From the Principal's Desk

As we approach the new school year we should all be excited about Inman's prospect for continued excellence. Initial national and state test data for 2001 shows not only why Inman MS is a National School of Excellence, but demonstrates our continuous improvement year after year. The Inman staff does not live on their past accolades, and will be taking the school to the next level by adopting the reform initiative Core Knowledge and working hard to ensure the best for all students.

We are very fortunate to have been able to add excellent staff for the coming year. Ms. Millicent McCaskill who has an accomplished background in math/science will be teaching 6th grade science and 8th grade geometry. (This will be the first year that Inman has offered geometry on site.) Ms. Abbi Hurt comes to us with a wealth of experience from DeKalb County and will be teaching exploratory math. Ms. Michelle Frost, after spending two years teaching in the Peace Corps, will be a 6th grade math teacher. Ms. Brenna Bentley, who recently completed her student teaching at Inman while earning a M.Ed. from Agnes Scott College, will be a 7th grade language arts teacher. Ms. Arneesa Woods, our new band director, has already become involved by participating in a weeklong jazz workshop in Kentucky with several of our students. Ms. Heather Higginbotham from Georgia State University comes highly recommended to us as our new chorus director. Please welcome them to the Inman family.

It has been a privilege and pleasure to have the opportunity of being Inman's principal for the last four years. Inman's competent and dedicated staff, wonderfully supportive community, and great students have made my tenure here extremely rewarding and exciting. Therefore, I leave with mixed emotions as I face new challenges. I will truly miss the daily contact with the wonderful people I have become acquainted with these past years, but take comfort in my assurance that this school will continue to be at the pinnacle of success and one that I would want my child to attend. As an executive I will continue to support Inman MS and I am confident of its continuous strive for excellence.

From the PTA President

It's hard to believe that another school year is about to begin. As the days of summer vacation are winding down, the PTA Board is making plans for another hard working and successful year. We are lucky to have such a strong and enthusiastic board that will continue to support the teachers and students at Inman as we welcome a new principal.

On behalf of the Board, I invite each of you to become involved at Inman. With only three short years here, there's no time to lose! Whatever your talents, interest, or time, there are lots of ways to make a difference. Begin your involvement by joining the PTA. Our membership numbers were down last year, yet becoming a member of the PTA ($5) is the easiest way to show your commitment to Inman. You'll have opportunities at all the upcoming back to school events. Why not fill out the enclosed form and bring it to "Meet and Greet" on August 10? If you have any questions about how to become involved, please contact me at mrusche@aol.com or at 404-875-2976.

The PTA begins the year with its only major fundraiser - the Magazine Sale/Family Donation Campaign. We've set our goals high so that we can increase our financial commitment to the school to provide our students with the best educational opportunities. We hope you and your student will choose to support Inman through this campaign.

Here's to another great year at Inman.

Welcome 6th Graders to Inman Middle School!

We are so glad you're coming to Inman! Put that bathing suit in mothballs, and pull out your backpack because we have lots planned for you and your parents. Grab a calendar and make sure you don't miss the following 3 DATES:

Thursday, August 9 (6:30p)

Meet in the Auditorium to learn all about Inman: from lockers to language arts, band to basketball, and computers to clubs---we have all the answers. Especially to those "first day questions" like:

What's the difference between 6-1 and 6-2?
Where's the cafeteria?
What's the difference between the Core stuff and Exploratories?
Can I be a Cheerleader and be in Chess Club ?

Friday, August 10 (1:30-3:00p)

This is where you find out who your homeroom teacher is, what your schedule is and where to go when---don't miss it!

Friday, August 17 (6:00-8:00p)

Whether you like Destiny's Child, or Brittany Spears, O' Town or Motown, this is a dance just for YOU! 6th graders ONLY get a chance to dance, mix and mingle to kick off the best 6th grade class ever: be there!

Extracurricular Activities

Girl's Fast Pitch Softball

There will be a Girl's Fast-Pitch Softball team this year at Inman coached by Ms. 'Q' with assistance from Coach Black who will be coaching Grady's team. 'Fast-Pitch' is new to the middle schools and most of the high schools this year.

APS held a camp at Southside High this summer where coaches and players from the Agnes Scott softball team provided invaluable information on 'fast-pitch' skills. Inman had an excellent turn-out at camp and beat the heat to learn pitching, catching, fielding, and batting techniques.

