Snapshot of Success: Highlights from Our 19th Week!

Shipley Nature Center Field Trip



The recent field trip to Shipley Nature Center was a great success, as children and parents alike immersed themselves in nature and engaged in hands-on learning activities. Participants explored the lush habitats, identifying native plants and animals, and learning about sustainable gardening practices. A highlight for many was the "spear toss," where kids excitedly launched spires to the target. The outing not only deepened appreciation for the environment but also fostered community and curiosity among attendees.

Family Survey Results Summary

Thank you all for completing the anonymous Family Engagement Survey! We have received 49 responses from families overall, and ISSAC Board of Directors reviewed the results and comments and shared them with ISSAC's management team. The results are overwhelmingly positive and the emphasis was consistent on the school culture, the sense of belonging, satisfaction about kids’ education and excitement about ISSAC’s future. Parents specifically noted that ISSAC takes genuine interest in students’ well-being and they would recommend ISSAC as a great school to others! Some of the comments:

All the staff are very friendly and you feel in a familiar place

Very excited! I hope that ISSAC has the classes my daughter needs each year.

My child has better behavior, it has helped in his social development

Me encanta que todos pueden comportir su cultua y eventos de otros paises

It's my son's last year at this 8th grade school. And I'm sad about the school change.

They have an awesome staff.

I think it's nice that Patricia [and Shainna] do the student interviews for the newsletter and that they know all the kids' names.

Me gusta el ambiente que se vive dia a dia en la escuela. Me gusta ver que todos los estudiantes se llevan bien entre ellos y que los mayores estan pendiente de los chicos.

Our kids love it here!

We appreciate the various events that immerse students in culture.

En mi opinion la mejor escuela en el area.

My family and I love everything about Issac school, best decision I made in enrolling my kids

The main areas of improvement parents pointed to are:

Communication: 

I’d like communication to be more in advance and more complete. Many times, the communication has missing info.

Information for events always seems to be last minute.

It seems information is always coming at the last minute.

Very unorganized when it comes to events and needing volunteers last minute.

More focus on the basics

More emphasis on social emotional learning

The survey results show that the Newsletter and communication via ClassDojo are preferred methods of communication:

Email (Newsletter) 33

ClassDojo 21

Phone Text Message 5

Physical Paper 13

The team has taken all comments into consideration and will improve communication about events, related event information, the need for volunteers and will improve by providing more advance notice. The team will also address putting emphasis on the basics such as Math, Science and ELA, as well as SEL. A second survey will be distributed in May to collect feedback and determine the effectiveness of addressing the specified areas of improvement.

Thank you all for your feedback as it helps us grow and improve at ISSAC!

Weekly Interview

Josephine Nelson, Earth



Meet Josephine! She is six years old and in Kindergarten in the Earth Class. Josephine is a thoughtful, diligent, artistic, and very bright student. Her favorite subject is math, and she enjoys "learning a lot of things from her teachers," Ms. Norely and Ms. Shainna. During recess, Josephine loves playing tag with her friends.

In her free time, she enjoys engaging in creative art projects with her mom, riding her horse, Cowboy, on her dad's ranch, scooting, roller skating, and biking. Her favorite book is Snow White. Josephine is grateful for her cat, Fu Fu, because Fu Fu listens to her and makes her feel better.

When asked what makes her feel brave, Josephine says, "My dad helps me do things, like go down a scary hill on my bike with no training wheels."

We are all incredibly proud of Josephine!

Mark Your Calendar for PBL3 Presentation on January 17th

PBL3 on Peace and Human Rights wraps up on January 17th. Join us to see the presentations your kids have been working on diligently over the past six weeks!

Earth will present a song about how we are all different and yet the same; and skits demonstrating actions of kindness at the school! 

Venus will share a song and a book they created on the theme of three Children’s rights; 1) right to food, water, shelter 2) right to education 3) right to be safe!

Mars will present their findings on the Tongva people, their history and culture, and human rights.

Saturn will present their research and artwork on heroes who contributed on the issue of Human Rights.

Jupiter will share their impactful, recorded discussions, portraying famous historic figures, focusing on the subject of Human Rights.

UNDOUKAI WRAP UP January 16th 2025

$4,790 raised

Class with highest donation: Venus - game day with pizza and ice cream

Class with greatest participation: Saturn - donut & movie party

Leilani Flores - Highest amount raised - Principal for a day

Spirit Award - Yellow Team - an outdoor picnic party

Lunar New Year 

SAVE THE DATE

 January 31st 2025 5 PM 

We need your support for the Lunar New Year! Please fill out this simple google form by January 27th to let us know you can help. 

Please complete the google form

You can help us with the following actions: 

1. Donate food (Please write down what you can contribute in the comment area. Food needs to be at the school by 4:15 pm)

2. Donate products for the raffle (Spin the wheel) (Please write what you can provide in the comment area and submit the items to the front desk by January 27th)

3. Decorate & set up (3 volunteers) from 3:30-4:30 pm

4. Sell tickets (2 volunteers) before the main agenda from 4:30-5pm

5. Serve food (4 volunteers) from 4:30 pm - 5 p.m.

6. Clean up (4 volunteers) from 6:30 - 7 p.m.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated! 

Click here to add it to your calendar!