compete in the Regional Envirothon Competition. Central swept the competition, taking the top three spots, which means they all advance to the state competition in May.

Congratulations to the teams and Mr. Epps for continuing to be the dominating Envirothon team in region (and in the nation!)

CAS/SL Update from Mrs. Gugliotta

Make sure you check out the important information from Central Journalism:

Purchase a Yearbook https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04673000. The price of yearbooks will increase from $50 to $55 on March 1.

Purchase a Senior Tribute in the Yearbook: https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1059689. Senior Tributes are an optional additional purchase to the yearbook to give extra recognition to your senior. These will be on sale online only until February 1.

If you have submitted the "SPS Student Media Exclusion Form," please know that this document restricts the yearbook from including your student in the album section. If you have submitted the form, but you would like your student to appear in the yearbook, please email Ms. Austin in the CHS Main Office at saustin300@spsmail.org.

IB May 2024 Exam Schedule

The IB May 2024 schedule is hot off the presses! Please save the dates below if you are taking one of these exams (this only applies to Junior and Senior students).

Please submit your exam fee payment at your earliest convenience.

Exam Fee Notification

CHS Counselor Information

Mrs. Bri Smith

417-523-9661

blsmith@spsmail.org

Students Last Name A – L

IB DP/CP; Scholars

Mrs. Bekah Bartels

417-523-9663

rbartels@spsmail.org

Students Last Name A - K

Ms. Kendra Peak

417-523-9667

kfpeak@spsmail.org

Freshman Counselor

Ms. Emily Bass 417-523-9662

embass@spsmail.org

Students Last Name M – Z

IB DP/CP; Scholars

Mr. Anthony James

417-523-9665

awjames@spsmail.org

Students Last Name L - Z

Meghan Sweckard-Counseling Secretary

417-523-9660

masweckard@spsmail.org

How Can IB Help With College?

Check out the link regarding how IB can help with college! You can also find this on the IB page on Central's website. Details include statistics on DP/CP student success in admissions and persistence rates in college, as well as scholarship and college credit information from regional schools.