2020-09-11 Noticias de ISLA y ISLA PTO
Emily Smith
“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” Louisa May Alcott
Queridas familias,
Greetings on this solemn day of remembrance for the many lives that we lost 19 years ago in the 9/11 attacks. Like most of us, I remember where I was that day, and the shock of seeing the second tower hit in an explosion that changed our country and the world forever. As we lowered the flag to half mast today, we marveled at the fact that 19 years had passed, and that even the young people who are studying at the University level would most likely not have seen that second plane hit. We should never forget, and will continue to honor their sacrifice and loss.
- Congratulations on getting through the first week of school! It was great to see many of you last night at your building/relocation listening session. If you missed it, please look for the link to the recording in this newsletter. We will be having a follow up listening session on October 12th at 6:00 pm, with more details and architectural sketches.
- Social Emotional Support: We know this is a difficult time, and managing your own professional responsibilities, family dynamics, AND a distance learner has enormous challenges. Therefore, we have contracted with Amy Vogel, our Occupational Therapist, to produce some helpful videos-- chock full of coping skills and ideas for establishing routines, and other strategies for helping our distance learners succeed. She produced these resources especially for ISLA, with our young immersion learners in mind. The first video is here: ISLA #1 Routines. In addition, here is a resource/reference sheet that goes along with this video: ISLA # Routines Flyer
- Distance learning Committee: The Academics committee and the technology committee are coordinating the best way to leverage the numerous people who have expressed interest in helping out in this regard. We will be forming working groups shortly.
- Childcare funding: We understand that childcare is an enormous hurdle for those families who do not have critical care workers. We are looking into CARES Act funding mechanisms to allow us to fund or subsidize your childcare options during the school day.
- Spanish literacy/Spanish numeracy support groups: We know that many of our students need more immersion exposure in the afternoon, and we are working with several private and public schools with whom we have partnered with in previous years for internships (many times with ISLA alumni) to set up some conversation and homework help working groups (virtual for now, of course). We are also in touch with many of our wonderful language ambassadors from previous years to partner them with our current teachers for co-teaching groupings. Many of them are currently teaching in their home countries, but we will try to schedule them in when they are available.
Thank you for everything you are doing to help us on this journey.
Atentamente,
Jeremy
Observations from the first week of In-person
Make sure your child's face mask fits them properly. It should not be so tight that the ear straps are uncomfortable. It should not be so loose that it falls down off the nose easily.
Send a back-up face mask in your child’s backpack every day. Sometimes the mask gets wet and needs to be changed, or they misplace it when they are outside for recess.
Remind your child that they will need to wear a face covering at all times inside the building, or when riding the bus. They can remove the mask when eating lunch or when outside, as long as they are socially distanced.
Think about where your child will put their mask when they are allowed to remove it for lunch and outdoor activities. Do they have a pocket to put it in? Could they wear a fanny pack or shoulder bag to store it in? It could also be placed in a Ziploc bag and set in their lunch box. It should not be set down anywhere or placed on a table, bench or on the playground equipment. Think of a face mask in the same light as you would a dirty tissue. It holds your germs and should be contained as much as possible.
Make sure you include in their lunchbox any utensils they might need to eat lunch. Students don’t have access to silverware this year, so you will need to remember to send it from home if needed.
ISLA Property Search Listening Session
If you were unable to attend the ISLA property search listening session last night, it was recorded. Here is the link to the virtual event:
Passcode: K=A?9sLH
There will be another listening session the last week in September. This meeting has not been scheduled yet.
The Spirit Store is Open!
The Spirit Store is open again through Monday, September 14! Get your uniform approved shirts and sweatshirts to be in style for this school year. Order now for early October school delivery. Please note in the order comments your child’s name and grade. For the older grades in distance learning we will communicate dates for pick up.
Click here 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 and roller skating, provide funds for classroom supplies and extra-curricular scholarships, and also supports the LA program.
As we are unsure of a return to in person school, this is the last guaranteed opening of the Spirit Store, so get your winter items today!
Questions? Contact Sarah or Kelly at ISLAPTOSpiritStore@gmail.com
Face Covering Policy
The ISLA Board has approved a Face Covering Policy. The link to the policy is included here, but it can also be found on the ISLA website under "Families" and then "School Policies".
Some key points of the Face Covering Policy: Face coverings will be required for everyone entering the school building (staff, students, families, visitors). Acceptable face coverings include paper or disposable masks, cloth face masks or a religious face covering. Face coverings that are NOT acceptable include scarves, bandanas and neck gaiters. In certain situations where face masks cannot be tolerated, a face shield that covers the entire face may be an alternative. Please refer to the policy for further details. Resources are included at the end of the policy explaining rationales behind the policy.
SUPPORT THE PTO
Looking for easy ways to help support the great work that the PTO does for our kids and their school? Here are two great options!
Mabel’s Labels: You can find your child’s things easily in the lost and found by marking them with bright, durable, Mabel’s Labels. Go to https://campaigns.mabelslabels.com/ and click on ‘Select your School/Organization and choose International Spanish Language Academy. A portion of your purchase will support the PTO.
Amazon Smile: Shop at Amazon? You can have a portion of your purchase donated to the PTO! Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and search for International Spanish Language Academy. Then just make sure to bookmark AmazonSmile and use it for all your Amazon shopping needs.
Download this app to scan in your receipts to make easy money for our school!
Go to: Home - Box Tops for Education
Curbside Lunch Volunteer
Looking for volunteers for Curbside Lunch Pick up on Sept 21st from 2-4:30PM. If you are able please signup at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FA4A62AA1FF2-isla17
Room Parents:
We aren't exactly sure how this role will look this year, but we are sure that Room Parents are still needed to support our hard working teachers! If you are interested in being a room parent this year please reach out to volunteer@isla.com for more information. More details on these job descriptions coming soon!