No Classes on Election Day | |
Please note that there will be no classes on Tuesday, November 3, in observance of the state holiday (Election Day). Residence halls will remain open, and RCs, security, and other essential staff will be on duty.
Dining services will follow a weekend meal schedule:
Brunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Students should check REACH for that day's activities and trips.
Next week’s Titan Tuesday will go out on Monday afternoon so you have all the important reminders you need for the week ahead!
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We would like to invite members of the IMSA community to submit information about family members and friends who have served in the military. The Google Form linked below will collect their names, branch of service, rank or preferred title, years of service, and an optional photo so we can honor their service during our assembly.
Our goal is to recognize not only the veterans within our immediate IMSA community, but also the veterans who have made a difference in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and families.
Please submit your information by November 4, 2026.
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Launching Spring 2027
New Robotics and Control Systems Course
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Building on IMSA’s longstanding success in FIRST Robotics competitions, the Computer Science Department will launch a new Robotics and Control Systems course in Spring 2027. Students will explore the mathematical and computational principles behind robotic motion, manipulation and control using simulation tools, the Robot Operating System (ROS) and hands-on learning experiences.
Students will gain practical experience with six-axis articulated tabletop robots and explore industrial collaborative robots, similar to the one shown. Through designing, testing and refining robotic systems, they will investigate how robots use sensors and feedback to plan movement, perform tasks and interact with objects.
The course will also emphasize safety, risk assessment and the limitations of autonomous systems, equipping students with the technical skills and critical thinking needed to design and operate robots safely and responsibly.
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Opt In to Get Safety Text Alerts | | |
As part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety and timely communication, we are launching SchoolMessenger, a new emergency communication platform for safety alerts, building closures, and other time-sensitive updates.
Students, staff, and families will now receive notifications regarding safety alerts automatically by email, with no action required. Students, parents, and staff can also opt in to receive these important notifications via text message as well.
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We encourage you to opt in to text messaging using the two easy methods below:
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Scan the QR code using your mobile device and follow the prompts to opt in; OR
- Text “Y” or “YES” to 67587 from the mobile phone number associated with your PowerSchool account.
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Starved Rock Trip
Sunday, November 1, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Starved Rock State Park
Dr. Glazer will be taking a group of students on a hiking trip to Starved Rock State Park. Remaining spots to sign up are available on a first-come, first-served basis until October 29.
The trip includes a five-mile hike, beautiful rock formations, waterfalls, and ice cream afterwards.
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Survey Closes on October 31!
Elior Dining Services Survey
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Elior School Dining, IMSA’s food service provider, will be conducting a student dining survey to gather feedback from IMSA students about their dining experience.
Students are encouraged to share their feedback to help Elior better understand what’s working well and where there may be opportunities for improvement.
| | | Please use IMSA Wifi to access the direct link. If you are using an external wifi, you can navigate to IMSA's survey by selecting "VP- Todd Hickman and District O- Stephen Manno." | | Mental Health and Online Conduct | |
Last week, IMSA promoted Mental Health Awareness Week with programming to support positive mental health and resources to obtain support. I’d like to extend my gratitude to our counseling team for organizing this effort. Our intent is to help students recognize that mental health struggles are common among teenagers, and we want them to turn to meaningful outlets for support.
As we promote positive mental health and encourage students to seek support, we also recognize that others' actions can significantly affect the emotional well-being and sense of belonging of everyone in our community, including students, faculty, and staff.
This past Wednesday, we sent a message to families sharing concerns about harmful social media activity brought to our attention. Online conversations can quickly become spaces where students contribute to, encourage, or amplify hurtful content, sometimes without fully recognizing the impact of their actions. Even those who observe these interactions face an important choice: remain silent or speak up when they witness bullying, harassment, or hate speech. Supporting positive mental health extends beyond caring for ourselves; it includes taking responsibility for how our words, actions, and choices affect the well-being of others.
IMSA does not monitor students’ online activity on their personal devices. However, we provide orientation programming during sophomore seminar to help them recognize harmful online behavior and its potential impact on themselves and others. NetSmartz has free resources that are helpful for schools and families. When such conduct affects the safety and mental health of members of our community, we will investigate those matters and also provide support to those who have been impacted.
Families, even though you may not see your IMSA student daily, you play an essential role in helping them navigate these challenges. Even if your student is not directly involved, they may have awareness or insights that can help us address these concerns. The more openly we communicate, the better positioned we are to prevent further harm and support those who have been impacted. If you believe your student has been impacted, please reach out to our counseling department (counseling@imsa.edu) for help.
