IHS Update
October 24, 2025
In This Edition
We have certainly had some beautiful fall weather, and it looks like we are in for another great weekend. There is one week remaining in the first quarter, and there are lots of things going on in and out of the classroom. In this edition of the IHS Update, we will hear about
- ACTION ITEM: NEASC Parent Survey
- Fall sports update
- College and Career Fair
- Salem State Field Trip
- IHS Students in the Community
- Important upcoming events
NEASC Parent Survey
As part of our upcoming NEASC "collaborative conference" visit about a year from now, we need a parent or guardian from EVERY student complete the survey linked here. NEASC asks schools to seek a 100% response rate so that they have a true sense of what parents think about their accredited schools. Please take a few moments to take the survey so that we can use the feedback to continue to provide the kids of Ipswich the best education possible. We will also be using the data from the survey as evidence in the Self-Reflection Report that we need to submit early next fall.
Fall Sports Round-Up
The fall sports season is winding down, and many of our teams are looking like they are tournament bound. The Cape Ann League has once again shown to be a highly competitive conference with many of its teams set to participate in their respective tournaments. For example, only two CAL boys soccer teams have not qualified for post-season play, and four of the squads are currently ranked in the top 10 in their respective divisions with Hamilton-Wenham (#2), Ipswich (#7), North Reading (#8), and Rockport (#4) all having punched their tickets already. having their best season in years, the Ipswich boys are 7-4-7 and will be grateful to be able host some games rather than travel out to Western Mass as they have had to do for the last two tournaments. Our girls soccer team is 4-10-3 and currently ranked #30 (out of 73). The top 32 teams qualify for the tournament, and the girls travel to Malden this afternoon to face their last opponent of the regular season in the 12-1-1 Mystic Valley Charter School squad. A win or a draw and the girls should be in; a loss and they will need a little help from other schools on the bubble. Our girls field hockey team is 11-6-1 and ranked #18. They finished up their regular season yesterday with a great 2-1 win over Div. 3 Danvers (#33). Led by senior Connor Wright and sophomore Sam Harrington, the golf team are CAL "Tri-Champs," finishing tied with Manchester-Essex and Rockport. They ended their season ranked #7 in the state for Div. 4. Despite a 4-16 record, the scrappy girls volleyball team (#23) is tournament-bound based on their strength-of-schedule so they will have a long shot chance to defend their state championship. Both the boys cross country and girls cross country take 1-4 records into their last meet tomorrow in Wrentham. The football team is 1-5 with three games to go. It is "Senior Night" tonight as they face #2 Amesbury (6-0) tonight at home. Kickoff is at 6:30 after the pregame recognition of our players in the class of '26. The statewide power rankings are updated every Tuesday and Friday around noon and can be found here.
Junior Class Fundraiser
Looking to stay refreshed during the upcoming tournament games? Keep your cold beverages cold and your hot beverages hot in these fance tumblers. They are $30 each and proceeds go to fund the activities of the Class of 2027.
Annual College and Career Fair
On September 30th, Ipswich High hosted its largest College and Career Fair ever in the lower gym. Hundreds of students from all over Cape Ann to meet with college admissions officers, small business owners, and internship coordinators about the opportunities available in our area after they graduate. We have already scheduled next year's fair for Wednesday, September 30th to minimize scheduling conflicts with athletics.
Salem State Field Trip
Last week a group of seniors took a trip to Salem State to hear from admissions officers and get a tour of the campus. They also had a chance to tour classrooms and hear from professors about what college courses are like. Pictured below are a couple of moments from the trip.
IHS Students Connecting Classroom to "Real World"
Taking advantage of the nice late fall weather, several science classes traveled to the beach (and in some cases, the Neck) to participate in some hands-on learning.
Analyzing Samples
Pictured left, a couple of our 9th grade Bio students analyze samples collected at Crane's
Putting It On The Line
Chilly freshman use a string level to measure the pitch of the beach to check for erosion over time
Checking The Marsh
With Choate Island in the distance, bio students take samples from the marsh
Phrag "Mighty"
An environmental science student measures the height of a Phragmite plant, an invasive species that competes with cattails
A Closer Look
Environmental Science students get up close and personal with marsh vegetation to collect data
Drawing Preliminary Conclusions
Ninth grade Bio students begin to draw conclusions from their observations and data
Pictured below, Mr. Sidmore's Engineering students test out their trebuchet designs and make adjustments.
Pictured above, former FBI special agent Jeff Wood visits Mr. Krieger's Criminology Forensics class to talk about how the Feds conduct investigations.
Special Town Meeting October 28th @ 7 PM @ Ipswich Middle/High School
Upcoming Events
The Ipswich High Drama Guild presents Godspell starting tonight with a 7 PM showing. Two more shows tomorrow with the matinee at 2 pm and the finale at 7 pm. Tickets are available on-line here.
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS
October 30th- Choir Fall Showcase 7 PM in the Dolan Performing Arts Center
October 31st- End of Q1
November 3rd- SPIRIT WEEK USA Day and "Anything but a Backpack", School Council 6:30 pm
November 4th- SPIRIT WEEK "Generational Wars" and Indoor Events
November 5th- SPIRIT WEEK Pink Day and Outdoor Events
November 6th- SPIRIT WEEK Class Theme Day
November 7th- SPIRIT WEEK Tiger Day, Talent Show, and Pep Rally
November 11th- Veterans Day (No School)
November 17th- IHS Jazz Band at Backbeat Beverly 5:30 pm
November 25th- Ninth Grade Career Day
November 26th- half day (11:20 dismissal)
November 27th & 28th- Thanksgiving Break