I.S.A. - International Studies Academy San Francisco » Events Calendar

Remember: Earlier Fall Start!!

MOM — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:02:00 +0000

Remember!!

The first day of school comes earlier this year: Students start Monday, August 16 throughout SFUSD in order to finish the first semester by winter break.

See you then – we hope you had/have a happy and safe summer!!

New School Year Brings Big Changes to SFUSD Instructional Calendar

This past spring, SFUSD continued its efforts to improve instruction with an adjusted calendar, but it also faced the reality of massive budget cuts. The result is a school year for 2010-11 that will begin a week earlier than usual but will include four fewer days of school.

Improved Semester Schedule
One of the most important changes is a continuous first semester. As many current students and staff know, the former fall semester schedule was interrupted by winter break, requiring students to take extra time to get back to where they were in their studies when they returned for the final two weeks of the fall semester in January.

For middle and high school students the earlier start will mean final exams and papers will be completed prior to leaving for winter break, allowing them to rest without the pressure of finishing assignments or studying for tests.

For teachers, ending the fall semester before the winter break will allow them to adjust what is known as the “master schedule” in response to student needs. Before, students were locked into a year-long block for many core courses such as English and Math and the one-day break between semesters did not allow sufficient time for schools to adjust for those who failed a class. Under the new calendar, students who failed a first semester class such as Math or English will be able to retake the class before continuing with the second segment.

Also, the subsequent early start of the second semester will allow more instructional time prior to the standardized (STAR) and advanced placement (AP) tests students take in late April and early May. The school year will end May 27, 2011, before Memorial Day.

The new calendar was created by a committee of district employee representatives, teachers, parent representatives and administrators, and was adopted by the Board of Education.

Budget cuts reduce calendar by four days, saves teachers’ jobs
In June, the Board of Education approved a revised instructional calendar for 2010-11 to include four fewer days of instruction, due to budget reduction furlough days (unpaid work days) for all SFUSD staff.

The furloughs are part of the district’s cost-cutting measures as it faces a $113 million shortage of funds from the state of California over the next two years. The district estimates the furloughs – when schools, child development centers and district offices will be closed – will save approximately $9.2 million in 2010-11 alone, making it possible for the district to avoid laying off hundreds of teachers.

In addition to its regularly-scheduled holidays, schools will be closed:

• Monday, November 1, 2010
(The teachers union (UESF) requested this to be one of the furloughs)

• Friday, February 4, 2011
(This was chosen to create a long weekend; February, 3 is the district’s Lunar New Year holiday)

• Friday, March 25, 2011
(This furlough will extend spring break by one day)

• Monday, April 25, 2011
(This creates a long weekend before the end of the school year)

You can view the 2010-11 calendar here.

BMAGIC Backpack Giveaway

MOM — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:22:00 +0000

HOPE U R ENJOYING YOUR SUMMER,
Latrice M. Manuel, Parent Liaison

Please download and distribute the BMAGIC Backpack Giveaway PDF Flier!

Bayview Hunters Point Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in Our Communities [BMAGIC] advances the educational, economic, and juvenile justice of underserved youth and their families in Bayview Hunters Point. BMAGIC is a collaborative San Francisco neighborhood-based nonprofit organization that coordinates community resources and opportunities to support service providers and community members in Bayview Hunters Point.

ISA Music Recital Invite!

MOM — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:49:33 +0000

You are cordially invited to ISA’s Musical Recital taking place in the ISA auditorium this Tuesday, 25th, @ 6pm.

Our students will be performing works by Handel, Hannah & Barbera, and even a personal composition.

You will have the opportunity to hear your students play with the Band, Strings and Guitar ensembles.

Please come; your students will be delighted to see you!

Sincerely, Ms. Guzman, Music, 202

I.S.A. Sports Awards

MOM — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:14:23 +0000

The Cobra Athletics proved once again that perseverance and dedication to their sport reap rewards!

On Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM ISA Parents/Guardians came out and participated in the Sports Awards Potluck (located in the library) to meet and mingle with the coaches, teammates, and parents. The highlights of the evening were no doubt the I.S.A. Sports Awards proudly presented to our fabulous Cobra Athletics.

Gerson Rivera has been presented with the International Studies Academy 2009-2010 Cobra Dedication Award.

Our photo pictures Gerson Rivera (Track and Field) while leaving the Sports Awards Potluck around eight. Congratulations to Gerson Rivera for being selected by I.S.A. coaches for the International Studies Academy 2009-2010 Cobra Dedication Award.

And a Big Hand of course also to all other Cobra Athletics presented yesterday with awards and trophies – GO COBRAS!!

School Events

MOM — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:03:55 +0000

Hi Parents,

Just a reminder about the events happening this week.

On Thursday, May 20th @ 2pm we will be having our Pacific Islander – Latino Cultural Assembly in the auditorium. I am sure that the youth will be excited to have you present.

On Thursday after school, we will be having our Middle School Dance in the auditorium 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Tickets are $5.00. There will be a professional photographer ($5.00 per picture).
Snacks will be provided. Chaperones are WELCOME!

AT 6 pm on Thursday, May 20 we will be having our Sports Awards Dinner for all team players during the 09/10 school year. This is a potluck. If you can please tell Latrice or Mr. Norman what you will be bringing. Please come out and celebrate your child’s accomplishments.

Friday, May 28th. Parents we want to appreciate all of your efforts in making ISA run as smooth as possible. Please come eat a Hearty Breakfast on us. This we be held in the school Library from 8 am – 10 am.

