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To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world. – Chinese Proverb

Queridas familias, 

As we get closer to the start of the new school year, I wanted to provide an update on new and returning faculty and staff assignments for the 2021-2022 school year, Covid 19 prevention at ISLA, and progress with the new building. 

We are very pleased to have a very talented pool of staff this year, hailing from eight different countries, and coming to ISLA with a large toolbox of years of experience, numerous capacities, and many years of education and training.

At the Kindergarten level, we are pleased to welcome Silvia Herrero (Spain),  Doris Bonifacio (Peru), and Maryann Najera (Mexico). In First Grade, we welcome Bonyin King (Chile), Edily Sanchez (Venezuela), and Lina Pinto-Perez (Colombia).  In Second Grade, we welcome Alfredo Fernandez (Spain), Riana Dilley (USA), and Tatiana Gordillo (Peru).   In Third Grade, we welcome Charlie Suarez (Puerto Rico), and Marly Wood (Colombia).  In Fourth Grade, we welcome Roberto Izquierdo (Spain), and Patricia Floe (Chile).  In Fifth Grade, we welcome Jordi Costa (Spain), and Cori Adams (USA). In Sixth Grade, we welcome Holly Seehafer (USA), and Sarah Ashby (USA). In the Music Dept, we welcome Claudia Medina (Peru); in the Media Center, Lisa Yepes (USA); and in the Physical Education Dept, we welcome Igor Díaz (Spain). New this year, we will be able to expand our Exploración and Design department coursework and programming due to the expansion, and we are pleased to have Adriana Maldonado take on that challenge. In the Special Education department, we welcome faculty Thairys Rodriguez (Venezuela), and  Desire Herrera (Spain), and Educational Assistants Jackie Rojas (Venezuela), Daniel Lopez (Mexico), and Miriam Oropeza (Venezuela). In our Response to Intervention (RTI) program, we welcome Rita Miller (Ecuador), Alvaro Sanz (Spain), Gaby Paine (Colombia), Laura Slininger (Mexico), and Claudia Muller (Colombia).  We also welcome Patricia Bonifacio (Peru) as Pre-K Teacher, and Zoriada Herrera (Venezuela) as Pre-K Assistant. We welcome Emily Smith (USA) as Administrative Assistant, Jen Jouppi (USA) as Bookkeeper, Tanya Nelson (USA) in the Nurse’s Office, and in the lunchroom, we welcome Jorge Gomez (Colombia).   Lastly, we welcome Dayra De La Cruz (Colombia) as Dean of Students, Edgar Avendano (Chile) as Behavior Specialist/IT Specialist, and Sarah Devers (USA) as Dean of Academics and Karen Speich as IB Coordinator.   What a team!!

As you might have seen, the Covid 19 variant is on the rise, and of course the health, safety, and well being of our students and staff  at ISLA is always first and foremost on our minds. For this reason, the ISLA Board of Directors approved a mask policy last week which requires all students to wear a face covering, and a vaccine policy that requires all staff and volunteers to be vaccinated.  You can find more information about our mask policy here: ISLA Mask Policy, and our Covid 19 response here: Covid 19 Coordinator Update.

We are more than excited about the new building and the new opportunities which it will bring, but we continue to struggle with supply chain issues and permitting delays. However, our construction company is working overtime to get the building ready, and we are still confident that we will be able to welcome you all for Meet the Teacher for grades k-6 on September 8th, from 3-6.  More information will be forthcoming next week regarding parking, dropoff and pickup, and tour schedules of the building during Meet the Teacher. 

Atentamente,

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Jeremy

Meet the Teacher Open House

We hope this message finds you well and enjoying your summer vacation and all of the flora and fauna that Minnesota has to offer. This year will be a very special Meet the Teacher Open House, as we welcome you all into the wonderful learning environment that will be our new home in Edina. Because of some minor delays in our building schedule, Meet the Teacher will be on September 8th, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. As a reminder to new and existing families, this is a casual, open house format where you can get a chance to see your child’s new classroom, to check out the renovations of the new building, and drop off your school supplies, pick up Spirit Wear and other information, and most importantly---meet your teacher!

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Yahoo Boohoo Celebration

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As the start of school approaches, the PTO looks forward to carrying on the tradition of the Yahoo Boohoo parent gathering after school drop off on 9/9 & 9/10.  If you are screaming “Yahoo” after you send your little ones off, or “Boohoo” and need a little support from the ISLA community, stop on by! Whether you drop off or your kids ride the bus, all are welcome for coffee and bagels as we kick off another year!
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**Due to ISLA parking lot construction, this years Yahoo/Boohoo will be held at a local business parking lot near the school:
BI Worldwide
7630 Bush Lake Rd
Mpls,MN 55439

We look forward to seeing you!

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Lunch Ordering Open

The window to order September Lunches is now open. You will find the September menu and all of the needed information on the school website at https://www.isla.school/families/lunch-ordering.

The window to order lunches will close on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 10:00 pm CST.

Lunch is free to all students this year, but you must place your order through the Boonli website. To limit food waste, please do not order lunches unless your student is planning on eating them. Milk is also available for purchase for $0.65 per carton for those students that are bringing a lunch from home.

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Calling all Volunteers

ISLA Lunch Program 2021-2022 is requesting Volunteers!

Did you know that Volunteers are critical to ISLA's lunch program? Working alongside Jorge Gomez (ISLA's lunch manager), ISLA lunch volunteers prep for lunch, greet the kids, serve the food, and clean up. This is a fun opportunity to help out and see the kids during the school day. ISLA is seeking 3 volunteers for each day, 11am-1pm. Select multiple days if you are interested in a regular spot (daily, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly) Occasional volunteers and substitutes are also welcome! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4fa4a62aa1ff2-isla23

Due to the activities involved, bringing siblings along for this volunteer role is not allowed.

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‍Room Parents 2021-2022

The room parents work with the teacher to understand the needs of the classroom.  Some of the tasks include planning class parties, communicating with families, and coordinating gifts. If you are interested in being your child's room parent (YAY!!!) signup here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FA4A62AA1FF2-room1

General Volunteer Interest 2021-2022

Are you interested in volunteering at ISLA, but not sure where? Put your name on the signup link below to learn more about opportunities throughout the upcoming school year. Signup link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4fa4a62aa1ff2-interest2

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ISLA will be partnering with Reading Corps tutors for the 2021-2022 school year to help our students succeed. By giving your time and talent as a tutor, you can help our students gain the confidence and skills they need to be successful learners. Tutoring isn’t just a meaningful way to give back to the community; it also helps create bright futures! Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students from kindergarten to grade 3. No experience? No problem! Reading Corps provides great training in strategies proven to help students build skills and become better readers. Part-time and full-time opportunities are available. Tutors commit to serving 35, 25, or 18 hours a week during the school year, and can choose to begin in August, October or January.

While you give your time as a tutor you’ll receive some great perks!

• Learn reading strategies to apply with your own children/grandchildren
• Receive a paid stipend every two weeks
• Earn up to $4,400 for college tuition or student loans. Tutors 55 and older may gift the award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child.
• Free health insurance and child care assistance for those who qualify.

If you’re ready to be a change maker for kids in our community, visit Join.ReadingandMath.org to learn more. Questions? Contact join@servetogrow.org or call 866.859.2825. Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps are AmeriCorps programs (sometimes called the domestic Peace Corps). Thousands of kids in Minnesota need help in reading and math, and your time can make all the difference. Please share this email with others as we work to ensure there’s a tutor available for every child who needs one. Thank you!