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Community Update for August 25

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 we hold for ourselves 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. Duderstadt are 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 this week! 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 (slide 8),

  • 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 (slide 13),

  • The NEISD Dress Code has been updated for 2024-2025 (slide 6),

  • Avoiding absences and tardies--TARDIES COUNT BEGINNING MONDAY, 8/26 (slide 9), and

  • School Safety (slides 16 and 17)

We encourage you to review this presentation with your student, and if you have questions about the information please contact us at smagad@neisd.net or jduder@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 with opportunities to practice their skills living the tenets of the ISA Graduate Profile. Opportunities to practice global competency are 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.

 

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 Acknowledgment

  • 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 receive free breakfast and lunch at school daily. We appreciate a quick return of these family surveys to the ISA Main Office.

 

We are happy to welcome a new College Career & Military Readiness specialist to campus this year! Paul Goodwin has created a SMORE to share valuable information to the entire campus! We want to highlight the upcoming college visits listed in the SMORE that are also posted on the ISA Calendar. As we progress toward AP Exam registration we want to encourage families who qualify for Free and Reduced lunch to complete a free, confidential application at SchoolCafe.com. Free and reduced lunch students can qualify for reduced AP Exam fees!

 

The LEE/ISA/NESA/STEM Campus PTSA has also started the year strong. The PTSA is planning the 4th Annual Community Tailgate from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m before the first football game of the season on August 31st at Heroes Stadium (4799 Thousand Oaks Dr. 78233!

 

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 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: EVTBST7RG! 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, there is an informational meeting for ISA’s exchange travel experience in Germany on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the ISA Flex Space (S-103). Join Mr. Castillo to learn more about our sister school in Frankfurt, Germany scheduled for March 4 - 15, 2025! If your student is interested in traveling in March click the link below:

 

Germany Travel Interest Form

 

The LEE/ISA/NESA/STEM Campus invites families to save the date on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 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!

 

Another SAVE THE DATE for ISA families is Saturday, September 28, 2024! The ISA 9th grade class will host their annual ISA Garage Sale Fundraiser. 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.  Clothing donations are welcome, but please refrain from donations of books and outdated technology.

 

Finally, next Monday, September 2, 2024, is a school holiday in observance of Labor Day. We look forward to seeing students in the halls of ISA on Tuesday, September 3rd following the holiday!

 

Have a wonderful week!

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Magadance and the ISA Faculty