2025-04-17 Noticias de ISLA y ISLA PTO
Emily Smith
Fundraising Committee Corner
ISLA students are excited to show off a project they worked on with Sra. Maldonado in art class this March!
On Friday, students will bring home a flyer with more details on how to view and order their Square1Art in the form of a memorable keepsake! With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day around the corner, what better way to get the special people in your student’s life something personal! Or perhaps consider an end of year gift for your student’s teachers or LAs?
Additionally, this program serves as a fantastic fundraiser where getting one-of-a-kind gifts also helps your student’s school. If we reach 45% school-wide participation we will all celebrate together with a school-wide popcorn party!
- Search for your child’s artwork on the website.
- School: ISLA International Academy (EDINA)
- Search by your student’s first or last name (note - a few students did not submit artwork due to absences - if you are unable to find your student’s artwork, you can upload a picture of another piece of artwork).
- Add your student’s art to your account by clicking the blue ADD TO MY ART button.
- Click the red SHOP NOW button and find something special for a loved one.
- To add additional student artwork, click on ‘Art Search’ after hitting the ‘Shop Now’ button.
- To add your own student artwork, click on ‘Upload.”
Orders must be completed by Monday, May 12th to count towards the fundraiser. Please email the fundraising committee at fundraising@isla.school if you have any questions.
**Special thanks to La Brigada de los Abuelos - Several abuelo volunteers spent many hours supporting students and Sra. Maldonado with this project!**
**A generous donor has offered to purchase an item for any family interested in participating who may not have the funds. To inquire, please email Lisa Wittig with the student’s name, teacher, and item of interest, and more information will be shared.**
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UPCOMING BOARD ELECTION
ISLA will hold its annual school board election May 9 - May 12, 2025. Voting will be conducted online using Election Buddy or in person at the ISLA office. More information about how to vote will be provided in April. A sample ballot can be found on the ISLA website, and biographies of the candidates will be coming soon! Board Candidates
Yearbook Orders
It's time to purchase YEARBOOKS! ¡Ya es tiempo de comprar el ANUARIO!
THE WINDOW CLOSES MAY 2 - PURCHASE NOW SO YOU DON'T FORGET!
Order your yearbook HERE today! Compre su anuario AQUÍ hoy!
**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.
ISLA STEM Science, Book or Carnival Fair
Families, you can help ISLA fundraising, enjoy a parents' night out, and provide a fun Code Ninjas STEM experience for your child! 50% of proceeds go to ISLA! You can sign up for May 10's Code Ninja event at: https://cn.mystudio.io/e/?=CNMNED/325/229307//1744134963
Exciting Student Competitions Coming Up for 4th & 5th Grade!
We’re thrilled to share two fun opportunities for students to challenge themselves and showcase their skills!
Typing Competition
Students are invited to participate in a school-wide typing competition on May 22nd!
Leading up to the event, students can practice using Typing Club through Clever. Encourage your child to practice using all their fingers for the best results.
- On May 22, students will type a given text. Winners are determined by speed and accuracy.
- Prizes include medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each grade, and an awesome gaming keyboard and mouse for the fastest student in the school!
Spelling Bee
The classroom spelling test will take place sometime during the week of May 6–10. Each class will select the two top students to represent their class in the final Spelling Bee.
- Students will receive a practice list of 100 grade-level words to study soon. These words may appear on the test, so reviewing them is encouraged!
- The top student from each class will move on to the school-wide competition on Friday, May 9 at 1:30 PM.
Let’s cheer on our amazing spellers and typists as they prepare to shine!
Teatro de Torti
We have exciting news Teatro de Torti is back! This parent led extracurricular will come back with 3 camps this summer:
Morning - 1-week camps:
- July 28 - August 1 - 9:00 - 12:00
- entering kinder to entering 6th grade
- Cuentistas will read well-known favorites in Spanish and English and work together using their voice and body to bring those stories to life! While in camp they’ll develop their storytelling toolbox and learn how to be great audience members when watching others perform.
