As we get ready for the upcoming USABO (USA Biology Olympiad) season, we wanted to share information about a new student-led USABO prep interest group that has recently been set up and approved.🧬

A few students have worked through the process of getting the interest group established at school, and they are now hoping to spread the word and connect with other students who are interested to go deep in biology and would like to prepare for USABO together. High schoolers (9th-12th grade) can compete. Middle schoolers (6th-8th grade) are welcome to join though won't be able to compete. 

The interest group will provide an opportunity for students to learn together, share resources, discuss biology topics, and prepare for the USABO exams. The first interest meeting will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 2:40 PM in Professor Brandy’s classroom (Room 133). This will also be the regular meeting time and location for the rest of the year. If your student is unable to attend on Thursday, a second interest meeting will be hosted by the SNHS Club on Friday, October 2, 2026, after school in Mr. McFaul’s classroom (Room 139).

Since USABO may be new to many families, we also thought it would be helpful to have a WhatsApp group where parents can get information about the interest group, upcoming activities, dates, resources, how students can participate.

Looking forward to growing the USABO community and supporting our students as they prepare together!🌿

Pyra is an ASB club (formerly known as Author's Society) sponsored by Ms. Lauren Jackson and the PTSA. Its main purpose is to create a literary and art publication titled "Pyra", featuring original pieces from ICS students.

This club runs on submissions from students. Every Monday at 2:40pm in Room 156, for about an hour the club will critique and review these literary and artistic submissions (creators remain anonymous, although their grade is factored into critiques). Discussions will speak to literary or artistic devices used and why a piece is strong in one way or another. Ultimately, the club will decide which pieces to include in the publication, and then the club's focus switches to publication details: order of pieces, layout, editing, etc.

If your student appreciates art, books, poems and Socratic discussion, this is a great club for them to join! If you have a creative student, please encourage them to submit pieces to Pyra (by emailing pyra.ics@outlook.com) for possible publication!📚

This club is UNIQUE within our school district! No other school offers a similar type of club nor publishes student work in this way!!

Club meetings begin Monday, October 12th at 2:40pm in Room 156.