August 22, 2023

Last Friday, we kicked off the school year with IMSA's 37th annual Convocation Ceremony! Award-winning writer and IMSA graduate Jen Soriano '93 welcomed students back as she shared advice on fully taking advantage of their time at IMSA. Experience the event's energy through this recording, courtesy of the IMSA Student Production Team.

Parents will have an opportunity to get updated Parent ID photos at Parent Day on September 23, 2023. Until then, parents can continue to use IDs from last year, and new parents can visit the Security desk for a temporary badge when on campus. Please contact Mr. Willie Mayes, Campus Safety and Security Operations Director, with questions regarding Parent IDs.

Due to the expected extreme heat, Day of Service locations have been modified to mostly indoor locations. The Class of 2026 will receive priority on service sites, and the event is no longer mandatory for the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025, although they are still welcome to participate. All service opportunities are available on Helper Helper. Water will be provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own water as well.

If you would like to participate in tomorrow's Day of Service and have items to donate, please see the list of donation needs from some of the organizations we are partnering with. Donations will be accepted in Student Life until tomorrow.

Every year, IMSA kicks off the school year with a free Carnival on campus full of games, rides, and carnival food. All students, staff, faculty, and their families are invited to attend and enjoy! All of the food stands are free, but Lexington will also offer a $5 lunch for families. IMSA students will not be charged.

Thank you to the many parents and staff members who have signed up to volunteer and donate!

All IMSA students are expected to register their primary computing device (laptop) and any desktop computer with Information Technology Services (ITS). Juniors and seniors are expected to re-register their computing devices each school year. Failure to register devices may result in the student being unable to access certain vital computing resources, like printers while on campus.

To register a student’s computing device:

• Go to the Student Computing Services web page: https://imsa.edu/scs
• Find the instructions for the student’s computing device's operating system under the "Prepare Your Computer for Life at IMSA" heading.
• Follow the instructions to complete the registration.

All members of the incoming sophomore class must complete a Cyber Security and Safety Course within the first few weeks of the new school year. This is a self-paced class delivered via IMSA’s Canvas environment. This course must be completed by September 15. The class should take about an hour to complete.

Members of the Junior and Senior classes may also complete this course as a refresher

To log in to Canvas:

• Go to the Student Computing Services web page: https://imsa.edu/scs
• Click on the button for Canvas.
• Log in using your IMSA username and password.
• Select the ITS Cyber Safety and Security Course from the available tiles.

In my Convocation remarks, I shared with students that artificial intelligence is a space where incredible opportunities can happen in their futures while also being mindful of the ethical implications of tools that can substitute cognition. Ultimately, we want students to be drivers of their learning and innovation, where they improve systems using AI as a tool.

To that end, we desire to develop a Center for Artificial Intelligence at IMSA in the future. That may be a year or two in the making, so we'd like to prototype by exploring, tinkering, and connecting with professionals in this space. Help us imagine possibilities for our students. If you or colleagues in your professional network are doing work in or with AI, please consider offering a workshop, design challenge, internship, or research project at IMSA or remotely. Reach out to me at eglazer@imsa.edu to get connected.

This year, IMSA will transition from using a FOB to a "proximity ID card" to gain building entry. Students will receive a proximity card that will serve as their I.D. and a smart key card to access the Main Building and Residence Halls. Students will continue to receive a physical key for their room.

Students should keep these proxy ID cards with them at all times. If lost, replacement keys or I.D. Card will cost $15.00. Students found without an I.D. card in their possession must show proof by the end of the day. If proof is not provided, the old card will be deactivated, a new I.D. card will be produced, and a processing fee will be charged. We discourage students from connecting I.D. Cards to physical keys.

Further questions can be directed to Willie M. Mayes, Campus Safety and Security Operation Director. Thank you!

Don't forget to download the LiveSafe app from the Apple Store or Google Play to get security alerts and access other safety features on campus!

Mandatory Peer Tutor Training

Thursday, August 31, 2023

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Academic Pit

Dust Off Your Math Skills With Ms. Loos!

Let's get off to a great start in math with a little factoring workout with Ms. Loos! If you are feeling a little rusty with your factoring, drop in to see Ms. Loos in the Math Office this week and/or next week and she will put you through the paces to rebuild some of those factoring muscles that may have been dormant over the summer. We will start small and build on your success! Email Ms. Loos for a time slot, and feel free to bring a friend or two. The more the merrier!

PAC Facebook Pages

The PAC tech team accomplished a long-standing goal this summer. We have restructured our Facebook groups to make it easier to verify users with PowerSchool and remove users when their student graduates from IMSA. If you are a junior or senior parent who uses Facebook for updates and has not been receiving posts, please request to rejoin our PAC group at 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IMSAPAC

Once verified, you will be preapproved to join any of our subgroups (Hall, Region, or Graduating Class). A list of subgroups is posted on our feed.

Next PAC meeting

We look forward to seeing parents on Saturday, September 23, for Parent Day. Look for a resource table and refreshments courtesy of the PAC.

PAC Committees

Are you looking for ways to be involved, stay informed, and support your student? Learn more about the PAC Committees at https://www.imsapac.org/ or contact us at info@imsapac.org.

Student Spotlight

Please complete the Academic Achievement Submission Form if you have been recently recognized in your field, published, or celebrated for your academic or professional achievements. If you have any questions, please contact Alex Johnson at ajohnson2@imsa.edu.

The Center for Innovation and Inquiry (IN2) offers several Competitions throughout the school year including entrepreneurship/innovation pitch competitions, writing and/or art contests, and scholarships. These competitions and contests are open to all students. 

If you are interested in participating or competing, either solo or as part of a team, please fill out this brief form. You must be registered on this form to receive the competition's emails. Stop by IN2 if you have any questions!

Mark Your Calendars! 

August 23 - Day of Service

August 26 - Carnival

September 4 - Labor Day (Academy is closed, but Residence Halls remain open)

September 18 - 23 - Homecoming Week

September 23 - Parent Day and Homecoming Dance