All 7th and 8th grade girls who attended camp or are interested in playing should have a current physical and listen for announcements the first 2 weeks of school.

Football

Football is open to both boys and girls. Daily practice starts later in August. Contact Coach DeFreezer for more details.

Boy's Soccer

Parent's Meeting- August 16th (Thurs.) at 7:00pm in Media Center
Tryouts - August 21 (Tues) at 3:30pm on Inman Soccer Field

Tryouts are open to all 7th & 8th grade boys. Players must have shinguards and indoor or turf shoes. Cleats are to be worn during games but are not permitted for practice on Inman's fields.

Eighth grade teacher, Mr. Dorsey, will once again be coaching the Inman Boy's Soccer Team. Last year he led the team to the State Championship and he has high hopes for this year as well. You will notice a new look to the team this year. We will have beautiful new Umbro uniforms. This is due to the hard work of Mr. Chris Hutcherson, who negotiated pricing and ordered all of the uniforms. He also led fundraising efforts with last year's Soccer Teams to help pay for their uniforms. And of course our wonderful PTA stepped in to help. Thank you to everyone!

All boys trying out must have an Examination Permit Card signed from their doctor. These cards are available at your doctor's office. All other forms are available from Mr. Dorsey or at the Parent's Meeting.

If you have questions about the Soccer program:
Please contact Mr. Dorsey (coach) mrdorsey152@yahoo.com or thru the school office. or Sharon Dennehy (business manger) at sdennehy@mindspring.com

Music Program Update

Music happens all year round at Inman. This summer, Orchestra Director Vern Richardson held a one-week camp for 15 string players. Assisted by Stephanie Graef, the group learned technique, scales and a variety of repertoire, including tunes from the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof", a traditional spiritual, and a polka. They visited Baran's violin shop, watched the movie "Music from the Heart," and gave a concert July 6. Two days later, Jazz Band Director Rick Rodriguez and incoming Concert Band Director Arneesa Woods took three members of the Inman Jazz Band to a one-week workshop given in Louisville by the renowned jazz pedagogue Jamey Aebersold. The two adults went as students themselves (Rick on trombone, Arneesa on clarinet). Adults and kids studied ear training and theory, played in small ensembles, learned the art of improvisation, and heard concerts nightly. After 12-hour days of music, they came back transformed. All vowed to return to the camp next year.

Inman's popular music program is poised to grow even bigger and better this year with the addition of a new band director, a new chorus director, and more instructional time for the orchestra. Arneesa Woods, a native Atlantan, has been hired to direct Inman's three concert bands. She takes over for Rick Rodriguez, who is leaving Inman's family to spend more time raising his own. Rick has kindly agreed to stay on to direct the school's renowned jazz band for a year to help with the transition. Ms. Woods graduated in May with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She plays piano and clarinet. She did her student teaching at Webb Bridge Middle School and Frederick Douglass High School, and was admired at both places by students and teachers alike. Along with several other candidates, she conducted Inman's sixth-grade advanced band last spring and was the unanimous choice for the job. Welcome, Arneesa! Heather Higginbotham, an accomplished singer who has performed in everything from operas to the Super Bowl, will take over the choral program. She replaces Haroldeen McMullen, who has retired after a long career. Praised for her musicianship and great energy, Ms. Higganbotham gets rave reviews from the faculty at Georgia State University, where she studied, performed and taught voice. Under her direction, the singing opportunities at Inman are expected to grow considerably. Welcome, Heather!

Likewise, the orchestra program will expand under Dr. Vern Richardson, who moves from half-time to three-quarter-time this year. The change will give him an extra hour-plus per morning at Inman--enough time to add a much-needed class for beginning sixth grade string players. A man of a million dreams, Dr. Richardson also hopes to start a wind ensemble in collaboration with Ms. Woods; add wind and brass players to the orchestra; give more joint orchestral concerts with Mary Lin, Morningside and Grady; produce CDs featuring Inman's bands and orchestra; and take students on an overnight field trip to the Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Hiawassee, north Georgia, in early October. Wow! Welcome back, Vern!

Vern, Arneesa, Heather and the Inman Music Boosters invite everyone to hear more about our musical dreams for Inman's musical children this year at the PTA Open House, on September 6 at 6:30pm.

