6/14/23

Dear IVA High Families: 

What an exciting and productive year we have had! The students, teachers, and staff continue to amaze us with their courage, creativity, and tenacity. During the last community meeting, I shared the following quote from Elenor Roosevelt:

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.

Community members were asked to lift the corners of their mouths towards their ears (into a smile), then to look at the people sitting next to them and across from them. We a took a moment to acknowledge our empowering community, as individuals, and as a collective. We acknowledged those who have inspired us, challenged us, and shined light into the darkest moments.

So... I would like to take this moment to appreciate how each person in our community has contributed to who we are, what we do, and why we exist. We value each and everyone of you. Although the end of this school year is coming to a close, we are excited to guide our students into their next phase of life. We know through projects, tests/assessments, and reflection that our students continue to develop their critical thinking skills, creative approaches to problem-solving, and have the courage to persist in making an impact. Not only have they worked hard, they have had a lot of fun along the way. They are ready to move forward and to take on what lies ahead.

I have received so many compliments about our students over the last few months. Our students show humility while deconstructing who they are, what they believe in, and how they want to contribute to the world around them. College professors, industry professionals, and community partners have noticed that at IVA High, we foster curious minds in an empowered community. Thank you for being a part of the process.

With gratitude,

Summer Sanders

Head of School

Campus Events Highlights

IVA High Prom

In late May, IVA High had their first prom! Thank you to Ms. Makenna, parent volunteers, our staff, and Grey LB for making prom a spectacular event for our students. Students danced, sang karaoke, and were served mocktails by our amazing "bartenders" Mr. Schmidt, Mrs. Sanders and Mr. Rodriguez. We look forward to prom next school year!

Field Trips

Engineering Conference 

Our Forensic Science classes attended the STLE Tribology Conference at the Long Beach Convention Center. At the conference, students engaged with representatives from companies like WD-40 to complete experiments related to friction and lubrication. In addition, students networked with industry professionals to learn more about internships and careers in the tribology industry. 

LB Museum of Art

Our students visited the Long Beach Museum of Art and engaged in an interactive art class led by docents. Students also received a guided tour of the exhibits. After the tour, students had a picnic together on a bluff overlooking the ocean. 

Building Beats in Finite Math

In Finite Math Honors, their most recent unit has been about music and the ways it connects with math. Students started with a data / statistic driven analysis of different artists and their musical catalog. Students looked at the different aspects of a song and how rhythm, rhyming, time signatures, chord progressions, keys, etc. impacts the overall song. The goal was to show how music is about combining many pieces to make an end product that involves problem solving and attention to detail.

At the end of the unit, students worked with the company Building Beats to learn about music production in order to build their own songs. The Building Beats instructor, Darryl Harris, introduced students to Soundtrap, a cloud based DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and showed students how to add different loops and tracks to make beats and songs, as well as how to track their own ideas with digital instruments. Over four days in class he provided instruction, workshopped students' songs, and even showed off some of his own creations. On the final day, students shared their songs, discussed them, and shared feedback with each other.

SuitUp! Design Thinking Challenge

IVA High students were invited to the School of Business at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) to participate in a business competition led by Fortune 500 industry professionals, hosted by SuitUp!. Our students were greeted by the Dean of the Business Department who discussed the importance of intellectual virtues in education and in work force.

SuitUp! increases career readiness for students through innovative business plan competitions. Industry professionals (from Snapchat, TJX, Ares Management, and more) coached our students in creating and innovate product to rebuild a sense of community in Los Angeles.

Using strategies in marketing, design, and finance, students created a pitch for their product and presented to judges. The panel of judges were professors from LMU'S School of Business. IVA High's team "Operation Green Space" won 1st place!! Our winning team, was awarded 'Spectacles' by Snap Inc. It was such an amazing event.

Campus Updates

Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony

We are so excited to celebrate our graduation seniors at IVA High's graduation ceremony! The ceremony is on June 16th at Grace Brethren Church located at 3601 Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90807. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the ceremony will start at 2:00 p.m. 

Each senior is allotted 10 free tickets for family members and friends. Additional tickets (up to 10 tickets) can be purchased for $5 each. Payment for additional tickets can be submitted via Paypal or cash to our office. Please RSVP for the graduation ceremony by June 2nd at the Eventbrite event link.

Alumni, former staff, and current students and families are welcome to join us, free of charge. Hope to see you there!

Mural Installation with CreateNow! Arts

The last week of May, our art students worked with artists Sisi Hood and CreateNow!'s CEO Brandon Dean Johnson to install a mural that embodies the spirit of our school. Over a few days, the mural was drafted, projected, outlined, then painted in our hallway by Sisi and several of our students.

The quote by Maya Angelou, chosen by one of our 10th grade students says "Nothing Can Dim the Light That Shines From Within." 

With the support of the Shinnyo-en Foundation and CreateNow!, the mural was gifted to our campus community! We are so grateful for our community partnership and their investment in our school and students. We look forward to more creative partnerships moving forward.

Summer Enrichment Opportunities

Healthy Long Beach Youth Program 

This summer, Greenlight Long Beach in Partnership with the Tobacco Education and Prevention Program are hosting a 4-week summer program for teens. It’s a great opportunity for high-school aged youth to learn more about public health, earn a certificate of completion from the health department and service hours while doing so. The program meets on Thursday's, in person, from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. starting June 22nd. If your student is interested, please fill out this interest form!

Scholar's Collective Internship

Our community partner Scholar's Collective have several summer internship opportunities for IVA High students. The intern options include a Computers and Technology Internship, a Teaching Assistant Internship, and an Art Internship. Students aged 16 and older are encouraged to apply. They must submit an application and resume. The application can be found at this link.

Play at King Park Program

Love Beyond Limits is facilitating a summer program which offers exciting activities, educational workshops, and career development. If your student is interested in this summer program, please fill out this interest form.

Enrollment Update

IVA High is currently enrolling students going into 9th through 12th grade for next school year! Spread the word, invite your friends and family to learn more.

There is still time to enroll for the fall! Families can access our application on our website.

Private tours are available! Please email info@ivahigh.org if interested in enrollment or a tour.