760.952.1760


Elementary, Middle and High School News – November 2021

This article was last modified on January 26th, 2022.

Elementary News

Sight words, High-Frequency words, Fry words, Dolch words….You will often hear these terms in early literacy. What’s the difference, does it matter?

Sight words are words that can be instantly recognized. They often do not follow the rules of spelling, so they must be memorized, or learned by sight. They are often put into a list of most common sight words for new readers to learn/recognize quickly (does, come, who). High-Frequency words are commonly used words that are often recognized as a whole. They can be decodable (and, it, in) or be irregular (the, by, said). Fry words are a list of the most commonly used words in order of frequency. Dolch words are a list of frequently used words for early readers. Any of them can play an important role in early reading. You can find more information at sightwords.com.

Happy Reading – Mrs.L

All Elementary students are invited to join my Zoom meetings:
Tk-1st grade Monday – Friday 9:00-9:30
2nd&3rd grade Monday – Friday 9:30-10:00
4th & 5th grade Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00-10:30 instruction
Monday, Thursday, Friday 10:00-10:30 Open Q&A time.


Middle School News

The middle school students are off to a terrific start and we will guide them through the semester. Please look at the tutoring schedule in this Newsletter if your child needs assistance in any subject. We are so willing to assist. Our Principal also sends out the tutoring schedule daily to all the students in Edmentum. Please get into a habit of checking your Helendale email and your Edmentum messages daily.

Ms. Gjerde and Mr. Kast


High School News

Our Senior class this year is composed of a group of young people who are ready to step out into the real world and take their place as the next generation of dreamers, builders, and leaders. We have a few Seniors that are presently taking college classes in both Barstow and Victor Valley community colleges and a few who are preparing to join the military upon graduation. We are working closely with our Seniors in helping them with their ”Post Graduation Plans” as they prepare to transition into the real world of work and adulthood.

Many of our seniors have been with ICA since middle school, so it has been a real pleasure, and sometimes a real challenge to get to where they are now. We still have a lot of hard work to do, but together we will get there. We look forward to the last part of our shared journey as we get them across the graduation finish line.

Mr. Erb’s – Great Time for Gratitude

Most will tell you that November is the time of thanksgiving. While it is a good practice to be thankful in November, I want you to focus on being thankful for those who provide the very freedoms you enjoy each and every day. These would include military personnel, police, sheriffs, rangers, fire, paramedics, nurses and doctors, and border patrol. These heroes are there to ensure you NEVER have to think about them unless you are in need. They wake each and every day to serve you.

Thankfulness is the expression of showing gratitude for the generosity of others. Your parents feed, clothe, educate, and love you. Your teachers ensure your academic success. Your friends support and encourage you. Above all, the front-line workers are there to give you a safe world in which to learn and to grow. The best way to thank those who lay down their lives for you is to let them know you appreciate their willingness to serve.

While you are at home celebrating Thanksgiving later this month, many of those who are on the front lines will be working. Perhaps you and your family could stop by with a pie at a fire or police station. Maybe you could bring some cookies to the hospital for those working in the emergency room (ER). Even the elderly, who built our nation, often from the ground floor up, will sit alone waiting for someone to remember their sacrifices.

Thanksgiving is a time for more than reflection. True thankfulness is expressed in the acts of service that seek to bless and improve the lives of those who have blessed and improved your own life. It is a lost art in this generation, but one that you can restore. Just imagine the look on the faces of those you seek to thank this month. As Maya Angelou declares, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Make them feel the glow of your gratitude this month. Our world surely needs to feel some love this November!

Senior Pictures!

Any seniors interested in purchasing senior pictures can do so. The photographer we use is Gonzalez Photography. Aracely Gonzalez is the owner and her phone number is 760-694-2008. You can contact her to set up an appointment to get your sitting time and senior pictures completed.

Stay Up to Date!

Be sure to stay up to date with the latest news and events by subscribing to our monthly newsletter!