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

Our staff always plans a blend of hands on activities, technology based lessons, as well as more traditional school work. These pictures about what is going on in a few of the classrooms this week can also be a conversation starter with your students if they answer your "What did you do at school today?" question with - "Nothing." This week's pictures include students in 6th grade who explored osmosis through a hands-on egg experiment. After soaking eggs in vinegar to remove the shells, students placed them in different liquids and observed how water moved in and out of the egg—just like it does in cells. Students collected data, made observations, and saw science happen right before their eyes. We wrapped up the lab with a fun celebration by safely smashing the eggs outside into a bucket; 7th Grade students enjoying their Badminton unit in Phys. Ed. class; and 8th Graders in Ms. Scarbrough's Science Class using zSpace to learn about the planets in our solar system. Ask your kids about these fun activities.

Congratulations to our 6th grade students and their Humanities teachers Ms. Couto, Ms. Chalifour, and Ms. Bedell as they achieved their goal and have raised over $5,000 for the Iron Giraffe Challenge. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to 6th grader Holton Donehew who raised over $1,200 himself for this cause, truly amazing! If you would like to donate, you still can through this website. This foundation was started by Salva Dut who was born in a rural village in southwestern Sudan to the Dinka tribe. At 11 years old, the Sudanese Civil War reached his village and separated Salva from his family. He joined thousands of boys, famously known as the Lost Boys of Sudan, on their journey by foot to seek safety in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. After living in refugee camps for 10 years, Salva was given the opportunity to move to the United States, where he was embraced by a family in Rochester, New York. Several years later, Salva learned that his father was still alive in Southern Sudan but was suffering with a disease caused by waterborne parasites. His father’s illness inspired Salva to help both his father and his country by bringing clean water to those in need. This was the beginning of Water for South Sudan. Salva's story is told in the New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which the students recently read.

Click here to register for Intramural Volleyball

Intramural Volleyball is open to all students in grades 6-8 and participants attend by grade level. Volleyball games run February 23- March 20!

The deadline for signups is Tuesday, February 3rd at 2:30pm. Due to the popularity of this activity and the time it takes for team selection and scheduling, any late requests to register will be placed on a waitlist and will only be added to a team if there is available space.

The fee for intramural sports is $50 for one sport and $75 for unlimited intramural sports. So if your child played an earlier intramural sport, the fee may be only $25. If you are unsure of your fee, please reach out to Mrs. Henderson at khenderson@ipsk12.net before you make your payment. Games will be held in the middle school upper gym Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30 - 3:45 (6th grade has one Thursday).

See the schedule here.

Yearbook Cover Contest Details

What - Design the cover for the 2025-2026 Yearbook!

Why?

• After school pizza party for all students who submit an entry

• The winning design gets a free yearbook!

• It’s fun and you can show off your creativity and talent as an artist!

Themes: Tigers, Beach, Clamtown, Ipswich, Seaside

Please read this important announcement from our Yearbook Editor and Librarian, Ms. Chang:

Dear Parents and Guardians of 8th Graders,

We are collecting ONE baby photo of each 8th-grade student to feature in the yearbook and in the end-of-year slideshow. Please submit your photo digitally using the form linked below.

To meet our publishing deadlines, Mrs. Chang, our yearbook editor, must receive your one baby picture by Friday, January 30th. Because the yearbook production schedule is fixed, late submissions cannot be accepted.

Please note that the photo you submit for the yearbook will also be used in the end-of-year slideshow, so only one photo is being collected in the form.

These baby photos are always a beloved part of the yearbook and slideshow, and students truly look forward to seeing themselves and their classmates included. Students whose photos are not submitted often feel disappointed, and we hope to avoid that by receiving all photos on time.

Thank you for your cooperation and timely attention. Your help ensures that every 8th grader is represented in this special tradition.

Click here for the link to submit your 8th graders' baby picture.

As federal standards and recommendations continue to evolve, medical guidance can sometimes feel unclear or in flux. To help provide clarity, we wanted to share the current medical guidance from the state. As always, we encourage families to consult with their child’s healthcare provider to determine what is most appropriate for their individual needs.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

Guidance on Recommended Reference Materials for Pediatric Immunization Schedules

January 2026

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is issuing this notification to inform clinicians of a change in recommended reference materials for pediatric immunization schedules.

DPH has a longstanding and ongoing commitment to promoting evidence-based immunization practices that protect communities from vaccine preventable illnesses. Following a review of recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pediatric immunization schedule, DPH now recommends that clinicians in Massachusetts use the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule as the primary reference for the routine immunization of infants, children, and adolescents.

DPH recognizes the importance of clear, consistent, and evidence-based guidance to facilitate safe and effective vaccination practices. AAP is a national professional organization representing pediatric physicians, and its immunization schedule is developed by pediatric experts and updated regularly to reflect current evidence and clinical best practices for immunizing children and adolescents. The AAP immunization schedule aligns with science-backed pediatric standards of care and provides detailed guidance that supports clinical decision-making in pediatric settings.

Clinicians should continue to follow all applicable state requirements, including the immunization requirements for school and camp entry (aligned with AAP recommendations), and reporting obligations, including documentation of administered immunizations in the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS).

DPH will continue to monitor national immunization policy updates and will communicate any additional guidance as needed.

Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the health of Massachusetts children and families.

Resources

• The American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
• Massachusetts Immunization Requirements for School and Camp Entry
• Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS)
• AAP Communicating with Families and Promoting Vaccine Confidence
• DPH recommended guidance for vaccines

Friday, January 16th - Grade 6 Dance, 7-9 PM in the cafeteria

Monday, January 19th - No School - MLK Day

Tuesday, January 20th - IMS Winter Art Show, 6-8pm in the DPAC Lobby

Monday, January 26th - RA rotation change for all students

Monday, January 26th - Progress reports for students with averages below a 70% are mailed home

This is big diamond local travel baseball with home games at Singer Field at Bialek Park for Ipswich middle schoolers who have aged out of Little League. We play in the Cape Ann BR League against Cape Ann league member schools/towns. Spring registration is open for the 6th and 7th graders. Summer registration will open at a later date for 8th and 9th graders.

Register by February 25th

For more information visit our website or email us at ipswichbaberuth@gmail.com

Middle School Self-Defense & Self-Awareness Seminar January 24, 1:30-3:00

Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–14)

Confidence. Awareness. Smart Choices.

Today’s middle school students face new challenges—peer pressure, bullying, online threats, and unfamiliar situations. This age-appropriate self-defense & self-awareness seminar empowers students with the tools they need to stay safe, confident, and in control.

What Students Will Learn

Situational awareness & recognizing unsafe situations
How to use voice, posture, and confidence to set boundaries
Bully prevention & de-escalation strategies
Stranger awareness & personal safety basics
How to escape common grabs (age-appropriate & non-violent)
When to get help and who to trust

No experience required. No aggressive behavior taught.

Program Details

Length: 60 minutes
Format: Interactive, engaging, and movement-based
Audience: Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)

Why Parents Love This Program

• Supports social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Reinforces respect, responsibility, and self-control
• Age-appropriate, school-safe content
• Taught by an experienced professional martial arts instructor
• Focus on prevention, not fighting

Instructor

Tashi Mark Warner
Professional Martial Arts Instructor
Over 40 years of teaching experience
Specialist in youth safety, confidence, and character development