August 10, 2023

5th Grade/New to the District Orientation

Hello 5th Grade Parents! 

We are very excited that your child will be attending Independence Middle School, and we look forward to seeing them at our 5th Grade Orientation Day on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 8 am - noon. Our WEB Program will help get your 5th grader off to a great start! 

WHAT IS WEB? WEB is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 5th graders by connecting them with WEB Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 8th graders. Your student’s WEB Leaders will help them feel more comfortable as well as help them achieve success in their first year of middle school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is! 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 

1. Your child will receive an invitation to orientation. The invitation will be sent via U.S. mail to their primary address. If they have not received the invitation by Wednesday, August 9, please email Mrs. Pietrzak.

2. A day or two before orientation, your child will also receive a phone call, to the primary cell phone number listed in ProgressBook, from their WEB Leader personally inviting them to orientation day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have. If, for any reason you DO NOT wish for our leaders to call, please let me know ASAP on the RSVP Google Form.

3. Your child is encouraged not to bring backpacks, purses, or other items as the day is quite active; 

4. Because the day is active, please make sure that your student wears comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement; 

5. Cell phone use is forbidden on this day. This is a student only function, please drop your child off at the front doors at 8 am and pick them up in the same location at noon.

If your child cannot make orientation and you would like for them to visit Independence Middle School before the first day of school, please see the alternative options listed on the RSVP Google Form at the top of this email. 

We look forward to a great orientation day! 

The WEB Coordinators,

Rachel Pietrzak

Michaela Bloam

Michelle Koussa

Packet Pickup

Packet Pick-up is Friday, August 18 from 8:00-2:00PM for 6th - 8th graders.

*Convenience changes for schedules cannot be made at this time as we are trying to balance classes to the very best of our abilities to not overload rooms. Any major issues or errors, please contact Mrs. McClain.

EMA, Student Information, and Enrollment Forms

The district and building are continuing to use a program called FinalForms. This is for any child currently enrolled in our schools. All of these forms will need to be up to date for the 2023-24 school year.

Final Forms (Link)

Technology and Communication

1 to 1 Device for Students:



IMS is a full 1 to 1 Google Chromebook school. Each student in grades 5-8 will receive their individual Chromebook within the first week of school. These devices will need to be taken home nightly for ALL students to be charged for the next work day.

Email Communication:

All large group communication with our IMS community will continue to use Constant Contact this year. While no product can guarantee 100% delivery of emails, Constant Contact has one of the best percentages. If you know of anyone not receiving information please have them notify me personally or visit the website listed below to ensure they are up to date on all content.

Please visit http://www.ilsk12.org/ to sign up for district communication.

2023-24 Bell Schedule