By: Natalie, Annie, Tai, Kyle T, Lucy, Ann-Marie, Sterling, Greg: It may seem rough to leave behind cell-phones, telephone, and Internet, but we have happily replaced these “tings” with place-based learning. This week in math class, we took a boat out to the sand bar to examine the ooids that make up the island’s foundation. Scientists flock from all over the world to study these geological wonders of theBahamas. We also calculated the distance to the horizon from our location. Yesterday we took our first breaths under-water for SCUBA certification, which is part of our Marine Ecology class. We will use this still to learn about the different ecosystems that surround us. We’re excited to start our research projects this week, which range from mangroves to lemon sharks. Best of all, on Friday night we made new friends around a bonfire rather than on Facebook. Now how many high school students can say all of that?

Kyle Forness: Today as I sat under the gazebo free-writing with Felix I thought of how well the gazebo represented The Island School and its ideals. Starting from the top down, the thatched roof made of dried indigenous leaves stood for how The Island School is conscious and tries to incorporate the culture of The Bahamas into our schooling as well as a sheltered safe place for us to grow and learn. Continue reading →

Sometimes at Island School, things don’t always go as planned. So, when the weather isn’t right for SCUBA week, find other worthwhile ways for students to spend their time, like clearing the path out to Deals Beach, or sitting down to do some extra-blogging. Enjoy these reflections written by K3 and K4 in their downtime between dives…

Will Gold: Last Saturday the whole Island school headed into Deep Creek, which is the closest town for a cook out and a softball game with the local people.  When we arrived they had their grill up and running and were cooking steak, chicken and fish. I had the fish just to see what it was like. It was given to me with the head and everything still on it so it looked pretty gross but when you picked the meat and skin off they were delicious! We went and walked around town after that which was pretty small but interesting.

When we got back the softball game was already underway.  There was a mix of people playing in the outfield of locals mostly kids about my age and people I recognized from the Island School.  Little local kids were running around playing fun games with some of the girls from school, teaching each other some songs and rhythms.  There was a really strong sense of community as every one was laughing and talking smack.  It felt really good to be apart of because it reminded me of home. I joined right away and started in the out field somewhere between second and third. Continue reading →

Tai Massimilian: I squinted, wrapping my arms around my shivering body. This bathing suit is pinching my back and feels totally unnatural. And I’m pretty sure my skin is already burning. Yes. Yes it is. This was day one of the Island School Experience, and I was already way out of my comfort zone. By about 7 AM, I had peeled myself out of bed from a near comatose sleep, yanked on a bathing suit for the first time since last August, spit in a snorkeling mask, and braved the freezing waters for a wreck snorkel. The ocean was saltier than I remembered and burned the back of my tongue. I could feel my pale skin frying in the sunlight, and frankly, I was too exhausted for this. Continue reading →

Joe Eynck: The most awesome experience I have had at the Islandschool already in the short time I have been here was a blessing in disguise.  I had woken up at three in the morning on the 27^th to catch my flight from DC toOrlando and I was not expecting to meet up with any other kids until my connecting flight in Rocksound.  I was very distraught when I realized my flight was delayed while waiting inOrlando.  I thought I may be alone inNassau for the night.  I was very happy to meet Kyle Titsworth.  I thought inside my head at least I am not alone here not really knowing if I would like being around this “new kid” Kyle.  We waited patiently together in the airport constantly asking on updates to see if we would make it to Rocksound in time for our connecting flight.  Finally the airline and our very sweet helper Bernadette realized we would be staying in a hotel in Nassau together with the head of staff Kalin.  I was very out of my comfort zone because I had not mentally calculated any changes in my already stressful schedule.  We eventually arrived inNassau much later than expected, or desired and by this time I was really wondering what is going on.  This part in my experience is where it all changed.  After talking with Kyle I realized he’s a really chill guy and I was lucky to be stuck with him in Nassau.  Kyle and I talked and got to know each other while we waited inNassau realizing we were going to be friends I got more excited to see what we would get into that night.  Finally we met with the head of staff Kalin and discussed our plans for the night.  We checked with Bahamasair to see what they were going to do for us and got a very hospitable deal.  Bahamasair gave us two nice hotel rooms for the night along with another flight early the next morning to our desired destination, and taxi service to and from the hotel, along with thirty dollars on them for our dinner.  Now I was thinking…Awwww yeahhh this is going to be sick.  I went on to have a really great night with an awesome dinner, chill conversations, meeting new people not even acquainted with The Island School, and bonding with my new friend Kyle.  When I contemplate the events beginning my mind, spirit, body journey I can assure you this could not have ended up any better.  The ironic thing was this great experience happened because of a mistake that at first seemed very bad to me, I guess you really do learn from mistakes.

 Mathilde McAlpin: “Meet at the boat house at 1:15” I was hot, feeling the exhast from the heat of the day, and tired after another oversized plate of food at lunch. I was looking forward to learning about all the projects provided for the spring semester, but in the moment was struggling to express my enthusiasm. Continue reading →

Lauren Maida: After an anticipated intro to sign-out and bike sing-out, Sp ’12 lead the way to our first exploration of the vast and beautiful surroundings of the Island School campus on our recently accessible bike shed.  As we biked to the Marina and Sunset Beach, I noticed all of the amazing people, activities, and landmarks that I would have the opportunity to explore for the next 100 days.  Riding by, allowing my mind to drift to all of the exciting possibilities and memories that could potentially be made there, I realized that this semester is not just about the activities that Island School faculty will get us involved in and all of the added daily responsibility associated with being a member of the Island School community, but the duty we have to ourselves to live each moment to the fullest for the next 100 days, learn as much as we possibly can, and grant ourselves access to the endless possibilities that all contribute to the personal transformation that Island School has promised is possible.  From that moment, with my place book in hand attempting to grasp the handle of my beach cruiser, I knew that this semester would be filled with boundless opportunities for growth and discovery in a variety of different personal and communal forms…if we only let ourselves to experience it all.

Surayya Diggs: Upon arriving to the Island School my biggest worry was the athletic component of the program.  Today we had our first morning exercise and it was a short run followed by a swim and we only had 35 minutes to complete the swim component.  My lucky day. Continue reading →