Students should arrive in class between 8:45 and 8:55 am. Classes begin at 9:00 am. For the welfare and safety of all students, our classrooms and hallways are not open prior to 8:45 am unless the student is enrolled in Aventuras Before Care. Although teachers arrive earlier, they are not supervising outdoors or in the hallways. Staff will be ready to receive students from 8:45am to 9:00am in our arrival line. After 9:00am, all students should check into the Main Office, and students will be marked tardy after 9:10 am. 

At the end of the day, students will leave by bus, pick-up, or stay with the Aventuras program at 3:50 pm. After 4:00pm, students that have not been picked up are sent to Aventuras and parents incur a charge. We appreciate everyone’s support to help maintain a smooth daily routine.

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Minnesota school attendance laws require children to attend school regularly. When your child is absent from school, please indicate in PickUp Patrol so that the teacher and office will both have the information. Please indicate the Reason for Absence. If no explanation is given, the absence will be unexcused.

If your child will be absent for any reason other than illness, parents/guardians should contact the school office and your child’s teacher before the absence. When your child returns to school, send a written note to the teacher. If students arrive late, they must be accompanied to the office before going to their classroom so that attendance reports can be corrected. 

On occasion, you may have to take your child out of classes for a short period of time or before the end of the school day. Please come to the office and ask our staff to send for your student. Children must be cleared to leave the school by the Main Office.

ISLA works with the Hennepin County Be@School program to ensure that we can remove barriers for consistent attendance and support families to help students consistently attend school. Our school social worker will reach out if your child has more than 7 absences and we will work with you on supporting your child in an ongoing manner. Students are allowed up to 10 school days per school year as excused vacation days. Any vacation days taken over that amount will be unexcused. After 15 consecutive absences, a child is dropped from the school’s programming, consistent with Minnesota laws.

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In accordance with ISLA's Background Check Policy. ISLA conducts criminal history background checks on all individuals who are offered employment with ISLA and all individuals who provide extracurricular services to to ISLA, except for enrolled student volunteers. However, ISLA may, at its discretion, elect not to require a background check on an individual who holds a license issued by the state board of teachers or the commissioner of education within the 12 months preceding his or her employment with ISLA. ISLA also conducts criminal background checks on all ISLA volunteers who have student contact not under the supervision of an ISLA employee. At its discretion, ISLA may also conduct background checks on other volunteers, contractors, and service providers. You can access ISLA's Background Check Policy on ISLA's website under the Board Policies tab.

At ISLA, we strive to incorporate the latest research on brain science and human behavior in order to best support students. We believe that behavior is communication, a way of meeting basic human needs to survive, be seen, and belong. At the same time, having strong systems to support behavioral health provides a safer, more consistent environment in which to learn and play. We are always working to improve and refine our approach, and we know that adults and children alike will make mistakes. As a school, we endeavor to teach social skills proactively. Some students will require additional support, practice, and supervision as they are learning. 

We work to create conditions for all children to thrive and to gain the skills needed to be increasingly independent, empathetic, and supportive of others.

All students deserve to learn and play in an environment free from any physical or emotional threat. Our website contains detailed information on policies around Bullying, Harassment, and Discipline. Above all, reporting harm is critical. Any adult in our building should intervene and direct concerns appropriately, including a formal investigation by administrators when needed. Within an investigation, we gather information from students and staff involved to determine, to the greatest extent possible, the objective facts. Logical consequences for infractions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Due to student privacy laws and ethics, we cannot share information about other children with those other than their parents/guardians. Possible responses to community harm may include:

• Conversations with students, connecting back to our ISLA values and community rules
• Restorative Justice: make amends with individuals affected (apology, act of service)
• Educational course related to the infraction and/or Behavior Intervention Plan
• Logical consequences (loss of privilege)
• Program changes (changing schedule, support, setting)
• Referral to additional services (social skills, therapy, etc.)
• In-school or out-of-school suspension, followed by restorative and re-entry plans
• Referral to law enforcement, in extreme cases where safety is compromised and internal resolution is not possible

ISLA maintains processes for school-based complaints (to our Student Wellbeing Team and Executive Director), as well as a mechanism for a Board complaint if the school-based solution has been insufficient in resolving the problem.A detailed copy of the school's discipline policy can be viewed in the school office or on our website at School Policies.

