2025-01-30 Noticias de ISLA y ISLA PTO
Emily Smith
Integrating STEM through Yoga
Dates: February 3-March 24
Room: 248
Days: Mondays
Grades: K-2
Time: 3:50-5 pm
Capacity: 20
Cost: $210 "full price" $105 "reduced" $53 "free"
🌟 Join Our Yoga through STEM Program! 🌟
Get ready for yoga! This program is for kindergarten through 2nd. The class integrates yoga with academic subjects while maintaining traditional yoga practices. Each lesson is designed to build upon previous knowledge and creates meaningful connections between yoga and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) This course will be presented through The Minnesota Technology Network (MTN) and Sra. Maldonado. The MTN is a non-profit committed to innovation in technology, media, and the arts since 1984, collaborates with initiatives like Technitium.org to provide hands-on STEM learning and professional development.
Why Join?
- Interactive Learning: Each session connects yoga and STEM practices
- Friendship: Meet new friends and work together on exciting projects
Click here to register.
Remember to update PickUp Patrol.
ISLA School Board
Looking for a way to support the mission and shape the future of ISLA? Join the ISLA Board of Directors! The Election and Nominating Committee is seeking interested community members, teachers, parents, grandparents, and guardians to fill upcoming vacancies on the ISLA Board for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025. No previous board experience is required. There is a great interest in individuals with expertise in grant writing, finance, fundraising/development, marketing, and human resources, to name a few areas, but we welcome anyone who is dedicated and ready to support ISLA and its community.
The ISLA Board is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the school, implementing policies and procedures, and long-term strategic and financial planning. In addition, there are a number of different committees on which Board members serve. Click here for descriptions of the various committees. The Board meets in the evening on the second Tuesday of each month.
If you are interested in seeking a Board seat, please submit a Statement of Interest (available here) to the Election and Nominating Committee by Friday, February 7, 2025. Questions about Board service and the election process can be directed to Maggie Neuville, Chair of the Election and Nominating Committee, at mneuville@isla.school.
Sibling Enrollment
ISLA gives enrollment preference to siblings of currently enrolled students and children of staff. To get your child's sibling preference, you must still complete an online student application for your child. The deadline to be included in the lottery is 4 pm on Friday, February 14th.
Click here to complete an online application.
Yearbook Photos
We’re looking for ISLA community photos to use in the yearbook! Use the links below to share your photos with the yearbook team. If you need to sign up for the first time, our school code is 1016123740893948. Please reach out to hestrada@isla.school with any questions.
Buscamos fotos de la comunidad de ISLA para usar en el anuario. Usa los vínculos abajo para compartir tus fotos con el equipo del anuario. Si necesitan registrarse por primera vez, el código escolar es 1016123740893948. Por cualquier pregunta, se pueden conectar con hestrada@isla.school.
Art & Exploration | Arte y exploración
Aventuras Summer Camps
Parent Workshop Opportunity
Hello community partners!
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Caroline and I am the Community Engagement Coordinator at myHealth for Teens & Young Adults. I am reaching out today to inform you all of a great family education opportunity coming up in a few weeks.
On February 8 from 9am-12pm, we will be hosting “Growing Up! A Puberty Workshop” for caregivers and their kids ages 9-12 at myHealth in Hopkins. In this fun and informative workshop, we will do hands-on activities, practice communication, and work to strengthen family bonds, all while taking some of the mystery out of puberty.
I have attached a flyer with more information and the link/QR code for registration. Please share this with you school communities (via bulletin boards, school newsletters, etc.), partner organizations, friends…whomever might be interested in attending! We are doing our best to spread the word and I am hoping the power of our large combined network can get reach the parents who are searching for this kind of educational opportunity.
Thank you so much and please let me know if you have any questions.
Kindly,
Caroline
Caroline Hickey
Pronouns: she/hers
Community Engagement Coordinator
myHealth for Teens and Young Adults
Direct: (612) 492-1898
Staying well means staying well informed.
Fundraising Committee Corner:
Happy New Year ISLA! If you've walked by the library recently, you've likely seen our 2024-2025 school year fundraising thermometer! We just wanted to thank this amazing community for your generosity in already getting us to over $106,000 - we are 73% of the way to our goal for the school year and still have Obstajog employer matches rolling in! Check out the current status at givebutter.com/ISLA24.
We also wanted to share that we are excited to be partnering with Square1Art again this spring and will be launching that fundraiser in April! But in preparation - Sra. Maldonado will be working with all students over the next couple months to create some beautiful art! This week, a flyer will be coming home that encourages you to connect with your student and brainstorm ideas for this year's project. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with Sra. Maldonado or the Fundraising Committee!
GET YOUR NOMS!
Grab some delicious Butter Braids & Pizzas!! Click the link below (or scan the QR Code on the image) to register & you will be able to create a unique website for your student(s) to start taking orders from friends & family. You can create one website per family or one per child, whichever you prefer! 40% of sales will come back to ISLA PTO to support our Language Ambassador Program and student, teacher & community enrichment!
Register for online sales of butter braids & pizza here!
Talent Show:
February 27th
Details: ISLA Community Talent Show!
We are so excited to see our students, staff & families in the spotlight next month! Stay tuned for more info to come… And if you signed up to perform, check your emails!!
COUNT DOWN TO FIESTA…
— Early Bird pricing available NOW —
Prices go up on February 9th
We are closing in on ONE month until we have ISLA’s biggest celebration of the YEAR!! Check out the Fiesta website for details. This is our time to come together with other parents, caregivers and even to introduce our family & friends to all that is ISLA!! Our staff, the language ambassador program, the immersive educational experiences for our kids… And the COMMUNITY!
What can you do right now?!
Donate: Our auction items are already off to an AMAZING start, but we are so excited to learn more about our family’s talents and interests as donations continue to roll in!! Community Connections (Great Gatherings), gift baskets, gift cards or goods & services are all amazing donations!!
What is a Community Connection (previously called a Great Gathering)?!
They are ISLA community-hosted events where you plan a fun get together for kids only, parents only or families. You submit your ideas to the Fiesta Committee (via this form) and we sell tickets to your event– 100% of the proceeds go back to the ISLA PTO to support the Language Ambassador Program!!
Community Connections can be hosted on your own or with another ISLA friend or family!! These gatherings don’t need to be EXTRAVAGANT or overly spendy. They are meant to bring our kids, parents, LAs & staff together outside of the classroom and enjoy the wonderful humans we all have here!! Check out this wish list of ideas for a great place to start. But if you’ve got another vision, we would LOVE to see what ideas might be unique to you & your family!! Fill out this form with as many details as possible & we will reach out for further clarification as needed!
Please feel free to reach out to us (Jenner Moretto or Caitlin Edstrom) at Fiesta@isla.school with any questions!
Fiesta Quick Links
- View the Fiesta 2025 website here!
- Help us bring Fiesta together
- Donation Wish List / Ideas
- Click here if you are ready to submit your donation
- Learn how you can advertise your business while supporting the ISLA PTO
- Donation & Sponsorship Request Form
- Can be printed 2 pages/two-sided: Drop off at any local business you enjoy.
- A few Fiesta 2024 photos can be found here, but if you have ANY questions at all, please always feel free to reach out to fiesta@isla.school
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girl empowerment by building confidence, kindness and decision making skills.
Lottery opens February 1st for all 3rd-5th grade girls!
8-week program meeting on April 8th – starts right after school and pickup will be 5:15PM
https://www.gotrmn.org/3rd-5th-grade-program-details
Twins vs. Angels at Target Field - April 27
Details/RSVP: https://forms.gle/PC7aYjKnCAkNxvAm6
Huge shoutout to our Fiesta MC and all-things-Twins extraordinaire, Bob Sparkins for coordinating our second trip to see the Twins!! Don’t miss this opportunity for a really special experience for our kids, families, staff & friends!
LOST + FOUND ALERT – NEW CHANGES BELOW
The Lost + Found was cleared on January 27, 2025 after school. Don’t worry—no items are headed to donation yet! I’d like to share some important updates and plans moving forward. Please read carefully, as there are some new changes.
New Lost + Found Plan
Due to the frequent overflow of items (including today), we will occasionally perform Random Soft Clear-Outs before the scheduled Lost + Found Clear-Out date.
What is a Random Soft Clear-Out? • If the Lost + Found becomes too full, all items will be sorted for labels. • Labeled items will be returned to students within 1–2 weeks of the soft clear-out date. • Unlabeled items will be placed in black garbage bags dated clearly on the outside and placed on top of the Lost + Found cubby. • Parents/Caregivers: You may look through these bags at your convenience. • Please DO NOT add items to these bags, as they will not be rechecked for labels.
Important: Any items remaining in black garbage bags by the next official Lost + Found Clear-Out date will be donated following standard protocols. Larger unlabeled items may remain outside of bags due to space limitations.
El Nido Families
Effective (2/7/2025), El Nido’s Lost + Found will be combined with the main Lost + Found collection. Many of the items currently in the main Lost + Found are likely from El Nido students (based on observed sizes). Below is the El Nido’s Lost + Found photo from today after school.
Check It Out! Lost + Found photos taken today are attached below. Be sure to take a look and claim any missing items!
Save the Date! NEXT LOST + FOUND CLEAR-OUT:
- Friday, February 7, 2025
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Make sure to swing by before this date to check for any missing belongings!
What Happens to Unclaimed Items? Unclaimed unlabeled items will be donated to:
- The Uniform Exchange
- The Health Office
- The El Nido Extra Clothing Closet
- Other ISLA students
- Local charities
Label Your Items! To ensure items make their way back to their owners:
Use full first and last names (preferred). f space is tight, last name only works too.
Initials alone don’t count as a label.
Thank You for Your Teamwork! Your efforts to label belongings and keep the Lost + Found manageable are greatly appreciated. Together, we can keep our community organized!
Most recent pics & videos from 1.27.25 can be found here:
All past dated folders: Torti's Lost & Found
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)!
