This newsletter will contain Braves news, updates, sports, and information about activities and events. It will be published bi-monthly.

Instagram: @IRBraves

Website: www.cpschools.com/irh

Email: irhbraves@cpschools.com
Location: 1969 Braves Trail, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Phone: 757-578-7000
Twitter: @IRHBraves

Greetings Braves Family,

Each week, we continue to celebrate our NEXT LEVEL experiences for our students and staff. Our Braves are amazing leaders in our school community.

One of our academic opportunities for many of our students will be our NEXT LEVEL Awards Recognition Program. All 9th-11th graders pursuing a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher and 12th graders with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive a special treat during all four lunches in June. Students will be emailed an invitation the week of April 21st and will need to R.S.V.P. by April 30th. In addition, Academic Excellence Certificates will be given out to all invited students, and a lunch treat will be provided for those who R.S.V.P. by the deadline.

Also, we will celebrate our senior awards recipients on Thursday, May 22nd, at 9:30 a.m. during our Senior Awards Ceremony. More information will be shared with the seniors and their families soon.

I hope you have an opportunity to rest, relax, and rejuvenate over spring break as we finish strong during the 2024-2025 school year.

ENJOY YOUR BREAK!!!

Naomi Dunbar

• April 7 - 8: Cap & Gown Distribution @ Auditorium (All Lunches)
• April 9: Senior Meeting @ Auditorium (8:45 am)
• April 14 - 18: Spring Break!
• April 29: College Commitment Day Field Trip Lunch (1:15 pm)
• May 1: Job Fair (3:00 pm)
• May 15 - 16: Immunization Clinic
• May 20: Senior Class Music Recital
• May 24: Saturday School (9:00 am)
• June 6: Talent Show
• June 7: Saturday School (9:00 am)

The Miss and Mr. Indian River Pageant 2025 took place on Friday, February 14th which i sponsored by Alpha Omega Phi Tri-Hi-Y and directed by Ms. Hailey Estes. The 53rd annual show was a great success. The night started with a fun opening number where all the contestants danced to "Love Shack". Our Miss contestants all performed talent and competed in the evening gown portion while our Mr. contestants got to entertain the crowd with their creativity and dance moves. After we had all seen such a great show, it was time for the results. The Roben Moss Service Award went to Miya Phelps and Miss Congeniality was awarded to Ava Francis. The Academic Achievement award and the Most Talented award went to Asiya Williams. Dylan Ostrum and Asiya Williams received the People's Choice award. The 2nd runner-up recipients were Sam Rhoad and Sydney Brown. Dylan Ostrum and Asiya Williams received 1st runner-up. And the moment everyone had been waiting for was upon us, Alejandro Otero was announced as Mr. Indian River 2025 and Miya Phelps was announced as Miss Indian River 2025. Congratulations to all of the contestants and to our new representatives, Alejandro and Miya!

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 is World Autism Day. IRHS will have a "Blue Out" Spirit Day in Honor of World Autism Day and to support Autism Acceptance.

Seniors who wish to have their cap and gown portraits made by Candid Color at IRHS on April 10th should complete the reservation form in the attached flyer. There will not be a make-up date for cap and gown portraits.

SOL Testing Schedule for Spring 2025: IRHS Families, please refer to the testing schedule link for upcoming SOL End of Course (EOC) testing dates. In most cases, SOL tests are a graduation requirement. Please reach out to Mrs. Lancaster if you have any questions.

The IRHS Speech Team won the 5A VHSL Region Speech Tournament for the 4th consecutive year!

Rising juniors and seniors, don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the Grow Our Own Summer Internship Program! You'll not only earn income but also gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. Join us for a rewarding summer filled with growth, learning, and career development.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprenticeship Information Session

Tuesday, March 18th

9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

Indian River High School Room A-14

On Tuesday, March 18th, Norfolk Naval Shipyard is visiting Indian River to offer an information session on the shipyard, the apprenticeship program, and how to apply. Additionally, Kimberly DeCastillia will be there to help students navigate the TCC portion of the application process. Please help share this with our seniors who may be interested.

