April 8, 2025

The Board of Trustees has approved the two-page calendar for the upcoming academic year. This calendar includes all key dates and breaks.

The calendar is attached below and is also available on the IMSA website.

The Class of 2025 has a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks!

Please note that some updates have been made to the timeline since last week.

Sophomores should report to the West Gym at 7:30 a.m. with the following items:

• IMSA ID (a photo of the ID will NOT be accepted)
• #2 pencils (non-mechanical)
• An acceptable calculator

Cell phones and smart watches should be left in their rooms. Any devices brought to the testing room should be fully powered off and kept in book bags. Snacks should also be kept away from testing materials, and can only be accessed during breaks.

The Cafeteria and Health Office will open early at 7:00 a.m. for students to get breakfast and any needed morning medication before the test.

Get ready to unleash your competitive spirit and join the excitement for this fun-filled event. Students will have the chance to team up with friends from across campus and compete in a series of thrilling activities. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams!

Team Size: Up to 9 Students per Team (with a minimum of 4 students)

There will also be activities for those not looking to compete in the team events!

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to make lasting memories and enjoy friendly competition! Sign up by Monday, April 28th, to secure your team spot.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Broy (sbroy@imsa.edu) & Cam Doxey (cdoxey@imsa.edu). 

The CAC Office invites juniors and their parents/guardians to College Day! This exciting event gives students and families the opportunity to:

• Connect with admissions representatives from a wide range of colleges and universities
• Learn about different institutions, academic programs, and campus experiences
• Gain valuable insights into the college admissions process

This event is reserved for juniors and their parents/guardians as they begin their college selection journey.

On March 26, 2025, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) visited IMSA to collaborate on a plan for hosting MAA’s internationally recognized summer Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) on the IMSA campus in June and July 2025. IMSA is excited for the opportunity to host this prestigious competition and collaborate with math enthusiasts from around the country!

Seven students presented their research at the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit last month in Anaheim, California. The summit is the world’s largest professional physics conference.

Max Chen '25 gave a talk titled “Search for a Doubly Charged Higgs Decaying to Muons or Electrons at CMS.” Jayram Palamadai '25 presented “Search for Dark Photons Decaying to Lepton Jets at CMS.”

Seniors Shrikar Dulam, Cameron Eddington, Maya Kannan, Anwita Kasturi, and Robert Mandell also presented posters on related topics based on particle physics research conducted in Dr. Dong’s SIR group. They collaborated with fellow seniors Jeremiah Suarez and Vincent You.

Last Saturday, a group of students joined the hunt in a Werewolf Experiment Escape Room (or were they hunted?) on campus in the AI Center hosted by the Development staff. The full moon waited for no one, so students picked teams, and each team got their chance at survival while the other team hung out and enjoyed pizza on us!

Ms. Lori Anesi from IMSA's ITMC Department took students downtown to the Chicago Art Institute to see the final day of the Project A Black Planet: The Arts and Culture of Panafrica exhibit. The students enjoyed several hours exploring the Art Institute after viewing the exhibit. 

As part of IMSA’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and continuous improvement, all students are invited to take the Challenge Success–Stanford Survey of School Experiences on Tuesday, April 15, during the Support & Engagement (S&E) period from 1:55 PM to 2:35 PM.

This national survey, developed by the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, is a valuable opportunity for students to share their perspectives on life at IMSA. Topics include academic engagement, time use outside of school, stress and sleep, relationships with teachers, parental expectations, and academic integrity.

The purpose of the survey is to gain a deeper understanding of our students' day-to-day experiences so that IMSA can make informed decisions about our policies and programs. Past survey results have directly contributed to meaningful changes, such as the introduction of Fall Break and the creation of the S&E period itself.

Your voice matters. The insights we gain from this survey will be shared with the IMSA community and used to shape a learning environment that supports both academic and personal growth.

To preview sample questions or view the FAQ, visit: Challenge Success Student Survey

IMSAloquium is an annual public celebration in which over 275 students from the Student Inquiry and Research, Business Internship, and Independent Studies Programs present their completed and ongoing research.

Bethany E. Perez White, Ph.D., will give this year’s keynote address. Dr. Perez White is a professor from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago and is the Associate Director of Skin Tissue Engineering and Morphology (STEM) Core.

Visit the IMSAloquium web page for more information.

Evaluators Needed

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) seeks evaluators for this year's Student Leadership Exchange (SLX). Evaluators will evaluate student projects in social entrepreneurship, activism, and data journalism in correspondence with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Evaluators can either evaluate in person or virtually (however, we would prefer in person). Please send this form to anyone who might be interested in this opportunity!

Casa De La Raza Support

Alma Latina is seeking parent support for their upcoming cultural show, Casa De La Raza, on April 11, 2025. Parents who are looking to volunteer or donate can sign up using the links below.

In my role as IMSA's President, I engage leaders at both the state and local levels. I advocate for IMSA's interests and promote goodwill towards advancing education in other schools and educational opportunities for other students. One example is serving on Aurora's Education Commission, a group of educational leaders in the Fox Valley area committed to enriching the lives of young people through education. Superintendents, community organizations, and college presidents discuss ideas and mobilize opportunities with a shared interest. Most recently, we have been promoting literacy among young children, and this week we celebrate the Week of the Young Child. Thanks to all parents and educators out there serving and inspiring young minds.

In addition to engagement with the Aurora Education Commission, IMSA provides outlets for young children. We have summer camps and weekend STEM activities. We also provide outreach to local schools and host a library night for youth in the area. We've also expanded services to southern Illinois, Metro East, and online. This fall, we plan to expand opportunities into Chicago. IMSA's presence in communities not only expands our impact but also helps us become known as an important contributor to the landscape of education in Illinois.

As a reminder, the following updates have been made to the administration of the ACT and PreACT:

• Both the PreACT Secure and ACT with Writing will now be administered as paper exams that will not require laptops or laptop components.
• The date of the PreACT Secure will not change and is still scheduled for Wednesday morning on April 9, 2025.
• ACT requires that the ACT with Writing paper exams be administered on the first day of the testing window. As a result, the ACT with Writing will now take place on the morning of Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

The halls reopen from the extended weekend on Monday, April 21, at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday will be an I-Day, with the week following an IBCD schedule.

IMSA is excited to offer a dual credit opportunity in partnership with SIUE School of Business. The course will provide a foundational knowledge of entrepreneurship skills for students interested in pursuing business or entrepreneurial ventures. Students can participate in this summer course online or in person.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the form below. Responses are due April 15.

The National Community Service Award opportunity from the United Nations Association has been released! Students can create an account, enter their service hours, and be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their community. All community service activities between June 1, 2024 and April 15, 2025 count for this award. Physical award packets will be mailed to IMSA in May.

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

April 9 - IMSAloquium Practice and PreACT

April 17 - IMSAlquium

April 17-21 - Extended Break

April 22 - ACT with Writing

April 26 - College Day

April 30 - SLX and Hollister Lecture

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.