March 10, 2026

The current weather forecast is predicting strong storms with the potential to produce tornadoes across Illinois. The storms are expected to be in our area this evening into the early morning. Severe weather preparedness is essential for our community, so we would like to provide some important reminders about our emergency protocols.  

In the event of a tornado warning, sirens will sound, and a campus-wide announcement will be made. Upon hearing these alerts, students should immediately report to the nearest designated tornado shelter area, as indicated on the maps below.  

If there is a power outage, students and staff should be prepared to use flashlights while maintenance and safety crews work to restore power. Keep your cell phone charged, and charge any backup portable battery sources, especially if you plan to use your cell phone as a light source. 

The Residence Life Team and Campus Safety will continue to monitor the weather throughout the evening and communicate any updates regarding trips and events. If you have questions about severe weather protocols, please talk to your RC or Campus Safety. Your awareness and preparedness help ensure the safety of our entire community.

Something irrationally exciting is coming…

This weekend, we’re celebrating Pi Day the IMSA way - with a community-powered giving challenge designed to multiply impact for our students.

Donations made on or before Pi Day will unlock a special matching gift from generous donors. This money, given to the IMSA Fund, will help fuel innovation and support students as they transform curiosity into discovery.

Pi Day of Giving also includes a residence hall challenge for IMSA’s seven halls. Donors may designate the residence hall they’re affiliated with when making a gift in the optional comment box!

The hall with the most affiliated donations will earn a hall-wide Pi Day celebration featuring pie for all residents. Every gift counts as a vote, because participation matters!

The countdown to Pi Day of Giving starts now!

Friday, March 20, 2026

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Paramount Theater - Aurora

Due to popular demand, more spots have been added! There are still five seats remaining. Spots will be filled in the order of sign-up.



Dr. Glazer is taking students to the award-winning Broadway musical "Dear Evan Hansen" at the Paramount Theater in Aurora. The IMSA Fund is generously contributing to ticket costs, so students will only have to pay $10 (which will be charged to students' IMSA accounts).

The group will depart from IMSA at 6:00 p.m. and return at about 10:00 p.m. Priority will be given to seniors and students who have signed up between March 3 and March 7. Signups will be open until March 14. If a student cancels, they will still be responsible for paying the full ticket fee ($20).

Ticket sales will be extended to March 15 for families who wish to purchase additional tickets to the Senior Banquet. Tickets are sold for $100 per ticket, plus fees.

Please contact Dr. Katie Berger (kberger@imsa.edu) in the Student Life Office regarding discounted ticket options for families who qualify for financial assistance.

Hotel Accommodations for Senior Banquet

A limited number of 2 Queen Bed Suites are available for Friday, May 22, at a discounted rate of $159 per night plus taxes and fees. To reserve a room, please click the link below to access the hotel reservation page.

The deadline to book within the IMSA room block is April 22, 2026. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. 

Senior Photos Needed!

Please submit your senior’s photos for the celebration slideshow. We are requesting six JPEG photos: #1 Baby, #2 Elementary School, #3 Middle School, #4 Early High School, #5 Family, and #6 Senior Year.

Please email photos to 2026photos@imsapac.org by March 21.

If you missed last weekend's PAC meeting, you can view the slide deck here.

• Corned Beef Brisket
• Green Cabbage
• Red Potato
• Baby Carrots
• Veggie Irish Stew
• Irish Soda Bread
• Assorted Irish Desserts

• Lucky Charms Bars
• Raspberry Fool
• Chocolate Stout
• Cupcakes
• Rainbow Popcorn
• St. Patrick's day
• Pudding Parfait

Students! Prioritize some time for yourself at the

Wellness Fair

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

9:30 a.m. (Sophomores required to attend)

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (open to all students)

Main and West Gym

Take some time out of your day to practice some self-care! There will be several stations in the West Gym, including massage chairs, nail technicians, self-care activities, a tea station, juice samples, and raffles. 

The fair will also feature therapy dogs, fitness with Ms. Alex, a hydration station with Nurse Ilia, a dietician from Lexington, volleyball, and more!

Women's History Month Guest Speaker

Dr. Frances Mei Hardin '08

Thursday, March 19, 2026

2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

IRC

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we are honored to host Dr. Frances Mei Hardin '08 as she releases her book, "Surgeon on the Edge."

Due to changes in ACT/Pre-ACT testing protocols from ACT, the spring testing dates have been adjusted. Each class will be split up into two testing groups.

• ACT for all Juniors - April 1
• Students with last names starting with A through K will test in the morning.
• Students with last names starting with L through Z will test in the afternoon.

• Pre-ACT for all Sophomores - April 22
• Students with last names starting with A through K will test in the morning.
• Students with last names starting with L through Z will test in the afternoon.

Mahima Krishnan ’26 recently delivered a talk at a TEDx event focused on the importance of climate education. The event was organized through "It’s Our Future," a philanthropic organization she is involved with that empowers youth to advocate for climate solutions.

