February Parent Newsletter 2026!
Parent Newsletter
IAF has replaced PowerSchool with Synergy. Parents/guardians and students can sign up for ParentVue and StudentVue view with the following link:
Are you receiving the alerts, text messages, calls, and/or e-mails we send out?
If not, please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information, and for your student's Emergency Contacts. Fill out the Google Form to provide your updated information:
https://forms.gle/kXxLhSbrrKqWTeFZ9
Make sure you are subscribed to receive our text messages by texting START to 98900
Be sure to download our school apps.
-Monitor your student's academics and attendance via ParentVue.
-Keep up with what's happening at the school on the International Academy of Flint app.
This is a reminder of the upcoming parent/caregiver meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 9AM-10:30 AM and Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Feel free to wear your holiday attire! Please select one meeting to attend, the content will be the same at each meeting. All adults planning to attend should register to attend using the link. Sign up for transportation using the link as well. Food and materials are planned according to registered participants. Questions? Contact Ms. Donald at (810) 600-5214 or Mr. Powell at (810) 600-5211.
Lonnie George Johnson: American inventor
Lonnie George Johnson is an American inventor, aerospace engineer, and entrepreneur, whose work includes a U.S. Air Force-term of service and a twelve-year stint at NASA, where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He also invented the Super Soaker water gun.
As of late 2025, Johnson holds over 100 patents, with more than 20 pending. He continues to run Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as a technology incubator.
Lewis Howard Latimer: American inventor and Patent Draftsman
Lewis Howard Latimer was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. A brilliant inventor and draftsman, Latimer played a vital role in two of the most transformative inventions in modern history—the telephone and the light bulb.
He worked alongside Alexander Graham Bell, drafting the patent for the telephone, and later collaborated with Thomas Edison, improving the light bulb with a longer-lasting carbon filament.
Thanks to Latimer’s innovation, electric light became practical for everyday use, illuminating homes and cities around the world.
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden: the first Black woman to serve on Michigan Supreme Court
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden made history when she was sworn in as a Michigan Supreme Court Justice on January 1, 2023. As the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in Michigan, she recognizes the importance of her leadership on the bench. “Representation is beyond important,” she said. “It is an honor to serve and to be an inspiration to others who look like me.”
Dear Parents & Guardian
Cell phones and electronic devices (smartwatches, earbuds, meta glasses, headphones, ipads,
personal computers, etc.) are not allowed during the school day.To reduce distractions, IAF
uses Yondr Pouches. Devices should be powered off and put into pouches upon entering the
building.
Daily Process:
● On the first day, students receive their Yondr Pouch.
● Starting with the first hour, teachers will ensure the devices are locked in the Pouch.
● Tardy students handle their device at the tardy table or office.
● Pouches must be kept locked in lockers or on the student. Random checks occur weekly.
● Pouches are collected at year-end and reissued the following year.
If a student forgets their Pouch:
● The Dean of Students/Academics will call home if the student self-reports and turns in
their phone upon arrival.
● The phone will be held until the end of the day and returned to the student.
Violations & Consequences:
If a student is found with a device (not in a Yondr pouch) during restricted times:
● First Offense: Device confiscated. The parent/caregiver must pick it up from the Dean.
No exceptions. Phones not retrieved by 4:00 p.m. will be available the next school day.
● Second Offense: Same as first offense, plus an in-person parent/student meeting required
before returning to class.
● Third Offense: Device confiscated. Student suspended up to 5 days. Further offenses
may result in suspension up to 10 days. Parent/caregiver meeting required before
returning to class.
● Refusal to surrender device: 3-day suspension, automatic Saturday detention, and loss
of extracurricular privileges until suspension and detention are served.
2820 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48503 / Tel: 810-600-5000 / Fax: 810-600-5300
Email: info@iafphoenix.org / Website: www.iafphoenix.org / www.facebook.com/IAFPhoenix
Lost or Damaged Pouch
● Pouches are school property. Students must bring them daily in good condition.
● Replacement fee: $10.
We will no longer be accepting cash for tickets or concessions at IAF Athletic HOME events.
Payment Options:
✅ GoFan – Use debit/credit cards or your digital card on your phone.
✅ Ca$hApp – Available for both tickets and concessions.
For questions, please contact:
Curran Jacobs, Athletic Director
📧 cjacobs@iafphoenix.org
🐦🔥 Thank you for supporting IAF Athletics!
As our 4th-6th boys basketball season has come to and end, ending with a 6-2 record.
We want to thank our coaches for leading our boys with such tenacity, confidence, boldness but most of all LOVE. Thank you for pouring into our young Phoenix athletes and pushing them to their true potential.
Catch us next year, same time, same place.
Please Note: Success Begans with Showing Up!
