Thursday, April 17, 2014

ICS Newsletter 4.17.14

ICS Newsletter 4.17.14
UPCOMING EVENTS

4/17 - 1/2 Day of School, Holy Thursday; Living Stations of the Cross (5th Grade), 8:30 and 9:30 in St. Michael Hall; Sacred Steps Running Club, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

4/18 - 4/25 - No School, Easter Break

4/30 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony to follow Mass

5/2 - First Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall; Irish Incarnation Spirit Day; ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony, 7:00 p.m., St. Michael Hall

5/4 - First Communion Sunday

5/7 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; ICS First Communion Celebration to follow Mass

5/8 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

5/14 - Household Meetings; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day)

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing

5/21 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/23 - 1/2 Day of School

5/26 - No School, Memorial Day

5/28 - Graduation Mass, 8:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Luncheon

5/31 - ICS Class of 2014 Graduation, 10:00 a.m.

6/6 - 1/2 day of school; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; last day of school


PRAYER INTENTIONS

We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Lourdes Fernandez
-Mireida Abad
-Nilda Houellemont
-The Baker Family

Did you know that fasting, something that all adult Catholics should do tomorrow on Good Friday, is a great form of prayer? Offer up your fast tomorrow for one of the people mentioned above or for a personal intention not listed. For more information, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence.cfm

Also, please pray for our ICS students who will be received into our Church during the Easter Vigil, receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. May God bless and keep them! 

Have a prayer intention? Send it to icsmzele@icstampa.org                        


CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to the following students, recognized last week at our Friday Morning Assembly! AMAZING work, Irish!

-3rd Quarter Honor Roll Recipients:







































-St. Sebastian Student-Athlete of the Month (March): 
Kenley Bruce (Gr. 7) and Alex Vazquez-Kersey (Gr. 8)

Cross-Fit Leadership Award
Ashlyn Straughn (Gr. 5)

Red Ticket Drawing Winners
Isabella Edbrooke (Gr. 6) and Katrina Otis (Gr. 4)

Incarnation Inspiration Awards:
McKinley Gorman (Gr. 2)
Oscar de los Rios (K)
Alex Mazza (Gr. 4)
Kayla Kramer (Gr. 4)
Emilie Vendrone (Gr. 4)
Alaina Garcia (Gr. 4)
Robbie Hipkins (Gr. 4)
Sophia Torres (Gr. 4)
Vivian Dinh (Gr. 8)
Adam Reciniello (Gr. 7)
George Morgan (Gr. 8)
Carson Phillip (Gr. 7)
Mary Sexton (Gr. 8)
Emily Hull (Gr. 8)


Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org        


HOME


Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org              


HALL OF HONORS

Friday May 2 will mark our second ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony. Coach Jeff Pafunda and Mr. and Mrs. James and Sylvia Fernandez will be inducted as members of the Class of 2014. The event will take place in St. Michael Hall at 7:00 p.m. Any ICS parent still in need of volunteer hours for this school or looking to get a jump on hours for the 2014 - 15 school year should contact Main Office: 813.884.4502. Thank you in advance for your help!


IRISH CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Our Inaugural Irish Cup Championship is set for Friday May 16, 2014. This all day event will supplant and enhance what used to be field day. ICS Priories will compete in various events testing their academic and athletic prowess and their problem solving and teamwork skills! 

Volunteers for this AMAZING event are needed! If you are willing / able to help (for commitment hours for 2013 - 14 or next year), please contact the Main Office. 

As a way to commemorate this monumental competition and capitalize on the excitement that our Household Initiative has generated, we would like to provide students with t-shirts corresponding to their Priory color. Anyone willing to help offset the cost of this possible Priory present through a donation should contact either Mr. Woodward or Mr. Zelenka. Along these same lines and in the absence of donations, we would look to ask families for $5 per shirt. If you have any thoughts, comments or questions about this potential expense, please let us know. 

More details about the Irish Cup Championship will be on the way! GO IRISH! May the best Priory win!


YEARBOOKS

You can purchase yearbooks online: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com The Incarnation Catholic School code for purchasing online is: 1687914. Cost is $35.00. 

You can also order through the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School.


MISSION DRIVEN


ICS is extremely proud of its mission to inspire life-long learners, challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.

Did you know that ICS has embarked on many initiatives this year to become more closely aligned to the type of school it aims to be? 

-LIFE-LONG LEARNERS
ICS was the only school in the Diocese to take part in the Hour of Code: http://csedweek.org. 

