Less than one month until the alumni reunion on-island, September 25-27. Come back to the sea to visit your querencia, hug all your favorite kitchen ladies, snorkel at 4th hole and dance the night away to the Rum Runners! It’s not too late to RSVP! Email cameronpowel@islandschool.org.
Maxeys and Peter Scholle (S’07) in San Diego
Chris and Pam Maxey were out in San Diego reuniting with friends as Chris celebrated his 30 year reunion since graduation from Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUDS) training with class 134. Peter Scholle, Island School Spring 2007 alumnus, recently graduated from Harvard and was selected out of an incredibly competitive process to gain a place in BUDS training. Peter, with shaved head starts with BUD/S class 315, next week. We send him strength as he takes on this challenge!
Island School Teacher Conference 2015
Would your teachers at home thrive at The Island School? We tested the idea again for the 18th time this summer when a group of 24 teachers came together at Cape Eleuthera to live the life of an Island School student. It was a week of extremes – first scuba dive, jumping off of high rock, run-swims, as well as practicing and discussing experiential education and project-based learning techniques.
“I faced some fears, which I ask students to do all th
e time. I networked almost around the clock, gleaning information from Island School colleagues. I stayed healthy in mind body, and spirit. I discussed pedagogy with a variety of teachers from different backgrounds” said Holly Houston, a veteran art teacher from Yarmouth Maine.
e time. I networked almost around the clock, gleaning information from Island School colleagues. I stayed healthy in mind body, and spirit. I discussed pedagogy with a variety of teachers from different backgrounds” said Holly Houston, a veteran art teacher from Yarmouth Maine.“The first morning of our conference we met in bathing su
its and snorkeled a shipwreck. I saw starfish, lobster, a stingray, got some morning exercise, and learned about the ecology of the area- even before introducing myself to the group” said a 4th year teacher at Berkshire School, who attended with a colleague.
its and snorkeled a shipwreck. I saw starfish, lobster, a stingray, got some morning exercise, and learned about the ecology of the area- even before introducing myself to the group” said a 4th year teacher at Berkshire School, who attended with a colleague.
There were 3 school systems that sent 2 teachers: The Hill Sc
hool in Pottstown, PA, Trinity College School in Ontario, Canada, Father Ryan School in Nashville, TN, and 3 teachers from the wider Grand Rapids public schools. Many of them came as a result of Island School parents promoting the opportunity.
hool in Pottstown, PA, Trinity College School in Ontario, Canada, Father Ryan School in Nashville, TN, and 3 teachers from the wider Grand Rapids public schools. Many of them came as a result of Island School parents promoting the opportunity.
Just like for every group of visitors, our Cape Eleuthera Institute researchers, staff, administrators, and Island School leadership got involved in all kinds of ways. In particular, participants lauded the
contributions of Island School alumni back on campus sharing their expertise. Stan Burnside, Fall ’07 provided comic relief in between natural history, George Giannos, Fall ’10 played the role of Dad, Alexio Brown, Fall ’07 led the exploration of inland ponds, Mackey Violich, Spring ’06 showed off her deep ocean bathynomis research, and Taylor Hoffman also Spring ’06, as Director of Admissions, helped teachers see the student perspective.
Anderson Cabot Family Leadership Gift takes Sharing Solutions Campaign to the Crest of the Wave
Ed Anderson and Linda Cabot step up to the top of our giving pyramid with a $2 MM total pledge. In addition to helping us build the new Anderson Cabot Graduate Hall, the new leadership pledge allows us to focus on our campaign promise to Share Solutions. The commitment will help us leverage over $1 MM toward our endowment and $350 k toward developing a communications journey that will enable the school to share best practices with a wider community. In addition, funds have been allotted to collaborate with From the Bow Seat and help build awareness around the serious global challenge of plastic pollution in our oceans. Lastly, there is an effort to develop a film that can help call attention to the successful model and power of experiential and collaborative learning. In the gift letter Linda sums up their desired outcomes,
“Ed and I believe in the Island School mission and the transformational power of experiential learning. At the Island School students tackle real world sustainability issues, conduct independent research, engage in collaborative learning and challenge their personal best. These powerful experiences develop meaningful skills that will help students thrive in the real world and protect our natural environment. This is why we are proud to make a gift that will help sustain the curriculum and enable the school to inspire and share best practices with learning communities around the globe. We hope our actions inspire others to give generously as we believe that community efforts yield the largest and most positive effects”.
