IHS Update
October 16, 2026
In This Edition
Fall is upon us, and it looks like we are in for some chilly temps this weekend. The classic new England challenge of "Not Turning the Heat on Until November 1st" is definitely on!
In this issue of the IHS Update:
- Parents needed for NEASC "Collaborative Conference" visit on 10/27
- Fall sports update
- Cheerleading Team Fundraiser
- Students Take Whale Watch Cruise out of Gloucester
- AP Gov Class Field Trip
- Upcoming Events
Parents Needed: NEASC Collaborative Conference October 27th and 28th
As part of our upcoming NEASC re-accreditation process, Ipswich High will be visited by a team of fellow educators on october 27th & 28th. Led by retired Lincoln-Sudbury principal Sandy Crawford and Keen, NH Superintendent Rob Malay, the team will be observing classroom instruction, reading our carefully prepared Self-reflection Report, and interviewing groups of stakeholders. Those stakeholders include staff, students, and parents. And that's where you come in: we are looking for a handful of parents to come to the school to meet with members of our visiting team at 1pm on October 27th. Please email me at jmitchell@ipsk12.net if you'd be willing to come in at that time to be a part of this important process.
Fall Sports Round-Up
It's hard to believe, but we are already over halfway through our fall sports season. Sitting at #38, our boys soccer team has its work cut out for it if they want to qualify for the tournament for a 4th consecutive year. They'll need more solid wins like the one they had over Div. 1 Haverhill to make that happen. Their defense has been solid, but goals have been scarce. Our girls soccer team is having a solid season at 6-6-1 and a #28 ranking, and their away game Tuesday night against perennial CAL girls soccer powerhouse in Hamilton-Wenham will be a good test of their mettle as the post-season approaches. At 9-2-1, our girls field hockey team sits at #10 in Div. 4, just behind CAL rival Manchester-Essex. With only five games to go, they are in great shape having played Manchester-Essex twice already. The golf team is 11-4 and has won seven out of its last eight matches. Our girls volleyball team is ranked #11 out of 61 teams in Div. 4, having won more games already this season than they did in the entirety of last season. Not to look past he next four games, but the final game of their season is looming large as they will face #9 ranked Hamilton-Wenham at home
on October 29th- a game that could determine the CAL Baker Division champion. Both the boys cross country and girls cross country are 1-3 with wins over Georgetown. Their final meet of the year is on November 7th in Wrentham. Our co-op football team with Triton is looking to get to .500 tonight with a win over Manchester-Essex. Currently ranked #21, the Vikings need to get to #16 or better to qualify for the playoffs. The statewide power rankings are updated every Tuesday and Friday around noon and can be found here.
Cheerleading Team Fundraiser
Running out of ideas for weeknight dinners during this busy time of year? Look no further than our cheerleaders fundraising night at Pomos. See the flyer below for more info.
Students Enjoy Busy Whale Watch
Two weeks ago, multiple science classes went on a very busy whale watch. Just a couple of days after the Nor'easter, the predictions for seeing whales were dire, but the cruise ended up seeing a record number of pods actively feeding.
Technology at sea
Where are we?
Up close and personal
AP US Gov Class Attends Annual James Otis Lecture
Last week, Ms. Fritz took her AP Gov class to the annual James Otis lecture at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston. Named for the Barnstable lawyer whose words John Adams credited with setting in motion the events of the Revolutionary War, the lecture this year featured retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (pictured below, second from the left).
Pictured above, Ms. Fritz with her class.
Upcoming Events
October 21st- In School PSAT Testing
October 27th - 28th- NEASC Collaborative Conference Visit
October 30th- Student picture retakes
November 2nd- School Council Meeting @ 6pm
November 6th- End of Q1
November 7th- Homecoming Dance
November 9th - 13th- SPIRIT WEEK
November 11th- Veterans Day (No School)
November 20th - 22nd Mamma Mia!
November 24th- Ninth Grade Career Day
November 25th- half day (11:20 dismissal)
November 26th & 27th- Thanksgiving Break