Mariner Update Family Edition

I love our school, do you love your school?!

BCC: You Gotta Believe, Celebrate & Continue to Work at it. And What A Wonderful World it is when our Parents are Active in our Campus Life.

What a Wonderful World It Is When Our Mariner Families Are Part of Campus Life!

Mariner Families and Staff, what a wonderful world it is when our parents are active, engaged, and sharing their time and talents in the life of our school! From joining their children to read with them in the classroom to attending parent workshops on how to support our new math curriculum, strengthen reading fluency, and practice learning strategies at home, our parents make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and their campus life.

Every time parents volunteer on campus, participate in school activities, communicate with teachers, or support learning at home, they help us build a positive, welcoming, and safe campus where students feel a sense of belonging, connection, and pride. They also help us move closer to our North Star: ensuring every student reads, writes, and comprehends at grade level. Reading together at home, checking daily assignments, practicing fluency, and encouraging children to share what they are learning are powerful ways families help our students grow as readers, writers, and thinkers.

Most recently, our Mariner parents helped transform our campus into a beautiful celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! From the colorful artwork, flags, costumes, banners, and decorations to the lunchtime activities and displays throughout our front office, cafeteria, patio, and gymnasium, our school was filled with culture, creativity, pride, and community. A heartfelt thank you to Gabriela Patino, Margarita Aguilar, Nellie Rodriguez, Marisol Martinez, Griselda Villa, Mayra Santiago Tapia, Sylvia Gracia, Gyovana Bolanos, Shyrome Hardmon, Zaira Harper, Claudia Jimenez, and our COFA, Margarita Carrillo, who is also a proud Mariner parent. We are grateful for the time, care, and love you shared with our school community.

A very special thank you also goes to our amazing COFA, Mrs. Carrillo, for leading our parent volunteers each day and to our art teacher, Mrs. Testa, who also helped beautify our gymnasium with our students’ wonderful artwork. The beautiful flowers displayed on the art wall and partitions were created using coffee filters of different sizes! Ask Mrs. Testa and her art students how you can create these beautiful flowers at home with your family. When families and educators work together, we strengthen our school community, create a safer and more positive campus, and help every child navigate their learning journey toward our North Star of literacy. Thank you for helping make Innovative Horizons Charter School such a special place to learn, grow, belong, and succeed together. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner!

Nothing takes the place of our students & adults belonging, leading, and succeeding,

You Gotta Believe!

With appreciation,

Your IHCS Admin Team: Mrs. Barry, Mr. Castro & Mr. Candelaria

AVID kicked off our Dress for Success Days last week! Once a month, AVID Elective students will be expected to dress as if they are preparing for a job interview. We have also opened Dress for Success to all middle school students as a spirit day, as well as any elementary classrooms that would like to participate.

Throughout the year, AVID students will use these days to develop important college and career readiness skills, including completing job applications, practicing interview skills, writing resumes, and learning how to present themselves professionally.

For our first Dress for Success Day, however, the focus was simply on building confidence and getting comfortable dressing up. Many students were a little unsure about the idea at first, so rather than adding additional activities, we gave them the opportunity to experience what it feels like to dress more professionally than they normally would for school.

I personally think our first day was a huge success! The students looked amazing, carried themselves professionally, and really stepped up to the challenge. I’m already looking forward to our next Dress for Success Day on November 4th, which also happens to be our Career Day! Students will have the option to dress for a career they are interested in pursuing or dress professionally for success.

I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! 🎓👔✨