Bonfire at Crown Point

Friday August 9 6:00pm - 10:30 pm  Bring Your Own Dinner/Bonfire at Crown Point. 

The firepits are located on the Pacific Beach side of Mission Bay near the intersection of Crown Point Shores and Lamont Street.  Will try to get a firepit nearest to Lamont street entrance and closest to the playground and bathrooms.

Bring your own dinner and chairs/blankets. We will provide the firewood and smores stuff. Sea World will provide us with fireworks around 10:00! Hope to see you there! 

Just reminiscing..

Remember this?  Good times!  8th Grade Northern California Video  Thanks to Tony for putting this together.

Date change for this Friday's bonfire

I have to admit, I am wiped out after a week of teacher training.  Well worth the info I have learned, however I have been in L.A. and won't be home until late afternoon tomorrow and I haven't seen my family all week.  I am changing the date to next Friday August 9.  Same place, same details as already stated earlier. Sorry if that is a problem for anyone!

Rock n Bowl tonight!

Come join us tonight for Rock n Bowl from 9pm til Midnight at Poway Fun Bowl! 12941 Poway Rd. cost is $18.95. Rsvp to lisa@innovationsacademy.org if you haven't already so we have enough lanes.

Photos from alumni BBQ

This week's activities

We have had some ugly weather the past few days! Not sure if the sun is in the forecast for Tuesday!  I have some school things to do in the morning so I won't make it there until 1:00. I plan on staying until 4:30 ish. Unless anyone has a better plan, I will try to find a spot somewhere just north of Powerhouse Park between Jake's restaurant(1660 Coast Blvd., Del Mar)  and the Del Mar Motel (1702 Coast Blvd). 

We will be going to Poway Fun Bowl Friday night. More details later.

La Jolla Shores location

Good morning! I got the firepit between main tower and tower 32

See you tomorrow!

Just an update for tomorrow's Alumni BBQ.... If you haven't yet, RSVP to let me know if you are coming so I have enough burgers and dogs. I will get there early in the morning and update you where exactly we will be located.

Tomorrow's beach day cancelled :( and Reminder for Alumni BBQ

Sorry to say, I cannot be there tomorrow for our scheduled beach day. I had a change of plans and need to be at school during the day.

I can't wait for next Tuesday and our Alumni Beach Day! I already have a ton of RSVPs! Reminder it is at La Jolla Shores from 12:00pm to 10pm. Come anytime. BBQ burgers and dogs at 6pm. Bonfire after. RSVP to lisa@innovationsacademy.org

Drive-in photos

Pre-Movie Pizza and Fun

Drive-In movie changes

We are going to the Santee Drive-In tonight.  As I thought might happen, the movies changed.  We will be seeing Despicable Me (8:30) and White House Down (10:25) Cost is $8.  I am going to pick-up a giant pizza.  If you would like some, bring an extra $2.  They have a snack bar there too.  The box office opens at 7:30 and there is usually already a line so I will get there at 7:15.  If you are getting dropped off, I am not sure you can get in without a car so meet me at the entrance at 7:15.  Please rsvp via email lisa@innovationsacademy.org if you are coming in your own car, getting dropped off, or want pizza.  See you there! 

Beach Photos

Summer Fun

Hello All! 

It is time for summer fun!  I put together a schedule of fun things to do for the month of July. (August events are TBA as that is too far in advance for my summer brain to think about!) 

 These are NOT school sanctioned get-togethers.  Just an opportunity for our class to see each other during the summertime.  You and your families are welcome to join in any of the dates. The time ranges are when I will physically be at the locations.  You do not have to stay the whole time as I know many kids have other stuff going on! 

 

Please understand that I will not be able to drive everyone to and from activities.  I do not mind if you drop off kids with me and pick them up later, however, I have made so many great friends with you parents, I would love for you to join me! 

 

 We will play it by ear as to how big a group we have each time but please email me at lisa@innovationsacademy.org if you will be coming so I know who to expect.  Some events may be subject to change (i.e. locations or times) but I plan to have one beach day a week and a few Friday night activities.  I will be unavailable the week of July 29 thru Aug 2 as I will be at a Professional Development Workshop.  I am excited to see you all!  Other friends, family members are always welcome.  Just remember to RSVP.

