Organized Extracurricular Activities
ICES Robotics
Robotics is an amazing opportunity to learn science and engineering principles, as well as programming and driving skills. By participating on the ICES competitive robotics team, known as the RoboRavens, students will learn creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving among groups. Robotics is open to all 4th and 5th graders, as long as students meet the academic and attendance requirements. Interested students should demonstrate a willingness to put in hard work over the course of a whole school year; an interest in learning and challenging themselves; and a passion for wanting to be part of something big. Students aren’t required to have any previous robotics experience. The team is limited to 20 students, and in some cases, tryouts are held if student interest is above the desired team capacity. ICES Robotics does require a $50.00 registration fee to assist with club expenses including team apparel.
Practices are typically held once or twice a week after school for two hours. Students may also be required to attend Saturday practices on many of the weekends where there are no tournaments. Starting in November or December, and running through the end of February, the team will participate in up to seven Saturday tournaments at various schools throughout central Indiana. Interested in being a part of this exciting educational adventure? Please contact Don Stallard, ICES Robotics Advisor, at dstallard@ics-charter.org.
ICES Choir:
This programming is temporarily on hold for the current school year due to the pandemic and safety adjustments that have been implemented.
Math Pentathlon:
Students participate in engaging and interactive problem-solving games aligned with Indiana Mathematics Standards. State tournament competitions are held in April and May each year. Students are recommended for participation by their teachers. Division I (Kindergarten and 1st grade) typically meets Wednesdays from 3:20-4 p.m. Division II (2nd and 3rd grades) typically meets Mondays from 3:20-4 p.m. Division III (4th and 5th grades) typically meets Thursdays from 4-5 p.m.
STUCO (STUDENT COUNCIL):
The ICES Student Council’s mission is to provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills by organizing and carrying out school activities, community events, service projects, and classroom assistance. STUCO members are to “lead by example” by demonstrating The Irvington Way and promoting school pride, spirit, and service among the student body. STUCO members are appointed by staff (STUCO Staff Advisors, teachers, admin) in September from each 3rd-5th grade class. STUCO members participate in service projects throughout the year, such as sponsoring our school recycling program. They also participate in community events & fundraising activities, including Family Nights and Box Tops for Education. Students also attend leadership training in the fall and a team-building retreat each spring at ICES.
MEETINGS: Every Tuesday from 3:30-4:15 pm unless otherwise noted.
QUESTIONS? Contact Mr. Catt, STUCO Advisor, via email acatt@ics-charter.org or on Class Dojo.
OUTDOOR MASTERS:
ICES Outdoor Masters is a curriculum-based program focusing on Outdoor Education, Habitat Restoration, and Environmental Sustainability.
Program leadership collaborates with other teachers, staff, parents, and community members to connect students to the outdoors through discovery, exploration, and hands-on learning. Students are taught tenants of leadership, stewardship, and self-confidence. All students receive outdoor education through our newly incorporated curriculum in PE Class. Students can further participate through extracurricular activities, such as the Adopt-a-Garden program and the Eco-Science Team.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Students learn conservation practices, study local habitats, learn about various plants and animals, establish and maintain wildlife gardens, practice basic outdoor skills and learn outside on the ICES campus.
HABITAT RESTORATION
Students, parents, staff, and community partners have established gardens on the campus specifically designed as habitats for pollinators, such as the Monarch Butterfly and other wildlife. This work is completed through classroom activities, Earth Day events, and the Family Adopt-a-Garden program.
This year we are working to establish “Learning Gardens” for PreK/Kindergarten students. Each grade level will also have a designated garden space on the campus. These garden areas are Certified Schoolyard Habitats (NWF) and Monarch Waystations (Monarch Watch).
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Students are introduced to several environmental sustainability practices, including recycling, upcycling and composting. Recycling initiatives, the schoolyard habitats, and waystations have contributed to the ICES Thriving School – Masters Level Certification by the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainability in the 2019 & 2020 school years. This year two groups of students are participating in the Eco-Science Challenge event at the Indiana State Museum.
MEETINGS: This year, we are focusing on Family Engagement opportunities (like the Adopt-A-Garden program), school-wide Earth Day-type events, classroom activities, and camp programming during summer break (more info to come).