Dear IVMS Elementary Families,

    This is my first real opportunity to communicate with you all.  I wanted to thank you for your support during the first months of this school year.  This is my fifth year at IVMS so I have had the opportunity to watch these students grow from the early years to be the present mature citizens who inhabit our campus. 

Changes to Room 1

    We are losing one of our educators in Room 1, Ms Karmelah will not be with us for the remainder of the school year due to several extenuating health issues.  Ms Karmelah has been a member of our staff since 2005 and we will certainly miss her warmth and kindness.

Population decrease

    The state of Florida is experiencing the phenomenon of decreasing growth for the first time in modern history.  This phenomenon has trickled down to the public school system, which includes IVMS.  We are experiencing lower student numbers than we predicted at the end of last year and are taking appropriate measures.  We will be redistributing the smallest of our K -1 learning environments.  Melanie Smith, the educator from Room  #4, will be joining Ms Michelle in Room # 1 in Karmelah’s absence. The students from Ms Melanie’s room will be absorbed by other educators for a smooth transition.

This is the breakdown of educators and classrooms:

Room # 1         Ms Melanie and Ms Michelle
Room # 2         Ms Fatma and Ms Jenny
Room # 3         Ms Yolanda and Ms Shelia
Room # 4         Music room
Room # 5         Ms Valerie and Ms Nancy
Room # 6         Ms Monique and Ms Stephanie (baby due in late Nov.)
Room # 7         Ms Myrna and Ms Dana
Room # 8         Ms Leah and Mr. Jason
Room # 9         Ms Fran and Ms Rebecca
Room # 19       Ms Lucy, Ms Stephanie, Mr. Vincent, and Ms Kasey

New Educators

    We have hired two educators for our lower elementary school. Vincent Pagniucci is a recent graduate of the Ringling School of Art and a tremendously talented artist himself.  Our children enjoy Mr. Vincent’s special brand of teaching art during afternoon specials.  Jason Hunter is our most recent hire and we are certainly blessed to have someone of Mr. Jason’s caliber and experience joining our staff.  Jason has been with the YMCA in a supervisory position for several years and comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to learn about Montessori education.  He is married and has a young daughter named Faith. 

Breakfast

    Research has shown that everyone functions on a higher level when they eat breakfast.  Please make time to feed your children before they come to school.

The Team Approach

    Here at Island Village, we believe that the power is in the team.  We brainstorm with our colleagues and have problem solving strategy sessions on an ongoing basis.  We share “what works” with each other.  I just wanted to assure you that your children are being educated by some of the finest educators anywhere and we are proudly serving the needs of this community.

If you have any question, please contact me at elainepalmore@islandvillage.org

Thank you from your principal,

Elaine M. Palmore