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

If you looked at a Mercator map projection (on the right) you would think so, but students in Ms. Couto's 6th Grade Geography class learned that it definitely is not. By drawing the world on a balloon they saw a more accurate projection of the continents. When they tried to stretch it into a Mercator projection they realized how the polar regions are so exagerrated on certain maps. The students seemed to have a fun time learning this concept. Enjoy the photos:

Thank you to all of those who made it to Curriculum Night on Thursday to hear more about our school, meet your child's teachers, and hear about what they will be learning this year. It was a nice turn out and hopefully a positive and worthwhile event for you. If you could not attend the links to some our presentations are below and in multiple languages:

English Versions:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fK4lvFuXhJ_TH8iTEO1adA6yE6myOmkYCPt-bvqbqh0/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XUcPejDOwGbo2DThts2Bd0h39j2U3SdJKHUE-W0mD2s/edit?usp=sharing

Spanish Versions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jnIJq7k9UuJnh_ro5171FUnlKlNhrFN9/view

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13kvws_s67F8OhilQAP8WreON0jrDIqagYOvEIvCVG2U/edit?usp=sharing

Potuguese Versions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ovw2QBAuezs8X4pyRehlxMIk_Pr4825t/view

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NfqR3XCQliLbmFRbkZiufPgK3l7Jnu6OR7noRBXvt70/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1NfqR3XCQliLbmFRbkZiufPgK3l7Jnu6OR7noRBXvt70/edit?usp=sharing

Arabic Versions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p0ydkBtZVOgW-qLq-oM9QnihGr8fw3wv/view

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xgbcsI46xdDPzTcczPA6xmFckV-WYaimIocnGznF17g/edit?usp=sharing

Pashto Versions:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10c5K4mNJVhMGhNNPPmm96SAMTH1xVVMu/view

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UnrYjcXVaS3K7YLvm4R36R9SzcEC04tP68md7Y3KIGo/edit?usp=sharing

From School Resource Officer Joe Perna:

We’re proud to continue our partnership with Ipswich Dairy Queen to encourage safe biking habits among our students. It’s wonderful to see the bike racks filled each day and so many students riding responsibly with helmets.

To reinforce safe riding, we’ve added a fun incentive: each day, we roll a multi-sided die and count around the bikes to select one lucky rider who is wearing a helmet to receive a free ice cream coupon. It’s a small way to celebrate safety while keeping things exciting for the kids.

A reminder for families: Massachusetts law requires all children to wear properly buckled helmets when riding a bike. Please take a moment to check that your child has their helmet on before leaving home each day. If your child needs a helmet, we have extras available at school and are happy to provide one.

Together, we can make sure all of our students are biking safely to and from school.

With the exception of a few students we are already aware of, all bus passes have now been distributed. Drivers have been given updated rider lists and will begin checking them starting next week.

Please ensure that your child brings their bus pass to school every day and keeps it in a safe, reliable location—such as their backpack, lunch bag, or another spot they can easily access daily.

If you have not yet registered for bus transportation, please complete the process as soon as possible at: https://www.ipsk12.net/domain/47.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep transportation safe and efficient for all students.

It is wonderful to see so many of our students participating in Cross Country, Field Hockey, and Tennis this fall. We are proud of the enthusiasm and commitment our students bring to these teams.

At this time, however, we still have about 52 families who have not yet paid their Athletic Fee. Payments can be made by cash or check (made out to IMS) or online through cityhallsystems.com. If you have any questions about payment, please contact Katie Henderson at (978) 356-3535 or via email at khenderson@ipsk12.net.

Please note that some families may qualify for a scholarship if they complete the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch form that was sent home with all students during the first week of school. While we have not yet received the updated list from Food Services, families who have qualified in the past should reach out to me directly at pginolfi@ipsk12.net to discuss eligibility.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support of our athletic programs.

Select Chorus will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 24 from 2:30-4. Member lists were posted on the music wing bulletin board and the IMS office door. Please check to see if your name is on the list and be ready to join us on Wednesday!

We’re looking for more flute players in 6th Grade band! If you didn’t pick up an instrument in elementary school or don’t play in an band or orchestra now and would like to give it a try, let Ms. Pagano or Mr. Fremont-Smith know and we can get you started! Join us!

Attention 8th Grade Families - on Thursday, October 2nd there will be an informational meeting at 6:00 pm in the 8th grade pod regarding the trip to Washington D.C. in June. Representatives from Grand Classroom, our travel company, will be on hand to give an overview of the trip including the itinerary, pricing, security, and more. We hope that you can join us.

Ipswich Middle School is looking for parent volunteers to serve on our School Council for the 2025–2026 school year. School Councils, as outlined by DESE, help develop the School Improvement Plan, review policies, strengthen communication between school and families, and assist in organizing school events such as our annual Walk for Hunger.

The IMS School Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m., beginning October 14th. If you’re interested in joining, please let me know via email at pginolfi@ipsk12.net. Your voice and partnership make a difference!

Calling all students interested in LEGO Club! LEGO Club will start on Monday, September 29th, from 2:30-3:15 in room B221 near the library. Students do not need to sign up for this club; they can come and check it out any time. We look forward to seeing all interested LEGO builders and creators at the end of this month where kids can build and create while also learning about area, perimeter, and other geometric and math concepts essential to design and architecture.

Beginning Wednesday, September 7th, IMS will be providing after school transportation to the Ipswich YMCA. The bus will be leaving school at approximately 2:25 and 1:20 on Thursdays. The bus holds 14 passengers and will be driven by a school staff member or administrator. Students are expected to adhere to Ipswich Middle School and YMCA rules and families are responsible for coordinating pick up or transportation home. If students board the bus, they are expected to enter the Y upon arrival. The bus will make up to two trips to each location each day, transporting a maximum of 28 students. There will be a sign up sheet in the office and students can sign themselves up on a first come, first serve basis. This is a daily after school offering for your child, they are not required to attend every school day. Once this permission slip is completed, your child can ride the bus for the remainder of the school year. The Y will allow all middle school students to attend and will have them sign in upon arrival. If students do not have a membership, the Y will reach out to discuss membership possibilities.

The Teen Drop-in Center will open on Monday, 9/8, and our bus will make a stop there as well.

Summer can be very busy and if your student did not complete their summer reading activity, they still have time to read their books. The Tiger Tales Celebration will be on Friday, October 3rd. Here is all of the information regading Tiger Tales that they will need.

Monday, September 29th - Lego Math Club, 2:30 in room B221

Mon. & Tue. 9/29 & 30 - Change is Simple is here to work with our grade 6 Science classes.

Thursday, October 2nd - 8th Grade Parent informational meeting about the Washington D.C. trip, 6:00 pm in the 8th grade pod.

Friday, October 3rd - Tiger Tales Summer Reading Activities in the morning

Sam Colby

Ms. Colby received the Appreciation Tapestry this week. She is always doing something fun in her 6th grade Science class. Her students are learning about the Scientific Method using different types of paper airplanes that they created. They weigh them, throw them, measure the distance, record the data, and make their hypothesis.