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Birthday celebrations are a special time in every child’s life. Students may have their birthday be a non-uniform day at school. If a child has a birthday during the summer months, or on a non-school day, the child may choose a day to wear an outfit of his/her choice. Please notify the teacher as to which day this will be. Due to the increasing amount of food sensitivities and allergies in our environment, we have decided to eliminate edible birthday treats at ISLA. We will no longer have cakes, cookies, cupcakes or any other edible treats in the school for birthday celebrations. Individual teachers will help you find age-appropriate ways to recognize birthdays within the classroom. Non-edible ideas to celebrate birthdays

• Donating a book to the classroom and family member comes to read the book
• Donates an indoor game for class
• Donating outdoor equipment: hula-hoops, jump ropes, bouncy balls, soccer, basketball
• Other: stickers, tattoos, pencils, pens, markers, erasers, play-dough

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ISLA contracts with Pride Transportation to provide busing for ISLA students. ISLA will notify families of their stops and approximate time of pick-up and drop-off at least 2 weeks before school starts. We will make every effort to ensure families receive timely communication about any changes or delays, and families can use the “Here Comes the Bus” application to track the daily movement of their school bus. 

If your child reports a problem to you, such as teasing, there are several steps you can take. First, help your child brainstorm ideas for handling the problem and offer lots of encouragement to try these ideas. Have your child talk to the driver about the situation. Finally, you may contact the Transportation Director, Jessica Gielen, and she will work with the students. If the problem affects the safety and well-being of others, it should be reported immediately so we can take corrective action. 

Please remember - bus transportation is a privilege, not a right. The privilege will be withdrawn for inappropriate or unsafe behavior. Rules for good bus behavior include:

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• • Enter and leave the bus in an orderly manner.
  • Remain seated until the bus stops.
  • Keep hands, feet and other body parts to yourself.
  • Use quiet voices and speak respectfully.
  • Follow the directions of the bus driver.
  • Students are required to ride to/from their assigned bus stop. If a student needs to ride a different route or get off at a different bus stop, he/she must bring a note from his parents and have it approved by administration.

Some families find it helpful to send quiet activities for the bus, including a writing tablet, fidget, or word search. We ask that families refrain from sending expensive electronic devices or any items that are special.

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Because of the potential for damage and/or theft, students are strongly encouraged not to bring cell phones/smartwatches or other electronic devices. Cell phones/smartwatches or other electronic devices are prohibited from being used during the school day to make calls, text (parents or peers), take pictures or play games. School day is described as any time during the day when your child is in class, recess, lunch, or any other type of activity that takes place on school grounds. 

Students that have cell phones/smartwatches in case of an emergency should keep them turned off (or put in airplane mode) and in their backpack. If a student is seen with a cell phone/smartwatches or other electronic items that are being used as described above will have the device confiscated. It will be held in the office or with the teacher until the end of the day. Continued abuse of this policy will result in a parent/student/administrator conference. 

You can help us enforce this policy by not texting your children and calling or answering their calls during the day. Students are not to call, text or message their family members during the school day. If students need to reach a member of their family, they can use one of the phones in the main office.

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Our School offers a before and after school child care program called Aventuras. Please contact Aventuras at aventuras@isla.school if you are interested in care for your student(s).

Open communication between home and school is critical to your child’s success. Conferences, open houses, report cards, weekly packets, individual learning plans, emails and newsletters are some of the formal ways we use to keep you informed about your child’s school experiences. Please email or call the school for the following events:

• Your child will be late or absent (please note in PickUp Patrol).
• Your child is going to someone else’s home after school (please note in PickUp Patrol).
• Your child is riding a different bus (please note in PickUp Patrol).
• Your child will leave school early, or will leave and return during the day.
• Your child's after-school transportation plans have changed.  Please enter these into PickUp Patrol by 3:15 pm.  Changes after this time will only be honored for an emergency.
• Your child has a planned vacation or upcoming absence.

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Parent-student-teacher conferences are scheduled in the fall and spring. The purpose of fall conferences is to provide an opportunity for the parent/guardian and teacher to share information about the child and set goals. The purpose of the spring conference is to review progress to that point.

In cases where parents are separated or divorced and one parent has legal custody of a child, the school must have a copy of the court order that determines custody and visitation rights. The school must have legal documentation in order to comply with any limiting court order. State and federal data privacy laws recognize the right of a natural parent, regardless of child custody, to have access to the school records of his or her child. A non-custodial, natural parent may arrange to review the school record of his or her child. A request form to withhold information will be supplied upon request.