 

 

Monday July 1  10:30-3:30  Pacific Beach at the end of Law Street.  We will be at the bottom of the hill between Law Street and Chalcedony Street.

 

 

Friday July 5  Sundown-1:00am  Santee Drive-In  to see Monsters University (starts at 8:30) and Iron Man 3(Starts at 10:35)  $8.00 per person

 

 

Tuesday July 9 San Elijo Campground  10:30-3:30  (Family has a campsite that week.  Park on Coast Hwy and walk into campground by the Surfer Statue at the intersection of Chesterfield and Coast Hwy. (campsite TBA through email)

 

 

Tuesday July 16 La Jolla Shores 8th Grade Alumni Beach Day, BBQ and Bonfire. 12:00pm - 10pm.  All 8th grade Alumni from years past are invited.  (anyone willing to get there at 6am to reserve a firepit? )

 

 

Friday July 19  6:00pm? - 10:00 pm?  Laser Tag  and Fun at Belmont Park cost?

 

 

Tuesday July 23  10:30 - 3:30  Del Mar Beach by Jakes Restaurant

 

 

Friday July 26  8:30 pm - midnight  Poway Fun Bowl "Rock and Bowl" $18.75

 

 

Friday August 2  6:00pm - 10:30 pm  Dinner/Bonfire at Crown Point near Lamont Street.  We will leave after watching Sea World Fireworks

 

 

The rest of August TBA

The End of 2013 School Year

School ended two weeks ago and it seems so long ago!  I miss everyone!
Our last week together was fun-filled.  We had our hovercraft races, a surprise baby shower for Tony's twins, an amazing 8th Grade promotion and after party at the Kutyla's and spent our last day of school together at the beach. Here are some final memories:

8th Grade/Kindergarten buddies last walk in the park

Surprise Baby Shower for Tony's upcoming twin girls

Hovercraft Races

Beach Day/Signing Yearbooks

 

Class of 2013 8th Grade Promotion

POLs, Promotion, Beach Day, Report Cards and Summer Plans

This is it!  We made it through Eighth Grade!  I am surprised it is already the end of a great year. Below are the final details of the week.  I am so grateful to have met this amazing group of kids and am so excited to hear about their future endeavors.


1) PRESENTATIONS OF LEARNING (POLs)

Presentations of Learning (POLs) will take place this week (6/10-6/12). Click here to see when your child has signed up so that you can attend. We look forward to POLs and to seeing you again as well!

2) PROMOTION CEREMONY:

• DATE: Thursday, June 13, 2013
• TIME:  6:00 p.m.  (graduates will need to be at the park NO LATER THAN 5:40 PM)
• WHERE: Scripps Highland Neighborhood Park, located off of Scripps Highland Drive in Scripps Ranch (directions were sent out in an email last week)
• DRESS ATTIRE FOR GRADS: Please dress your grads as if they were attending a party! 
• Girls: Party dresses, nice slacks with dressy blouse, pretty sandals or heels (keep in mind they will be on grass for the ceremony) 
• Boys: Nice slacks, dress shirt, dressy shorts with dressy shirt, deck shoes or some type of dress shoe.
• NO JEANS, TANK TOPS, EXERCISE CLOTHING, SHORT-SHORTS, YOGA PANTS, LEGGINGS, CLOTHES/SHOES WITH HOLES, ETC.

3) PROMOTION CELEBRATION: 

We are holding a Celebratory Dinner, in honor of all our new IA Class of 2013 Graduates, immediately after the ceremony! 

  

• The Celebratory Dinner will be held at the residence of Joe and Debbie Kutyla (parents of Joseph). 
• Please stop by for dinner, have some cake, a beverage or two, and share in the joy of our children graduating! All family and graduates are welcomed!
• We will give you directions to our home this week and the park is right around the corner from our home! It is walking distance if that helps!
• An e-vite invitation is going out to each family. If you do not receive one, please let our room parent, Debbie Kutyla know, and she will get one to you right away!