In her talk, Mahima emphasized the need for schools to prioritize climate education and highlighted the critical role educators play in combating misinformation and preparing the next generation of leaders. She also shared a promising grassroots solution: the Illinois Climate Education Hub, a resource designed to help educators teach, learn, and engage students in meaningful climate advocacy. Watch her Tedx talk here.

Mahima’s work reflects IMSA students’ commitment to using knowledge and leadership to address global challenges and inspire positive change. 

IMSA Scholastic Bowl Team Continues to Dominate

Congratulations to the IMSA Varsity Scholastic Bowl Team for winning the IHSA Regional held at Naperville North High School on Monday! The team also earned Second Place in the Division 3A competition at the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl last weekend.

We wish them the best of luck as they compete at Sectionals this Saturday at Waubonsie Valley High School! Go, Titans!

Mod21 Earns Regional Recognition

Mod21, IMSA’s student-run a cappella group, recently competed in the selective quarterfinals of the Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). The group placed in the Top 8 out of 50 schools in the Great Lakes Region, an outstanding achievement in a highly competitive field.

Nidhi Sagaram '26 received the Outstanding Arrangement award for “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish. All three songs performed at the competition were arranged and choreographed by Nidhi. Congratulations to all the performers who contributed to this recognition!

Congratulations to Ms. Mary Beth McCarthy, IMSA’s Director of Instrumental Music and longtime conductor of the Fox Valley Festival Chorus (FVFC), for her induction into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame. With more than 35 years of experience teaching, conducting, and performing, Ms. McCarthy has elevated music education at IMSA, leading ensembles including Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Pep Band, Chamber Strings, String Orchestra, and the Strolling Strings. She has received numerous student nominations for Who's Who directories for her teaching excellence and was recognized by Notre Dame University for Excellence in Education.

Beyond IMSA, Ms. McCarthy has made a lasting impact on the greater Fox Valley community, guiding the FVFC to international recognition with awards in Italy and France, founding LIVfE Music to bring hope and healing to hospital patients through music, and mentoring generations of students through performance and music education. Her dedication to making music accessible to diverse audiences reflects IMSA’s commitment to expanding opportunity and enriching communities through learning, creativity, and service.

Saving Lives, One Donation at a Time

Thanks to generous donors, last week’s blood drive reached a record number of donations! There were 35 successful donations, including six first-time donors. Thank you to everyone who gave the gift of life.

Save the date: The next blood drive will be held on April 29.

Fighting Food Waste and Feeding the Community

It is with great pride that we announce the launch of a new service-learning initiative at IMSA focused on reducing food waste. In partnership with IMSA's food service provider, Elior Independent Schools, surplus food will be donated to Hesed House in Aurora. In just the first two donations, over 96 pounds of prepared food were given back to the community, with more donations scheduled for the spring.

Thank you to Resident Counselor Cheyanne Ouellette and Executive Chef Chris Ray of Elior Independent Schools for their shared vision and thoughtful planning, and to the students who helped prepare and deliver the food. This meaningful partnership with Hesed House and Elior Independent Schools Food Services reflects IMSA’s ongoing commitment to making a positive, tangible impact in our broader community.

Peer Tutors will be available in IN2 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the following dates to help with a wide range of subjects.

• Tuesday, March 17
• Tuesday, April 21
• Tuesday, April 28
• Tuesday, May 12

Group Workout Classes

I Days at 3:00 p.m.

Fridays during S&E

Multipurpose Room

Sweat your stress out during the group fitness class led by Counselor Alex Pratt. Classes include cardio, weight training, and core exercises. Beginners welcome!

Email apratt@imsa.edu with questions.

New Accommodations Webpage

IMSA has launched a new, streamlined accommodations webpage that serves as the starting point for all academic, housing, and medical accommodation requests.

Students who are seeking accommodations for the 2026-2027 school year (including those who have received accommodations in the past) must complete the updated request process and submit current documentation (obtained within the last two years) of disability and/or medical need through the new system.

The updated website outlines:

• How to request accommodations
• Required documentation guidelines
• The review and interactive meeting process
• Information specific to academic, housing, and medical supports

Students who only require medication forms or an emergency action plan (and no additional accommodations) should continue working directly with Health Services.

IMSA reviews each request individually to ensure that approved supports are aligned with documented needs and the residential academic environment. Students and families are encouraged to begin the process early and to review the new website carefully before submitting materials.



For questions, please contact accommodations@imsa.edu.

Meals During Ramadan

Students who are observing Ramadan and fasting during daylight hours are welcome to pick up snack packages from the cafeteria cooler to enjoy during non-fasting hours.

Available items include:

• Water
• Assorted fresh fruit
• Dates
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Bagels & cream cheese
• Snack bars
• Crackers
• Snack boxes (cheese, hummus, turkey, whole grains, legumes, whole wheat pasta, vegetables)

Notice of Nondiscrimination: IMSA prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.