Indian Hills News December 2023
Contents
01: Principal’s Message
02: Upcoming Events
03: Teacher Appreciation
04: Media Center
05: Student Center
06: Memory Book Cover Contest 07: Pictures
08: Utah PTA Day at the Capitol
1. Principal’s Message
As the holiday season approaches, it can put many of us in a variety of moods: jubilant, happy, stressed, and beyond. It all depends on how we see and feel about what’s happening around us.
It brings to mind a story I shared last holiday season with the Alta High community.
The first weekend of December last year, a few grinchy teens from a different school made their way into the Alta commons to steal some of the school’s decorations and vandalize the Christmas tree. It was a stealthy business that occurred after the evening school activities when everyone was gone.
Students and staff reacted angrily, at least at first. And then some of the students, inspired by the ‘Whos’ of Whoville from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas story, decided to take the higher road. Without complaining, the students restored the ornaments on the tree, the student choirs sang in the hallways, doors were decorated, holiday cheer was spread, and the brightness of the season shone even more brightly in spite of the stolen décor.
It was a reminder that how we choose to respond to unkindness is far more important than the unkindness itself.
We, too, at Indian Hills are likewise spreading the holiday cheer. Our food drive last month was a huge success with over 8,000 food items donated. Our teachers and students are decorating the doors for the holidays. Our students are trying their best to choose kindness even when it’s difficult to do so.
While our Main Office may be donning some Grinch-themed decor this season, we want to remind our students that we are all ‘Whos’ at heart. We notice the good in our students and we notice when students choose kindness. And we love what we are seeing. Happy Holidays!
2. Upcoming Events
4 – PTSA Board Meeting – 9 am
6 – Spirit Day
8 – Citizen of the Month – 7:30 a.m.
18 – Pajama Day
19- Ugly Sweater Day
20-Jan 1 – Winter Recess
3. Teacher Appreciation
November’s Teacher Appreciation involved giving all IHMS faculty and staff individual pies. Any way you slice it, they are the best!
4. Media Center
Snow is falling and books are calling! Snuggling up under a fuzzy blanket, a warm drink beside me and a book in my hands, while giant gentle flakes of snow fall outside is my definition of a perfect winter day. I hope you get to experience that sometime during your winter break. To encourage students to keep reading and keep learning even during the holidays, the library will be holding a competition. As a student of Canyons School District, your child has a subscription to an online platform called “Sora.” Students can check out ebooks or audio books to read or listen to. Students in elementary school only have access to books approved for their age group. Middle school students have access to books approved for elementary and middle school. As an incentive to read during winter recess, we are holding a school-wide competition for the student who can read or listen for the most minutes. So, along with those classic holiday tunes, try a classic like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, or, if you like a holiday rom com (and who doesn’t!), then try a new favorite like The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park. The competition runs from December 20 – January 1st and prizes will be awarded on Friday, January 5th. See the image for prizes. Happy reading holidays!
5. Student Center
Welcome to IHMS Student Center, where we are committed to creating a positive learning environment for every student. To ensure our availability to help your student, please email or call the Student Center at 801-826-7120 to set up an appointment with your counselor. Please look at the Student Center staff to know who to contact.
8th Grade Plan for College and Career Readiness
In December we are focusing on our individual PCCR meetings with 8th grade students. After completing the PCCR Canvas module we encourage parents/guardians to schedule an appointment with their student’s counselor to address any questions or concerns about high school planning. Counselor contact
Upcoming events
Alta High School open house
- 8th grade students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend Alta High School’s open house on January 24th at 6:00pm. Scheduling information will be handed out at this event. This is a great opportunity for students to tour the school, talk to teachers, get information about classes, clubs, and more!
Incoming 6th grader visits
- On January 29th from 9:00 am -1:00 am incoming 6th graders will come visit IHMS with their elementary school to learn more about middle school.
- On January 30th 6:00 pm -7:30 pm incoming 6th graders and parents/guardians are invited to IHMS. At this event students will learn more about classes, meet teachers, tour the school, and explore different opportunities middle school has to offer!
Counselors in the classroom
In December the school counselors will be teaching the following lessons in the classrooms. 6th grade: “words matter” 8th grade: “what’s important to you”
Wellness Supports
- A reminder that with long breaks from school coming up there are still supports available to students. The SafeUT app provides a way to connect to licensed counselors that are ready to listen to any sized crisis or concern. Support is immediate and confidential.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, there is help available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
- The Canyons Family Center offers a variety of services including individual counseling,
student-support groups and parent-education classes.
Mental Health screener
Canyons School District is sponsoring free mental health consultations for students, ages 10-18, and their parents. Families are welcome to register for any date and location that fits their schedule. At the event, parents will sign a consent and complete a questionnaire, and students will be asked to complete a screening tool. During the consultations, licensed counselors will discuss available resources to meet your child’s needs. For questions please call 801-826-5187.
6. Memory Book Contest
Memory Book Cover Contest
We are looking for an original work of art for the cover of the Memory Book. Any medium may be used. Due Jan. 5th. More information can be found:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zx-nTL2aSU4X 1QssF9bLwE4XIQZmzXZ_a4GzHOAN9yM/edit?usp= sharing
7. Pictures
As Holiday concerts and performances are underway the PTSA is looking for pictures from these events for the Memory Book. Please email in any and all pictures you have taken of your students at these fun events!
We are also still looking for Cross Country Pictures from the beginning of the year.
Email them in high resolution to: submit+IndianHills@edophotos.com
We have found you can email around 10 at a time right from your phone!
We are also still looking for Cross Country Pictures from the beginning of the year.
8. PTA Day at the Capitol
Virtual Utah PTA Day at the Capitol
January 12, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Join the Utah PTA Programs and Advocacy Team and learn how to navigate the 2024 Utah Legislative Session.
Governor Cox is invited to address the membership, along with the nominees for the 2024 Legislative Advocate for Children Award. This will be followed up with essential training on the Utah PTA 2024 Legislative Priorities, Resolutions and Position Statements, and how to navigate the Utah PTA and Utah Legislative websites to keep up to date on the bills Utah PTA is following.
Register at this link:
