‍

‍

‍

Letter from the Director

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss

‍

Queridas Famílias:

Wow, what a great school year we have had! I am so proud of all the accomplishments students, parents, teachers, staff, LA’s, the PTO, the Board, volunteers, and the ISLA community have done together this year. From a record fundraising year from both ISLA and the PTO, to increasing our ISLA business lines enrollment including Aventuras, Summer Camp, and achieving full enrollment in El Nido PreK, to having for the first time four sections of kindergarten, to hosting the last sixth grade class in ISLA history, and nearly doubling all the final years’ regular activities such as the IB Exhibition, concerts and graduations-- as we graduated four kinder classes and 5th and 6th grade. 

Thanks to all the ISLA staff and faculty for your dedication and commitment to the excellence we provide at ISLA, as you have made all of these achievements possible even while we were missing key positions for part or all the school year: such as Dean of Students, Operations Manager, Social Workers and behavior support. This shows that we can do great things together.

Celebrations: Congratulations to our graduates in the four kinder classes this year and both 5th and 6th grade!  We know you will go on to excel in middle school and make ISLA proud!  Great job on your exhibition as well-- showed an understanding of the five essential elements of the International PYP—concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and action. Congratulations to our young musicians and to our music teacher Danyelo Rivera for our wonderful spring concerts this year.  

Goodbyes:  We are sad to say goodbye to our IB Coordinator and long-time 6th grade teacher, Sarah Ashby, who will be leaving after 13 years at ISLA--thank you for understanding and empowering our older students into achieving their best and bringing the IB program to a higher level.  We are equally sad to say goodbye to our beloved Nurse Tanya Nelson after 10 years of dedicated service to the physical, social and emotional health and wellness of our children, after a board decision to restructure the school nursing position. Also leaving ISLA is Thairys Rodriguez, our beloved Special Education Lead teacher and Coordinator, who has been with ISLA for 8 years showing us how to educate and nurture all students. We will also miss Ruth Garcia, Sped teacher, and Irene Martinez, 2nd grade teacher--who will both be going back to Spain after 2 years at ISLA. 

On behalf of all of us at ISLA, we want to thank you for everything you have done and for touching our lives and the lives of the children. 

As we head into summer, I would also like to give some reminders about summer literacy. 

Summer Literacy and Numeracy:   One study published in the American Educational Research Journal showed that kids can lose up to 40% of a school year’s learning over summer break. This is a very real phenomenon, often called the “Summer Slide,” or “Summer Learning Loss,” but this can be avoided with some basic intervention by parents. So what can be done?  Make weekly trips to your local library a part of your regular routine.  For our youngest scholars, take advantage of every chance you can to work literacy and numeracy into our daily chores, visits to the grocery store, etc.  In addition, remember that reading to your child does not need to stop when they are fluent readers--even in upper elementary grades.  Here are some Free websites for literacy and numeracy, including opportunities for exploring coding, social studies, and more. 

As you might have heard, educators are rethinking some of the previous literacy instruction, taking another look at the “science of reading”: NY Times--Science of Reading --and reinforcing what many teachers and parents have been saying about phonics and reading instruction for years. This has also been codified into law here in Minnesota, and will affect much of ISLA’s professional development, assessment, and instruction for years to come:  Read Act:  MDE Read Act Info

Enrollment link. It is important for ISLA’s planning purposes to make proper counts for the upcoming school year. Many of you have already filled out this survey, but here it is again just in case:    Enrollment Survey

Atentamente, 

Jeremy

‍

‍

Transportation Requests for the 2024-2025 School Year

It's that time of year to request transportation for your child for next fall. To guarantee a bus stop at the beginning of the school year, you must submit your request by June 7th. Click here to request busing.

‍

‍

PTO Highlights

What we include in Noticias is a highlight reel of current events. For the full spread of info, please utilize the PTO Website!

*LAST CHANCE* for Spirit Store

The Spirit Store will be available at the End of Year party and will be your last chance to stock up on uniform-approved items for next year– Take that off your to-do list now and you’ll thank yourself!! Don’t forget to grab a few stickers, too!!

Kudos to the Community

There are so many wonderful humans in the ISLA Community & we would really LOVE to give special shout-outs to those that deserve it!! Please check out this new page on the PTO Website to see these shoutouts!! If you’d like to share a positive experience you’ve had with a teacher, staff member, LA, parent, grandparent or even a student– Please complete this form (available in English & Spanish)!