At ISLA we want to be proud of our students because we know they will conduct themselves appropriately, showing pride in themselves and their school. Our staff has the goal of establishing an atmosphere throughout the school in which children feel safe, secure and happy with maximum opportunities to learn. Our positive approach to school-wide discipline:

• Consistence with IBPYP Learner Profiles
• Have simple rules
• Build sense of community pride
• Help students identify specific positive behaviors
• Increase students' positive self-esteem
• Generate a positive climate

ISLA behavior guidelines are:

• Work hard on the task or complete the activity assigned by your teacher. You are here to learn.
• Respect the rights and property of others and yourself.
• Belong and be responsible for your education and your actions.

A detailed copy of the school's code of conduct can be found under School Policies.

Clothing colors allowed for pants, shorts, or skirts are light tan/beige, and dark blue. No sweat pants, overalls, or jeans are allowed. Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 2” above the knee.

Clothing colors allowed for shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters are white, blue (any shade) and evergreen/hunter green. All shirts (but not sweaters and sweatshirts) must have a collar (except the ISLA “se habla español” t-shirt in black or the student’s grade level color), be of a solid color and cover the navel. Sweaters and sweatshirts must be of a solid color. Shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts with or without the ISLA logo may be worn.

Students may wear “jumpers” (i.e., one-piece suits) as long as they are light tan or beige, dark blue or white and are no shorter than 2” above the knee.

Brand name logos/labels on clothing should be avoided, but shirts with small logos/labels will be allowed. Visible logos should be smaller than 4” in diameter, unless it is the ISLA logo. Clothing should not have any writing, messages, or advertising other than what has been indicated above. Shoes with wheels are prohibited on school property. Students may wear colored or patterned tights under a skirt or shorts, and colored socks and appropriate shoes with closed toes.  Long sleeve t-shirts may be worn under uniform.

Appropriate footwear, including sneakers for Physical Education, must be worn at all times. We encourage shoes that allow for active movement. Sandals and shoes with high heels are difficult in a school environment and recess.

On non-uniform days the following dress code must be followed:

• Pants must be securely fastened at the waist 
• No spaghetti straps or camisoles.
• No short shorts.
• No inappropriate words or logos.

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State law provides guidance on practice drills to ensure our staff and students are prepared in the event of an emergency.

Fire Drills

Students will be instructed on the evacuation routes that are posted at strategic areas of the building. If a fire emergency does occur, students have to evacuate at that moment and may not have time to put on coats or jackets. Everyone in the building, including visitors and volunteers, must leave. Five Fire Drills are required per year by Minnesota law.

Lockdown Drills

The purpose of lock down drills is to provide safety procedures for students and staff in the event of an emergency that requires staying in the classroom. We discuss with students that sometimes we have to stay quietly in our classrooms to make sure we are safe, and we wait for guidance on our announcement system on when we can return to our normal day. In these drills, we practice ensuring the door is locked, lights are off, and all individuals away from windows and doors. Five Lockdown Drills are required per year by Minnesota law.

Tornado Drills

State law requires all schools to have at least one tornado drill each school year. For the tornado drill, students will be instructed on taking indoor shelter and the take cover procedures. Our gym is our tornado shelter location.

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Every child enrolled at ISLA has an emergency information file. This is our first reference in case we need to contact you regarding your child. It is essential that the school office maintain accurate address information, home, work, cell telephone numbers, places of employment and names of parents/guardians and caregivers. Please notify our office if there are any changes to this information.

The school will charge an appropriate replacement fee for textbooks, workbooks, library books or classroom materials that are lost, damaged or destroyed by students. 

ISLA provides fresh and healthy lunches that are catered by Racer Cafe and served from 11:00am-12:45pm. ISLA has a pre-order online system to process all meal requests.

ISLA partners with www.boonli.com to provide a secure, fast and easy-to-use online ordering system that allows parents to view the lunch menu, order, prepay and manage student lunches on the web.

All families need to set up a Boonli account. Directions are available on the ISLA website under the Current Families tab and then the Lunch tab.

