UPDATE: New Covid Guidelines

The CDC has released new guidance regarding COVID and quarantine time frames. The new guidelines state:

If you test positive for COVID, you may resume normal activities after 24 hours if:

* You have NOT had a fever and are not using fever-reducing medicine (Tylenol, Motrin) AND

* Your symptoms are getting better overall

Students and staff will no longer need to stay out of school for five (5) days. Anyone testing positive, while having mild symptoms, should distance themselves from others and consider wearing a mask for 5 days.

Cell Phone Policy at IMS 2024-25

CELL PHONES and SMARTWATCHES (Updated Aug 2024)

Cell phones AND smartwatches must be turned off and placed in the student’s locker upon entering the building. Students may not have their cell phones or smartwatch at any point during the school day. The phones and watches are to be in their locker by 8:10am and can be retrieved from their locker as they pack up for the bus at 3:10pm daily.

IMS is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones or smartwatches. We suggest that our students leave them at home during the school day. If a student brings their cell phone or smartwatch to school, we recommend that they rent a lock at school for $1 for their locker to properly secure their phone. We have decided on this cell phone/smartwatch policy because we spend too much time managing their misuse, the ensuing relationship issues and students missing valuable learning time.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this needed policy change.

Failure to follow cell phone and smartwatch procedures will result in the following consequences.

1st Offense - Warning – principal/teacher holds device until the end of the day

2nd Offense - 1 day of ASD - Parent picks up cell phone

3rd Offense - 2 days of ASD - Parent picks up cell phone

4th Offense - Loss of privilege to bring phone to school for remainder of the year

FAILURE TO TURN IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE TO A TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, OR STAFF MEMBER WHEN A STUDENT IS ASKED TO DO SO WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC REFERRAL TO THE OFFICE. FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THAT TIME.

IMS 8th Grade 1:1 Chromebooks 2024-25

I am pleased to announce that the IMS 8th grade students are moving to a 1:1 computing environment. This initiative will help to enrich the education process for each of our students. Each 8th grader will be provided a Chromebook. Please read the contract below for more information. Each student and parent/guardian must sign the "Student Computer Usage Agreement" and return it to school before a Chromebook will be assigned to the student. Please print the agreement (found below), sign it and return it as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please call (276-773-3020) or email: regina.graffham@gcpsva.org

Thank you, Regina Graffham Principal

GCPS Student Computer Usage Agreement