Two IMS Musicians Play in Junior High District Band!

Congratulations to eighth graders Kevin Fleischmann (oboe) and Phoebe Gorges (French horn) who represented Bethel Park in the PMEA Junior High District Band Concert, with BPHS ninth graders Bryan Deal (tuba) and Alex Kiselica (French horn).  The concert was held on March 6 at Jefferson Morgan Junior-Senior High School.

Congratulations, Mr. Staranko!

Congratulations to Special Education Teacher Scott Staranko, who received an Apple Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National State Teachers of the Year for his exceptional commitment to his students.

Students Create Special Mural for Cafeteria

This year, Ms. Coen's eighth period art class designed an extraordinary mural for the cafeteria.

Please click here to see photos of its creation and an explanation of the design process.

Congratulations, Aaron Coplan!

Congratulations to seventh grader Aaron Coplan, who won the IMS Spelling Bee and will represent his school at the Post Gazette Spelling Bee in March.  Good luck, Aaron!

IMS Singers Entertain at US Steel Building

The IMS Singers, under the direction of Mrs. Quinque, did a great job spreading some holiday cheer to the workers in the U.S. Steel Building, as they performed in the upper lobby during the holiday season.  Great job!

Please click here to see more photos of the performance.

Students Have Fun at Charity Carnival

IMS students had a great time at the annual Charity Carnival that raised $5,211 for Make-A-Wish.  Students had a chance to participate in a variety of activities, such as football toss, nerf fencing, cosmic golf, face painting, tattooing and the most popular activity this year--having your picture taken with a live eight-foot long boa constrictor! Additionally, the Christmas Dance raised $1,018 for Make-A-Wish and Student Council Members collected $400 at the Mall at Robinson on December 17, bringing the total for Make-A-Wish to $6,629--enough to grant to Wishes!  Thanks for your help!

Please click here to see more photos from this year's carnival!

BPHS Gene Team Members Visit IMS Science Classes

Members of the Bethel Park High School Gene Team--seniors Cameron Jones, Ainesh Ravi, Georgia Ott and junior Jill Lindberg--paid a visit to Mr. Geraud's and Mrs. Conklin's Science Classes to present a lesson on genetics.  The IMS students participated in a genetic card game, where they had to draw a face based on the genetic characteristics they determined via the card game.  They also had a chance to look at microscopic worms through high powered microscopes on loan from the University of Pittsburgh to determine if the gene that causes dumpiness in the worms was dominant or recessive.  All four BPHS students are interested in pursuing careers in science.  Cameron had the opportunity to work in Pitt research labs this past summer doing research as part of his membership on the Gene Team.  Ainesh spent the past two summers working in Pitt research labs, doing research on genomes and plant physiology.  The IMS students responded enthusiastically to the lesson and hopefully they'll return to IMS to teach a similar lesson when they get to the high school.  The Gene Team is run by the Department of Biological Sciences at Pitt and supported by a Science Education Partnership Award from the NCRR (NIH).

 Please click here to see photos from the lesson.

IMS Students Support Police Pals Food Drive

IMS Students, with the help of the Club Spirit students, enthusiastically support the annual Bethel Park Police Pals Food Drive, which benefits needy Bethel Park families at the holidays.  This year the eighth grade students on Team 8B really got behind the food drive, collecting over 1,600 items!  Students competed with one another in their reading classes, by period, with the students in Second Period bringing in over 311 items and winning the Period Challenge.  The students in Eighth Period collected $51 and gave it to classmate Michael Gronsky so his father could purchase the food from the Heinz Employee Store.  Thanks to everyone who supported this year's Food Drive.

Students Enjoy Pennsylvania Apples

Independence Middle School students had the opportunity to sample a variety of apples, including Red and Golden Delicious, Fuji and Braeburn, thanks to Dawson Farm, who brought the delicious varieties to the IMS cafeteria during the lunch periods on PA Preferred Apple Day.  Metz & Associates, the district's Food Service Provider supports local farmers and the farmers donated the apples for the students and staff to enjoy as a way of saying, "Thank you."

Please click here to see more photos.

IMS Students Send Sweets to the Troops

The Core Skills Improvement Students at IMS decided to send some sweet treats to American soldiers serving overseas.  The 20 CSI classes collected approximately 250 pounds of Halloween candy and made "thank you" posters for American servicemen and women to thank them for bravely defending our country's principles half-way around the world.  The students partnered with Mrs. Peggy Graeser, a volunteer with Operation Troop Appreciation, to make sure the candy travels safely to our soldiers.

Please click here to see more photos.

IMS Singers to Spread Some Holiday Cheer!

The Independence Singers will be performing holiday music in the community in December!  On Wednesday, December 2, the Singers will perform for Bethel Park Light Up Night, which will begin at 6:45 PM at the Bethel Park Community Center.  The Singers will also perform on Tuesday, December 22 at 11:45 AM at the US Steel Building, so if you're in the neighborhood, come out and support the students!

IMS Ringers to Perform at the Benedum!

Congratulations to the 21 7th and 8th graders who are part of the IMS Ringers, will perform at the Benedum Center before the December 20 performance of "The Nutcracker."  If you have tickets for the show, please make sure you come early to hear the performance!

Eighth Graders Make Videos of Their Lives

Eighth Grade Technology Education students in Mr. Richert's classes are learning how to make videos, including editing and adding a soundtrack.  Students are asked to bring in a minimum of 40 pictures to tell the story of their lives, in a project called "My Life."  It takes them approximately 3-1/2 weeks to complete the project, which includes a custom DVD case and cover.  The project ends with a large viewing party to see the finished products and celebrate their lives to date.

Students Check Out IMS!

IMS students and their families had the opportunity to walk through the school during School Visit Day on August 14.  The students were greeted by Principals Mr. Muench and Mr. Johnson and they had an opportunity to check out where their classes would be this year.  They also had a chance to purchase a school lock and parents could pick up PTSO information.

Please click here to see more photos from School Visit Day