PTO newsletter - Week of September 20

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year!

ISLA’s PTO exists because of parents, caregivers, teachers, and staff in order to meet ISLA’s vision of providing a quality education that prepares critically thinking, socially capable, culturally aware young people to thrive in a diverse, global society. Throughout the year, the PTO sponsors multiple activities and raises funds in the community to support these activities and meet needs identified by ISLA teachers and staff. Our self-funded PTO helps plan, budget, and work together on:

• Supporting the school curriculum, classrooms, and student International Baccalaureate education through classroom supplies and volunteer hours
• Building community amongst teachers, staff, students, and families through numerous activities throughout the year
• Raising the funding and providing housing for up to eight Language Ambassadors every school year

As a Parent/caregiver of an ISLA student, you are automatically a member of the ISLA PTO. There is no fee required to join, we need parent’s enthusiasm, passion for ISLA, and volunteering in order to continue making ISLA a success. The PTO is made up of all our parents/caregivers and teachers who dedicate their time and talents to helping ISLA through respective collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and creative ideas. The quality of our PTO depends on your support, volunteerism, and leadership.

We look forward to meeting you at our upcoming 2018-19 PTO meetings from 6:30-8 pm in the ISLA library. Childcare is provided at no charge.

• October 2, 2018
• November 13, 2018
• February 5, 2019
• May 14, 2019

You can learn more about the PTO at:

https://www.isla.school

If you are looking for specific ways you can help with your time or talents please contact our volunteer coordinators at volunteer@isla-academy.org.  

There is also communication, conversation and news updates on the ISLA Families Facebook group.  Join us by searching ISLA Families.  

Thank you!

Ginnie Pollen

PTO Chair

CHIPOTLE FUNDRAISER

Want an easy dinner and a chance to support our school? Come to chipotle in Hopkins (786 Mainstreet, Hopkins) on October 9th anytime from 4-8pm and 33% of all proceeds will go directly to ISLA to support our activities. Just tell the cashier you’re from ISLA. Stay and hang out with ISLA friends, or grab a burrito to go! Doesn’t include online orders. Hope to see you there!

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

We are coming up on our deadline to turn in our Box Tops for Education for this year! ISLA can use the money for anything it needs! Examples include computers, books, and playground equipment are just some of the ways schools have chosen to use the funds raised through Box Tops for Education.

A form to attach box tops is included in this email. Use the form, or turn in the box tops to the box by the office by October 12th.

UNIFORM EXCHANGE

The PTO collects and organizes new or gently used uniforms that are donated by ISLA families who no longer need them.  They will be set out at a variety of events throughout the year.  However, if you find your child has gone through a growth spurt and you need access to them sooner Emily is able to give parents access to where the uniforms are stored.  To donate items, please bag them and drop off at the school office.  Please feel free to take any items your kids could use.  You do NOT have to donate anything in order to take.

SEEKING ROOM PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Interested in helping your child's class?  Becoming a room parent is a great way to volunteer at ISLA.  Room Parents support and work together with our amazing ISLA teachers to plan a handful of classroom activities, including celebrations and a classroom auction item for the Fiesta de la Primavera. Ideally, two parents will work together in each classroom to support each of your children's teacher and classroom throughout the year. If you have any questions and/or would like more information, please contact Alexia Pettersen at alexiapettersen@gmail.com.

Here are the classrooms still in need of Room Parents:

Kinder - Huelga

1st - King

2nd - Dilley

3rd - Wood

Both 5th grade classrooms

6th - Devers

Thank you for considering and your help!

LUNCH SUB LIST

Are you looking for a fun opportunity to help out and see the kids during the school day? Sign up for the lunch program sub list to help out during the lunch hour! Prep for Lunch, Greet the Kids, Serve Food, and Clean Up while working alongside another ISLA volunteer and Scott (ISLA's lunch manager).

Signing up for the lunch substitute list is a great way to help out on an ad hoc or last minute basis. (There is no commitment to signing up for the sub list.)  Sign-up on Sub list on 9/1 time slot to be added to the sub email list.

Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4fa4a62aa1ff2-lunch

Questions? Email us at Volunteer@isla-academy.org

SUPPORT THE PTO

Looking for easy ways to help support the great work that the PTO does for our kids and their school?  Here are two great options!

    Mabel’s Labels:  You can find your child’s things easily in the lost and found by marking them with bright, durable, Mabel’s Labels. Go to https://campaigns.mabelslabels.com/ and click on ‘Select your School/Organization and choose International Spanish Language Academy.  A portion of your purchase will support the PTO.