ICS teachers have almost completed four years of training, study and implementation of using Understanding by Design as a way to plan, instruct and assess students: http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf. This method, which aligns with the Common Core State Standards, was adopted by the Diocese in 2012, giving ICS a two year head start over other area Catholic schools. Teachers have continued to enhance, refine and perfect their work with this research based planning, teaching and assessment method. 

ICS Administration has embarked upon improvements to its management of teachers, developing an innovative and research proven approach to forming teachers. Built upon the premise that formative assessment (frequent and short checks with feedback geared at improvement) is more effective at promoting growth than summative (longer, less frequent tests with summative feedback), this observation system models multiple sound educational approaches to teachers: http://www.slideshare.net/rhondacarrier/assessment-14069815?qid=8705697c-2779-4fed-8345-f05db7aa7ed3&v=qf1&b=&from_search=31.

-DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
Our ICS Household initiative has afforded our school opportunities to eat, pray and play together, a recipe for successful families. It has increased the number of student leadership positions within the school. Every middle school student has an opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and leadership every time that our Houses meet. Furthermore, ICS Households have given both teachers and students a broader perspective and appreciation for the various grade levels within our school community. 

A greater emphasis has been placed upon the faith lives of students. During Advent, ICS students not only participated in grade level retreats, but also spiritual exercises in Households. Lent has afforded ICS students and teachers chances to take "steps" with Christ along the path of the Crucifixion. Today the entire school will engage in faith-based activities: the Living Stations of the Cross, a presentation by students from the Academy of the Holy Names about their trip to the Dominican Republic with shoes collected by ICS (Run for Love Shoe Drive), and a reflection / prayer service about the Last Supper. 

-SERVANTS TO EACH OTHER AND THE COMMUNITY
In addition to the many traditional service projects here at ICS (Pasta for Pennies, Messiah Migrant Ministries Food Drive, St. Francis Pet Food Drive), ICS Middle School students have traveled to Metropolitan Ministries to as part of service-learning activities. Most recently, 6th grade traveled there to perform service. 

Upon their return, one sixth grader had this to say, 

"The people we served had so little, and we have so much. But, we complain more." 

What an AMAZING insight!

Hopefully you can see and have taken note of the school's commitment to continuously improve and to remain ever committed to Christ, the Reason for our AMAZING school. 


HOLY WEEK, TRIDUUM AND EASTER

The entire ICS community is invited to a parish-wide reenactment of Jesus's Passion tomorrow evening (4/18) in the ICS Pavilion at 5:00 p.m. For the first time since this Incarnation tradition began, it will be celebrated tri-lingually (English, Spanish and Filipino dialect). Rehearsals have taken place since January. All of our parish priests will be present. This is a wonderful opportunity of evangelization. 

The Veneration of the Cross will take place at 3:00 p.m. Spanish Veneration of the Cross will take place at 7:00 p.m. 

Please consult the Parish website: icctampa.org for more details about services, liturgies and opportunities for your faith development during the Triduum and Easter. Please consider taking advantage of this holy season as a way for your family to grow closer to Jesus. 

On behalf of the faculty and staff, and Fr. Michael and the priests, we wish you a very happy and blessed Easter! May the joy and hope of the Resurrection fill your hearts and homes! 

Sunday's coming...

In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org

Thursday, April 10, 2014

ICS Newsletter 4.10.14

ICS Newsletter 4.10.14
UPCOMING EVENTS

4/10 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

4/11 - Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall (*please note that this date had been listed in the Newsletter, incorrectly, as Stations of the Cross); Irish Incarnation Spirit Day


4/16 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

4/17 - 1/2 Day of School, Holy Thursday; Living Stations of the Cross (5th Grade), 8:30 and 9:30 in St. Michael Hall

4/18 - 4/25 - No School, Easter Break

4/30 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony to follow Mass

5/2 - First Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall; Irish Incarnation Spirit Day; ICS Hall of Honors Induction Ceremony, 7:00 p.m., St. Michael Hall

5/4 - First Communion Sunday

5/7 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/8 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

5/14 - Household Meetings; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day)

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing

5/21 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

5/26 - No School, Memorial Day

5/28 - Graduation Mass, 8:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Luncheon

5/31 - ICS Class of 2014 Graduation, 10:00 a.m.

6/6 - 1/2 day of school; School Mass, 8:30 a.m.; last day of school



PRAYER INTENTIONS

We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Lourdes Fernandez
-Mireida Abad
-Nilda Houellemont
-The Baker Family



CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to Mr. Jeff Pafunda and Mr. and Mrs. James and Sylvia Fernandez for being nominated and selected for induction into the Incarnation Catholic School Hall of Honors Class of 2014. Coach Pafunda served as an ICS Physical Education Coach throughout the 1980s, while the Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez, long-time ICC parishioners, sent their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to ICS! 

