IHS IB Notes

I know it still feels like summer, but now that it's officially fall, let's review service learning expectations. We ask all of our Scholars to do at least 20 hours of service over grades 9 & 10 combined. They will hear more about this during their English classes, and everyone is able to access the IHS Service & Action website. Ideally, most of the students' time will be be spent doing non-routine tasks, but we recognize that sometimes the school and community groups need people to set up chairs, assemble packets, etc. The key requirements are that the task is not done for family and does not involve a reward (money, prizes, grades) for students. We think students grow when they try new things, help others, and reflect on those experiences.

For 9th and 10th grade, students keep track of their hours through a log sheet which may be obtained from the IB office (A107), their English classroom, or downloaded on the Student Documents tab of the IHS Service & Action website. They will upload their records on that same documents tab, which can be done intermittently or all in May. We're transitioning over to having them keep this information in Toddle and will get the necessary information out to them when it's ready.

At 11th grade, students decide whether or not they will participate in IB Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). This is a requirement for those pursuing IB Diplomas and recommended for those doing the IB Certificate pathway, and we're pleased to see that nearly half the IB juniors opted in. CAS requires students to plan how they will meet seven learning outcomes while doing experiences in each of the three areas. Additionally, they plan and carry out their own service project. It's estimated that CAS will require about 150 hours over grades 11-12, but we find that much of what these great students do for CAS would have been done even without the requirement. Planning and reflecting about their experiences helps to make them well-rounded people. Everything CAS gets logged into Toddle. Mr. Nolan and Mrs. Glubka are serving as our CAS Coordinators and will help the kids stay on track.

Juniors who decide not to do CAS have no specific service requirements, but we encourage them to at least keep track of what they do so they will have accurate records when completing college applications. They will do the "regular" Inderkum Senior Project which requires at least 30 hours of service to one organization, and more information will be given to them in the spring.

Many campus clubs, particularly Key Club, include service as a focus. Students can check with community groups, the library and others. Our local District One, Lisa Kaplan's office, organizes youth events which are shared with us by district director (and IHS IB alumnus) Mateo Ramirez-Mercado. We are fine with "double counting" hours as long as the other group does not object. For example, if a student puts 4 hours of work into a blanket that Stitchery Club plans to donate, those hours could be counted as service toward the club and also toward the 20-hour Scholars requirement. If you're not sure if something would count, just ask!

As opportunities are shared with me, I pass them along, usually through Parent/StudentSquare. Here are the current needs:

• Natomas Park Elementary is asking for students for their Coyote Carnival happening this Friday, October 4th from 4:30-6:30. They need help with set up, working the game booths, and clean up. I realize this is the same evening as IHS Homecoming, but you could still volunteer before heading to the game. Sign up here and please put IHS after your name. Scroll way down as the openings are near the bottom of the form.
• ADULTS (parents/guardians) are needed to help at our Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 5th. You would be here from 6:30 p.m. until 10. I've been assured that no parents will be on the dance floor, but they can use you in other areas such as the snack bar and perimeter supervision. If you are available, please email Activities Director Ms. Vierra or me.
• A number of IB students assisted with the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk last year, and hopefully they will again. The walk is Saturday morning, October 5th, right here in the Natomas Regional Park. Info and sign-up form.
• Heron School needs lots of students to assist with their Barn Dance. Luckily, this one isn't also happening this weekend. It's on October 18th. Info and sign-up form.

I sent out a message last week about signing up for Sacramento Speaker Series events, and to no one's surprise, MANY of you are hoping to see Venus Williams. I've submitted our list, and I'm waiting to hear if we will be able to get more than the usual 9 student tickets. **Breaking news at 2:40, they've just been advised that due to an unforeseen medical procedure, Venus Williams will be unable to come on October 16th. They are trying to reschedule to later in the season.** Those who made the request will remain on the list.

For anyone who missed the Square message, it's not too late to express your interest in seeing these speakers. We are fortunate to participate in a program which offers free tickets for students. Even better, students get their own special Q&A session with the speaker before the main event happens. These always occur on Wednesday nights, and the time commitment is 6-10 p.m. Students will be chaperoned by myself or another teacher. Sometimes tickets for parents are available for purchase for $40 (a big discount for an expensive event).

Get the rest of the details and request speakers through this form.

The New York Academy of Sciences

• The NYAS supports students considering STEM careers and has a number of virtual resources. You can watch their videos about how to move forward in your STEM educations.
• They sponsor Innovation Challenges where students team with international partners for "virtual competitions that engage student innovators to apply their curiosity and creativity to solve real-world problems." While it's too late to apply for the fall challenges, you could read about current and past competitions to get a head start on spring.

