September 2, 2025

Titan Tuesdays are packed with valuable information, so make sure to click 'View Entire Message' at the bottom of this message. 

If you ever need to refer back to a previous Titan Tuesday, visit the Titan Tuesday Archive.

SAVE THE DATE

Family Day 2025

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Stay tuned for more information!

College Essay Writing Workshop

For the Class of 2026

Monday, September 8

4:30 p.m.

Location TBD

Blood Drive

September 3, 2025

3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Student Union

For information on how to donate blood, please view the attached flyer.

Visiting with college admissions representatives when they come to campus gives students a valuable opportunity to explore a variety of schools. All sessions are open to juniors and seniors. Sophomores may attend any military school visit and any session that does not say “Seniors/Juniors ONLY.”

Wednesday, September 3:

College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University, MN 

Syracuse University, NY

Knox College, IL

Lewis University, IL

Thursday, September 4:

Ohio University, OH

Monday, September 8:

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be on campus to provide guidance with FAFSA and financial aid - Seniors Only

Augustana College, IL

Tuesday, September 9:

University of Rochester, NY - Juniors and Seniors Only

University of Washington, WA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA

You can find the complete list and room locations for upcoming visits in the CAC office.

Peer Tutor Meet and Greet

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

IN2

Meet Peer Tutors, learn about academic resources, and enjoy snacks in IN2!

As a reminder, all students should be using their own IMSA User Accounts to log in to PowerSchool, NOT their parents' accounts.

Go to https://imsa.powerschool.com/public/ and log in with your IMSA student user account. If you can't log in with your user account: 

• Go to https://app.imsa.edu/account/password/forgot 
• Enter your IMSA username (not your email) and click "Email me." 
• Check your external email
• Go through the steps of resetting your password *Make sure the password matches your Jumpcloud password* 

IMSA Help Desk will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during S&E in the ITS Conference Room for Student Support and questions. These special Student Support sessions will continue until September 19th. Staff and Faculty are welcome to come for help during these hours as well. 

The LEAD Program is underway for the 2025–26 school year! This semester, students are exploring followership, ethical and relational leadership, intersectionality, and community leadership while building community and learning from upperclassmen mentors.

Next semester features cardboard boat testing, networking with external experts, and new lessons in journalism, entrepreneurship, and government. The year will conclude with the Student Leadership Exchange (SLX) on April 29, 2026.

For questions about the LEAD Program, please contact Ms. Emma Wilson Parker.

The CAC team held a Senior Class meeting on August 28 to kick off the college application season! Seniors reviewed several important items to help guide them through this exciting process. Please take note of the following important dates and deadlines:

• College Application Plan – This was due to your CAC on August 31. 
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) – October 1 Deadline

Next Steps: Email your CAC your College Application Plan, then schedule a meeting with them.

Reminders:

• QuestBridge Applicants – Speak directly with your CAC for details
• Fall College Visits – Check the schedule and make sure to attend!

Helpful How-To Videos

The Girls IN2 STEM Program is a 5-week cohort designed to empower middle school girls to reach their fullest potential in education and the workplace. By pairing middle school students with high school mentors and introducing them to diverse STEM fields, the program helps participants explore their interests while gaining valuable skills for future success.

Each cohort includes one to two middle school students (mentees) and two IMSA student mentors who share similar STEM interests. Together, they engage in a curriculum that blends remote sessions with on-campus experiences at IMSA.

Through the program, students discover new STEM fields, build meaningful connections with peers and mentors, learn more about IMSA, and design a project that reflects their growing interests and passions.

Applications for mentors and mentees are now open. All applications are due on September 12, 2025.

Admissions is looking for clubs and organizations to host tables at upcoming Preview Days, giving prospective students a glimpse of the vibrant activities and opportunities at IMSA. This is your chance to shine, share your passion, and help welcome the next class of Titans!

Mark your calendar for our upcoming Preview Days:

Saturday, October 25

Saturday, November 15

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Clarissa Jimenez at or stop by her office at A106F.

Please complete the interest form by Friday, September 19, 2025.

• When you are tardy, you must stop in the Attendance/CAC Office to get a pass.
• It is your responsibility to monitor your PowerSchool account.
• If you feel your attendance record is incorrect, please speak to your teacher or email them and CC attendance@imsa.edu.
• If your attendance record needs to be corrected, the teacher will contact attendance.
• While students are on campus, parents/guardians can not call a student off for any health reason. Students must go see the nurse. Only the Health Office can excuse students from class for health reasons while they are on campus.
• If you are off campus for any reason (illness, college visit, or doctor's appointment, etc.), you must have your parents/guardians call the Attendance Office. 
• All college visits must be pre-approved by your CAC.
• Any pre-arranged absence that will exceed 3 academic days must have special approval from Mr. Donelson.

You can contact the attendance office via email at attendance@imsa.edu or by phone at 630.907.5029.

Want to dive deeper into the world of AI, earn transcript credit, and make your resume shine? Applications for the AI Center Internships are now open!

Work weekly with faculty mentors and fellow interns in one of four exciting areas:



• AI Credential – Shape AI learning programs
• AI Research & Development – Advance student-led AI projects
• AI Ethics & Education – Explore AI and ethics in real-world applications
• AI Innovation & Entrepreneurship – Drive AI-powered startups and competitions

Don’t miss your chance to be part of IMSA’s cutting-edge AI community!

