All posts by teamcomm

Island School, Student Update

Student Update: Transitioning

Student Jeremy Diaz took a moment this weekend to reflect on his transition to The Island School and all that he has learned in his first month. Here’s what he had to say.

I came here blinded from the world beyond the city, now I have lifted my blinds. I’m originally from the big city of New York City. So, the closest thing to the great outdoors is going to the park. Within the first few weeks of coming to the Island School, I learned how to open up to the world around me, scuba dive and swim, at that order. I also can’t forget for kayaking and camping for the first time as well. The overall staff and classes that I am taking are guiding me to the path of self and world observation. I truly feel that coming here has entirely changed my outlook on life. When seeing things now, I just don’t see it; I analyze it and search for every aspect of it in order to create connections. For example, you might see a plant, but I see a primary producer who plays a key role in an ecosystem. It’s something about pushing your perspective that improves the way you see things. That is the difference between before and after the Island School experience. I feel that after this whole experience, I will take what I learned and try to share it with other people.

Jeremy Diaz

Jeremy, Raynooka, Maddie, Sophie and Margaret prepare to leave on their 3-day kayak trip.
Jeremy, Raynooka, Maddie, Sophie and Margaret excited to leave on their 3-day kayak trip.
Island School, Student Update

Student Update: Rain Day

Island School students have been busy this week with classes, Community Outreach, and an advisory World Cup soccer tournament. Sometimes though, it’s the spontaneous, unscheduled events that can make a week. Lucy Zachau writes about one such moment.

No matter how old you are, no matter who you are, where you’ve been or where you’re going…rain is SO much fun. This was quite clear after last night, when campus experienced its first real rain storm of the semester. Two minutes passed after the first raindrop hit the decks before we stormed the flagpole. All 53 screaming students flooded to circle, sporting our finest spandex and sports bras, and of course, crocs. Screams were never ending, all you could feel was excitement, there was absolutely no way not to enjoy this moment. As the rain continued to fall, a circle formed out of all the chaos, and once again, we felt the excitement of one another. Screams were overwhelming, no longer was this playing in the rain, it was like a ceremony. Where we all felt like we were one, appreciating the rain, playing in the rain, feeling the cold drops hitting our sunburnt skin. I wasn’t thinking about school, or the swim the next morning, or the fact that I hadn’t even started my homework, all I was worried about was how loud I could yell, and that is exactly why I love Island School, because no where else can I appreciate a rainstorm with 52 other teenagers and not feel weird about it at all.

Lucy Zachau

Rain day

Stay tuned for more student updates throughout the semester!

Island School

Meet your Caciques of the week!

This week’s Caciques have been hard at work running daily circles, finding ways to make meal times more exciting, and acting as student leaders. A highlight of their week was a beautifully organized coffee house on Saturday night, hosted by Haley and Patrick. Congratulations and thanks for a great week!

Delphine
Delphine Carroll
Where are you from?: Governors Harbor, Eleuthera
How did you find out about The Island School?: I live on the island : ) I came on a fieldtrip and saw a presentation
Name one thing not many people know about you: When I was little a cat taught me how to crawl.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here: The fun Saturday night activities!
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?: Einstein!
Haley
Haley Taft
Where are you from?: Dover, MA
How did you find out about The Island School?: Both of my sisters went and we found out from family friends.
Name one thing not many people know about you: My nickname is after a comet– Halbop.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here: A lot of work. It’s hard, but it’s good!
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?: My great grandmother, Maybel
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Patrick Henderson
Where are you from?: Dedham, MA
How did you find out about The Island School?: A lot of my family has gone– brother and cousins!
Name one thing not many people know about you: I have an identical twin.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here: It’s a lot of work!
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?: Neil deGrasse Tyson or Jon Stewart
Nick
Nick Brittain
Where are you from?: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
How did you find out about The Island School?: My cousin and both of my sisters came.
Name one thing not many people know about you: My mom grew up in Britain and Sweden and I hope to get dual citizenship from Sweden.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here: That I would be able to see so much wildlife– this morning I saw an eagle ray and a turtle!
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?: Chris McCandles from the book Into The Wild.
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Tallis Blossom
Where are you from?: Helena, Montana
How did you find out about The Island School?: Grandfather is friends with someone on the board.
Name one thing not many people know about you: She’s an excellent dancer and also hunts elk.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here: There are no elk.
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?: Madonna
Alumni

Alumni Invasion!

