October is iPrep's Busiest Month?!

By Sarah Zeleya, Senior

United Way Campaign--The Monster Event at iPrep
United Way is a non-profit organization that focuses on the education, income, and the health for children, families, and individuals. They strive to build a foundation for a strong and united community.

All throughout October, the SGA fundraises for United Way with student activities. The goal is for the students to have a fun time with their peers while raising money for a good cause.

iPrep's United Way Line Up:

10/1 - 11/2 Homeroom Classes Competition
Every Thursday the homeroom representative of each class is collecting donations for United Way. The homeroom that has raised the most money per student throughout the month of October will receive a food prize of pizza. However, it’s all about the most humanitarian homeroom, isn’t it?

10/15-Video Game Tournament
The event is for middle and high school to compete playing numerous games, like Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. To participate, a $5 donation gets you access to the competition/tournament!!

10/25 Hoop it Up- THE EVENT!
Hoop it Up! is now a tradition. The SGA sells tickets to compete in different activities: a basketball tournament, relay races, hula-hoop, apple bobbing, and pie eating-- all ignite the competitive spirit in the students. There are also baked goods on sale to munch on while watching these events.  All of the proceeds go to iPrep’s contribution to the United Way campaign.

October events you may have missed:

10/3 OneBlood Blood Drive (NHS)
The NHS teams up with OneBlood to allow students and teachers the opportunity to donate blood. Throughout the school year there will be a total of three blood drives in October, February, and May/June. OneBlood is also the only non-profit organization that Miami-Dade County Public Schools works with for blood donations.

10/8 Open House
Each year, a night is dedicated for parents to attend a “day at iPrep” to meet the teachers. The night runs as a 1-6 day, so parents get a glimpse into how the day of a life of an iPrep student operates. Many teachers share their experience and curriculum in order to foster a relationship with the parents.

10/10 PSAT
All students in grades 9 - 11 sat for the yearly PSAT.  The district paid for the 10th grade tests, while iPrep’s Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) paid for the 9th and 11th graders’ tests. The PSAT is a preliminary test to the actual SAT, which measures a student’s college readiness in mathematics, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Juniors are given the opportunity to qualify to multiple scholarship opportunities. The following are some that are offered: National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Hispanic Recognition Program, and 15 other scholarship programs.

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10/12 iPrep College Fair
Different representatives from colleges and universities set up in room 204. The 8th-12th grade students were given the opportunity learn about the schools that visited:

Nova Southeastern University
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade Honors College
New York Film Academy
Savannah State University
Lees-McRae College
FIDM
Full Sail University
Miami Dade College Medical Campus
University of New Haven

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College
Fashion Institute of Technology
Salem College
IE University
University of Miami
University of Florida
American University of Beruit
Grand Canyon University
Edward Waters College
Barry University

10/20 PTSA Harvest Festival
The PTSA organizes annual the Harvest Festival is an exciting day for families can celebrate the main harvest of the region. Pumpkins are sold to help celebrate Halloween, game booths are set up, and there is BBQ available to help create a fun day for everyone. Some of the main events added this year were an a teacher/administrator Dunk Tank and Fear Factor. The money that is generated from the festival goes back into school activities. In addition to the newly placed bike rack, there are plans to add a relaxing area with a garden and bench.

10/23 Red Ribbon Week
The Red Ribbon Campaign runs from October 23 through 31.  Their mission is to educate the community about the effects of drugs through drug prevention activities. It was created in honor of DEA Agent Enrique (Kiki) Camarena after he died horrifically trying to combat drug trafficking. His neighbors and friends started wearing red ribbons pinned to their shirts to honor him and his fight. Since then it has spread into a national cause that has educated millions of children and families.

Throughout the week iPrep will be participating in Red Ribbon Week with having their own Spirit Week.

Monday - Love Yourself: Wear red, pink, and/or hearts
Tuesday- Drugs are a Fashion Disaster: Forget the latest Fashion trends - mix and match and dress tacky
Wednesday - Voting for My Future to be Drug Free: Wear red, white, and blue. Sign our Drug Free Pledge
Thursday - Be a Sport. Say No to Drugs. - wear your favorite sports gear. Participate in Hoop It Up to support United Way!

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10/31 Annual Elementary Character Parade
Each elementary class chooses a theme, and they make parts of the costume in class in order to have 100% participation.

10/16, 11/13, 12/4 Kayak Field Trip

Coming up in November...

11/16 Miami Book Fair
The annual book fair held at Miami Dade College Wolfson campus features different authors and booths that introduces the public to interesting and new works. iPrep students are given the opportunity to attend an Q & A session with an author and their most recent novel.

11/30 Homecoming
Held by the SGA, the semi-formal event is going to be held in the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel for $60. It is fun filled night for everyone to get dressed up and dance along with their friends.