We congratulate Coach Pafunda and Mr. and Mrs. Fernandez and look forward to inducting them into the 2nd Class of ICS Hall of Honors. The ceremony is May 2 in St. Michael Hall. All ICS alumni and friends are welcome to attend. 

Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org      


HOME


Today's quote is from Anita Kaushal. Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org             


FOLLETT GRANT

Thank you to all who voted for our Follett Grant video for our innovations in education. Results from the voting will be posted on April 14. Stay tuned for details about how ICS fared!



CARNIVAL

Thank you to the many volunteers and attendees at Carnival 2014! We had great weather which made for an outstanding weekend. We hope that you enjoyed the weekend!

Help with clean-up is still needed. Contact our Facilities Manager, Dave Arnold: darnold@icctampa.org if you are able to help. 

Thank you to all ICS families for their patience, cooperation and flexibility with the many changes caused by Carnival. Drop-off and pick-up should resume normal procedures starting today, Thursday April 10.


COMMITMENT HOURS

Commitment hour invoices will be sent home in today's envelope. Please note that the form will not reflect any hours worked at Carnival last weekend. If you worked Carnival, please submit those hours to the School Office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school: 813.884.4502.


YEARBOOKS

You can purchase yearbooks online: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com The Incarnation Catholic School code for purchasing online is: 1687914. Cost is $35.00. 

You can also order through the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School.


FRIDAY MORNING ASSEMBLY

Tomorrow, Friday April 11, is our Friday Morning Assembly for the month of April beginning at 8:30 in St. Michael Hall. All are welcome; just report directly to St. Michael Hall. Items on the agenda include:

-Decade of the Rosary
-Red ticket drawing
-3rd Quarter Honors (with the exception of 6th grade, which will be given on 5/2)
-St. Sebastian Student-Athlete of the Month
-Incarnation Inspiration Awards
-Thought for the Day

We hope to see you there!


In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org

Thursday, April 3, 2014

ICS Extended Carnival Hours on 4/4!


For ICS Students and Families only!

-On Friday April 4, 2014 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., the Incarnation Carnival will open its gates to ICS students and families only! Students must be accompanied by an adult and all ride prices (tickets / wristbands) still apply. 

-No one else will be admitted to the Carnival on Friday April 4 during this window so it is an ideal time to enjoy the Carnival as the ICS family! The Carnival opens to the public at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, giving ICS 90 minutes of play time with no one else around! 
-All students must be accompanied by an adult. Once again, all ticket ride prices will still be in effect. Food vendors will not be in operation during this time - just the Carnival rides!

-We hope to see you tonight, tomorrow (especially from 4:30 - 6:00!) and this weekend! GO IRISH!




ICS Newsletter 4.3.14

ICS Newsletter 4.3.14
UPCOMING EVENTS

4/3 - 1/2 day of school; Grades 6 - 8 Reconciliation; NO AFTERCARE AVAILABLE; ICC Carnival, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

4/4 - NO SCHOOL, ICC Carnival, 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

4/5 - ICC Carnival, 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

4/6 - ICC Carnival, 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

4/8 - Time on Task Free Dress Day for Q. 3 (Grades 1 - 8); Family Supper Lunch order forms due

4/9 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

4/10 - Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity

4/11 - Friday Morning Assembly, 8:30 a.m., St. Michael Hall (*please note that this date had been listed in the Newsletter, incorrectly, as Stations of the Cross); Irish Incarnation Spirit Day


4/16 - School Mass, 8:30 a.m.

4/17 - 1/2 Day of School, Holy Thursday

4/18 - 4/25 - No School, Easter Break

5/16 - Irish Cup Championship (formerly known as Field Day)

5/17 - ICS Dads Club Golf Outing


PRAYER INTENTIONS


We continue to pray for the following people: 

-Sophia Castro 
-Mario Mora
-Lourdes Fernandez
-Mireida Abad
-Nilda Houellemont
-The Baker Family

Have a prayer intention? Send it to icsmzele@icstampa.org                  


CELEBRATING SUCCESSES


Congratulations to 2011 ICS graduate and current Academy of the Holy Name Junio, Carmelle Kuizon who earned first place last weekend at the Congressional District High School Art Competition at the Tampa Museum of Art. Congrats, Carmelle! Keep up the great work!

