Community Update for August 27
Dear ISA Families,
The second full week of school for teachers and students together continued to lay the foundations for this year’s learning and included getting to know each other, building relationships, and defining the expectations they hold for themselves and for each other! We know this effort can create a safe and intellectually stimulating learning environment for all of our students!
Mr. Magadance and Mrs. Gauna have been visiting grade level team classes to share familiar and new information about NEISD and campus guidelines and expectations. 9th and 10th grade students have received THIS presentation, and ISA 11th and 12th graders will see this information very soon! We would like to highlight a few items from the presentation for families:
-
All NEISD campuses are closed and students may not leave campus without permission from a parent or guardian. This permission must be communicated to the school,
-
Please continue to contact the ISA Main Office when students need to be signed out and submit doctor notes as soon as possible or within three (3) days of the appointment,
-
HB 114 - Goes into effect on Friday, September 1st. Below are resources that can help all of us discuss with our students the implications of this legislation and the health risks of vaping:
If you have questions about the information contained in the presentation please contact us at smagad@neisd.net or dgauna@neisd.net.
We believe the learning experience at ISA is special and unique! Families and guests feel the same and we enjoy visits from local and international visitors. Part of what makes ISA special is providing ISA students opportunities to practice their skills living the tenets of the ISA Graduate Profile. Opportunities to practice global competency is part of being an ISA Ambassador, and we invite ISA students in all grade levels to submit THIS form to express their interest in being an ambassador. Two upcoming opportunities we would like to highlight:
-
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - In cooperation with Students of Service (SOS), ISA will host a group of international students from Darmstadt, Germany and other European cities for a tour and a shadowing. SOS is also looking for host families for this exchange experience. Learn more and express your interest HERE.
-
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - ISA will host school leaders from the International Studies Schools Network (ISSN) from across the United States. We are looking for students interested in helping ISSN leaders navigate the campus and provide student perspectives about Global Competency.
Last week in this update, we shared that there is information available for updating in Skyward: Family Access. When navigating the Skyward space, you will see a set of tiles with green banners titled “New”. Below is the list of tiles families should review:
-
Acceptable Use Policy
-
Library Book OPT
-
Media Release/Privacy
-
Paperless Options
-
Student Handbook Acknowledgement
-
Title IX
-
Emergency Contact Updates
-
Update Primary Guardian
We continued to distribute the CEP eligibility campus family survey forms this week. CEP helps us ensure that all students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch at school daily. We appreciate a quick return of these family surveys to the ISA Main Office. If you have not seen this form, please take time to ask your student about this important survey!
The LEE/ISA/NESA/STEM Campus PTSA has also started the year strong. Click HERE for more information about joining our campus PTSA and information about an upcoming RootEd cluster tailgate at the LEE football game on September 9th.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 is the first early release day of the school year.We want to remind families that school will be released at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday!
On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, Lifetouch will be on campus to take pictures for all four grade levels. Families will be able to order photos for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders using the school code: EVTSXG7N6! ISA Seniors will also participate in photo day for the purpose of receiving a campus ID. Students can expect to get their photograph taken during the following classes on Wednesday:
-
9th grade through Biology with Suzeth Ramirez
-
10th grade through English II with Dana Lopez
-
11th grade through AP Physics I with Jesus Cantu
-
12th grade through AP U.S. Government with Jannesa Prado
Looking ahead, the LEE/ISA/NESA/STEM Campus invites families to save the date on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, for PTSA Back-to-School Night! This is a great evening to learn more about the campus PTSA, join the PTSA, and experience your student’s daily schedule!
SAVE THE DATE on Saturday, September 30, 2023! The ISA 9th grade class will host their annual ISA Garage Sale Fundraiser. This cooperation with the ISA Amigos directly benefits our 9th grade travel experience to Houston, Texas! Garage Sale Committee Chairs, Sarah Larson and Angi Aramburu, are forming a committee for the 9th Grade Garage Sale Event! If you or someone you know is interested in serving on this committee, please contact the co-chairs at sarahc82777@gmail.com OR angiaramburu@gmail.com. The committee will also invite and coordinate with volunteers to receive donations after school on Friday, September 29, 2023. 100% of proceeds from this fundraiser support the 9th grade class in their travel experience to Houston in November! Look for a Sign-up Genius in this update next week to volunteer! If your family has items you would like to donate to the garage sale, now is also a great time to begin to gather these items! Household items and appliances; tools; toys; garden items and equipment, furniture, and gently used shoes have been popular in the past. However, please refrain from donations of clothing, books and outdated technology.
Finally, next Monday, September 4, 2023, is a school holiday in observance of Labor Day. We look forward to seeing students in the halls of ISA on Tuesday, September 5th following the holiday!
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Steve Magadance and the ISA Faculty