For questions or comments, e-mail Shepard Barbash of the Music Boosters at edjazz@mindspring.com

Dates to Remember

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sept. 12, for an important Council of Intown Neighborhoods and Schools (CINS) meeting. We'll open the traditional school year by meeting at Centennial Place Elementary, noon - 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served for $3.00. Each of our CINS' principals will speak about issues and goals for the coming year, giving us a full view of the Grady cluster for 01-02.

For directions to Centennial Place (531 Luckie St. NW, near Coca-Cola headquarters), call 404/853-4022. For more information about CINS, call Sarah Fedota, co-president, 404/874-6988; Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, co-president, 404/874-4913; or Ginny Connelly, Inman representative, 404/876-7470.

We look forward to seeing you there!

First Annual Family Blues and Barbeque Bash

Friday, October 5, 2001
5:30pm-8:00pm
At John Howell Park (across the street from Inman)
Bring a blanket, a beverage and a ball---there will be barbecue, blues, and volleyball. Come and see old friends, and plan to make new ones at this first annual family gathering!

Announcements

Special Thanks to Murphy's

Tom Murphy, who owns local restaurant Murphy's, appreciates the true value of responsible time management and the standards of education among today's youth. He has generously sponsored Inman's new agenda program. This program deals with the making and distribution of specialized Inman agendas, which each student is expected to buy for the 2001-2002 school year. The agendas will be sold at the School Store for $3.50, a discounted price thanks to Mr. Murphy's contribution. Teachers will work with and encourage all students to effectively use the agenda books, a skill that will build consistency and structure into their daily school routines, at home and in the classroom.

Inman Oasis Hits High Water Mark at SummerFest 2001

The Inman Oasis, our SummerFest booth that sold the coldest water and fruit juice on Virginia Avenue, was successful from every standpoint. Our fundraising was more than respectable, all our volunteers had a great time, and the last hours of the festival generated tales of epic proportion.

Our fundraising totals were not as high as in previous years because the amount of water we sell is directly proportional to how hot it is over the weekend. Temperatures in June, 2001, were milder than in previous years. On Sunday afternoon, the heavens broke open with torrential rain, lightening, and deafening thunder. What a team of volunteers we had during the storm. Soaked to the skin, they packed up beverages, pulled down decorations, loaded up the van, and literally saved the day. When I returned to the school, the alarm was screaming to beat the band. I went to the nearest policeman to call for help, and within a few minutes the fire department showed up to take charge. Inman took a direct lightning hit during the storm, and some electrical wires were fried. Thankfully, there had been no fire, and all systems were up and running the next day.

SummerFest was made possible by the SummerFest committee who collaborated to make this year's booth a sure-fire winner. Thanks go to Jane Modica, Deborah Strack, and Martha Rusche. They made sure that the volunteers were plentiful and showed up on time, the decorations were festive and distinctive, and the logistics ran as smoothly as a sewing machine. Thanks also to Mr. Doran, who made the school available to us all weekend, and to Mrs. Mary Jones, who graciously gave us access to the kitchen and its mighty refrigerators.

School Store Information

Open all school days
7:45 - 8:30
PTA Sponsored and Parent Operated

Have you seen the Inman School Store with all its new great things? The School Store is a convenient place to buy your school supplies. We stock most items on the classroom supply lists at below-market prices.

Sponsored by the PTA, our mission is to give Inman students an extra opportunity to be prepared for class. You can avoid special school supply trips by shopping here, and you can support the PTA, which receives the profits.

To the students: SHOP WITH US
To the parents: WANT TO WORK WITH US? IT'S FUN AND A GOOD CHANCE TO INTERACT WITH STUDENTS. CALL JAMIE MACK

Staying In Touch

Homework Help and Teacher Voice Mail

More ways to stay in touch: Homework Infoline: Hear recorded homework assignments Teacher Voicemail: Leave messages in teacher and staff mailboxes Look for detailed information in the September Insight.

September Insight

The deadline to submit articles for the September 2001 issue of the Insight is August 22. Please email completed articles to krkmail@mindspring.com, or place your articles in the Insight box in the office.

The Atlanta Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origins, disability, veteran status, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its activities. For additional information about non-discrimination provisions, please contact The Office of Internal Resolution; 2380 Peachtree Road NW; Atlanta, Georgia 30305; 404.350.2840 (VTT).

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