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Letter from the Director

In summer, the song sings itself.      William Carlos Williams

July 29th, 2022
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Queridas Familias, 

I hope this letter finds you doing well, and enjoying your summer so far.  At this time, I wanted to give you an update on teaching assignments and hiring for the 2022-2023 school year.  Every year, there are some changes in teaching assignments and in the teaching staff, and it can fluctuate even more so within immersion language and International Baccalaureate programming.  As always, we are sad to see these teachers go, but we understand that there are familial ties and other circumstances out of their control which have pulled them away. 

All of these teachers have contributed a great deal to promote our mission, and left their mark on ISLA: 

Second grade teacher Alfredo Fernandez reluctantly returned to Spain for personal reasons after 3 years of excellent teaching.  Desire Herrera in the SPED department did not want to leave either, but she also went back to Spain as her visa was not renewed this year.  After 6 years at ISLA teaching in the 3rd grade and in the RTI department, Marly Wood will be moving to a school much closer to her home.  Estela Alfaro, who came out of retirement last year to help us with a long term absence, will not be returning to ISLA. After three successful years at ISLA, 6th grade teacher Holly Seehafer is moving on to refocus her career objectives. Lastly, Alvaro Sanz from the RTI Department has elected to take the next year off to stay with his newborn daughter.

While we are of course saddened to see these great teachers go, we are also really excited about our new faculty and talented team this year.

Summary of grade changes and overall teaching assignments for the 2022-2023 School Year: 

All of these enthusiastic and experienced educators come highly recommended. They are driven and motivated to work within the context of inquiry in the International Baccalaureate, to continue to utilize their expertise in immersion education, and to become part of this incredible ISLA family.  We will have their background pages and biographies uploaded on the website very soon.   We are thrilled to welcome them to our team, and in the majority of the cases, to Minnesota.

As has been the custom, postcards with teacher assignments per grade will go out in mid August.  We are looking forward to seeing you all for the Meet the Teacher Open House on August 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.  This is an open house format, so please feel free to come and go anytime during that time frame, and bring any school supplies to lighten your load on the first day of school.  

For the rest of the summer, I would like to encourage ISLA families to read and write as much as possible. Any efforts in this regard can help prevent the very real phenomenon of summer reading loss, which can take away several months of reading achievement if there is extended inactivity in literacy. 

Atentamente, 

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Jeremy Perrin

The Spirit Store is Open!

The Spirit Store is now open through Friday, August 8t for delivery at Meet the Teacher the end of August. The Spirit Store will be open again at Meet the Teacher, this is to provide the opportunity for your student to wear their uniformed approved shirts the first week of school! This will be the final opening this school year! Please note, due to limited inventory in some colors/sizes, the store is updated to reflect what is currently available.

Click to order! https://isla-pto.square.site/

Did you know that the Spirit Store is a fundraiser for the PTO? Your purchase of uniform-approved shirts and sweatshirts will help support PTO sponsored events such as the back to school picnic, provide funds for classroom supplies and extra-curricular scholarships, and also supports the LA program.

Questions? Contact Sarah at spiritstore@isla.school.

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New School Hours

Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, ISLA will have new hours. ISLA's new bell times will be 9:00 am - 3:50 pm. Students may be dropped at ISLA from 8:45-8:55 am. Students should be in their classrooms ready to learn by 9:00 am. Students not dropped off by 8:55 am will need to go to the office.

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Dress Code

Allowed tops are solid color long or short sleeved shirts with a collar. Allowed colors are blue (any shade),hunter green, or white.

ISLA Se Habla Español shirts are also allowed tops. These are sold through the ISLA PTO  Spirit Store or handed down in the uniform exchange. Each grade level has an assigned color and all grades are allowed to wear black. Kinder is yellow, 1st grade is pastel blue, 2nd grade is green, 3rd grade is red, 4th grade is orange, 5th grade is purple, and 6th grade is tie dye.

Sweaters and sweatshirts are allowed. These can have hoods, zippers, buttons, etc. Allowed colors are blue (any shade), hunter green, or white. Approved sweatshirts are also available in the ISLA PTO Spirit Store and the uniform exchange.

Bottoms,dresses, and jumpers must be navy blue or tan. Jeans are not allowed. Other notes:

• Clothing should not have any graphics or text except for small logos/labels. The ISLA logo is allowed (not required) and is set up to be added to clothing purchased at Land’s End if desired.
• Long sleeve shirts of any color/pattern may be worn under the allowed tops.
• Leggings, tights, and shorts worn under dresses/jumpers, shorts, and skirts can be any color/pattern.
• Socks and shoes can be any color/pattern. Shoes must have closed toes and will be used for physical education classes.
• No inappropriate or offensive words or graphics are allowed on clothing or accessories at any time, including non-uniform days.

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