Seniors must register to attend and may do so through the link on the flyer or by emailing me directly at jason.ewers@cpschools.com. The flyer is attached. All who register will be issued an ehall pass for the event.

Thank you for your support!

Hello all, I am writing to check on any options we have to share our brand new team store for baseball team fundraising. Our program gets 10% of all sales and all we are asked to do is promote it through social media, etc.

What is so great about this store is there are hundreds of options and designs from everything from shirts to water bottles. The designs are not all baseball specific either, with many just having Indian River or Braves on them. What is really great too are specific options for shirts that say "Indian River Teacher," "Indian River Staff," "Indian River Grandma," etc.

What is also great about this store is that it stays open all year long, not just for a short window of time.

Right now they have a 20% off sale on our site, so I am hoping to share with staff and students, if possible, to get more school pride wear in our hallways!

IR Baseball Team Store

The Get It Together High School Seat Belt Challenge is a program led by Drive Safe Hampton Roads and supported by other traffic safety groups. Local high schools compete to raise students' awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts every time they ride in a vehicle. Indian River High School earned the gold award over 17 other high schools including the first place award in the public service announcement category.

• April 26: Operation Military Families
• April 30: Sibshop 3 - For Siblings of Special Needs Children

In an effort to minimize interruptions to instructional time, please know that no food deliveries for students are allowed during the school day. Please know that breakfast and lunch are free for all students this school year.

Due to the new cell phone policy, we will not allow cell phones or earbuds to be dropped off for students. Thank you for your support for this policy.

Per the Code of Virginia Section §32.1-46, the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is required for all students attending school in Virginia prior to entering the 12th grade.

The Chesapeake Health Department will offer vaccine appointments during the school day for 11th-grade students to meet this requirement well before the first day of their 12th grade year!

About this clinic for current IRH 11th graders:

A FREE vaccination clinic will be held at Indian River High School on May 15th and 16th, 2025, during the school day.

* Health insurance is not required.

* Registration is required.

* Registration Link: (not yet available)

• The CPS Help Desk assists all students, and parents of Virginia's Chesapeake Public Schools District with their technology questions and requests.
• The Help Desk provides a centralized place to find resources for all your technology questions as well as showcase the integration of technology throughout the school district.
• If you are having trouble accessing OneLogin or StudentVue or ParentVue, please access the CPS Help Desk for assistance.

Upon arrival, students should report directly to their homeroom classroom or to the commons area or D-hall for grab and go breakfast. Students may drop off instruments before they report to homeroom.

First Bell Rings at 8:55 a.m.

Students are considered tardy after 8:55 a.m.

Bus routes may be found on the CPS website (www.cpschools.com). Students should review and memorize their bus route number. Since the time of pick-up may still be irregular, cooperation from everyone is necessary and appreciated. Students will remain on the buses until 8:40 a.m.

IRHS Athletics is in full swing with Spring Sports. Please come out to support the student athletes in Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Track Field. Please stay tuned for IRHS Winter Sports Banquet and IRHS Student Athlete Signing Day.

If you are interested in trying out for the fall cheerleading teams, please contact Coach Hailey Estes at 757-578-7000 or hailey.estes@cpschools.com for further information. Open gym will begin April 9th.

Congratulations to the following Athletes for being selected to the All Region Teams:

Chris Edwards - 1st Team Boys Basketball

Larry Luckett- 2nd Team Boys Basketball

Cierra Selby- 2nd Team Girls Basketball

Spring Sports is in full swing, please come out and support the student athletes in Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Track and Field.

Please come out and support the Winter Sports Programs including Girls and Boys Basketball, Indoor Track, Swimming and Wrestling. Tickets can be purchased on Indian River’s GoFan Page. Season tickets for students are $20 and $50 for adults.

Click HERE to access the 24-25 IRHS Athletic Events Calendar.