Ms. Latrice and Ms. Sharon will be your chefs.

I.S.A. iCAN Awards: iFly Fieldtrip

MOM — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:40:50 +0000

Today, Wednesday, May 19, 2010 the I.S.A. iCAN Awards GRAND PRIZE will get Twenty Lucky Students flying high at iFLY in Union City. iFLY is a safe, indoor skydiving adventure for all ages. Students were chosen randomly from all categories: SOTW and 6-WA.

Location: iFLY SF Bay • 31310 Alvarado-Niles Rd. • Union City, CA 94587
Start Time: 8:00 AM End Time: 3:00 PM

About iFLY:

You can experience human body flight! Indoor Skydiving at iFly SF Bay is safe for kids, challenging for adults, exciting for teens and realistic for skydivers. No experience is necessary, great fun for all ages, three and up.

iFly SF Bay vertical wind tunnel, indoor skydiving offers you endless excitement, adrenaline and adventure! iFly SF Bay gives you the flight experience of a lifetime at their attraction centrally located in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Union City just off 880 between the Dumbarton and San Mateo Bridges. It’s within minutes from San Francisco, San Jose, and the peninsula, in the Union Landing development.

About the iCAN Awards:

New to ISA this year were the iCAN Awards – awards given to students for setting high goals in academics, attendance and behavior. There were two Awards categories:

Student of the Week (SOTW): Every week, students were chosen by ISA teachers and staff for special recognition as individuals who show a commitment to COOPERATION, CARING AND CREATIVITY @ ISA. Students received a certificate and early pass to the cafeteria.
Six-Week Awards (6-WA): After every six-week grading period, students were “honored” in the following categories:

HONOR ROLL (at least a 3.0 GPA (grade point average) or above)
ATTENDANCE (100% – 85%)
CITIZENSHIP (all E’s and S’s)
TARDIES (less than 8 tardies)
RISING SCHOLAR (ANY increase in GPA from prior report card starting in November. To be eligible, student must have at least a 1.5 GPA).

“6-WA” certificates were awarded, as well as ISA personalized gifts that have included carabiner keytags, luggage tags, pep rally scarves and aluminum water bottles.

In addition, all SOTW and 6-WA recipients could win raffle prizes that included gift cards, movie passes, “most inspiring quote choice” (student choice of personal words of inspiration to be enlarged and displayed in the school lobby), student “deejay” of iPod playlist during lunch, and lunch with Mr. Livingston or Ms. Duszynski or Ms. Peoples.

Those students who were honored in two or more 6-WA categories were treated to SPECIAL EVENTS that included make-your-own-scrumptious-lunches and field trips to the ZEUM, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, KQED-TV, BRAVA THEATRE and more…

Finally, the GRAND PRIZE is getting 20 lucky students flying high at iFLY in Union City. iFLY is a safe, indoor skydiving adventure for all ages. Students were chosen randomly from all categories: SOTW and 6-WA.

iCAN AWARDS are for EVERY student…YES YOU CAN!!!

ISA Middle School Dance May 20th – Tickets on Sale Now!

MOM — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:51:35 +0000

ISA Middle School Dance will be held on Thursday, May 20th in the Cafeteria from 3:30 – 6:30 pm. We are asking for Parent Chaperones.
Please contact Ms. Latrice M. Manuel at (415) 695-5866 ext. 3219 if you can participate.

Light Snacks will be served.

Tickets are $5.00

Photos can be taken for an additional $5.00 per photo

Last meeting of the year

MOM — Sat, 15 May 2010 05:43:59 +0000

Hello ISA Parents,

On Monday, May 17th it is our last PTSA meeting of the school year. We are encouraging all Parents interested in the Parent Teacher Student Association to please come out. We have a new exciting school year to look forward to and we want You to be a part of the planning and implementation of these events.

Hope to see you there!

Dinner will be served.

Thanks,
Ms. Latrice

I.S.A. International Night 2010

MOM — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:28:28 +0000

So now it is May, the final month before Final Exams and Graduation. Our major event this month is International Night on Friday, May 14th at 6:00pm. This is our annual event that showcases student performances of cultures all around the world. This year, International Night will be particularly spectacular because we will be re-dedicating our Rosa Parks – Daisaku Ikeda Mural. This mural was first unveiled in 1995 when Rosa Parks herself came to ISA when it was located on Vermont Street. Well, it has been 4 years now since ISA has been on De Haro Street, and I am proud to say, that the mural has finally been brought back home. We will be re-dedicating it, and illuminating it with our brand new track lighting in the auditorium! Hope to see you there.
-Mr. Livingston

What’s Happening at ISA
ISA INTERNATIONAL NIGHT 2010
Presented by: The ISA Cobra Rec

Come support the students as they present to you their talent focusing diverse cultural backgrounds. Join us for an exciting moment in ISA History!

Celebrate the re-dedication of the International Studies Academy Rosa Parks-Daisaku Ikeda Mural.
Be a part of ISA history! This is a night that you don’t want to miss!

Potluck- This is a potluck! Please contact the ISA Cobra Rec-after school program or Ms. Latrice with the dish you plan on bringing for the night.
415-695-5866
SEE YOU THERE!

Field Day

MOM — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:31:34 +0000

On Friday May 14th from 1-3pm, join us at Jackson Park as we enjoy a day out in the field. There will be lots of physical activity, organized sports, water games, and the famous Watermelon eating contest, Come Join in on the fun.

Food will be sold at this event!

We are looking for parent participation, please contact the school if you would like to help in any way.
415-695-5866