2022-03-25 Noticias de ISLA y ISLA PTO
Emily Smith
Lunch Order Window Open!
The lunch ordering window is open until 11 am on Wednesday, March 30. Please make sure you get your order in for each day for the whole month of April. We are not able to accomodate late orders. Here is the link to sign up for lunches:
https://secure.boonli.com/login
Aventuras Over Spring Break
Aventuras will be open for families needing childcare for their student(s) over spring break. Here is the link to sign up for care:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck06S9OYaMW0oo0JDxaAzeXEEOwkGt90kaoId-BVmZw0h-xg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Transportation Invoices
Transportation invoices were send out earlier this month. If you have not already done so, we would appreciate it is you could pay it. If you have any questions regarding your invoice, contact Gianna Castro at gcastro@isla.school.
Lunch Volunteers Needed
Come volunteer during lunch! This is a fun opportunity to see kids and volunteer during the school day. Volunteers must follow ISLA vaccination policy. Sign-up link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FA4A62AA1FF2-isla23
Unit 4 Summaries
Our Unit 4 Summaries were shared today on Toddle! As a reminder, these Unit Summaries differ from the Progress Reports that you may have seen in the past. While Progress Reports, sent home in February and June, include a more detailed view of students' progress in specific subject areas, Unit Summaries provide an overview of the most recent unit of inquiry. Rather than viewing subject areas such as social studies, science, language arts, etc. as separate areas, our IB units are taught through a transdisciplinary approach. We hope that these overviews spark interesting, authentic conversations at home about students’ dynamic learning experiences and conceptual understandings. For more details about assessment at ISLA, please refer to the information that was sent home this fall: Assessment at ISLA.
MCA Testing is scheduled at ISLA over the following dates:
- Reading: April 11 - April 22 (Grades 3-6)
- Math: April 25- May 6 (Grades 3-6)
- Science: May 9 - May 13 (Grade 5 only)
Please see the following links for more information in Amharic, English, Hmong, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese or Opt-Out Form
Spring 2022 Extra-Curricular Activities
Sports Sampler with the LAs!
Students will learn and recognize sporting rules of fútbol (soccer) and basketball by playing and putting into practice what they have learned during each class. Students will develop teamwork while playing in teams, while also fine tuning their individual skills with each lesson.
For the last class, students will challenge their parents in a game - kids vs parents! If a parent cannot attend on May 16th, an older sibling or an LA can try to substitute. Please communicate your attendance beforehand so teams can be equal. All classes are taught in Spanish by our wonderful Language Ambassadors (LAs).
Who: Grades 3-6 Maximum 15 students
When: Monday afternoons 4:15-5:15 April 11-May 16 (6 sessions)
Who: Sr. Carlos, Srta. Anamaría and Srta. Carolina
Cost: $72.00 (Please send check payable to the ISLA PTO)
Traditional Salvadoran and Spanish Games with the LAs!
In this class, students will learn three traditional games from El Salvador, and three traditional games from Spain! Games will strengthen children’s brains and their bodies by introducing popular board games, and more physical games like tug of war. All classes are taught in Spanish by our wonderful Language Ambassadors (LAs).
Who: Grades K-6 Maximum 15 students
When: Tuesday afternoons 4:15-5:15 April 12-May 17 (6 sessions)
Who: Srtas. Gisela and Irene
Cost: $72.00 (Please send check payable to the ISLA PTO)
Chess Club
This class begins on Thursday, April 7 and goes through May 12th. Want to amaze your friends and impress your opponents? Want to increase your IQ while having fun playing chess and compete for various prizes? Learn from Twin Cities Chess Club instructors who have years of experience. Competitive Chess tournaments are scheduled once a year and students can play for real chess trophies! All levels are welcome. We have a great instructor for this class but he is not a Spanish speaker. $99 for 10 sessions. Register online at twincitieschessclub.com/school/Registration.html
Who: Grades K-6 Minimum of 6 students
When: Thursday afternoon 4:15-5:15 pm April 7-May 25 Early release date will have classes from 1:15-2:15 pm (April 14 and May 5)
LA Host Families for the 2022-2023 School Year
Hopefully you have met (and inevitably fallen in love with!) our wonderful Language Ambassadors by now! If getting to know them even more is something you would like to consider - fill out this quick form to let us know what your interests are. (Sneak peak - we already have three LAs who are ready to come to ISLA next year, and more are being interviewed right now!). ISLA is hoping to have 9 interns for the 2022-2023 school year, which means 18 host families and 9 aunt and uncle families are needed!
