ISLA and ISLA-PTO News

September 7, 2021

Emily Smith

Administrative Assistant

A huge thank you to the members of the Hopkins Proposal Task Force: Jaiah Kamara, Martin Hoff, Sarah Devers, Claudia Holzbauer, Chris Polston and Jason Grais!

The task force, made up of ISLA parents and teachers met at least weekly, putting in over 60 hours of work in gathering input, gathering data, conducting listening sessions and developing communication to keep the ISLA community informed and involved. Their job did not have a pathway of how to evaluate or gather information, since this is new legislative and educational territory in the state of Minnesota.  Jaiah Kamara and Martin Hoff, ISLA board members and parents took this specific task on top of their current ISLA School Board duties. 

The ISLA School Board sincerely thanks the inclusive and invigorating work of the task force. 

Thank you!

Mark Your Calendars

  • May 21 – Rollerskating at Rollergarden
  • May 22 – PTO Board Meeting, 6:30pm
  • May 22 – Field Day
  • May 28 – Memorial Day (no school)
  • May 31 – Volunteer     Appreciation, 2:30pm
  • June 6 – 6th     Grade Exhibition, 6pm
  • June 8 – 6th     Grade Graduation, 2 pm
  • June 8 – Last day of     school

1st Grade and 6th Grade concert highlights.

Grade 1
Grade 1

Grade 1

Grade 6
Grade 6

ISLA Concert Links

PTO General Meeting

Join us for the PTO General Meeting on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30 pm in the ISLA library. We will be reviewing the 2018-19 budget and holding elections. Child care will be provided. We will see you there!

Field Day

Field day is around the corner!  It will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd.  We have enough volunteers, but you are welcome to observe our games.

This will be a non-uniform day.  Children should wear athletic and comfortable clothes and sneakers (no flip-flops).  Also remember to pack a water bottle and sunscreen in your child's backpack.

 

Fiesta Great Gatherings

GREAT GATHERINGS/STAFF EVENTS

We still have many openings for all kinds of great gatherings and staff events.  You can sign up for them on SQUARE. https://mkt.com/isla-pto A few of the gatherings/events that are coming up soon are listed below. As events are filled they will no longer be available, act now!

  • 5/23: Minecraft Prop making class with LA Carlos (3rd – 6th grades only)
  • 5/24: Keychain making with Sr. Martin and LA Diego (3rd – 6th grades only)
  • 6/1: Comedy and Cocktails (adult only gathering)
  • 6/2: A Bakers Dozen (1st grade only)
  • 6/2: Have a Ball (current kinder and 1st grade only)
  • 6/9: Chilean BBQ (adults only gathering)
  • 6/16: Egg Roll Party (adult only gathering)
  • 6/23: Arepas Night (adult only gathering)
  • 6/24: String Art Party (adult only gathering)
  • 8/18: Pizza Night (adult only gathering)
  • 9/22: Paella Cooking Class & Dining Experience (adults only gathering)

2018-19 PTO Positions Available

There will be three open positions – Chair, Secretary/Communications, and Room Parent Coordinator - on the PTO for the 2018-19 school year. If you are interested, please contact Chris Polston (cpolston@spinnakersupport.com) for the chair position, Sarah Walz (gregsarahwalz@msn.com) for the communications position and Cassie Bellio cabellio0220@gmail.com for the room parent coordinator position. The positions for the 2018-19 school year will be voted on at the May 22nd PTO meeting. A general description of each role is listed below:

PTO Chair:

i.              To prepare the meeting agenda and define action items prior to the meeting.

ii.             To convene and preside at meetings.

iii.            To facilitate any group discussions.

iv.           To call for members for committees.

v.            To work closely with the Director and ISLA Board in matters that relate to the ISLA PTO.

vi.           To make presentations to various groups and ISLA Board, if requested.

vii.          To plan the annual calendar.

viii.         To verify the filing of all appropriate tax documents as required by the IRS and the State of Minnesota.

ix.           Available to sign checks, receipts or payment requests in addition to Treasurer.

