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Letter from the Director

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.— Margaret Mead

April 22nd, 2022

Queridas Familias:

• ‍OBSTA-JOG FUNDRAISER!  Today in your ISLA student(s) folder you will find an envelope with a sign up pledge sheet for an exciting new fundraiser which will be happening at ISLA on Friday, May 13th:  “ISLA Obsta-Jog.”  During physical education and specialist time that day, each class will have fun by running  through a huge obstacle course and completing other challenges and puzzles.  Please consider pledging, and take the folder to your work break room, to grandmother’s house, and take the folder around to talk to your neighbors and get pledges that way! 

• Don’t throw away your face masks yet!  I would also like to remind everyone that our revised mask mandate/face covering policy allows for us to be agile in our decision making, as we monitor the county levels of spread every week and see if the county is encountering low levels of spread.  We check it every week to make a decision for the following Monday.  As of this week, Hennepin County is posting low levels of spread, so we will continue with the practice of voluntary masking for next week. 
• Calling all licensed contractors!  Would you like to bid on some of our summer projects involving interior remodeling and classroom buildouts?  If you are not a licensed contractor, do you have one whom you would recommend for these projects?  Please email the facilities committee at:   facilities@isla.school if you are interested or have a reference. 
• Tree planting/sod laying event!  Save the date:  We are looking for volunteers to help plant trees and lay sod on the new playfield during the weekend of May 14th/ May 15th!  

More information and important spring dates below.

Atentamente, Jeremy

MCA Key Dates:

April 25-May 6, 2021
MCA Math (Grades 3-6)

May 9-13 , 2022
        Science MCA (Grade 5)

April: Important Dates @ ISLA

May:  Important Dates @ ISLA

June:  Important Dates @ ISLA

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Earth Day Treasure Hunt

ISLA was a sea of green today as students celebrated Earth Day!  The concepts of conservation and sustainability are woven through many Units of Inquiry and we encourage you all to continue taking action every day toward the health of our planet!  Among other initiatives, our student council prepared a treasure hunt to celebrate Earth Day.  They have hidden one hundred Earth-themed seed papers throughout the building.  Students who find this lucky treasure can grow wild flowers with these instructions:

How to Grow: Soak Earth in water overnight.  Tear up and plant under a thin layer of soil. Water daily until seeds germinate in 1-3 weeks.

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The Exhibition

The sixth grade classrooms are a buzz as they are entering the home stretch of a year- long collaborative inquiry process called the Exhibition. The Exhibition is a culminating project that takes place in the final year of the Primary Years Program. It is now time for the students, after being a part of an IB world school since kindergarten, to create their own unit of inquiry.

The students use all that they have learned throughout their years at ISLA to engage in in-depth research of real-world global challenges . This requires that each student, working collaboratively with others, demonstrates engagement with the essential elements of the IB program: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action.  During this process the students identify, investigate and offer solutions to real-life issues or problems.

The students use the United Nations 17 Goals for Sustainable Development as a platform to choose what issues are most important to them. By framing the unit of inquiry around the transdisciplinary theme “Sharing the Planet” students develop an understanding that they are members of a global community that need to take responsibility for taking care of our shared resources, to work together to find ways to resolve conflict and to live in peace. It is a dynamic  process that inspires everyone to be change makers in their communities.  

This year’s Exhibition will be presented to the ISLA community on Thursday, May 26th at 6:30. The Exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student. We look forward to sharing this experience with our ISLA community!

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Book your spot now!!

Here’s an update on the available get togethers from Fiesta!! 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 & 3rd grade)

Next Saturday May 1st 3:30pm @ ShowPlace Theater in SLP
        Only 4 spots left - $25/each

Parents will enjoy a happy hour at West End while the kids are in the theater!

Orange Theory Workout (Adults)

Next Saturday May 1st 1-2:30pm @ Orange Theory - Edina
$20/each

‍Zumbaton (Families: adults & children)

June 4th 10-11am @ISLA Gym|
$25/family

K-2nd grade must have an adult with them.

Bike Ride Adventure (3rd & 4th grade)

June 10th 10-11:30 @Lone Lake Park
$25

Ready for some sunshine?!

We have another opportunity to support the LA Program while enjoying the beach!! The Rinaldi’s have offered up their condo in Naples, Florida for upto one week!! The stay can be in June or September-November and could be a great couples getaway or up to four people, max.

Inside the condo, you’ll have access to:

• 50” smart TV, board games
• xbox 360 w/2 controllers
• a small wine bar and humidor.
• A stock of beach chairs, umbrellas & more for all the beach fun!
  

More importantly, you’ll have a view from the lanai out to the yachts & boats on the marina!! And just one block away is Tin City where you can enjoy a drink with some tasty, local fish while watching the boats come in & out of the beautiful gulf. You’ve got two beaches, including the famous Naples Pier less than two miles away!!

You can place a bid to support the Language Ambassador program via email to PTOFundraising@isla.school. Bidding will begin at $750 and be open until May 7th... Just in time for Mother's Day!!!

Thank you!!

We are grateful for this community and its amazing show of support!! If you are interested in helping us plan the festivities next year, please reach out to PTOFundraising@isla.school.

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Host Families Needed Next School Year for Our Amazing LAs!

We have just a few more spots open for interested host families for our awesome LAs next school year! 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).

PTO provides a nice stipend to offset any extra costs from adding a family member.

If you're interested, or would like more information, please fill out this contact information form below.

https://forms.gle/nJTqJcRsEw9y9fMG6

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School Board Election - Coming Soon!

ISLA's annual board of directors election is coming up in May, and there will be a few changes this year. We will be using an online voting platform, Election Buddy, which should streamline the process, improve ease of voting, and increase election integrity.  

All eligible voters should receive a unique ballot link by email on Friday, May 13 and will be permitted to cast their vote using that link anytime thereafter until 1:00pm on Tuesday, May 17.  If you do NOT currently have an email address on file with the school (e.g., you do not receive this newsletter by email) please contact Emily Smith at esmith@isla.school to provide a current email address to receive your online ballot.  If you do not have access to email or a device for online voting, you will be able to vote in person at the school office during school hours on Friday May 13, Monday May 16, and Tuesday, May 17 until 1:00pm.

If you have any questions about the school board election process, please contact Liz Crouse, Chair of the ISLA Governance Committee, at lcrouse@isla.school.

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The PTO is seeking new members!

Consider joining the PTO board to support the ISLA community!  

This is a great opportunity to meet new families, be connected with the community,  and to be a part of the exciting things happening at ISLA, all while having a lot of fun with other parents.  

The following positions are seeking volunteers:

• PTO Events
• PTO Secretary
• PTO Treasurer
• Fiesta Coordinator (not chair position)

Please fill out this form to learn more about any positions and inquire about getting involved!  Hope to see you at our next meeting!  

https://forms.gle/uEytiZF1EHnXPbWY6

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Pancakes For A Purpose

Saturday, May 7th from 9-11:30am
‍The Emerson Building
‍12001 Technology Dr
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Suggested donation $25 per family

Please join us for a delicious pancake breakfast! This a great opportunity to gather as a community, honor the special caregivers in your life (don’t forget - it’s Mother’s Day weekend!) all while helping raise funds our 2023 trip to Spain.

Click here to reserve your spot and/or make a donation:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0945AFA92CA7F94-pancakes1

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COVID-19 Community Level: LOW, 04/22/22

The COVID-19 Community Level remains LOW for Hennepin County. Masks will be optional for staff and students the week of April 25 to 29, 2022.