Did you know that over the past 4 years every ICS student who as applied to the Academy of the Holy Names has been accepted? Great job, Lady Irish! 

Do you know of a current ICS student or ICS graduate who has found success in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership, service or ministry that should be featured in our Newsletter? If so, please send notification to: icsmzele@icstampa.org    


HOME

Today's quote based on our theme is from Walt Disney.

Have a great quote about our school's theme, HOME? Send it to: icsmzele@icstampa.org             


FOLLETT GRANT

Only two more days remain in the Follett Challenge for Innovations in Education. Please vote for ICS!

http://www.follettchallenge.com/video.cfm?id=354#.UxnSKXmWTlK 




CARNIVAL

Tonight begins the 2014 Incarnation Carnival. Carnival times are as follows:

-Thursday April 3: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
-Friday April 4: 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
-Saturday April 5: 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
-Sunday April 6: 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Many thanks to Mr. Dave Arnold, our Incarnation facilities crew, and the many parent and church volunteers who have worked so hard to get Carnival 2014 up and running. Thank you to Mrs. Karina Rueda and the group of families who have tackled the task of organizing the school portion of Carnival this year! Thank you!

Ride tickets can be purchased today for a discounted price at the Church office until 3:00 p.m. Unlimited ride bracelets can also be purchased at the Church office until 3:00 p.m. Bracelets are picked up at the Carnival under the Pavilion.

On Thursday April 3, ICS students will be able to earn points for their Priories toward the ICS Irish Cup by participating in the ICS game booths (under the Pavilion). Just challenge a student who is a member of a different Priory and battle for the point! Priory points are only available tonight! We hope to see you there!

Clean-up help is needed immediately after the conclusion of the Carnival on Sunday April 6 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Then, clean-up will continue all next week. If you are able to help with clean-up, please contact Dave Arnold: darnold@icctampa.org  

Thank you for your patience and cooperation with our Carnival drop-off and pick-up procedures. These will continue through Tuesday April 8. Normal drop-off and pick-up should resume on Wednesday April 9. 


Finally, please remember that even though Carnival happens on the ICS campus and many familiar ICS faces will be present, the Carnival does not maintain our typical "safe environment". Carnival employees and many of the volunteers at this 4 day event are neither background screened or Safe Environment Program trained. In this way, please keep a watchful eye on your child(ren) and help to prevent any problems from arising. 

Be sure to have fun, just be vigilant!



YEARBOOKS

You can purchase yearbooks online: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com The Incarnation Catholic School code for purchasing online is: 1687914. Cost is $35.00. 

You can also order through the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to Incarnation Catholic School.  


SACRED STEPS RUNNING CLUB

Due to the Carnival, Sacred Steps Running Club will not meet today Thursday, April 3. SSRC will resume on Thursday April 10. 

We will try to organize a first grade Sacred Steps membership drive to start after Easter break. Stay tuned!


FAMILY SUPPER / IRISH CUP ACTIVITY


Next Thursday, April 10, ICS Households will meet for another Family Supper / Irish Cup Activity. Lunch order forms, because of Carnival, will not be sent until Monday April 7. These forms are due back on Tuesday April 8 for those students planning to purchase lunch on Thursday April 10.

Households will eat Family Supper together and finalize their Priory chants. Then, for the Irish Cup Activity, Priories will gather together for Priory Training Camp in preparation for May 16, 2014 - the Irish Cup Championship!


OBSERVATION SYSTEM

The start of the 2nd semester signaled an innovative change in the school's teacher observation system. Like most schools, ICS had previously conducted two formal teacher observations per teacher per year. This past quarter, though, ICS commenced a much more aggressive, collaborative and formative plan for teacher formation. Each teacher is observed for about 20 minutes every other week. On off weeks, teachers meet with ICS administration to discuss the prior week's observation, lesson / unit planning and assessments.   

This new system, a hybrid of many research based methods, allows for each teacher to be formed on an individualized plan. Mirroring a student-centered approach on the teacher level, this system provides immediate formative feedback, an opportunity to dialogue / discuss this feedback, and multiple opportunities for feedback to be given. All of this mimics good teaching strategies, further reinforcing AMAZING Teaching Pillars at ICS. 

In keeping with our tradition, we at Incarnation Catholic School:
Inspire life-long learning,
Challenge each individual to be a disciple of Christ, and
Strive to live our Catholic faith through service to each other and the community.
-----------------------------------------------------
5111 Webb Rd. * Tampa, FL 33615 * Tel: 813.884.4502 * Fax: 813.885.3734 * www.icstampa.org