PTO Secretary/Communications:

i.              To attend all meetings and record proceedings and votes of the ISLA PTO.

ii.             To submit minutes of the PTO meetings to the ISLA PTO website posting prior to the next scheduled meeting.

iii.            Send out weekly (or as needed) communications on behalf of the PTO

iv.           To make any necessary revisions to the PTO meeting minutes and post to the ISLA PTO website within two weeks of the meeting when the revisions were discussed.

v.            To assist the PTO Board in handling any necessary correspondence.

vi.           To maintain the permanent records of the Organization including but not limited to Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, IRS Determination letter, Federal Employer Identification Number, Sales Tax Exemption documentation, etc.

Room Parent Coordinator:

Coordinates the assigned Room Parents to represent the needs of the specific classroom and teacher to the PTO membership.  Room Parent Coordinator will work with the Volunteer Coordinator to facilitate classroom volunteers and are expected to attend or send a proxy to all monthly ISLA PTO meetings.

2017-18 LA Highlights – Nidy

LA NAME: Nidy Membreño

FALL HOST FAMILY: Hoffman’s

SPRING HOST FAMILY: Hurwitz/Eckstam’s

GRADES YOU WORKED WITH THIS YEAR: Second (Srta. Dilley) y Third grade (Sra. Pfieffer)

A FAVORITE MEMORY OF THIS YEAR: My favorite memories from this year have been the time sharing with my host families, being part of a North American school, sharing my culture with the students at the school, and some traveling that I did around the country.

WHAT WAS SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T EXPECT LIVING IN AMERICA? Something that I didn’t expect of living in Minnesota was that they have so many sports to practice in winter, but what caught my attention was “ice fishing”. I was surprised when my first host family drove across one lake to go fishing, actually, I thought they (the fish) died with this lovely winter weather. Haha!

ANY OTHER THINGS TO NOTE? I’ll keep this amazing place (Minnesota), my kids from third and second grades, ISLA staff, my two wonderful families who always made me feel part of them, ISLA families that I’ve met during this school year and the whole experience in my heart forever. Thanks for everything, you guys are amazing!

2017-18 LA Highlights – Maria (Mapu)

LA NAME: María Paula Boada Ángel (Mapu)

FALL HOST FAMILY: Sjogren’s

SPRING HOST FAMILY: Hagens’s

GRADES YOU WORKED WITH THIS YEAR: Kinder (Sra. Holzbauer) y First grade (Sra. Shrestha)

A FAVORITE MEMORY OF THIS YEAR: I have so many memories but I should say that one of my favorites is the time that I spent with my host family and my host siblings especially in December when the winter came and it was the first time that I saw the snow, because they took me to sledding, tubing, cut down the Christmas tree, set up all the Christmas stuff in the house and just be with them sharing a holiday with different traditions and customs.

WHAT WAS SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T EXPECT LIVING IN AMERICA? When I decide to come here I didn’t expect that families, teachers, ISLA community and mostly everyone in Minnesota were so kind, open minded, warm, happy and ready to help me in any circumstance. Also I didn’t expect meet people like the other LA’s and specially Cristina and Anna and be able to create a friendship and build memories that I’m going to keep with me for the rest of my life.

ANY OTHER THINGS TO NOTE? I feel really happy with all the experiences and good moments that I have lived in this country. Also, I feel really grateful with my two host families that opened their homes and lives to me, and made me feel loved, safe and at home. Finally, this year has shown me how much I love travel and how important is for me be surrounded by people who think and live in a different way; to learn and also to grow as professional and as person.

PLANS FOR SUMMER AND NEXT YEAR: My plans for summer are going back to Colombia to spend time with my family and friends and get ready for my next adventure; and for the next year I’m planning go to Spain and study a Master in Universidad de Salamanca and hopefully find a job to keep traveling. :)