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Junior Parent Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
6:30 p.m.
Zoom
| This junior meeting will focus on student mental health and feature special guest speaker Jayshree Panchal, coordinator of school counseling. | | Get Involved with Multicultural Shows | | |
The next culture show will be hosted by Alma Latina, IMSA’s Latinx Culture Club that strives to educate the IMSA community on current and past Latinx topics. This year, their theme is “Casa de la Tierra.”
The student show will take place on Friday, November 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a dinner reception to follow in the cafeteria from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The family show is on Saturday, November 7, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please consider supporting our students by making a monetary contribution towards the student dinner reception. Any amount is much appreciated!
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Please reach out to the PAC Multicultural Committee if you have any questions.
multicultural1@imsa.edu. Thanks in advance for your support!
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Versiti Blood Drive
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Student Union
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This will be a Halloween-themed drive. Practice your Halloween makeup skills, put on a costume, or wear your favorite Halloween shirt and come enter to win Halloween treats and decorations.
If you register and have a successful donation, you will receive:
- A Versiti T-shirt
- SNACKS and drinks before and after donation.
- Students can also earn
- Service hours - external for donation, internal for signing up to help recruit donors or help at the drive
- Service hours towards Versiti Leaders for Life graduation cord.
If you would like to donate, please follow this link. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Donors must be 17 years old (or 16 with a parental consent form) and must also meet height and weight requirements.
On the day of the drive
- Drink plenty of water and eat a meal before donating.
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Please bring a photo ID with you and complete the VersitPass questionnaire.
Please remember to eat red meat, iron-rich foods, and green leafy vegetables in the days leading up to the donation and for several days after.
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With support from an IMSA Curiosity Corridor Micro-Grant, Sullivan Olson '28 explored soil health and pollution across northern Illinois through his project, The Environment Lives Beneath Us. Inspired by his experiences growing up in an agricultural community and competing in Envirothon, Olson compared soil quality across different environments and investigated ways to restore polluted soil.
His research examined remediation methods, including compost and beneficial fungi, to explore how they could improve soil health. Through this hands-on environmental science project, Sullivan helped lay the groundwork for future campus projects that could use soil health data to support environmental learning. Olson plans to continue his research by exploring nutrient accumulation and topsoil erosion, further examining how soil can be protected and restored. His presentation last week challenged fellow Titans to consider how they can make a positive impact on their local environment.
Curiosity Corridor Micro-Grants support students interested in exploring ideas outside of the classroom. Throughout the year, we'll continue to highlight these students and the work they’ve pursued in the spirit of inquiry.
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The Race Continues: Two Titans Advance to Cross Country Sectionals
Marshall Flynn-Mitchell '28 and Saige Bergbauer '29 qualified for the 2026 IHSA Class 2A Sectional Championship after leading their respective teams at the regional meet hosted by Kaneland High School on October 24.
Marshall led the boys with a three-mile time of 16:31.0, while Saige led the girls with a time of 20:10.6. Both will compete at sectionals in Maple Park on Saturday, October 31, with an opportunity to advance in the state tournament.
Congratulations to Marshall, Saige, their teammates and the cross country coaching staff on a strong postseason performance!
| | Marshall Flynn-Mitchell '28 | | | A Top-Eight Finish and a Lasting Titan Legacy | | |
IMSA senior Srimedha Veerathu advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 IHSA Class 1A Girls’ State Tennis Tournament, finishing among the state's top eight players.
Srimedha won her first three matches, including a three-set victory in the Round of 16, before falling to Evie Drexler of North Shore Country Day, who ultimately placed third in the state.
Srimedha also leaves a remarkable legacy at IMSA. Her dedication, sportsmanship and commitment have set a strong example for future Titan tennis players.
Congratulations to Srimedha on an outstanding performance at the state tournament and throughout her tennis career at IMSA!
| | IMSA Students Raise Awareness and Advocate for Change | | |
Last week, IMSA’s Gender Equity Association (GEA) organized a student gathering during midday to raise awareness about sexual assault in response to recent incidents reported at Cornell University. Students Alyssa Gonzalez '27 and Margaret Hirschauer '27 spearheaded the effort, raising awareness about issues that matter to their community and peers.
We commend Alyssa, Margaret, GEA, and the students who attended for their dedication and courage in speaking out about an important and deeply personal issue. Through opportunities like this, students develop as thoughtful leaders who engage in civic discourse and work to make a difference in the world.
| | IMSA Students Explore German History and Culture Over Fall Break | | |
Over fall break, IMSA students traveled to Germany for an immersive learning experience exploring the country’s language, history and culture. Students visited significant historical sites, including the Dachau concentration camp memorial and the remains of the Berlin Wall, while also engaging in hands-on cultural activities. During a cooking class, they learned to prepare traditional German dishes, bringing their classroom learning to life through authentic cultural experiences.
