Ipswich Middle School

Sean Fitzgerald, Assistant Principal

Our mission is to create a nurturing community where students are encouraged to develop confidence as lifelong learners with the awareness and flexibility necessary to adapt to a changing world. We strive to bring out the best in every student and adult in our learning community.

Email: pginolfi@ipsk12.net
Website: www.ipsk12.net

Instagram: ipswichmstigers
Location: 130 High Street, Ipswich, MA
Phone: (978)356-3535

Here is a look at some of the activities and lessons going on in school this week. As always, they can be great conversation starters at dinner time. This week we have our 6th Graders in Humanities class taking advantage of some nice weather while reading with their book groups; 7th graders exploring the Ipswich River as part of their Sustainability field trips; and our 8th graders in Mr. Jewell's Tech. Ed. class building and designing their electric powered cars.

As social media continues to play a central role in the daily lives of teenagers, navigating its impact has become a shared challenge for families. While online platforms offer valuable opportunities for self-expression, peer connection, and learning, they also present significant challenges that affect adolescent development. Concerns regarding sleep deprivation, digital distraction, exposure to inappropriate content, and the pressure of curated perfection are increasingly common topics of discussion among middle and high school educators and parents alike. Understanding how to support teens in balancing these digital spaces is critical to fostering their mental and emotional well-being.

To help families better navigate this landscape, we have attached a presentation from Youth Villages titled Exploring Social Media: Risks and Rewards of Engaging in Online Platforms. This resource provides a practical overview of current digital trends, potential safety risks, and the positive aspects of online community-building. We encourage parents and guardians to review the slides, which offer useful talking points and strategies for establishing healthy digital boundaries at home. You can access the full presentation via the link provided below.

If your child will not be attending either Ipswich Middle School or Ipswich High School for the upcoming school year, please notify Mrs. Henderson via email at khenderson@ipsk12.net as soon as possible.

Upon notification, she will provide you with the official withdrawal form. This completed documentation is required by law in order for us to release and transfer your student's academic and health records to their next school.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance with this transition.

Monday, June 1st - Grade 8 Civics MCAS

Wed. - Fri., June 3rd - 5th - Grade 8 Washington D.C. and local trips

Tuesday, June 23rd - Field Day and Talent Show

Ms. Simms nominated Mr. Murphy and wrote, "Mr. Murphy deserves recognition for the incredible care and dedication he brings to our Memorial Day Assembly each year. He has taken on the important responsibility of continuing this meaningful tradition, honoring its history by sharing the legacy of when John Yean led the ceremony. Mr. Murphy does a wonderful job involving students by selecting readers for the Pledge and special poems, making them an integral part of the assembly. Our younger students look up to the older students who participate, which makes the experience even more meaningful.

He also takes great care in finding guest speakers and veterans who make the ceremony even more special. Whenever possible, he connects the guest speaker to a current student in some way, creating a personal and lasting impact. Each year, the stories shared by these speakers are touching and memorable, and we leave the assembly with a deeper appreciation for the true purpose of Memorial Day and all that it stands for. Thank you, Kevin, for your commitment to keeping this important tradition alive!" Well said Ms. Simms and well deserved Mr. Murphy.