    Amazon Smile: Shop at Amazon?  You can have a portion of your purchase donated to the PTO!  Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and search for International Spanish Language Academy.  Then just make sure to bookmark AmazonSmile and use it for all your Amazon shopping needs.

UPCOMING PTO IMPORTANT DATES:

10/2 - PTO General meeting *open to ALL parents, caregivers, teachers and staff

10/9 - Fiesta de la Primavera info night 7:30pm @ Gretchen Merritt’s home

10/26 - Dia de los Muertos family night

Fiesta Planning is a great way to get involved and support our Language Ambassadors.  Want to learn more?  Come to the Fiesta de la Primavera Information Night!

When: Tuesday, October 9th at 7:30pm

Where: Gretchen Merritt’s Home

Contact: Tasha Bredeson & Gretchen Merritt

RSVP: Fiesta@isla-academy.org

2018-2019 PTO Leadership

PTO Board Positions

• Chair - Ginnie Pollen (ptochair@isla-academy.org)
• Community & Social Events - Kristin Bilardi & Melany Terrazas (ktvedt@gmail.com; melany.terrazas@gmail.com)
• Fundraising - Sarah McCabe & Betsey Palmgren (scmccabe@yahoo.com; betseypalmgren@gmail.com)
• Volunteer Coordinators - Julia Breyer & Sarah Walz (volunteer@isla-academy.org)
• Communications/Secretary - Kati Kragtorp (kati.kragtorp@gmail.com)
• LA Coordinators - Kim Gelprin & Meggin Gregory (kimgelp@gmail.com; megginoleson@yahoo.com)
• Treasurer - Angela Mhiripiri (islaptotreasurer@gmail.com)

Non-Board Positions

• Fiesta Coordinators - Tasha Bredeson & Gretchen Merritt (fiesta@isla-academy.org)
• Room Parent Coordinator - Alexia Pettersen (alexiapettersen@gmail.com)
• Spirit Store Coordinator - Laura Tellier (ltellier@themarsh.com)
• Uniform Exchange Coordinator - Teresa Hoppe (thoppeislaemail@gmail.com)

PTO At-a-Glance

What is the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at ISLA?  

• Promotes communication between parent(s)/guardian(s) and school staff.
• Enhances educational and social experiences  our children have at ISLA by enriching the curriculum and providing the school community with social activities.
• Raises funds and promotes involvement in school activities through annually budgeted and PTO sponsored activities including the LA program.

Who is involved in the PTO?  

• Every parent/guardian and teacher at ISLA is a part of the PTO and can participate in a variety of ways (see how to get involved below).  
• There are no dues.  Rather, it is expected that families will give their time by participating in PTO sponsored fundraisers and events.  
• The PTO has an elected board comprised of parents who lead the PTO business and sponsored events.

What specific activities/events does the PTO do?

• Sponsors social events including Yahoo Boo-hoo, Back to School Picnic, Dia de los Muertos Family Night, Winter Family Night, and the year-end Roller Skating Family Event.
• Organizes fundraising opportunities including School Supplies, Barnes & Noble Book Fair, restaurant nights, Spirit Store, Amazon Smile, and the PTO’s largest event, Fiesta de la Primavera.
• Recruits and coordinates volunteers for lunch service, room parents, hearing/vision testing, picture day, uniform exchange, social events, LA host families/needs, library assistants, yearbook committee, field day, etc.
• Coordinates the LA Program including seeking and supporting host families and attending to the language ambassadors ongoing development and needs.  
• Supports teachers and staff by recruiting room parents for classroom support, subsidising field trips and classroom supply needs, providing meals to staff during conferences and teacher appreciation week activities.
• Coordinates the ISLA Kinder Sponsorship Program to link current and new ISLA families  as a resource and connection to the ISLA community.

How do I get involved in the PTO?

• Attend the PTO general meetings.  There are typically 3-4 meetings during the school year.
• Available volunteer opportunities will be communicated through Signup Genius.  Stay tuned for the email with Signup Genius info!
• Contact our Volunteer Coordinators, Julia Breyer & Sarah Walz (volunteer@isla-academy.org) or talk to any of the PTO board members.

Please visit the PTO website at https://www.isla.school to learn more about our mission, vision and values.  Also, the ISLA Families Facebook page is a popular means of communication, conversation, and news updates.  To join the group, click on the following link which will take you to the group page (only if you are logged into your FB account) https://www.facebook.com/groups/23776852956/

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