(January 2012)   Josh Forbes, an 8^thgrade student at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (IHM), was recently named a Davidson Scholar.   

To become a Davidson Scholar a student must score in the 99.9^thpercentile on a qualified talent and/or IQ standardized test.  In addition, a portfolio of work demonstrating the student’s performance two to three grade levels above his/her peers may also be required. 

Philanthropists Bob and Jan Davidson founded the Davidson Scholar Program in 1999 to recognize, nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people and to provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference. 

As a scholar Josh has been given a personal consultant who will provide support services in the areas of educational advocacy, talent and interest development, as well as peer connections all over the country and throughout the world.  There is also the possibility of financial assistance to help meet his educational goals. 

Josh is a member of the IHM math team, writing club, student council, Pride of the Eagles Band, and basketball team.  He also plays football for the St. Pius X Middle School Team and plays the alto and tenor saxophone for the St. Pius Middle School Honors Band.  He participates in Boy Scouts, Duke TIP, and the Mensa Society.  He volunteers weekly at Holy Cross Church for the children’s liturgy.  

Josh has several ideas for his future profession.  Ideally he is aiming to become an astrophysicist but he has also expressed interest in becoming an architect or an attorney like his father.

(January 2012)  Congratulations to Middle School Teacher, Haydee Vader, who was recently named the Employee of the Year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (IHM).  Mrs. Vader has worked at IHM for 20 years having taught Physical Education, 5^thGrade, and middle school Science, Religion and Math.  She is the advisor to the Yearbook Staff and the National Junior Honor Society and serves on the Calendar, Discipline, and Graduation Committees as well as the Faculty/Staff Advisory Board.  Currently she is the Middle School Coordinator and has been instrumental in the success of the new 8^thGrade iPad/NetText Program which replaces textbooks with iPads.  Mrs. Vader will be honored at the Atlanta Archdiocesan Education Banquet in February. 

(October 2011) The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation selected Ariel Kim, an 8^th grade student at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, as a 2011 Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar.

More than 1,000 high achieving 7^th grade students nationwide applied for this scholarship and Ariel was notified of her acceptance as one of 50 this week.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarships are designed to encourage and support outstanding students from 7th grade through graduate school who have a breadth of interests, work hard, demonstrate a strong will to succeed, and have financial need. Their scholars come from 48 states, plus the District of Columbia, and 38 countries.

As a Young Scholar, Miss Kim will receive academic advising and financial support for opportunities to develop her gifts and talents.  This support will begin during her high school career with possibilities of eligibility for college scholarships on through to her doctorial degree. 

Ariel is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, student council, safety patrol, Math Team, IHM Pride of the Eagles Band, and IHM Eagles Basketball Team. She also participates in Duke TIP and the Johns Hopkins CTY Program.  She plays the oboe in the GMEA District Honor Band as well.  As a 7^th grader, Ariel scored a 2140 on the SAT.

Mrs. Haydee Vader, one of Ariel’s middle school teachers at IHM, describes her  as a student that finds joy in the act of learning and is not engrossed with attaining an “A” on all of her assignments.  “It is truly the combination of Ariel’s many talents and her character traits that make me believe her potential in life is limitless.  I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the future” states Mrs. LaFreniere, another one of her teachers.

Miss Kim hopes to one day help children with learning disabilities both as a teacher and a therapist.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation was funded by donations by the late owner of the Washington Redskins.

(November 2011) Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School hosted a Veterans Day Celebration honoring all active and retired military personnel. The event included a special assembly and reception where 2nd grade students paid tribute to the veterans by singing patriotic songs. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo attended. A special birthday song was sung to Mr. Roy Doepelheur who served in the 34th Infantry as an Army Private 1st Class during WWII.

Veterans Day has been a special celebration at IHM for eleven years.

(December 2011)  Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM) invites all prospective K-7 students and their parents to attend Open House on Sunday, January 22, from 3:00-5:00 pm.  A special presentation at 3:15 pm will provide an overview of IHM from both the administrative and student perspective.  Come enjoy this opportunity to meet teachers and administrators, tour the campus, and learn why IHM is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.