10/17/2022

Dear IVA High Families:

School Counselor of the Year

Ms. Makenna Briceno was named Los Angeles County's “School Counselor of the Year” by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). The annual award honors professionals who devote their careers to advocating for students within Los Angeles County, and addressing their academic, career, and social/emotional development.

"Makenna embodies a holistic approach to school counseling,” stated Summer Sanders, Head of School of IVA High. “She partners with students to create a safe, welcoming environment where they feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. By knowing our students well, Makenna thoughtfully prepares them to meet their varied college and career goals. She is also an extremely kind human who cares deeply for their health and well-being."

We are so grateful for Ms. Makenna's investment in our students' college and career goals, their social and emotional health, and our school culture! 

Campus Highlights

GPS Your Future Field Trip 

Recently, a group of 9-11th graders visited California State University Dominguez to attend GPS Your Future. This event was put on by a non-profit organization, EXP, who we have partnered with to provide students with paid summer internship opportunities. At the event our students heard from the keynote speaker Edna Nerona, spoke with a variety of industry professionals at the career expo, and engaged with a panelist of global supply chain professionals. Our students had a great time learning about careers in hospitality, engineering, utility service, and more! 

History Classroom Highlight

In Ms. Killackey's Modern American History classes, students have learned about the history of pre-colonization in the United States and the Revolutionary War. To look deeper into these time periods, students are examining the stories of minority populations during these historical time periods. Through their chosen lens, students are unearthing forgotten stories of the effects that pre-colonization and the Revolutionary War had on minority populations. To share these stories with their peers, students are creating videos, dioramas, art displays, and podcasts that give historical context and information about their population focus. At Exhibition of Learning, the Modern American History classes will exhibit their products in a "Museum of Forgotten History" to share what they have learned with the larger IVA High Community. The photos below are of an art piece created to represent two spirit Native Americans. 

Campus Updates

Exhibition of Learning

Save the date for our Exhibition of Learning on Thursday, November 17th! This unique and community orientated event will showcase student learning through project exhibitions and student presentations. We look forward to seeing our community at our highly anticipated event of the fall semester! Details about EOL will be sent to parent emails closer to the event date. 

Art Theatre Field Trip  

On Wednesday November 2nd, our students will be going to the Art Theatre in Long Beach for an all school field trip which is hosted by the Philosophy in Film class. Students will watch "The Truman Show" and engage in a discussion after the film. IVA Middle School 8th graders are also invited to attend this field trip to interact with our curriculum and students. A permission slip will be sent in the coming week.

EXP Young Fellows Program

Our community partner, EXP, is inviting 20 of our students to participate in their Young Fellows Program. YFP helps  connects high school-aged boys
of color to mentors who represent their own experiences, communities, and backgrounds. YFP Mentors and students tackle topics pertaining to academic/career planning,
soft skills, masculinity, race, mental health, and more. If your student is interested in signing up, please sign up with this link: YFP Program Sign Up

Enrollment Update

IVA High is currently enrolling students going into 9th through 12th grade for next school year!

There is an information session on Oct. 27th at 6:30pm on campus. We encourage IVA High families to invite interested families to this info session!  Please email info@academylongbeach.org to inquire about enrollment!