This trip also marked an exciting milestone as IMSA’s first Fall Intersession trip! We look forward to expanding the Intersession program to offer more hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and inspire students to explore new interests.
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Staff Spotlight
Welcome Back
| | We're excited to welcome back some familar faces to our student support team! | |
Desiree Guzman
Student Success and Accommodations Associate
Please join us in welcoming Desiree Guzman back to IMSA as our part-time Student Success and Accommodations Associate! Desiree previously worked at IMSA as an RC from 2002 to 2005. In her new role, she will support students by helping coordinate accommodations and providing resources to promote their academic success and well-being.
Desiree holds a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier, Vermont. Most recently, she served as Director of Education/Children’s and Family Ministry at New England Congregational Church. We’re excited to welcome her back to the IMSA community!
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Jonathan Silva
Temporary School Counselor
We are excited to welcome Dr. Jonathan Silva back to IMSA! Dr. Silva previously worked in IMSA’s Counseling Department and brings valuable experience from his current role as a Crisis Case Therapist at Northwestern Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work from Western Kentucky University and both his Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky.
| | | | Students can search for tutors by residence hall and subject using the directory linked below. Please note that you must be on IMSA WiFi to access the peer tutor directory. | | |
Upcoming Therapy Dog Visits | |
Take a break from schoolwork with the Counseling team and the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club volunteers and their dogs this year!
Save The Dates
- November 18, 2026, 1:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- December 15, 2026, 1:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- February 9, 2027, 1:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- March 17, 2027, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- April 7, 2027, 1:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- May 5, 2027, 1:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Check announcements for specific location and/or updates.
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The Writing Center
Located in A109
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The Writing Center offers free, in-person writing assistance for academic papers and projects, public speaking coaching, and help preparing for in-class essays. No appointment necessary. Just stop by!
Writing Center Hours
A, B and C days: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
I days: 10:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
D days: 9:00 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.
The Writing Center is closed during midday but open during S&E.
| | Help Keep Pests Out of Our Spaces | | |
As temperatures drop, mice and other rodents may seek warmth, shelter and food inside our buildings. Recent residence hall inspections with our pest control provider identified rooms with open food and debris that can attract mice.
Everyone has a role in keeping our campus clean and comfortable. A few simple steps can help prevent pest activity:
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Store food securely. Keep food and candy in sealed, hard-sided containers made of metal, plastic or glass. This applies to residence hall offices, kitchens and common areas.
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Keep spaces clean. Wash dishes, clean up crumbs and spills, empty trash containing food waste, and reduce clutter.
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Secure your space. Keep doors closed, ensure windows have screens, and report gaps or openings that could allow pests inside.
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Respect shared spaces. Open food and food debris can attract mice and contribute to activity throughout a building.
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Report concerns. Notify Facilities if you see signs of rodents or other pests. Students living in the residence halls should contact their Resident Counselor (RC), who will coordinate with Facilities.
Our pest control provider conducts inspections every two weeks and maintains pest control measures across campus, including traps and bait stations in designated areas. Facilities will continue to monitor and address concerns as they arise.
Thank you for doing your part to help keep our campus clean, safe and comfortable for everyone!
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Supporting Student Health and Well-Being
Partnership with the Ecker Center for Behavioral Health
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IMSA is partnering with the Ecker Center for Behavioral Health to support students experiencing a behavioral health or safety crisis outside regular counseling hours. The Ecker Center has a Mobile Crisis Response Team that can assist with:
- Assessing immediate safety concerns and determining the student’s level of risk.
- Gathering information from IMSA staff and the student’s parent or guardian.
- Developing safety recommendations and determining whether additional assessment or care is needed.
- Connecting families with services and additional behavioral health resources.
Read the full message for details about available support and family options.
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October 30 - Choir Concert
November 3 - Election Day (no classes, but res halls remain open)
November 6 - Casa de la Tierra and Dinner Reception
November 7 - Casa de la Tierra Parent Show
November 10 - Veterans Day Assembly (Mid-day Assembly Schedule)
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What else should we include?
Please email the Office of Public Affairs at officeofpublicaffairs@imsa.edu
to share what you'd like to read about in Titan Tuesday!
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Titan Tuesday
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
1500 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506-1000
630.907.5000 | imsa.edu
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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.
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