The Island School has been lucky enough to welcome back so many of our amazing alumni over these past few weeks–it’s been an alumni invasion!

In February, Willie Drury (S’10) sailed into Triangle Cut with two of his friends and shipmates. The three of them have been sailing south since they left Annapolis earlier this winter and we were happy to have them on campus for a few days. We wasted no time putting them to work…

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Zach Jones, Willie Drury (S’10), Trey Warren “earning their keep” at The Island School when they stopped over during their sailing trip.

Grace Fowler (F’11) and Anne Vetter (S’11) became friends at Colby College and decided to make great use of their spring break. They escaped the never-ending winter in Maine and spent a some time with us on Eleuthera!

Anne Vetter (S'11), Grace Fowler (F'11), Chris Maxey
Anne Vetter (S’11), Grace Fowler (F’11), Chris Maxey

We welcomed our most recent visitor, Connor Boals (F’03), earlier this week. Connor works for CNN and is on-site doing a piece with Dr. Edd Brooks at Cape Eleuthera Institute. Earlier this year, Connor worked with The Island School to produce a feature for the “Wish You Were Here” series CNN ran. In addition to having the opportunity to reconnect with The Island School campus, Connor also caught up with fellow F’03 alumnus and Island School mathematics teacher, Catherine Klem!

Catherine Klem (F'03), Connor Boals (F'03)
Catherine Klem (F’03), Connor Boals (F’03)

 

Island School, Staff Spotlight

Staff Spotlight: Alex Cook

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The Island School is thrilled to welcome our newest faculty member Alex Cook this spring. When not advising and leading kayak trips, Alex can be found hard at work in the bike shed teaching students how to change a flat or fix a dropped chain.

Name: Alex Cook

Where are you from? Born and raised in Lancaster, Ohio

Where were you before this? Prior to my time at the Island School I lived in Ohio. Colorado, California (Southern then Northern), Chile, and Michigan.

What brought you to Eleuthera? The Island School’s educational philosophy and the sense of community here.

What is your favorite dining hall meal? BREAKFAST BURRITOS BABY!!!!!

Name one thing that not many people know about you. I climbed the Grand Teton (13,770′) unguided on the Lower Exum Ridge route in Grand Teton National Park.

What is your favorite word? Speleothem….this is a generic term for any cave formation (eg. Stalactites and Stalagmites)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Coffee Farmer

What are your top three movies of all time? Shawshank Redemption, Jurassic Park, and Last of the Mohicans

What songs and/or bands have you been listening to lately? Bands: Bill Monroe, Kygo, Matoma, and Trampled By Turtles

Look out for more staff spotlights throughout the semester.

Uncategorized

Meet Your Caciques of the Week!

Cacique means leader in Lucayan. Here at The Island School five students are selected each week to take on the role of “cacique” and serve as the face of the community . These student leaders, or caciques, work with faculty and their peers to ensure that the community stays on task throughout the day. On any given day you can witness caciques running morning circle, planning weekend activities, participating in student duty and much more. The Island School is thrilled to introduce Spring 2015′s first set of caciques. Congrats and cheers to a fantastic semester ahead!

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Cole Triedman

Where are you from?
Providence, RI “Best Place on Earth…sort of”
How did you find out about The Island School?
My sisters both went and I came for parent’s weekend
Name one thing not many people know about you:
I bungy-jumped in New Zealand
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here:
I didn’t know how awesome Derece’s dinner circle announcements were.
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
Gandalf

 

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Ali Boutros

Where are you from?
San Fran, CA
How did you find out about The Island School?
From my high school, Branson. I came on an EP trip
Name one thing not many people know about you:
I’m scared of dairy
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here:
I didn’t know we had 6-day weeks!
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
Jay Moriarty, Big surfer at Mavericks– died free diving at 22

 

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Ethan Pierce

Where are you from?
Freeport, ME
How did you find out about The Island School?
Lucy Zachau told me in homeroom.
Name one thing not many people know about you:
I play the saxophone.
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here:
There are lizards everywhere, a pleasant surprise.
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
Stevie Wonder.

