Wolf Call

First Day of Class

Tuesday, September 8

Upcoming Events and Important Dates to Know

Teacher Assignments Available on ParentVue: Friday, August 21 (after 4:00pm)

Meet the Teacher Communication Meetings: Wednesday, September 2 & Thursday, September 3

First Day of School Tuesday: Tuesday, September 8, 9:20am – 4:00pm

PTA Family Social at Snail Lake Regional Park: Monday, September 14

School Picture Day: Tuesday, September 29

Hello Island Lake students and families!

It is crazy to think we are just over a month away from students returning to school. Nonetheless, we are excited for another great school year. For those who may not know me, my name is Nate Peterson and I have been working at Island Lake as both a Dean of Students and fifth grade teacher over the past 4 years. I am eager to continue serving our school community in a new role as our Associate Principal for this coming school year.

Island Lake and this community have meant so much to me over the last few years, and this school has truly become my second home. The students, families, and staff here make Island Lake such a special place, and I feel extremely fortunate to continue to be part of it.

A little bit about me outside of school - I am a proud husband to a wife who also works in education, and we have a very busy two-year-old son, Brecken, and we are excited to be welcoming a baby girl so soon in August! In my free time, I love cheering on Minnesota sports, spending time with my family, cooking, and being outside. I am looking forward to getting to know you all more!

-Nate Peterson

If you would like paper copies of forms, please contact the school office at 651-621-7000.

https://www.mvpschools.org/families/parentvue

If you have not done so already, all Island Lake families are asked to confirm their student’s data and update emergency contacts by logging into ParentVue and completing their 2026-2027 Online Data Verification. (The Online Data Verification button can be found in the upper right corner after logging in.) If you need assistance with your ParentVue account, please email islandlake@mvpschools.org All verifications should be completed before September 8.

Walking Permission Slip - Please complete after teacher assignments are posted on August 21.

Occasionally classes at Island Lake go on walking field trips in the neighborhood. Examples include our Lake Judy walk, going to Island Lake Park or Bobby Theisen Park, and visiting nearby rain gardens. By signing off on the Google Form, you are granting your child permission to go on walking field trips from Island Lake for the 2026-2027 school year. If a class is going on an extended field trip, we will inform you ahead of time. Please contact the school office if you choose to rescind your permission for a particular field trip.

School supply lists are online at https://islandlake.mvpschools.org/resources/supply-list

Do you need help with school supplies? If you need help with free school supplies for your student(s), theGood Neighbor Back to School Project can help. If you have not already registered for this program, request an appointment to pick up school supplies in August from the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf at this link: https://www.jotform.com/form/261624851753057. If you have any questions, please call the food shelf at 651-621-6280.

The Minnesota Free School Meals Program offers all students one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each day at school. Additional items are available to purchase using meal account funds. To add funds to your student’s meal account online, visit linqconnect.com. You can also send cash or check to school with your student. Menus and nutritional information can be found at https://www.mvpschools.org/services/nutrition.

Educational Benefits – An application is not required to receive no-cost meals, but filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important. Households need to apply for Educational Benefits each school year. Families who qualify are eligible for many great benefits, such as reduced (or free) fees on sports and activities, college application fees, transportation, community programs and more. Additionally, your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts and other programs that benefit all students. Complete the application online at https://www.mvpschools.org/services/nutrition.

If you still need to register and/or pay for busing, you have received emails with instructions and reminders. If you have not received instructions, please email transportation@mvpschools.org. Bus information will be sent by email in early August and physical bus passes will be mailed at the end of August. ParentVue will be updated with bus information after August 31.

School begins at 9:20 am and students can enter the building at 9:05 am. If students arrive after 9:20, they must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian. The dismissal process begins at 3:55 pm. Walkers and students being picked up by parents exit the east (front) doors and should be picked up promptly. There is no adult supervision after dismissal is complete. Bus drop-off/pick-up is at the west (back) entrance. There is NO car drop-off/pick-up at the west doors. Only buses park along the Vivian Ave sidewalk.

Student Drop off and Pick up – Cars must enter the south entrance (closest to St. Odilia) and weave through the parking lot to pick up students at the front door. There is no access to the north entrance (closest to County Rd E) during arrival and dismissal. Watch this “how-to” video for assistance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggyMQ1oMwY

https://www.mvpschools.org/services/health

It is important that current health needs and emergency information are verified for each student attending school. Complete the Online Data Verification in ParentVue to ensure that we have the correct information regarding allergies or other health concerns and that we have up-to-date contact information in the event of an emergency. Please make sure you have at least two emergency contacts other than yourself.

Immunizations – To ensure a successful school start, please be sure all updated immunization records are submitted to our Health Office by September 4. Thank you for your cooperation.

Medication Policy – Medication distribution during the school day can be coordinated in our health office when student health needs require it. If you have questions, please contact our health office at 651-621-7004.

Please bring medications to the health office during your Meet the Teacher Communication Meeting so we can be ready for the first day of school!

Before-and after-school care at Island Lake is provided by the YMCA. Y-Care is a fun and safe program for kids to play with friends, do homework and participate in sports, art projects and other exciting activities. Y-Care maintains an educated, experienced and creative staff.

For additional information, call the YMCA at 651-483-2671 or visit https://www.ymcanorth.org/child_care__preschool/school_age_care

Welcome back, Wolves!

This is Island Lake PTA President Mike Kinsella, and on behalf of the Island Lake PTA, I want to welcome all of our Island Lake families to the 2026-27 school year!

I'm especially thrilled to welcome Principal Cori Thompson and Associate Principal Nate Peterson to their new roles leading our school. The PTA is excited to work with both Cori and Nate to support our Island Lake students this year. We are looking forward to a great partnership with our school leadership team, as well as with all of you!

Please consider supporting our mission by becoming an Island Lake PTA member on our

Givebacks site: https://islandlakepta.givebacks.com/shop. You can also download the Givebacks app in the Apple or Google Play store, link your credit card, and the ILPTA will earn pennies on various purchases you make! Every little bit helps!

There are many great events that the PTA is putting on this fall. Here are some things we have planned:

• Popsicles with the Principal & PTA on the Playground
  Monday, August 10, 4:30pm - 5:30pm @ Island Lake Elementary Playground
  Come join Principal Thomspon and the PTA for a freeze pop and some time on the playground!

• Chalk It Up!
  Monday, September 7, 3:00pm @ Island Lake Elementary
  In the afternoon/evening before school, stop by Island Lake and leave a welcome back
  message for students and staff in chalk on the sidewalks!
• First Day Coffee and Donuts
  Tuesday, September 8, 9:30a @ Bobby Theisen Park outdoor tables
  Meet the PTA for some first day refreshments after the bus or parent dropoff.
• Island Lake PTA Family Social
  Monday, September 14 from 4:30pm - 7:30pm @ Snail Lake Regional Park
• First PTA General Meeting
  Wednesday, September 23 at 5:00pm @ Island Lake Elementary Library (IMC)
• Island Lake PTA Fall Fundraiser
  October 19 - 30

ILPTA also sponsors a school directory that families can choose to opt-in to. Please check it out

at islandlakepta.membershiptoolkit.com and update/add your entry!

Thank you for your support of the Island Lake PTA! As always, please reach out with any

questions at contactilpta@gmail.com.

Mike Kinsella

ILPTA President

26-27 Annual

26-27 FERPA