Code your path, one algorithm at a time, and APPLY NOW! 

Deadline to apply: September 5, 2025

Selections announced: September 10, 2025

Yale Educator Awards

Congratulations to Ms. Tracy Townsend (English Faculty) and Mr. JaRod Tobler (College and Academic Counselor) for receiving the 2025 Yale Educator Award.

The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Incoming Yale students are invited to nominate their high school educators, and a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews each nomination individually and designates recipients.

Congratulations, Ms. Townsend and Mr. Tobler! Thank you for your work in encouraging IMSA students to pursue their dreams!

Day of Service

Over 300 students and 30 staff members participated in Day of Service, giving over 800 hours back to our community! Students volunteered at Feed My Starving Children, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Fox Valley Park District, Dick Young Forest Preserve, Anderson Humane Wildlife Center, Hesed House, Aurora Public Library, and Edith Farnsworth Historical Site, as well as opportunities on campus.

Andrew Niebres ’28 recently published an article in Latino Magazine, where he shared how robotics has shaped his journey of teamwork, perseverance, and innovation. Andrew is the first student ever to be featured in this national publication, making his achievement both groundbreaking and inspiring. Congratulations, Andrew!

Samantha Rivera Miller

Human Resources Associate

Samantha is entering her third year at IMSA. Prior to becoming a Titan, she managed the volunteer program at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for 10 years.

Part of her role at the FPDDC was overseeing the Eagle Scout and Gold Award program. She was excited to join IMSA for the unique opportunity to serve in an HR role while still being able to interact with students. Sam currently serves as an Advocate to students and advises Alma Latina.

When she is not working at IMSA, Sam enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and three cats. She also enjoys traveling. Sam even spent time studying abroad at the University College Cork in Ireland, making her the perfect tour guide for the Ireland and Scotland Intersession trip! Learn more about the trip below!

September 11 is a solemn day in our nation's history, with the loss of thousands of lives at the hands of terrorists. While our students weren't alive, most adults remember where they were the moment the attack occurred, and the impact it has had on our lives. We also know, or have learned about, the heroism demonstrated by first responders to save as many lives as possible.

One story less told is the response by civilians from a small town of 10,000 people in Newfoundland who received about 7,000 passengers as planes diverted their landing from New York on September 11, 2001. The Broadway musical Come From Away shares the story of this community's hospitable response during such a tumultuous time in history. The musical is now playing at Aurora's Paramount Theatre.

As a former New Yorker, I can attest that this is an incredible show. I have made a reservation for Friday, September 12, with a departure time of 6:00 p.m., for up to 14 students to attend at a student rate of $20 per ticket. Please complete this form if you'd like to attend. Priority will be given to seniors and students who express interest and submit payment by September 9.

Belize Medical Mission Trip

Intersession 2026

Are you interested in medicine and global health? Travel with Nurse Angie and fellow IMSA students on a medical mission trip to Belize during the January 2026 Intersession. Work alongside doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, promote health and wellness, and earn 30+ service hours through Global Medical Squads.

The Program Fee is $3,230 per student. Click the button below for more information on fundraising and what is included in the fee.

Please use the Registration & Funding Page Link to confirm your participation in the program by September 10 and start raising money for the trip. Beyond the registration donation, you will only need money for gifts, souvenirs, and shopping at local markets. 

These lands were once home to ancient Celtic and Gaelic tribes, and now their histories blend into the modern day.

Students on this Travel Study experience can step back into the Middle Ages on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, admire the soaring spire of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and discover Belfast’s restored 19th-century architecture and thriving arts scene.

Primary Travel Destinations - Dublin and Belfast, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland

Tentative Travel Dates - January 6-13, 2026

Study Program Fee - $4,429

Prerequisites - Junior or Senior in good academic standing

Staff Sponsors - Samantha Rivera Miller and Shari Katich-Rogers (in partnership with Education First Tours)

Group Fitness Classes

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

2:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m.

Multipurpose Room

Classes are led by Counselor Alexis Pratt, a certified group fitness instructor. If you have any questions, you can email her at apratt@imsa.edu.   

Parents will be able to stop by Campus Security and get their Parent ID starting on Monday, August 25, 2025, during Front Desk business hours:

Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

To obtain a Parent ID, please ensure the following:

• Present a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, state ID)
• Be listed as a parent/guardian in PowerSchool

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and secure campus. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Do you love technology? Are you the go-to person your friends ask for help with computers, printing, or tech questions? Now’s your chance to take those skills to the next level!



The PeerTech Support Team is a volunteer group of students passionate about tech. Members will have the opportunity to:

• Assist fellow students with technology needs
• Support the IMSA Help Desk with laptop imaging & health checks
• Gain hands-on experience in general IT and organizational tasks
• Help manage printing and other tech support services

 Benefits:

• Receive internal service hours
• Build valuable real-world IT experience
• Strengthen your problem-solving and teamwork skills
• Be part of a tech-focused community at IMSA

If you’re ready to learn, lead, and support your peers with technology, apply today to join the IMSA PeerTech Support Team! Send inquiries to sdutcher@imsa.edu.

September 10 - First day of SIR/Internship travel

September 20 - Schwartzwalder Volleyball Tournament

September 26 - Homecoming Pep Rally (afternoon assembly schedule)

September 27 - Family Day and Homecoming Dance

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.