We are starting to gather interested host families right now. Fall semester typically hosts from mid August to mid January. If you're looking to form a deep connection with an intern, this spot is for you! You will be able to introduce them to Minnesota and American culture, while getting to know them and their culture as well.
Spring semester runs from mid January to the end of the school year, and hosts can start to apply for this spot now as well. Interns are often busier and more independent during the spring semester, but hosts will still see some amazing benefits (like their kids' Spanish exploding, enjoying learning about other cultures, and making life-long friendships).
All that is required from hosts is a separate bedroom, and a loving family for aunts and uncles who can open up their home a few times a month. ISLA PTO provides a nice stipend for host families to help offset any costs families incur by adding another family member, and PTO also pays for interns' school lunches. Our LAs bring so much to ISLA, and so much more to the families who get to know them! You won't regret it!
Questions? Email islaLAprogram@gmail.com.
Summer Camps - Online Registration
Here's the link to sign up for summer camps: https://family.1core.com/pp/SummerCamp/SummerCampHome.aspx?ID=6926D642-BCEA-44B2-90CB-1162AF8B390E
Registration Policies:
- If you currently utilize Aventuras for care, please register for camps as an Enrolled Family.
- If you do not have an account in 1Core, please create an accout to register for Summer Camps.
- Payment for Summer Camp is due upon registration. Accounts that are left with a balance will be dropped from camp registration after 24 hours for non payment.
Summer Camp Hours & Rates:
- 9:00am – 4:00 pm for all day camp - $330.00
- 9:00am – 12:00 pm for Kinder half day camp - $190.00
- 8:00am – 9:00 am & 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for Before/After Care - $65.00
Cancellation Policy:
- Any cancellation before July 5th, 2021 will result in a refund of the fee per camp minus a $50 administrative fee.
- Any cancellation after July 5th, 2021 will result in no refund due to staffing and programming commitments
Descriptions & Dates:
Week 1: July 11-15
ISLA en vivo - Live from ISLA!
Get ready to broadcast EN VIVO! This Spanish immersion experience will give your camper aglimpse at life behind and in front of the camera. At ISLA en vivo, we will learn about recording tools and the ways to get your unique message across to an audience. Whether we’re learning the latest tik tok dance or reporting on breaking camp news, you’ll see and hear all about it through our virtual platform for families. Want to learn from the pros? This camp will also provide an opportunity to connect with real experts from the field of recording and broadcasting. ¡Luces, cámara, acción!
Week 1: July 11-15
El jardín de kinder - Kinder Garden
Do you have a new kindergartener ready to be immersed en español? El jardín de kinder will help children new to immersion adjust in a fun and relaxed environment. We will explore the animal kingdom, play games and sing songs. Each day will have a newtheme to keep the kiddos excited and intrigued. Campers will get to know somefriendly faces from ISLA who are eager to help them adapt to an immersionsetting. ¡Bienvenidos al jardín de kinder!
Week 2: July 18-22
Comuni-Dadores - Comm-Unifiers
It’s official, ISLA has new *digs.* For campers who are eager to leave their mark and make a difference in their community, Comuni-Dadores is it! Our incredible new building is full of opportunities to give back. This Spanish immersion camp will harness the power of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and put them into real action. Whether it’s planting new trees, creating innovative learning spaces or participating in meaningful service projects, each day will provide a chance to grow as a member of our camp community. Along with meeting real professionals who serve our community, we will adventure beyond ISLA to experience community service first hand. We will visit Richardson Nature Center to learn about being a Naturalist and caring for our neighbors in nature. In this camp, plan to give more than you get!
Week 3: July 25-29
Enig-mania - Puzzler-ific
Callingall puzzlers! Does your camper love a good challenge? ISLA is geared up andready to test all your problem-solving savvy, ¡todo en español! Our amazing newexploration space is equipped with 3D printers, robots and more. Think you can build your own escape room? ¡Vámonos!The educators from the Bakken Museum will visit ISLA to host an innovative workshop. There’s nothing better than that light bulb moment! Come crack the code at Enig-mania!