4) BEACH DAY:

• WHEN: Friday, June 14th
• TIME: We will leave I.A. at 9:00am and return at 12:00pm
• WHERE: Torrey Pines State Beach (park in North Parking Lot near bluffs)

We will provide burgers, chips and water for the students for lunch. Students should bring bathing suits, towels, sunscreen and a change of clothes. We unfortunately do not have space for surfboards. We welcome any parents who would like to join us!


5) REPORT CARDS

Our goal is to get Report Cards to you on Thursday at the Promotion Celebration.  We will not send then home with students.  If you will not be attending the promotion, please make other arrangements to pick up your student's report card at a different time.

6) SUMMER PLANS

Just because school's out doesn't mean the fun ends!  Starting the last week of June, I try to have weekly get-togethers for those who want to stay in touch.  Students (and parents!) have the option of joining any of the events planned throughout the summer.  We will be having events such as weekly beach days, drive-in movie night, pool parties, bonfires, etc.  Every summer, I have an alumni bonfire (all previous 8th grader grads from IA are invited!). I haven't made a master plan yet, but check back in the next week or so for dates.

 

8th grade promotion time change(again!)

We are going back to our original 6:00pm Thursday June 13 time for 8th Grade Promotion!  Sorry for the mix up.  The only problem we have right now is the location.  We will give you the details as soon as we know them.  The time will not change again no matter what!

The countdown begins!

Congratulations Maya!  She is currently in New York at Carnegie Hall receiving her Scholastic Nation Art and Writing Gold Medal!

Upcoming Events:
Wednesday June 5: Open note final semester math test
Friday June 7:  Six Flags 8th Grade Night. $30. Leaving school at 10 am arrive back at 1 am Saturday. 
Monday June 10- Wed. June 12: POLs ( click here for POL schedule )
Thursday June 13: 10:30am-noon 8th Grade Promotion at Gazebo in Old Poway Park. (optional luncheon at the Kutyla's immediately following the celebration)
Friday June 14: Last day of school Beach Party at Belmont Park

This Week: I have to admit, it was very difficult to get back into a classroom after taking our learning to the road! Fortunately we were able to come back to the long awaited hovercraft activity!  This week was spent painting and beginning assembly of the hovercrafts.  We will be ready to race them next week.

 We also finished up our math units for both Algebra A and Algebra B.  We will be having an open note final semester test on Wednesday May 5.  This test will help me to place students into an appropriate math course next year in high school.

Next week we will also be prepping for our final POLs.  Students will be presenting artifacts that support habits of mind for Humanities, Math/Science and The Northern California Trip.  We will present to the students and post the POL requirements on Monday.

Day 9

Check back later for photos!

Day 8

Today we went to Pfeiffer Beach and Monterey Bay. We are on our way back to the campsite where some of us will take a hike back to Pfeiffer Falls. I still can't download pictures, so expect for them to come in the next day or so. We are excited to go back home tomorrow!

Student question of the day: List some alternative ocean-friendly seafood that does not harm other wildlife or their habitats.

Day 7

We've packed up and said our goodbyes to Rob Hill. But before we left San Francisco we were going to do one last thing: ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge! Some of us walked across and waited at the top of the bridge to congratulate those who made it. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we were able to take in the beauty of the bay. The children had so much fun and everyone felt a sense of accomplishment whether they biked or waked to the end of the bridge! Now we're headed to Big Sur! BE AWARE YOU MAY NOT HEAR FROM YOUR CHILDREN DUE TO LIMITED RECEPTION AT OUR CAMPSITE!

Student question of the day: How long is the Golden Gate Bridge?

*** Students doing work today, I messed up on the packet. Don't do #2 on Day 7. That was a mistake.

Day 6

Day 6 was a long day! We started the day with an audio tour of Alcatraz island. (we took a lot of pictures that we will download later) When we finished we walked around Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. A few kids decided they were worn out and went back to the campground. Later in the night we all met back at the pier where most of the kids went into Ripley's Believe it or Not! museum. Now we are on our way to Big Sur. PARENTS PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MAY NOT HEAR FROM YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, CELL RECEPTION IS VERY SPOTTY. 

Student question of the day: How many years was Alcatraz open as a prison?