- Breakfast is Served at 7:35 am
- School Day Begins at 8:00 am
- School Day Ends at 3:15 pm
- Early Release Dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Late Start begins at 10:00 am & Breakfast starts at 9:30 am
- No Early Dismissal Calls after 2:30pm
If you are coming into the office to request early dismissal, students will not be released after 2:30 pm. It is too challenging and too disruptive to request the number of students being asked for early dismissal. We understand that transportation reductions are challenging, and we have been consistently working with MTA on this. However, it is a county wide problem unfortunately. Thank you for understanding and your patience in advance.
Change of Address or Phone Numbers?
Parents/Guardians- do you have a phone number/address that needs to be updated with us? We have a form in the office that you can fill out for a quick change. Or you can email either Ms. Watson in our records department at rwatson@iafphoenix.org. It is extremely important to have the most current contact information for our families on file at all times. Please, be sure to let us know if this changes.
Are you taking advantage of our text messaging service?
Parents/Guardians- Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver auto dialers to our families in case of a school closure, reminders of events, or simply a dress down day, etc.
We would like to start to utilize the texting option as well on SchoolMessenger but we do not currently have that many families signed up for the text alerts.
You can participate in the free service by just sending a text message of "Y" or "YES" to our school's short code number 67587.
You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with the word "STOP". SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
Locks and Bus Passes for Sale
Rules for Vehicles While on School Grounds:
Because the safety of our children is of paramount concern to us, we require all parents to adhere to the following rules of the road while on campus:
- There is a 5 miles per hour speed limit at all times while on school property.
- Park in designated parking spaces only.
- While on school grounds, pedestrians always have the right of way.
- Vehicle ignitions MUST be turned off, and the keys removed, while parked on school grounds.
- Children may NOT be left unattended in a vehicle at any time or for any reason.
- Violations of these rules may result in a warning. If a violation is serious, or if violations continue, school personnel are authorized to take a tag number for a report to the local police.
- Do not park in areas around the school that have signs that specifically say NO PARKING. This is an order from the city.
Mrs. Giles: Director of Student Services & Operations
- 810-600-5269 or email kgiles@iafphoenix.org
Mr. Crosby: Assistant Director of Student Services 5th to 12th
- 810-600-5247 or email kcrosby@iafphoenix.org
Mr. Shakir: Assistant Director of Student Services K to 4th
- 810-600-5253 or email dshakir@iafphoenix.org
Mrs. Southworth- Grades K-5th
- 810-600-5240 or email nsouthworth@iafphoenix.org
Dr. Smeltzer- Grades 6th-8th
- 810-600-5239 or email tsmeltzer@iafphoenix.org
Mr. Crosby: Assistant Director of Student Services 5th -12th
- 810-600-5247 or email kcrosby@iafphoenix.org
Ms. Alexander- Special Education Director
- 810-600-5233 or email salexander@iafphoenix.org
- 810-600-5212 or email: dbush@iafphoenix.org
- 810-600-5211 or email: mwarren@iafphoenix.org
Ms. Givens- Gr. 6 to 8
- 810-600-5246 or email: sgivens@iafphoenix.org
Mr. Kendall- Gr. 9 to 12
- 810-600-5281 or email: jkendall@iafphoenix.org
RAHS Regional Alliance for Healthy School- Clinic-International Academy of Flint
Dear IAF Families,
Flu and cold season is upon us in Michigan! The RAHS Health Center is happy to help you with all of your child’s healthcare needs. We offer all primary care services, flu vaccines, sick visits, and management of asthma. It’s important to have your child’s asthma reviewed with a medical professional to make sure his/her medications are doing their job to prevent asthma attacks. It’s also important that every asthma patient get a flu shot each year. If you’d like your child to be seen, please feel free to contact the IAF RAHS Health Center at (810) 600-5290. We accept all insurances, Medicaid, and even those patients who are uninsured. We look forward to partnering with your family to keep your children healthy!
In Good Health,
Nicole Galehouse, MSN, FNP-BC (nurse practitioner)
Angela Clark (Medical Assistant)
Room 170
2820 S. Saginaw Street
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 600-5290
(810) 591-0577
Hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - 7:30am-3:45pm
- Wednesday - 7:30-11:30am
- Friday - 7:30am-2:30pm
About Us
Main Office Hours:
Mon-Fri, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
Fax Number:
810-600-5300
The International Academy of Flint, College Preparatory Classes & Tuition Free Public Charter School, is a highly regarded K to 12th grade public charter school and institution that provides tuition free, high-quality education to a diverse population in the Flint, MI area.
Email: info@iafphoenix.org
Website: http://iafphoenix.org/
Location: 2820 Saginaw Street, Flint, MI, USA
Phone: 810-600-5000
Facebook: http://facebook.com/IAFphoenix