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Maddie Nystrom

Where are you from?
Dover, MA
How did you find out about The Island School?
My dad went to the same gym as the board of directors, Ernie P.
Name one thing not many people know about you:
I’m a book worm
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here:
That we got SCUBA certified in only 2 weeks
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
J.K. Rowling

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Cam St. Onge

Where are you from?
Newport, RI
How did you find out about The Island School?
On my boat trip through The Bahamas. We stayed in Rock Sound.
Name one thing not many people know about you:
I high fived Jimmy Fallon
Name one thing you know about Island School that you didn’t know when you got here:
I didn’t know who Peter Z. was.
If you could meet anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
James Bond

Stay tuned to meet next week’s caciques!

 

Deep Creek Middle School

DCMS Eco-Club Attends Plastic Ocean Pollution Solution (POPS) Conference in California

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DCMS teacher Nikki Elliott, Captain Charles Moore, DCMS students Forrest Schmitt, Giltavia Goodman, Tiia McKinney, Simeon Bethel at the POPS Conference in Dana Point, CA.

Hi! My name is Simeon Bethel and I am a 13-year-old youth activist that attends the Deep Creek Middle School and I am passionate about the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. At my school, I am part of the Eco-Club where I am treasurer. Our school’s Eco-Club is what initiated our green flag certification and DCMS was the first school in the English speaking Caribbean to be certified with the green flag. We have solar panel water heaters and fan switches that regulate the amount of time a fan can be left running in order to prevent them from continuously running throughout the day–to save energy. The Eco-club also orchestrates many different beach cleanups and events that inform the public about the damages that plastic pollution has on our environment and beautiful waters.

To support our learning as leader and environmental activists, myself and three other students were given the privilege to travel to Dana Point, California to attend the Plastic Ocean Pollution Solutions (POPS) Conference. This event took place on February 27 to March 1, 2015. At this conference, many other youth activists from all over the world came to share their own projects or solutions to plastic ocean pollution. There were many inspirational speakers about the topic of plastic ocean pollution and also many world renowned scientists that have made remarkable discoveries and advancements towards solving the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans.

This whole event took months and months of planning, project finalizing, brainstorming and orchestration. The Deep Creek Middle School’s project is to have large-scale beach cleanups on certain beaches and then install proper signage on the beaches. For example, one might say, “150 Pounds of Plastic was Collected from Lighthouse Point Beach. Please Help us in Our Effort to Keep These Wondrous Treasures Clean, Green and Pristine”. Also, prior to and during our trip to California, the Eco-Club started to think about the fact that cleaning the beaches is not the answer to all of our problems–it is simply helping the cause. We decided that we should also inform the public. We should inform the people that don’t really know that much about plastic and its harmful effects on the environment. By educating the population of this island, and hopefully The Bahamas, it will target and stop the problem of plastic ocean pollution at the core.

Thankfully, this conference that we attended allowed us to improve our project to get the best and most effective results out of the whole event. All in all, the Plastic Ocean Pollution Solution Conference was an amazing experience for me, my peers that attended, our teacher who came with us and all of the other inspirational speakers and students that attended. It was definitely an inspiring and life-changing event. Keep an eye out for DCMS’s Plastic Pollution initiatives and join us by being part of the solution.

Alumni

Island School Student & Faculty Alumni Reunite at Colorado College

Last week, we heard from former Island School art teaching fellow Michael Arnsteen. He was asked to be a Visiting Artist at Colorado College for the first week of the month, which included giving a lecture and teaching 3 workshops. Upon walking into a workshop, Michael noticed a familiar face–Island School Spring 2012 alumna Elizabeth Ellinger, who was a student when Michael worked at IS! He also got together with other S’12 alumni who go to Colorado College, Robbie Balloch and Brendan James and they sent us this great photo.
Elizabeth Ellinger (S'12), Michael Arnsteen, Robbie Balloch (S'12), Brendan James (S'12)
Elizabeth Ellinger (S’12), Michael Arnsteen, Robbie Balloch (S’12), Brendan James (S’12)

Do you have any small world encounters with other Island Schoolers? Send them to us at alumni@islandschool.org!

Alumni, Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight: Margot Werner (Su’13)!

Earlier this week, Chicago Blackhawk players, staff and members of the greater Illinois hockey community gathered together at the 28th Annual High School Scholarship Awards Luncheon to honor the three high school recipients of the Keith Magnuson Blackhawk Alumni Scholarship Award – one of which was Summer Term 2013 Island School alumna, Margot Werner! Margot, a long-time hockey player and Chicago native, shared her acceptance speech at the luncheon on Monday.

Congratulations, Margot! We wish you the best of luck finishing up your senior year at Latin School of Chicago and can’t wait to see what great things you accomplish next!