- August 4 - August 8 - 9:00 - 12:00
- entering 2nd to entering 6th
- Ease on Down the Road with the Teatro de Torti team as we follow our hearts Somewhere Over the Rainbow and learn what it means to be Dancing through Life. In this jam packed, OZ themed week we look at the different storytelling of OZ, the musicals that have been inspired by it, and remember the lessons it taught us is the true MAGIC of oz.
Afternoon - 2-week camps:
Martina y Perez: A Bilingual Tale
- July 28 - August 8 - 12:30 - 16:30
- entering kinder to entering 6th grade
- In this short, bilingual children’s musical from Bad Wolf Press campers will learn how to sing, act, dance, while also learning about costumes, props, and set design. In our final day performers will get to show off their results and conclude with a FREE public performance at Centennial Lakes Amphitheater 8/8 @ 16:00!
Sign up today on this Google form!
https://forms.gle/wqfQ6GYN1rCap5Wc6
Spanish Immersion Soccer Camp
Hello,
I hope you're doing well! I'm reaching out because we're hosting a Spanish Immersion Soccer Camp at Tonka United, in June, at Hopkins Pavillion. Open to kids in Kindergarten to 8th grade.
We would love your help in getting the word out to families who might be interested. We understand if this is not permitted, or if we need to follow a different process. Please let us know if you can help promote this Camp, or any steps we must follow to do so.
This unique camp blends the love of soccer with immersive Spanish learning, led by Adolfo Bonilla. We will only have fluent Spanish-speaking coaches running the Camp. Just like in a language classroom, our coaches will encourage players to communicate in Spanish while having fun on the field. It’s a fantastic way for kids to build confidence in a new language while staying active!
Whether it's a quick mention in a newsletter, a flyer on a bulletin board, or a shoutout on social media, we’d greatly appreciate any support! We have in the past also worked with schools to run "gym", "recess", or "after-school" sessions in partnership.
You can find all the camp details here: Spanish Immersion Soccer Camp.
SAVE THE DATE - ISLA CAMPOUT!
Hey ISLA Community,
Some ISLA parents have been talking about doing a joint camping excursion and we are looking to make it happen this spring! This is an optional activity for those who like to camp and spend time outdoors - you will need to supply your own tent. Join us to hike, play volleyball, frisbee, s'mores, and more with other ISLA families. Due to site limitations, registration will be limited to the first 30 families. Everyone would be responsible for their own food and drinks but also encouraged to bring something to share.
ISLA Campout Sign Up - May 3rd-4th
Where: Baker Park Reserve Katrina 1 & 2 Group Camp Sites
When: Saturday, May 3rd 3pm to Sunday, May 4th 11AM
Who: First 30 families to sign up
Cost: Requested donation of $20/family - ISLA Campout Donation - Write "Campout" in the Note/Comment section.
Questions: Jonathan Wittig - jonathan.wittig@gmail.com
APRIL COMMUNITY MEETING SUCCESS!!
We had our biggest yet community PTO Meeting last night– Thank you to everyone that attended as we shared out some PTO initiatives & results from the 2024-2025 school year and looked ahead at what’s to come for the remainder of this year… Along with some big plans moving into 25-26 at ISLA!! You can view the presentation online at Canva here, via thelink!! I have also added the recorded meeting & presentation to our Google Drive. Please reach out to ptochair@isla.school or ptosecretary@isla.school with any questions. We are so grateful for your attendance & support and we are looking forward to celebrating the end of the year and the start of a new year. The slides linked above also include information about a new way of engaging parents & volunteers at ISLA called Grade Groups– Keep an eye out for additional information to be shared out in the coming weeks!
FIESTA 25 TOTALS– WE DID IT! WE HIT 100K!!
