April 2016 Newsletter

Intensive Week Fun
Our students as always had fun and great learning experiences during our last intensive week.  Congratulations to the 8th grade students who gave presentations to the parents to explain and showcase their innovative ideas.

IPF Officer Nominations

Much thanks to the officers who are serving this year: Anne York, Chairperson; Jim Ferguson, Vice Chair of Fundraising; Jenn Vinkler, Vice Chair of Family and Social Activities; Heather Mauzy and Darrell Taylor as co-treasurers, and Amy Clark as Secretary. While some current officers may continue to serve next year, we do want to open the nominations for all officer positions to all parents who are interested in serving.  Our Nominations Committee is chaired by Anne York along with parents Rebekah Anderson and Jenni Jordan.  If you are interested in serving or want to recommend someone for a nomination, please talk to Rebekah or Jenni before April 30.  We will have an IPF General Meeting in May to vote on the new officers who will serve next year.

All parents of currently enrolled students are members of the Iron Parent Fellowship.  The mission of the IPF is to:      

• Pray for Iron Academy in its role to assist parents as they train their sons in biblical manhood and in becoming gentlemen scholars.
• Provide funding and volunteer time to support academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities.
• Cultivate a welcoming and friendly culture among enrolled families, prospective families, and faculty and staff. 

To be eligible to serve as an officer of the Executive Committee, the nominee must meet these criteria: should be an eligible member as described in Article III (a parent of a currently enrolled student), must be current in paying tuition invoices, has given consent to serve if elected, has the qualities of spiritual maturity, has demonstrated support for the success of Iron Academy, is in agreement with the philosophy, doctrine, and administrative structure of Iron Academy, and has paid the re-enrollment fee by the deadline established by school administration.

We do hope that fathers would be willing to serve as officers.  The Executive Committee meetings are held at most once per quarter and in the evening at a time that fits everyone's schedule.  We are also able to hold online meetings.  We understand that everyone has a full plate with juggling work and family, but we do hope that several parents would be willing to take on these leadership roles that are so vital to providing extra funds and activities for our students.  The IPF Committee tab above has the full Committee Guidelines that established and guides the actions of the IPF and includes descriptions of each officer position.  We operate under the umbrella of IA's nonprofit status and we are a Committee under the Board of Governors.  

Golf Update
The JV team played in a tournament on March 24.  Congratulations to Caleb Stroup who was a co-medalist as he tied for first individually and to the IA team as they finished 3rd out of 4 teams in our first ever tournament!  

Golf team coaches and players Noah Kirby, Kyle Hector and Caleb Stroup

Debate Team Update
Congratulations to the team of Ian Taylor and Jordan Chaulk who won the intramural tournament in March!

Lacrosse Team Update
Many thanks to parent Tod Manning for coaching our young men!  Starting on April 12, practices will be from 3:30-5:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

News from Mr. Hahn
As I recently shared by email, we are excited to start implementing a new student-directed Honor Code Hierarchy that will take full effect next year.  This new system will place most of the responsibility for building upon our Honor Code culture on the young men - where it should be.  We were inspired by an example at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey that was featured on 60 Minutes.  The student-directed leadership structure will build our students into better leaders, more self-disciplined young men, and disciples better equipped to serve others.  Students will be placed in leadership positions over their chore teams, tribal teams, and school teams.  As with St. Benedict's young men, iron will sharpen iron, brother will build brother, and the feeling of "what hurts my brother, hurts me" will permeate Iron Academy.

Arts of the Swordsmen Update
IA Parent and our AOTS Director, Travis Kiker, is very pleased with the efforts and talents of the students who are performing this year.  As with last year, it will be an exciting night of fun on May 6!  We will also recognize our outstanding scholars and athletes that evening.  There are a lot of items to purchase to put on this production and to help offset that, we do want to sell ads in the Playbill.  See an email message that was sent on March 30 for the details on the benefits that the sponsor receives.  Please send an email to IPF@ironacademy.org if you would like to advertise your business or can recommend a business for us to contact.  Tickets for the event will be $5 per person.

Yearbook Order
We are using a new yearbook company this year, Treering.  You order your yearbook and pay online to them.  The price of the yearbook is $39.93. One benefit of using Treering is that each student is also able to have TWO PERSONALIZED PAGES that will only appear in his yearbook.  What a great way to also remember other family events that took place during the school year or personal photos of school activities!  Click on the YEARBOOK tab above, under the page banner, for more details on how to order the yearbook. So that photos and activities of the entire school year can be in the yearbook, we will work on finishing page layouts and photo selection during June, submit the yearbook for publishing in July, and it will be shipped in bulk to the school in August and distributed to our students on the first day of classes.

Sword Photos

Last call if you would like to order a photo of your son with the IA sword!  Contact Mr. Anderson if you need another order form and directions to view your son's photos.  The last order date is April 22. We are so privileged to have Mr. Anderson's photography skills to create these majestic photos to commemorate our son's noble journey in pursuit of biblical manhood. The majority of your purchase amount will be donated to the school.  Photos are in color or can be adjusted for black and white.  

New Blog for Biblical Manhood
A blog about biblical manhood has been started on the IA website and is being managed by parent Rob Wald.  The first post is now available http://www.ironacademy.org/i-am-iron-blog/.  Various authors will post twice per month.  Keep an eye on this blog for interesting information to share about biblical manhood.  

Upcoming Events in April
Every Friday from 7:50-8:30 am - Parent Prayer meeting.  Please join us whenever you are available!
5th: Golf tournament 
12th: Golf tournament
12th: Kamado Grille Spirit Night
13th: Father's Breakfast at 7:30 am
19th: Please pray for our Stakeholder Celebration Fundraising Event at 7:00 pm!  Please contact Jenni Jordan or Natalie Taylor if you know of individuals who who be interested in aligning with IA to support our school or if you would be able to volunteer at the event. 
21st: Golf tournament 
Reminder:  Monday May 2 is a Staff Planning Day - No school for students but a dress rehearsal day for AOTS.