IHS Update

Above, a whale turns flukes and waves to the Ipswich High students who attended Ms. Barclay's whale watch field trip last week.

We are halfway through 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

• The fall sports season so far
• Recent Safety Training for Staff and Students
• Student Leadership Opportunity
• Important Upcoming Events

Pictured above, the senior members of the red hot golf team (from left to right) Charlie Pezza, Will Totten, Connor Wright, and Louie Harrington.

We are about halfway through the fall sports season, and the Cape Ann League continues to be a challenging conference. The boys and girls cross country teams are both 1-2 having posted wins over Georgetown. The 18th-ranked girls field hockey team is 4-4-1 with solid wins over Tewksbury and Hamilton-Wenham while losing a close one 1-0 against long time rival and field hockey powerhouse Manchester-Essex. Spurred by the performances of senior Connor Wright and sophomore Sam Harrington, the golf team has won six straight. Seniors Will Totten and Louie Harrington have also literally chipped in with solid games for the team. The football team has been in two lopsided games with a win over Chelsea and a loss to Watertown. They travel to Lynnfield tonight in what many are predicting will be a close game despite our Tigers coming away with only one win in their previous 19 games against the Pioneers. The boys soccer record is not a reflection of their quality, having been in one goal games in all but one match. Ranked 17th, they are 1-4-1 with two solid draws against top-of-the-league teams North Reading and Lynnfield who often go deep into D3 statewide tournaments. Senior goalkeeper Finn Wright has been outstanding in making key saves while Callum Schofield's ridiculously long throws are always a threat in the box, especially with rangy sophomore Anderson Pillis (2 goals) in the mix. The girls soccer team (1-5-2, #34) has had a tough time putting the ball in the net, but thanks to a tenacious defense led by Asuka Keough and Sarah Belford, they have been competitive in almost every game. As they have worked out the kinks in a new formation, the team has shown a positive attitude and a growth mindset that should pay dividends down the final stretch of the season. After winning four straight state championships, the 29th-ranked girls volleyball team is in a rebuilding year as other teams in the league circle their game against us on their calendar, hungry for a rare win over the Tigers. The girls posted a great come-from-behind victory over Hamilton Wenham yesterday, winning three straight sets after being down two. The comeback effort effort was led by timely kills from Alexandra Angell and clutch digs by rising freshman star Penny Merry. Second year coach Brian Reed hopes to build on the momentum from that match as they head into the 2nd half of the season. For information about schedules and records, check out the Ipswich Arbiter Sports website.

In our ongoing efforts to improve our safety and security measures, this past week the IHS MS/HS staff and students received training from our SRO Joe Perna on the ALICE protocol. Additionally, teachers are completing an on-line ALICE certification course to supplement that training. This morning we conducted an enhanced drill to provide our schools with an opportunity to practice the ALICE decision-making process. Our goal is to have one more enhanced drill before the wintertime and temperatures drop. As a reminder to all visitors, please have your driver's license or another government-issued ID so that we can process you through Raptor, our visitor management system.

On September 30th, Ipswich High will be hosting its annual College and Career Fair in the lower gym. Hundreds of students from all over Cape Ann are invited to meet with college admissions officers, small business owners, and internship coordinators about the opportunities available in our area after they graduate. Check out this list of schools to see who'll be there.

Please reach out to Mr. Bourque at abourque@ipsk12.net if you have any questions or need assistance with your Yearbook.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be held in-school on Wednesday, October 22nd for sophomores and juniors. The test will start at 7:45am and students will test on their school-issued Chromebooks. The cost is $20 via cash or check (made out to IHS) and can be dropped off in the main office or guidance. There are fee waivers available to juniors on free/reduced lunch. The deadline for students to bring their money in to register is Monday, September 29th. Please see this helpful page on what to expect with the digital format and how to prepare (and see some sample questions). This optional test is designed to help prepare for the SAT, which is generally taken in the spring of a student's junior year. The exam is also an opportunity to qualify for the College Board's National Merit Scholarship Program.

October 6th- School Council Meeting @ 6:30

October 13th- Indigenous Peoples Day, No School

October 14th- Professional Development Day, No School

October 22nd- PSATs (in school) for Grade 10

October 24th & 25th- The Drama Co. Presents Godspell

October 30th- Student Picture Retakes

October 30th- Fall Choir Showcase

October 31st- End of Q1