We have officially hit a six-figure total for Fiesta 2025!! That marks 2025 as ISLA’s most successful year ever!! THANK YOU!!!! To our families, staff and teachers that have hosted, attended Community Connections, to Profe Lina for coordinating the amazing staff dance and to our LAs for their fun performance, too!! What an absolutely AMAZING achieve
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AVAILABLE
The links below should lead you directly to the listed event, but if the website is giving you any issues, you can follow the instructions shown on the image below. The main website is fiesta25.givesmart.com
Please reach out to Caitlin Edstrom or fiesta@isla.school with any questions.
ISLA ICE SKATE PARTY– TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER!!
Saturday April 19th, 9:15-10:45am
Where: Richfield Ice Rink
Who: ISLA Students in grades 2-5 // roughly ages 8-12
Full details & tickets via this link!
INTRO TO VOLLEYBALL
Friday, May 2nd @4pm
Where: ISLA Gym
Who: ISLA Students grade 3-5
Full details & tickets via this link!
AI WORKSHOP: NEW DATE
Thursday, May 8th 2-3:30pm
Where: ISLA Flex Room
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
BOW-MAKING CLASS
Friday, May 9th 4:30pm
Where: ISLA
Who: ISLA Kinder - 2nd graders
Full details & tickets via this link!
MINNEHAHA FALLS ADVENTURE
Saturday May 17th, 2-4:30
Where: Minnehaha Falls
Who: ISLA Students in grades 3-5
Full details & tickets via this link!
LAKE HARRIET PICNIC & RIDE
Saturday, May 17th
Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell
Who: ISLA 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders
Full details & tickets via this link!
2ND GRADE POOL PARTY
Saturday, June 7th 10am-12pm
Where: Oak Ridge Pool
Who: 2nd Grade Students
Full details & tickets via this link!
4TH GRADE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, June 13th 8:30-10:30 (due to sunset time)
Where: Van Epps Family Home in Plymouth
Who: ISLA Students in 4th grade
Full details & tickets via this link!
5TH GRADE POOL PARTY!
Saturday June 21st 1-4pm
Where: Murray Family Home in Hopkins
Who: ISLA Students in 5th grade!
Full details & tickets via this link!
MOM’S POOLSIDE ESCAPE
Saturday, July 19th
Where: Kregel Home in Bloomington
Who: ISLA Moms
Full details & tickets via this link!
2ND ANNUAL SUMMER SOCIAL
Saturday, July 26th 11-2
Where: Valley Park in Hopkins
Who: ISLA Families!
Full details & tickets via this link!
PRIVATE YOGA & POOL TIME
Date is TBD with guests
Where: The Fred in Edina
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
MINNEHAHA FALLS SCAVENGER HUNT
Date is TBD by the winners
Where: Minnehaha Falls
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
ISLA WINE PARTY
Date is TBD by the winners
Where: Total Wine & More (Chanhassen)
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
SATURDAY!
Help us beautify the school ahead of Kinder Roundups next Monday & Wednesday as we welcome 100 students & their families!!
LET’S ALL GIVE OUR amazingly talented SpEd Teacher, Jessica DeLapp a HUGE THANK YOU… A high-five, a hug, a gift card, a handwritten note…
What an absolutely stunning gift she has given our school for years & years to come with this mural painted on the wall inside the front entrance to ISLA. Last night before the PTO Meeting, a group of 5th graders were assisting her in adding more detail & color. WOW!!! We are so lucky to have such talent within our school! This will definitely provide a warm & wonderful welcome to our new families next week!
THANK YOU JESSICA!!!
Kinder Orientation
Monday 4/21 & Wednesday 4/23 at 6pm ISLA will be welcoming our incoming Kinder families as our youngest students begin their ISLA adventure. If any adult or children would like to come support the PTO & school welcome these new families, please email ThereseSparby@gmail.com
ISLA NEEDS YOUR HELP WITH BENCHMARK TESTING!
Please view the below signup genius links and find a date & time that works for you!! You will also find further information about the type of assessment & support for that day on the link!
