IC Imagine,
While the winter weather kept us on our toes at the start of 2025, we are wrapping up a wonderful January here at 110 Champion Way. There is always so much to share as we conclude one month and begin the next. In addition to highlighting some of the many successes we have seen, this Insider includes information about school closures/ make-up days, funding for IC Imagine, and enrollment, so I encourage you to read this newsletter in its entirety.
Our students have been actively engaged in their classrooms throughout the school. In lower and middle school, students will be taking mid-year assessments. This data will be used to inform instruction for the second half of the school year. In lower school, 3rd-5th graders are wrapping up Bring Your Family to Investments and have loved showing off what they are learning to their families. K-2 students will get this opportunity starting in late February. In Middle School, student-led conferences are next week and provide a great opportunity to learn more about what is happening in middle school students’ classrooms. In Upper School, students are wrapping up the remediation period for the second quarter. Students participating in Dual Enrollment with AB-Tech have just begun their second semester courses. Our Juniors will be working hard to prepare for the ACT in ELA and Math classes and this extra practice should help boost their confidence on March 13th when they take the exam. We are excited to celebrate with our seniors as they begin to receive their college acceptance letters. Six of our students have been accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill this week, two more were accepted at NC State, and so many more! We can’t wait to see what they all accomplish!!
Our students have also been busy outside of the classroom. Our basketball teams and cheerleading squads have been busy representing our school in the greater community. Kingfisher Athletics is preparing for the start of its spring season and is proud to announce the establishment of the Kingfishers Athletic Booster Club. The cast has been set for the Lower School Musical “Frozen”, chorus has performed and several middle and upper school students have earned well-deserved accolades as musicians and singers.
As we look ahead, we know the winter season can easily extend into March and April. In assessing lost instructional hours due to Helene, we have developed a plan for additional school closures should they arise. We are only planning to use two more Remote Days. After those are used, we will close school and make changes to our instructional calendar to recover the time. Depending on when these closures happen, we will make these changes in the order below.
February 14 Imagination Day becomes regular instructional day
February 7 TWD becomes school day
April 25 Imagination Day becomes regular instructional day
March TWD becomes school day
Memorial Day becomes school day
April TWD becomes school day
May TWD becomes school day
With regards to charter school funding, several families heard the local news earlier this month regarding the Buncombe County Commissioners decision to cut spending by 4% across the board and reached out to ask how that impacts IC Imagine. In short, we are directly affected. Asheville City Schools will lose approximately $700K in funding and Buncombe County School projects about $4M. And these losses mean less per pupil that we receive from these two school districts. We project this is a $185,000 loss in revenue to IC Imagine for this school year. Due to sound fiscal policy and conservative budgeting, we anticipate still operating with a balanced budget. We will be following this news closely as we prepare for the 25-26 school year.
And speaking of the 25-26 school year, enrollment season is in full swing, and we are actively engaging with prospective families and processing applications. Remember, our funding is directly related to our enrollment, so we consistently strive to have each of our seats filled when school begins in August. You, our families, are our greatest advertisers and marketers! More often than not we hear from people that they heard about IC Imagine through you. So, keep spreading the word about IC Imagine to your neighbors, friends, and colleagues and encourage them to apply for their children! All of our enrollment information and events can be found by clicking on the Future Families webpage.
Siblings of current students: If you have any siblings who will be enrolling next year, please remember to complete the enrollment application.
Intent to return for current students: In February, we will ask you, our current families, to complete the Intent to Return. This will be done within Infinite Campus so be sure you can log into your Infinite Campus account. More information to come soon.
New families: Should complete the online application.
Remember, there is no school for students next Friday, February 7th due to the scheduled Teacher Work Day.
Warmly,
Jenn Townley