Weeks 1-3: Monday-Fridays July 11 - July 29
Físi-Calidad - Physicality
Are you looking for a way to keep your child active this summer? Are you hoping they can find opportunities to speak Spanish? At Físi-Calidad, we will check both these goals off your list! This sports themed camp will run full-day for all 3 summer camp weeks at ISLA’s brand new facility. Join us for any or all weeks. Our new gym boasts full court basketball courts with sky-high ceilings. Outside we have a full soccer field, Gaga Ball Pits, and outdoor basketball. This camp will involve enthusiastic ISLA alumni looking to speak Spanish and reconnect with games from their elementary school days. Join us at Físi-Calidad and let the games begin!
Fiesta de la Primavera 2022
We officially held our first Fiesta in THREE years this past Saturday! It was SO great to see some familiar faces and lots of new faces!! We had a blast at La Doña Cervecería, mingling with old friends and making new ones. Food, drinks and lots of dancing made for a great evening while we helped raise funds for the Language Ambassador program.
THANK YOU!
You all deserve a HUGE thank you– You helped us meet the fundraising goal!! Amidst a year with a lot of change for our school (and the whole world), the ISLA community came back together to show support for the Language Ambassador program. Because of you, your AMAZING donations and time… The ISLA PTO will be able to bring our goal of NINE LA’s to ISLA next year! The ISLA PTO, your students and ISLA as a whole cannot thank YOU enough!!
Great Gatherings still available!!
We still have a handful of really fun events available from Fiesta!! We’d love to see these fill up more now that we are able to get together as a community again. If you are interested in booking a spot, please email PTOFundraising@isla.school to reserve your spot. Payment can be made via Venmo (@ISLA-PTO), cash or check to ISLA PTO & delivered to Emily in the office.
Private Movie Showing (1st grade)
Date & time TBD @ ShowPlace Theater in SLP
4 spots left - $25/each
Parents will enjoy a happy hour at West End while the kids are in the theater!
Private Movie Showing (3rd grade)
Date & time TBD @ ShowPlace Theater in SLP
1 spot left - $25
arents will enjoy a happy hour at West End while the kids are in the theater!
Escapar de la ISLA (1st & 2nd grade)
April 12th 4-6pm @ ISLA
1 spot left - $30
Soccer Game with the LAs (2nd-6th grade)
April 22nd 4:15-5:45pm @ISLA Gym
30 spots open - $15/each
Bike Ride Adventure (3rd & 4th grade)
June 10th 10-11:30 @Lone Lake Park
1 spot left - $25
Martial Arts Intro (3rd-6th grade)
April 15th 4:15 @ISLA Gym
11 spots open - $25/each
Class of 2028 FInal Fiesta Pool Party (6th grade)
Aug 28th 1-4pm @ The Mahowald’s Home
1 spot left - $50 (1 spot includes 2 adults & 1 child)
Orange Theory Workout (Adults)
May 1st 1-2:30pm @ Orange Theory - Edina
25 spots open - $20/each
Zumbaton (Families: adults & children)
June 4th 10-11am @ISLA Gym
17 Spots Open - $25/family
K-2nd grade must have an adult with them.
Wrap-up
One last round of ENDLESS thank you’s to everyone involved in making this year’s Fiesta such a fun time. We are grateful for this community and its amazing show of support!! As we wrap-up the 2022 Fiesta, Spring is arriving!! And as we near the end of our first year in the new ISLA building, we look forward to next year. We would love to see our Fiesta team grow– If you are interested in helping us plan the festivities next year, please reach out to PTOFundraising@isla.school.
COVID-19 Community Level, March 25, 2022: LOW
There will not be an ISLA newsletter next week during Spring Break. We will be monitoring the COVID-19 community levels at the end of Spring Break week. You can assume that COVID-19 community levels will remain low and that face coverings will be optional for staff and students the week of April 4 to 8, 2022; unless you hear otherwise. An email will be sent to all families on Sunday, April 3 only if there is a change regarding face covering recommendations. If you don't hear anything from the ISLA office, then face coverings are optional.
Save the Date: Pancakes for a Purpose!
Saturday, May 7th 2022
8:45-11:30am
Emerson Building
Join us for a fun-filled, community-building, delicious pancake breakfast! Proceeds will go towards the 2023 6th grade trip to Valencia, Spain. We hope this will be the beginning of a beloved ISLA tradition!