‍

Aventuras 2024-2025 Registration

Aventuras registration for the 2024-2025 school year has opened. If you need before and/or after school care or non school day care for your child, please complete a registration form. Click here for the link.

‍

Back to School Supply Ordering

Great News! This year we will again be offering the SchoolKidz supply kit program which offers pre-packaged, school supply boxes filled with the exact custom items requested by your child’s teacher. Why fight the hassle of retail when there's a cost effective and convenient way of purchasing your back-to-school supplies?

NEW THIS YEAR: The back-to-school fees are included in the price of the kits! This includes: $15 for classroom party fund, $1.55 for red home folder, & $4.35 for an agenda (grades 3-5).  The only additional items your child will need are headphones, backpack, and water bottle.  Kits will be picked up at Meet the Teacher night before school starts.  

Simply place your order by June 19th

Order online at: www.shopttkits.com

Enter ISLA’s school account number: 28056

Questions? Email ptofundraising@isla.school

‍**This program is voluntary, you may still choose to purchase school supplies on your own.

‍

‍

*NEW*

Torti’s Lost & Found

HUGE shoutout to parent Laci Haviland for her attention to managing the Lost & Found. You can view the latest video update here!! Make sure you stop by & grab any of your items ASAP!

‍

Language Ambassador Updates

We have 5 confirmed Language Ambassadors for the 2024-2025 school year and are still finalizing more to join the school– To do so, we need more family involvement! We're excited to have a new way to be involved called "Ride Assistance". If you can't sign up for the time commitment to be a Host or Tio family, consider helping everyone a little bit by being one of the first people for them to call for a ride when needed. All questions can be asked to MK at islaLAprogram@gmail.com or by texting 612-867-9412. If you're interested, fill out this Google Form!

‍

‍

ISLA at the Twins Games!

There is still time to join up with some friends and serve concessions at a Twins game!! Each game that our group brings 10 volunteers to, the PTO will receive at least $1000 to support our school! Get more details and share your availability by filling out this volunteer survey ASAP.

‍

‍

Join the ISLA Community at some favorite local restaurants each month!!

Please keep an eye on the PTO Website for the full schedule which will be updated with Summer dates soon!

Tuesday 6/12 4–8pm
Davanni’s in Edina, 5124 Gus Young Ln

• • • Get involved • • •  

You can find more information on all of these topics on the PTO Website!

‍
Serve lunch

Click here to see available time slots!

Box Tops for Education
Get started!!

‍

Mabel’s Labels

Visit their website and search for International Spanish Language Academy

‍

Teacher Wishlists

Click here to view the full list of teachers broken down by grade! Please take a peek at these– Many teachers have updated theirs!!

Fiesta Updates

‍
The Fiesta Committee is looking ahead to 2025– Don’t forget to mark 3.15.25 on your calendars!

– Upcoming Great Gatherings –

‍
There are some tickets available for Great Gatherings that we will leave open until the event is held or they sell out! TIP: Use this link or sort the auction items on Givesmart by category to view only "AVAILABLE" items!

6/15 Summer Softball Social! Let’s start summer off with a day at Valley Park… Grilling, playground, baseball field, basketball court and more!! After we have lunch, we’ll have an ice cream bar with fun toppings! Open to all ages & grades– Price is per family!

6/22 Pool Party Calling all 1st-3rd graders!! Join Profe Edily, Bonyin & Tatiana (SPED) for a day of fun at the pool!! Lunch & a treat provided!

6/23 4th Grade Pool Party 4th Grade Friends get together and celebrate the Summer in the Murray family pool with snacks & beverages!

Questions? Reach out to Caitlin Edstrom on Facebook or via email at fiesta@isla.school

‍

‍

‍

Hopkins Royelles Youth Dance Clinic

Come dance with the Royelles Dance Team in August! Dancers of all abilities entering grades 1-6 are invited to join us for a week of dancing and fun and perform at Hopkins Varsity Football game.

WHEN: Monday, August 19- Friday, August 23; 10AM - 12PM

WHERE: Hopkins North Middle School StructureREGISTER by 8/5: https://forms.gle/tdBficAhjb8hbqV76 or hopkinsdance.orgCOST: $150

Pay by Venmo at @HopkinsRoyelles-DanceTeam (preferred) OR mail check payable to HRDT

Questions? Contact:
Amanda Hallberg @ 612-327-2280, amandakayhallberg@gmail.com
Stephani Hunter @ 314-402-5140, stephijo42@gmail.com

‍

‍