Dear ISA Families,

 

On Wednesday last week, ISA had the opportunity to share a glimpse into the special learning community we enjoy with visitors from the ISSN. As ISA students and teachers met with our guests,we were reminded how unique the ISA Community is. Seeing the excitement, pride, and ownership in our students of sharing their school with visitors is a wonderful event to witness. 

 

Community is not the only benefit of learning at ISA. ISA students continue to achieve high levels of academic success. This week, we learned ISA was named by the College Board to the AP Honor Roll as a Gold status school! Our community also recognizes our success. ISA was named the second best public school in the San Antonio Area by Niche. Recognition for excellence is a great honor, and it is a privilege to serve this community! 

 

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, ISA 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take the PSAT. This year, the PSAT is entirely online! Students can explore PSAT Digital Tools provided in the College Board “Bluebook” App. The Bluebook contains digital tools including an embedded calculator for the mathematics sections. Additionally, on October 17th all 11th graders will have access to a calculator during the administration. We ask that 9th and 10th graders bring their own calculator to the PSAT administration. For juniors, this administration of the PSAT qualifies as their entry into the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). We recommend that juniors get a good night’s rest on Monday, October 16, to do their best on the day of the PSAT. 

 

Also on Tuesday, October 17, ISA 12th graders will have a late arrival day at 12:oo p.m. Seniors will have access to lunch on campus immediately upon arrival. Following lunch, seniors will report to S-102 and S-103 in the ISA/LEE Science Building to learn more about the class travel experience to Washington, D.C.!

 

On Thursday, October 19, 2023, grade level teams will host their next travel information meetings. Here are the locations and times for each grade-level meetings:

• 9th grade - PERC (next to the cafeteria) - 5:00 p.m.

• 10th grade - S-103 (The Flex Space in the Science Building) - 5:45 p.m.

• 11th grade - Library MPR - 6:00 p.m.

• 12th grade - 108 (Ms. Fitzgerald’s) - 6:00 p.m.

At these meetings ISA 9th, 10th, and 11th grade families will learn more information about ISA Travel Week coming next month. In November, students load up charter buses headed to Houston, Santa Fe, and Birmingham for ISA Travel Week! As ISA teachers continue to prepare for these impactful travel experiences, our campus nurse, Crystal Schweers, is also preparing to ensure that students requiring medication during overnight travel are all ready to go. Nurse Schweers has prepared some reminders and procedures to help families ensure that their students get what they need while traveling in November. 

• All medications, along with the proper forms, should be turned in to the campus clinic on or before Friday, November 10, 2023.

• Special requests requiring doctor’s orders should be on file with the nurse by November 1, 2023! 

• NEISD employee chaperones will administer medication. Students may NOT carry ANY medication on their person unless they have a current doctor's order to self-carry from the school nurse for THIS school year.

• If you are not sure about the above details or have any questions, please, contact Nurse Scweers at (210) 356-0803 or by email at cschwe@neisd.net.

More detailed information about procedures--including items we CANNOT accept is outlined on THIS medical information form.

Also on October 19th, MUNSA will host their annual Pancake Dinner in the LEE HS cafeteria from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.! Pancake Dinner tickets cost $5 and can be purchased from any MUNSA co-chair. Students can stop by room S-102 for more information and to find a co-chair! This year’s event will feature a silent auction for which bidding begins at 4:30 p.m. and will close at 7:15 p.m.  Each of these is made possible with support from Oak Hills Rotary Club and the ISA Amigos. 

Along with their help coordinating the MUNSA silent auction, the ISA Amigos will also be on hand selling ISA spirit wear in the cafeteria. The ISA Amigos just restocked several popular items, and this is a great time to purchase comfortable clothing prior to November travel. Thursday is also a perfect time to contribute to the Globie Fund helping reach our goal of making travel experiences possible for 100% of ISA students. You can contribute online through the ISA Amigos’ Square Site or at this URL: https://isa-amigos.square.site/ for links! 

Our Campus PTSA has asked us to share THIS newsletter with updates about opportunities to support students across the campus!

On Friday, October 20, Lifetouch will be on-campus in the PERC for yearbook photo make-ups for grades 9-11. 

On Saturday, October 21st, LEE Dance will host their Fall Dance Clinic. Students who participate in the clinic will have an opportunity to perform at the half-time presentation during the LEE vs. Madison Football game. Click HERE for the Clinic registration form and see the attached flier for more information!

 

NEISD is interested in feedback from our community about the school calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year. Click HERE or paste this URL: neisd.net/calendar-survey in the browser of your choice. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, October 20, 2023.

 

This past week, Dr. Maika shared the THIRD and FOURTH video in a six part series discussing TEA’s delay in releasing accountability ratings and the changes in the school rating system. Video ONE and TWO can be viewed at the link in this sentence, and families can look forward to the final two videos soon!

 

Looking ahead, ISA 10th graders will travel to visit the San Antonio Missions on Wednesday, October 25th and ISA 9th graders will travel to local elementary schools on October 27th as part of ISA’s annual Storytelling Project!

 

On November 8, 2023, NEISD will host a College & Career Expo at the Freeman Coliseum (3201 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78219). Click on THIS flier for more information!

 

Finally, Tuesday, October 31, is our district’s next early release day! School will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. in two weeks.

 

Have a wonderful week!

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Magadance and the ISA Faculty