‍

‍

‍

Letter from the Director

They cannot stop me. I will get my education if it is in the home, school, or any place.” – Malala Yousafzai

‍

Queridas Familias:

I hope this message finds you well and in good health, as you get through these last days of winter.   I have a few updates today. 

1. It is with great pleasure that I write to you today with the news that we have finalized the paperwork for our new music teacher, Jesus Guzman. Jesus joined the faculty a few weeks ago, and started out by team teaching each group as we finished final details with the MN Department of Education. Jesus hails from Venezuela, and he is a trained violinist with extensive experience playing for the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Caracas, and teaching experience with many ages.   Most importantly, he is engaging the children in music and students are excited to go to music class,  and he has already won all of our hearts.  

2. Transportation update:   We are pleased to announce that our bus company has worked out the kinks with the GPS installation, and we will be rolling out the Here Comes the Bus app next week.  Bus routes have been by and large on time, although we are still working with the company with certain frustrations regarding the performance of substitute drivers.

3. Great news! In case you haven’t heard--as it turns out, there IS such a thing as a free lunch!  Governor Walz just signed into law a guarantee for free lunch for next year!  We are still discussing our procedures, but most likely you will still need to order through Boonli.  We will also be evaluating the vendor next year.
   ‍
4. As you know, our state testing season has begun!  Students began taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments this week.   Please make sure that your ISLA student gets a good night’s sleep the night before any examination. 

Atentamente, 

Jeremy

‍

Fundraising Committee Corner

‍Did you know that ISLA is registered as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization? We have an amazing Fundraising Committee that works hard to plan diverse fundraising activities (events, grants, Obstajog, sponsorships, etc.), all to support our great school. We are looking forward to giving you weekly updates here to keep you informed of progress on our goals and ways you can get involved.

We wanted to give you a quick update on where we stand with our second annual Building Our Future Campaign. We have raised over $93,000 this year, and are well on our way to our goal of $175,000 by the end of June. If you haven't had a chance yet to donate, donations can be made anytime on our website or via PayPal at Paypal@ISLA196. And don't forget to check to see if your employer will match your gift.

We'll be sharing updates each week about upcoming projects! Thank you for all you do to support the ISLA community!

‍

4th Grade Market

Last Tuesday and Wednesday our 4th grade entrepreneurs took the reins and gave the school the opportunity to have fun and make some money. During their unit of inquiry, "Show me the money", students had the opportunity to walk through the process of creating their own business by engaging in skills like: brainstorming ideas, presenting a sales pitch, making a budget, finding investors, marketing their products, working collaboratively in a group, making good decisions by using the PACED method, etc.

The students came up with a variety of different companies that they pitched to the whole grade in a "shark tank" mode. Nine of them were chosen and improved for the market. The market was a huge success! The total earnings were $2,520! The students decided to split their earnings into three categories: saving for their 5th grade field trip to Wolfridge (75% or $1,890), donating to Merck Foundation (10% or $252), and using part of it to celebrate our hard work (15% or 378). *Percentages and NGO were chosen by the students. You can see below the performance of each business.

‍

Thank you parents for your support to make this a successful event! :)

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

6th Grade Wartime Letters Presentation

ISLA 6th graders recently concluded their unit on "How We Express Ourselves: Peace and Conflict." Their days were filled with rich historical fiction literature, as well as loads of creative expression. They then engaged in creative writing workshops in preparation for their final Wartime Letters Presentation.

The presentation was held in the form of a “Wax Museum,” where students dressed up as their imagined character and delivered a creative narrative of their character’s experience during a time of conflict inspired by their historical fiction wartime novels. Sixth graders showed their ability to be risk-takers by taking on this brand new perspective and finding creative ways to embody their new identity during their final presentation to 5th graders and families. Way to go!

‍

‍

‍

Join the ISLA School Board!

Looking for a way to support the mission and shape the future of ISLA? Join the ISLA Board of Directors!  The ISLA School Board is seeking candidates to fill a new board director vacancy that will run from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. ISLA teachers, parents of ISLA students, and other community members are all welcome to apply.  

The ISLA Board is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the school, implementing policies and procedures, and long-term strategic and financial planning.  In addition, there are a number of different committees on which Board members serve. Click here for descriptions of the various committees. The Board meets in the evening in person at ISLA on the third Tuesday of each month.

If you are interested in seeking nomination to this Board seat, please submit a Statement of Interest (available here) to Liz Crouse, Chair of the ISLA Governance Committee, at lcrouse@isla.school by Friday, March 31.

‍

GreatGatherings 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 go to GiveSmart or email fiesta@isla.school.

De Colores (Kinder only)

It will be a fun evening all about painting. We will have facepainting, hair painting and finger painting and snacks! March 24th, from 4:15 -5:45 in room 108.
1 spot left - $35 / each

Hangout with the LA’s

Saturday March 25th from 5-7:30 pm (location TBD - one of the families will offer their home for the event)
7 spots left - $20 / each

Private Moving Showing (2nd and 4th grade)‍

April 15th 5:30 - 7:30 pm @ISLA
12 spots left - $25/each

Hopkins Scavenger Hunt (2nd-6th grade)

May 13th 11:00 am - 2:00 pm downtown Hopkins
6 spots left -$35/each

La Caminata Saludable // The Healthy Walk (3rd and 4th grades)

May 20th 10 am -12 pm @ Bryant Lake
10 spots left - $35/each

Student vs. Teacher Soccer (4th, 5th, and 6th grade)

May 20th 11am - 1:30 pm (location TBD)
3 spots left - $35/each        

PuertoRican Themed BBQ

May 20th 2-7:30 pm in Minneapolis, hosted by Tamara Gonzalez & Jose Kosowski
3 spots left - $75 /per couple

Parent/ Child Mountain Biking

May 21st 1-3 PM @ Monarch Single Track Train Head in Carver Park Reserve
6 spots left - $50 / parent & child  

Games with the LA’s (1st - 6th grade)

May 26th 5-7 pm @ Burnes Park
35 spots left - $20 / each

Girl Scout Cookie and Wine Party

May 5th 7-9 pm @ Van Eps home in Minnetonka
2 spots left - $40 / couple

Minnehaha Falls Hike and Snack (1st, 2nd and 3rd grades)

May 6th 10am-12pm
13spots left - $15 / each

Yard Game Olympics GG (adults only)

May 6th 5-8 pm hosted in Edina by Sperber and Moretto families
7 spots left - $50/ couple

Girls Only Mountain Biking (3rd - 6th grades girls only)

May 21st 3-5 pm @ Monarch Single Track Train Head in Carver Park Reserve
7 spots left - $25/each

Lake Harriet Beach Party (2nd and 3rd Graders)

May 27th 10 - 11:30 am @ Lake Harriet South Beach
10spots left - $35/each

‍

‍