Math Circle at UC Davis

• They offer opportunities to learn extended math and participate in competitions. Some years they help organize teams to go to a big in-person competition. My daughter flew with them to Las Vegas back when she was an IHS sophomore and spent the weekend competing at a high level. You can email and ask to be put on their mail list.
• They're offering the AMC tests which can be used to qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. The AMC10A/12A is November 6, while the AMC10B/12B is on November 12. Sign up using the links, and you can do one or both dates. AMC10 is for students in grade 10 or below, while AMC12 is for students in grade 12 or below. It's recommend that students in 10th or below take the AMC10 test(s). It's easier than the AMC12 and students can score better, which increases their chances of making AIME and then to the USAJMO. (Google for more info.)
• They're hosting MMATHS, a team competition. More info. Registration for a small fee must be done by Oct. 11, with the competition on Oct. 26. There's also a free virtual version of the competition, same registration link.
• Yes, some of the kids who do these competitions have done lots of prep for them and are very serious about it. Don't let that intimidate you. Everyone has to start somewhere, and what do you have to lose? The Math Circle will be sending out surveys to gauge interest for presentations and other activities. Go back to the first bullet and join the mail list if you want to know more.

Slingshot Challenge Video Competition

• The National Geographic Society is inviting students to create a one-minute video with a solution to a current environmental problem they are passionate about. Info here.
• Award recipients will receive up to $10,000 in funding and the opportunity to attend the National Geographic Society’s iconic Explorers Festival in June 2025. The deadline to apply is February 7.

Can you identify what's in the picture? Answer at the end.

The Inderkum IB Committee, Inderkum IB, Inc., IB Board, IB Boosters--whichever of these names you use, our programs wouldn't be the same without it. Since the Back to School BBQ and September meeting, new President Rachel Farrell and the rest of the board members already have done additional planning, put on a successful Local Kitchens fundraiser and approved the purchase of shirts for the Scholars/DP Class of 2028 (arriving soon).

Meetings happen on the second Tuesday of the month, from 6-7. They will continue in the hybrid format, but with a new twist. The board will Zoom from an off-campus location, but I'll still host the Zoom from Inderkum, and you're welcome to join me if Zoom doesn't work well for you. Most of you will continue to watch from home, and we will conduct the informative portion first. If you want to be more involved with board happenings, you're welcome to stay on the call to the end. If you want to be even more involved, such as participating in Gala planning or the Scholarship committee, just ask, and you can join the board members in person. There will be a reminder about all this when the link is sent for the October 8th meeting.

The board hopes to have more guest speakers this year. Is there a particular staff member you'd like to hear from or a topic you'd like to know more about? Let me know so I can invite them to participate.

Back to the picture: Past President Nancy Kong-Vasquez offered an Evening With the Bats as a silent auction IB Gala prize for several years. She prepared charcuterie boxes and drinks, plus she arranged for a bat expert to speak. This year I got to tag along with the auction winners, and I'm thoroughly impressed by the number of Mexican free-tailed bats living under the causeway and the new facts I've learned about their biology. The picture shows two of the many streams of bats as they exit for feeding at sunset. Truly beautiful and amazing!

I'll close this newsletter with some resources for applying to college. These are good for all of you to know about, not just the current seniors.

• Our College & Career Specialist, Ms. Ana Garcia, along with the academic counselors provide a tremendous amount of support during the college application season, far more than most public school students get. Seniors have had their individual fall meetings, and today was the first application workshop. All seniors had the chance to sign up for one of the dates, and those who need more assistance can sign up for a second time.
• The PSAT will happen at school, for free, on October 30. Tenth and eleventh graders had the chance to sign up (closed yesterday). I encourage sophomores to take it just for the experience, while juniors should do more prep. There are sample questions on the College Board website, and once you have a score, you can get more directed help in connection with Khan Academy. Juniors will be able sign up for the SAT on a school day in spring. While UCs, CSUs and many others still aren't asking for scores, it's best to have one to keep all your options open. Some students prefer the ACT exam, so you may want to look at samples for both.
• Common App is used by most of the private universities along with some others. They also have a Direct Admissions program with 117 participating colleges. Eligible first-generation, low- and middle-income students may be offered admission based on the information they enter into their Common App, even before they finish the complete application process.
• QuestBridge matches students from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships from 50+ of the nation's top colleges. It's not an easy application, but yes, some Inderkum students have received these scholarships.
• If you think you'd like to go to college in another country, start your research early. Beyond the States specializes in information about European universities which offer programs taught in English. Yes, they would like you to pay for their services, but they offer LOTS of resources for free.
• The College Essay Guy also would like you to pay for his services, but likewise, there is a tremendous amount of free advice on his website. You can especially benefit from starting before senior year.