Lunchroom guidelines are:

• Walk quietly on the way to and from the lunchroom.
• Sit down at a table and remain in your seat until lunch period is over.
• Eat your own lunch.
• Respect others personal space.
• Talk quietly and in a friendly manner.
• Leave the lunch table and floor clean.
• Keep all food in the lunchroom. No food may leave the area.

Free or Reduced Lunch Applications

Families wishing to apply for free or reduced price lunches should download and complete the Application for Educational Benefits form (found on the Lunch Ordering tab under current families) and return it in a sealed envelope to Gianna Castro in the office. Once your application is processed you will be notified of the results of your application.

Students in Need of a Special Diet Statement

If your child requires a special diet or lactose-free milk and you would like ISLA to make an accommodation, please contact Gianna Castro at lchristensen@isla.school. Forms can be found on the ISLA website to request this accommodation.

Gym shoes must be worn to gym class. If a student cannot participate in physical education class, he or she must bring a note from home and/or doctor. An excuse from home will be honored for up to one week, if a note is sent each day. However, a doctor's note is required to excuse participation for more than 3 days. Students still must report to gym classes even if they are excused from participation.

Students will go outside to play on the playground before lunch.  Exercise and physical activity helps children release their muscle tension after several hours in school and contributes to overall wellness, including cardiovascular and muscular strength and endurance.  Recess also provides an opportunity for students to play and relax outdoors and to socialize.  If it is raining, or it is determined that the temperature or the wind chill prevents safe exposure in the winter, an "inside day" will be announced, and alternate activities will be provided in the classroom.  Inside days occur when the temperature falls below 0º F, below -10º F wind chill or at the discretion of the Director.  Students should ALWAYS come to school with appropriate outdoor clothing for the season.  If a family is unable to afford suitable clothing, the Hopkins Family Resource Center is available to assist in securing these items.  You may contact them at (952) 988-5350.

For your child’s protection, it is our policy not to release a student to anyone other than parents or guardians unless we have received a signed and dated note stating the name of the person who has permission to pick up your child. On occasion, you may have to take your child out of class for a short period of time or before the end of the day. Please come to the office to sign them out and your child will be called to meet you in the office. PLEASE DO NOT GO TO YOUR CHILD’S CLASSROOM TO PICK THEM UP. This creates an unnecessary interruption in instructional time for everyone in the room.

ISLA school hours are 9:00am - 3:50pm. Students may be dropped off at ISLA  between 8:45-8::55 am.

Students may be kept in school after regular dismissal time if severe weather poses a danger to them.

Severe weather closures are communicated directly to families via SMS, email, and are posted on the following media outlets:  WCCO TV (Channel 4), KSTP TV (Channel 5), Fox (Channel 9) and KARE TV (Channel 11). 

It is important to make arrangements with friends, neighbors or relatives to care for your child in the event that school must be dismissed early. Make sure your child knows where to go if you are not home. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL unless it is an emergency. Incoming calls tie up lines at a time when school personnel must use the phones to ensure the safety of all students.

It is the general policy of the School to utilize fair, consistent, progressive discipline to the extent reasonable and appropriate.  This includes consideration of the specific facts and circumstances of individual misconduct, including the intent of the student and what would be fair and appropriate for the student's age and understanding.  The specific form of discipline chosen in a particular case is solely within the discretion of the school.  The full text of ISLA's Student Discipline Policy can be found on the school website at the following link:

ISLA will partake in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments as all Minnesota schools do. In addition, ISLA will assess all students upon arrival to this new school. A quick, computerized assessment will allow teachers to know where children are in terms of their academic development. These brief exams are given routinely in grades 2-6, thus allowing for differentiation to take place in the classroom. This means teachers will better understand the needs of individual students and will work to meet their individual needs. 

We also assess regularly in Spanish.

Parent Guardian Guide to Statewide Testing and Refusal to Test Form

Parent Guardian Guide to Statewide Testing and Refusal to test Form Spanish

Please inform the office and the classroom teacher of any absences due to family vacations with as much advance notice as possible. Students are allowed up to 10 school days per school year as excused vacation days. Any vacation days taken over that amount will be unexcused.

Parents are always welcome at ISLA. If you wish to visit a classroom, pre-arrangements should be made with the teacher or through the director. Parents are invited to join their child for lunch, but you should supply your own lunch as we pre-order our lunches through Cafe Racer. 

When you arrive, please check in at the office and pick up a Visitors badge to wear. We require all visitors to check in to ensure the safety of all students and staff.