September 16, 2013 Issue 4 Irmo Middle School 6051 Wescott Road Columbia, SC 29212 (803) 476-3600 www.lexrich5.

org/ims School Hours: 8:20 a.m.-3:35 p.m.

The Buzz
rsjackso@lexrich5.org

at Irmo Middle School

Creating successful students for the challenges of tomorrow

Robert S. Jackson, Ed.S., Principal
https://twitter.com/IMS_Principal

Inside this issue:

Open House Guidance PSAT 2 3 4

Note: Football Time Change: All C Team games will begin at 5:30pm

IMS Student Government G40 2013-14

Donna Birdsong Justiss Blair
Welcome Back! If you are a returning Beta Club member in good standing, please stop by Mrs. Johnsons classroom (822) or Mrs. C. Andersons classroom (704) in order to share your information with us. Our first official meeting will be the first Tuesday in October 1, 2013 at 7:40 a.m. Please check out the scrolling announcements for more details. For those new to Irmo Middle School, please stop by Mrs. Johnsons or Mrs. Andersons class before Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

Ashley Bower Molly Corbett Megan Denning Samantha Edge Callie Farrell Brianna Gorman Caroline Gossett Zirah Hajjah Elnora Hampton Gabriella Howell Payton Lang Eric Littles Alissa Pressley

Dates to Remember: Tues Sept 17 C Team Volleyball @Lex 5:30 Wed Sept 18 C Team Football Home White Knoll 5:30 Thurs Sept 19 C Team Volleyball Home Dutch Fork 5:30 Tues Sept 24 Explore Testing for 8th Graders Open House & Interim Pick Up 5:30pm7:30 pm Wed Sept 25 Make Up Yearbook Pictures

The SC Governors School for the Arts and Humanities invite all 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade students and parents to learn about Residential High School and Summer programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts. Monday, Sept. 30 5:30 PM

Devonte Richardson Diamond Robins Kendrick Singletary Eva Smith Darius Weathers

If you have any news you would like to see in the Buzz, email Allison Redick at aredick@lexrich5.org.

Lexington County Public Library 5440 Augusta Rd., Lexington, SC 29072 Contact erinhuiett@scgsah.state.sc.us

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Mrs. Sheila R. Inabinet, Guidance Director, Counselor A-G Mr. James Fanning, Counselor H-N Mrs. Tina Stevens, Counselor O-Z Mrs. Allison Redick, Career Specialist Mrs. Judy Deans, Guidance Assistant Mrs. Beth Ayers, Registrar Ms. LaToya Geiger, Records Assistant
Eighth Graders begin to EXPLORE their future Career opportunities More than ever before, it is important that all students have the skills needed to be successful in college and the workplace. Becoming college-ready does not happen overnight; students develop these skills by taking rigorous courses in middle and high school. On Tuesday, September 24th our 8th graders will take the EXPLORE Assessment. EXPLORE helps 8th graders build high school course plans that will prepare them for college and work. It introduces them to relevant career options. EXPLORE identifies;

September Activities
Character Trait Responsibility

Activity Wednesday September 18 September 21 September 20 September 24

Areas where they need extra help or additional courses. Suggestions for improving their skills. Careers that match their interests.
EXPLORE scores provide early indicators of whether students are on track for college. With plenty of time before graduation, students and teachers can use this information to focus on areas of need. To learn more about EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT resources at www.actstudent.org. EXPLORE includes: Tests in English, math, reading, and science just like the Plan (10th grade) and ACT (11thgrade).

International Day of Peace

IMS Observance Open House

A career section that shows you which careers match your interest. Questions about your plans for high school and beyond. A guide stating what your scores mean and how you can use them.

Tips for Doing your Best on Explore:

Get plenty of sleep the night before the test. Follow directions exactly, and dont be afraid to ask questions. EXPLORE is a timed test, so pace yourself! Dont spend too much time on any one question. Not sure of the answer? First rule out every wrong answer you can. Then, pick the best answer from those left. If you finish early, go back and review your work.

Check out some EXPLORE sample test questions @ www.explorestudent.org

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Sign Up Now for the PSAT! It is time for the PSAT!

Are you interested in getting a jump start and preparing for the SAT? If so, Irmo Middle has a wonderful opportunity for all 8th grade students. All 8th grade students were given a PSAT permission form on September 5th during "enrichment time."

If you are interesting in taking the PSAT, complete the permission form (included here as a link and below to download) and return it with the $14.00 registration fee. The deadline for returning these forms is September 18th. Payment must accompany permission forms. We will be unable to process the forms without payment.

The PSAT will be administered here at IMS on October 16th. Students that score 50% or greater in any of the three core areas will earn Junior Scholar status. We are looking forward to a record number of Junior Scholars at Irmo Middle School.

Many of our students have already begin practicing for the PSAT. Here are some sites where you can begin preparing for the Critical Reading, Math, and Writing portions of the PSAT. If you need more information about the PSAT, we have included a link here. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html You can also contact Mr. McCloy at 803-476-3704 or via email at rmccloy@lexrich5.org. By: Robert McCloy, English Department Chair