Questions? Please connect with Craig Noles: cnoles@isla.school
OFFER UP YOUR UNIQUE IDEAS
HUGE shout-out to ISLA parent Bri Fleetham Broman for making and decorating these adorable cookies for our staff in celebration of St. Patrick's Day (gluten free options included)!
We definitely are lucky to have the teachers we do balancing an IB education + language skills is no small undertaking. But we are also lucky to have parents like Bri and her husband Joe that ensure public charter schools like ours THRIVE!!
Thank you for starting the staff's week off on such a positive note. I saw so many smiles and joyful reactions as teachers saw their treats!
Have an idea like this you'd like to do for our staff or kids?
It is always welcomed and encouraged to do so! If you have questions on how to go about coordinating something, reach out to Caitlin Edstrom at ptosecretary@isla.school
SAVE THE DATES
Sunday 4.27.25 @1:10pm: ISLA at the Twins!
If you missed the deadline to express your interest in attending, please connect with ISLA Parent & Twins mega-fan, Bob Sparkins at bobtheteacher@gmail.com to see if there is still a possibility to attend!
Let’s make our section at the Twins Game a SEA OF ISLA gear!!!
We have a limited number of shirts with the ISLA logo ONLY (ie they don’t have ‘se habla espanol’ printed on them if you don’t speak spanish) + trucker hats!
Orders due via the form by Friday 4/18 for ISLA x Twins Game Day!
Thursday 5.15.25: ISLA at LA Doña
We are so excited to return to La Doña for a fun night of connecting with new & old friends while enjoying some delicious food & drink. Mark your calendar & get ready for fun as this will also be Sr Izquierdo’s going away party!! Please come show him some love before his departure from ISLA. https://dameladona.com/
Thursday 10.02.25: 2nd annual ISLA Takeover at Great Wolf Lodge
Use Code: 2510ISLA
- $90 Room Rates !
- Resort Fee Reduced – From $34.99 down to just $9.99
- Parking Discount – Reduced from $15 to only $5
- Complimentary Group Cabana
- Reserved for us both Thursday and Friday
- 6 wristbands per room, no questions asked!
- LAs Included! – Two rooms provided for our LAs to join in the excitement with the ISLA community!
Cabana-Banquet on Thursday Evening!
Cost: $20 per person ($60 max per family) – This helps us meet our food & beverage minimum while covering tax and gratuities!
LA UPDATE
We currently have 7 Language Ambassadors hired for ‘25-’26 and 1 in the interview process. Before year-end, we aim to have a minimum of 10, with the potential for more as we work to rebuild what the LA Coordinator role looks like on the PTO Board– Exploring the possibility of that becoming a paid position.
Working from a tentative total of 10 LAs, we are now accepting applications for LA Host Families for next year!! Please know, that expressing interest in hosting does NOT rope you into being a firm YES. The image here shows the timeline & process the PTO Board goes through to ensure a good fit for both the LA and for your family!!
LA Q&A CALL W/PAST HOSTS
Want to learn a bit more and ask some questions before filling out the form? No problem!! 5/1 @7pm will be the next call (and this will be recorded)! Register via the link!
Surprise your child(ren) with a Lunchroom appearance!!
Volunteers can even visit with their children during their lunch period…
That is, if they won’t die of embarrassment of course.
Sign up here via the link!
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 the 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)!
Lost & Found 4.16.25 Update
Courtesy of amazing ISLA parent Laci Haviland + additional support!! Thank you Laci for coordinating this!! If you would like to support Laci’s efforts with the Lost & Found, please contact Laci at HavilandSchool@gmail.com
We have some important updates regarding Lost & Found procedures. Please review the details carefully, as there are newer changes you’ll want to be aware of.
Due to the frequent overflow of items, we will be implementing a continuous rolling Random Soft Clear-Out for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Full update available in both English & Spanish
PTO Quick Links
