Fall Afters classes that weren't filled have reopened for registration; the final deadline is today at 8pm. Last chance to sign up for an after school program right at school! 

For program information and to register click: www.isdptaonline.com/afters

Classes begin directly following school on September 29 and are held on campus; pick up is at 4:20pm. 

*Before and After classes for kindergarten students are not offered in the fall to allow for adjustment to the long school day. 

As we begin the school year, I am so pleased to tell you about the exciting changes to the way your children will be receiving media instruction this year! With the full support of Mrs. Ricci, the Media Center is evolving into a Learning Commons where many innovative and learner-centered activities will be taking place.

A Learning Commons is a common school space that houses a variety of areas for large and small group work, presentations, design and creation of projects, multimedia work, research, and technology instruction. A feature we are most proud of at ISD is our growing Makerspace where students at all grade levels will be able to explore the STEM engineering design cycle and various forms of building and experimentation (including brainstorming, teamwork,3D printing, CAD software, diagramming, robotics, and problem solving).

As the Media Specialist, I have adopted a flexible schedule for grades 2-5 so that I can work with ISD students and teachers as needed, teaching about the research cycle, digital and print resources, current and emerging technologies, digital citizenship, and the engineering design cycle. Instead of seeing each class once a week as I have in the past, I will see them for many days in a row each month in the Learning Commons, at a time that works best for the classroom teacher. This benefits the teachers for whom collaboration is so important, as well as students, who thrive with more support and consistency.

So far this year I have already worked with 2nd grade teachers planning research and digital presentations for their first IB unit, created five short videos and led discussions for various periods of American History for the third grade ballet, begun working with 4th grade teachers and students to develop their understanding of the research cycle and how to create a green-screen video for their current IB unit, and collaborated with the ALP and 5th grade teachers to introduce the engineering design cycle into their astronomy unit. Over the next few weeks all of these projects will be coming to fruition and will be shared with you and we will move on to new projects.

This will be an exciting year in our new Learning Commons as we look forward to new technologies, new schedules, new furnishings, and most importantly, new learning for all students and teachers! Please feel free to contact me or drop by during Open House to hear more or ask questions.

All the best,

Mrs. Madoff

Thanks to all of the student artists who attended Wednesday's early dismissal event and helped decorate signs and banners for the 4th Annual ISD Family Fun Run on September 27. 

Congratulations to first graders Elias O. and Julia T. who were randomly selected from all Fun Run pre-registrants to win one of two $20 Tag Sale gift certificates. 

 The Tag Sale will be held after the Fun Run on Saturday, September 27. Plan now to join the fun and help raise funds for PTA-sponsored cultural partnerships and educational initiatives.