ISLA News

September 7, 2021

Emily Smith

Administrative Assistant

           ISLA SPIRIT WEEK

ISLA Spirit Week is coming up from February 12 to the 16th.  

Here are the Spirit Week themes:

  • Monday: Gorro/Pelo Loco - Wear your wackiest or favorite hat/hairdo.
  • Tuesday: Día de Pijama - Students wear their favorite pajamas or onesies to school.
  • Wednesday: Día de Amistad - Students are encouraged to wear red/pink/white/purple for classroom friendship fiestas.
  • Thursday: Día de Opuestos - Teachers wear ISLA uniform and students dress like a teacher - or show opposites in another way.
  • Friday: Día de Expresión - Show your true colors and express yourself! Dress in a way that celebrates who you are.

Wanted: Your Passion for ISLA!

Looking for a way to help support the mission and oversight of our amazing school? ISLA needs you! We are looking for interested community members, teachers, and parents to fill several upcoming vacancies for three-year terms, beginning June 30, 2018. No previous experience necessary. All you wonderful ISLA teachers, please consider serving on the Board! We are also in need for a parent to fill a one-year vacancy from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

Because ISLA is a charter school, ISLA's Board of Directors operates as its own school district. The Board is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the school, implementing policies and procedures, and long term financial planning. There are a number of different committees on which Board members can serve.

Questions can be directed to Mary Jo De Villers , Election and Nominating Committee Chair, at mdevillers@isla-academy.org . If you are interested in applying, please submit a Statement of Interest to the Election and Nominating Committee by February 15, 2018. Here is a link to the Statement of Interest 2018: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K5gghqoOoNmf1mGf20uDGfuFXDH6bI4VO-TXJlM6lf8/edit  A sample ballot, including nominated candidates, will be posted on the school's website in April 2018 and the election for office will occur in connection with the annual meeting in May 2018.

Jump Rope Competition
Jump Rope Competitors

Jumpers

Opportunity to Help - More Info

Emilia Betterman, our 4th grade student who was injured in a skiing accident in January, has been moved to Gillette Hospital in St. Paul.  Now that Anamaria and Emilia are in St. Paul, the Caring Bridge team has added the opportunity to bring the family dinner.  Please sign up on Emilia’s Caring Bridge site to help!  To view the dates, please click on Helpful Tasks, and then Planner and open dinners should appear on the calendar.  Meals should be dropped off at the front door of the Betterman House (4100 Lynn Ave. S., Edina) by 5:30 pm.  Anamaria did not indicate any dietary restrictions for the family.  Please provide dinner for 3-4 people.  Thank you for all the help you can give to this family.

The lottery deadline is coming up! Get your student applications completed by February 12th at 4:00 pm to be included in the lottery. Click here to complete your online application.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp dates and themes are posted on our website.  Registration opened February 1st.   For information visit:

https://www.isla.school/explore/summer-camps

FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE

As parents, even when we do our best to keep our children healthy during the winter months, sometimes that just isn’t enough. Despite our best efforts, they catch colds and viruses that are getting passed around.

At ISLA this winter, we are seeing more than the usual number of cases of strep throat, influenza and fevers. These are things that are easily passed from one person to another. It would be a good time to review with your child good hand-washing practices and covering your cough. Teachers have also been reminding students of this in the classroom, as well as doing extra cleaning in classrooms each day.

The best way to prevent the spread of illness in the classroom is to keep students home that are not feeling well.

  • If your child has a temperature of 100°F or more, they should stay home. A fever indicates that the body is fighting off infection, which means that your child is vulnerable and likely contagious. Wait at least 24 hours after the fever has come down and stabilized without medication to consider sending your child back to school.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea are other good reasons to keep your child at home. These symptoms are difficult to deal with at school and show that the child is still capable of spreading infection to others. Additionally, in younger children, frequent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting may make appropriate hygiene difficult, increasing the risk of spreading the infection. Wait at least 24 hours after the last episode before considering a return to school.
  • If your little one is falling asleep at the table or acting particularly fatigued, they are unlikely to benefit from sitting in class all day. Sometimes it is a sign that their body needs some extra rest to help fight off a virus.
  • A persistent cough is likely to be disruptive in class. It is also one of the primary ways of spreading a viral infection. If your child has a severe sore throat and a lasting cough, keep them home until the cough is nearly gone or easily controlled.
  • Does your child look pale or tired? Do they seem irritable or disinterested in doing normal activities? Are you having a hard time getting your child to eat anything? These are all signs that more recovery time is needed at home.
  • Generally, it is safe to send students back to school after an illness if their fever has been controlled for 24 hours without medication; symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea or persistent cough are gone; if your child is looking and acting like they feel much better; and they have been on an antibiotic (for a bacterial infection) for 24 hours, as long as fever and other symptoms are gone.

To help prevent the spread of illness to other household and family members, avoid sharing towels, dishes and utensils with the sick person; limit close contact as much as possible; use antibacterial wipes to clean shared surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches and sinks/faucets. Make sure everyone in the household gets extra rest and drinks extra fluids. Remind your child to wash their hands frequently and cover their cough or sneeze.

Hope everyone stays healthy!