2025-05-29 Noticias de ISLA y ISLA PTO
Emily Smith
Fundraising Committee Corner
We hope you can join us on Sunday from 2-5pm for the End of Year Celebration. Sign up to help here!
May 22, 2025
Dear ISLA Community,
After 17 incredible years of teaching, I write this letter with a mix of emotions, as I announce my departure from the classroom. My time at ISLA has been incredibly rewarding, filled with moments of discovery, connection, laughter and growth alongside your children. I am eager to explore new opportunities, whether at ISLA or beyond, where I aim to harness my love of reading and literacy instruction to continue supporting learners.
As I reflect on my years here, I am filled with gratitude for the unique opportunity I’ve had to teach within the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB emphasis on developing well-rounded, inquisitive learners aligned so deeply with my own passion for fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and global awareness. Watching students grow not only in their knowledge, but also in their sense of responsibility and empathy, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
Teaching in our Spanish Immersion program has similarly been a powerful part of my journey. It has been thrilling to watch students engage with language and culture in such an immersive way, not only gaining proficiency in Spanish but also developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. I have seen and experienced firsthand how language is a powerful tool for building bridges and creating connections.
The most meaningful part of my time here has been the relationships I have built—with the amazing students, families and staff that make ISLA such a unique community. It has been so rewarding to see my own children grow alongside yours in this nurturing, collaborative environment. The sense of belonging and the support we offer one another are qualities that have made ISLA feel like home for me. I will always cherish the vibrant discussions, the “aha” moments, and the shared sense of joy and wonder that have been our stepping stones.
Thank you for trusting me with your children’s education and for being such an important part of my own personal and professional growth. While this chapter may be closing for me, I look forward to continuing to be part of this wonderful community in other ways.
With deep appreciation and warmest wishes,
Cori Adams
3rd (and 5th) Grade Teacher
Teatro de Torti
Teatro de Torti needs you!
To be able to perform Martina y Perez: A Bilingual Tale from Bad Wolf Press at Centennial Lakes Amphitheater Teatro de Torti needs 10 more students to be able to fill all the necessary roles.
The camp runs 2 weeks in the afternoon from July 28 to August 8 from 12:30 to 16:30. Morning camps and lunch observation are also available to make it an all day experience.
Sign up is due 6/3 but payment is not due until the first day of class.
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewy12CjO8YqpNVZnTqI1dU9bxBnuSwHfYneUO7noDjDmzqrg/viewform?usp=send_form
It's Your Time to Get Involved!!
As we wrap a fantastic year supporting our teachers, students, and Language Ambassadors, we celebrate what we've accomplished. We've all earned a well-deserved break. But before summer hits, we invite you to raise your hand early to get involved next year. We're building a brand new dream team of parents within the PTO executive committee, grade squad leaders, LA host families, and Abuelo/as.
There will be various opportunities for involvement at different levels of commitment, and we want to be able to hit the ground running before the next school year begins. Our new PTO Chair Bob Sparkins has created a video sharing the ISLA PTO "Vision 26" you can find at: pto.isla.school/vision
Raise your hand early to get involved next year– Every bit makes a difference: https://pto.isla.school/getinvolved
School Supply Kits for Next Year
Great news! We’re once again offering the SchoolKidz supply kit program, which provides pre-packaged school supply boxes filled with the exact items requested by your child’s teacher. It’s a simple, convenient way to check school supplies off your list—no shopping required! Even better, a portion of the proceeds goes back to the PTO, helping support our school.
Even more convenient: the $15 classroom party fee is already included in the price of the kit! This one-time fee covers all classroom celebrations throughout the year.
The only additional items your child will need are: headphones, a backpack, and a water bottle. Kits will be available for pickup at Meet the Teacher Night before school starts.
Simply place your order by June 19th.
Order online at: www.shopttkits.com
Enter ISLA’s school account number: 28056
Questions? Email ptofundraising@isla.school
**This program is voluntary, you may still choose to purchase school supplies on your own.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AVAILABLE
The links below should lead you directly to the listed event, but if the website is giving you any issues, you can follow the instructions shown on the image below. The main website is fiesta25.givesmart.com
Please reach out to Caitlin Edstrom or fiesta@isla.school with any questions.
Where: Oak Ridge Pool
Who: 2nd Grade Students
Full details & tickets via this link!
4TH GRADE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, June 13th 8:30-10:30 (due to sunset time)
Where: Van Eps Family Home in Minnetonka
Who: ISLA Students in 4th grade
Full details & tickets via this link!
5TH GRADE POOL PARTY!
Saturday June 21st 1-4pm
Where: Murray Family Home in Hopkins
Who: ISLA Students in 5th grade!
Full details & tickets via this link!
MOM’S POOLSIDE ESCAPE
Saturday, July 19th
Where: Kregel Home in Bloomington
Who: ISLA Moms
Full details & tickets via this link!
2ND ANNUAL SUMMER SOCIAL
Saturday, July 26th 11-2
Where: Valley Park in Hopkins
Who: ISLA Families!
Full details & tickets via this link!
PRIVATE YOGA & POOL TIME
Date is TBD with guests
Where: The Fred in Edina
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
MINNEHAHA FALLS SCAVENGER HUNT
Date is TBD by the winners
Where: Minnehaha Falls
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
ISLA WINE PARTY
Date is TBD by the winners
Where: Total Wine & More (Chanhassen)
Who: ISLA Parents
Full details & tickets via this link!
Hangry Joes: Wednesday 06.04.25:
Last day of school giveback night!
We are so excited to check out a new to-go restaurant just down the road from ISLA– Celebrate the last day of school by skipping cooking!! Pickup dinner from Hangry Joes then head to your after-school party spot. Burnes Park? Hyland Park? Rosland Park? Check with your class & make a plan for where they can party it up and PICNIC it up with Hangry Joe’s for dinner (in the strip mall where Caribou & Taco Libre are)!!
LA Update
We currently have 10 Language Ambassadors for ‘25-’26 and are working through some legislation changes regarding visas…
We are now accepting applications for LA Host Families for next year!! Please know, that expressing interest in hosting does NOT rope you into being a firm YES. The image here shows the timeline & process the PTO Board goes through to ensure a good fit for both the LA and for your family!!
Kudos to the Community
There are so many wonderful humans in the ISLA Community & we would really LOVE to give special shout-outs to those that deserve it!! Please check out the page on the PTO Website to see these shoutouts!!
If you’d like to share a positive experience you’ve had with a teacher, staff member, LA, parent, grandparent or even a student– Please complete this form (available in English & Spanish)!
Lost & Found: End of May 2025 Update
Courtesy of amazing ISLA parent Laci Haviland + additional support!! Thank you Laci for coordinating this!! If you would like to support Laci’s efforts with the Lost & Found, please contact Laci at HavilandSchool@gmail.com
We have some important updates regarding Lost & Found procedures. Please review the details carefully, as there are newer changes you’ll want to be aware of.
Due to the frequent overflow of items, we will be implementing a continuous rolling Random Soft Clear-Out for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Full update available in both English & Spanish
PTO Quick Links
https://linktr.ee/islaptofiesta25.givesmart.com