Ed and Linda’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment in our history as we look down the last year of our five-year campaign. With their gift we are approaching $17 MM and feel confident to be able to announce now that our new campaign goal is $20 MM. Mary Kate Barnes, Island School parent, Board Vice Chairman and Chair of our campaign shares, “It is amazing to witness a young school embark on a bold first campaign effort with the potential to stride so far past goal. Much of this effort is designed to build an endowment and strategic sustainable fiscal plan that looks out generations. I am also proud of the young development team, Mary Assini Sp 00 and Cameron Powel Fall ’04, both alumni living the mission of The Island School — Leadership Effecting Change.” The Cape Eleuthera Foundation Board thanks Ed and Linda for believing in us and helping The Island School strive towards a new level of sharing.
Both Ed and Linda are proud to say that their daughters Georgianna Sp ’11 and Noelle Sp ’13 both graduated as Class Caciques and to this day lean back on The Island School experience as the most transformative time on their journey through school.
Summer Term: See You All Soon!
Howdy everyone,
As we near parents weekend, life at The Island School continues to be jam-packed. This morning, students ran for 40 minutes as they prepared for the monster run swim- only four days away! Students gave it their all, and everyone finished the run with cheers as they slapped the flag pole. The students have been hard at work, whether it means working on the farm to make compost, going on scuba dives to observe ecosystems or conducting interviews at Spanish Wells.
The final Sustainable System class enjoyed a short film on Cuba’s path to recovery after losing its energy sources in the 1990′s. After gaining some insightful knowledge from the documentary, the class walked over to the Floating Gazebo to discuss what would happen if the United States faced a similar energy-loss crisis. The discussion was both intriguing and thought provoking, allowing the students to tap into ideas they never thought they’d have. Afterwards, the class visited the school farm and even fed the pigs with one of the Dining Hall buckets! While munching on delicious coco-plums and tamarinds, the students and teachers began another amazing conversation about compost and its importance, both on campus and to the world.
The Marine Ecology class spent the morning in class. Students laughed as they pretended to be their assigned fish and went “speed dating” to meet other fish and marine life. They spent the rest of the morning learning about invertebrates. After lunch, they put their newfound knowledge to the test underwater. As they approached the diving site [Tunnel Rock], the excitement rose. Stepping into the ocean, diving pairs and trios began studying their respective coral reefs. Students examined their reef for information about invertebrates and the impact these creatures have in their habitat. The diversity of the reefs showed the students the importance of a balanced ecosystem.
As the last days of The Island School approach, students are filled with a bittersweet feeling of leaving their second home. With tomorrow being the last day of academics, students are cherishing what little time they have left. They wait anxiously for the return of their Tourism and Development classmates and teachers to return, making our campus full again. Additionally, everyone on campus cannot wait to see the parents! Emotions are running high as the summer term days come to an end.
See you all soon!
Your caciques,
Christine and Grace Halvey
Josh Lach Brings The Spirit of The Island School Home With Him
Island School alumnus, Josh Lachs, brought the sustainable spirit of The Island School home with him by opening his new composting business, The Compost Kid, in Weston, Connecticut.
Check it out here! http://www.thewestonforum.com/…/josh-lachs-of-weston-is-th…/
IS Alumni Back on the Cape this Summer
We want to welcome back all of The Island School alumni who have returned to Cape Eleuthera and giving back this summer!
This summer, Griffin Hunt (F’11) is working as a Summer Term Alumni Mentor at The Island School. He is co–leading the Tourism and Development unit, a course which explores the history of Eleuthera and the underlying socio–economic factors that have impacted its development through two–night down–island trips and participation in relevant CEI research. Specifically, students will be exposed to political philosophy, ethnography, and tourism practices, along with two conservation–oriented field days with CEI researchers. In college, Griffin is pursuing a double major in Public Policy & Law and Philosophy. In addition to teaching the T&D unit, Griffin serves as an advisor to a group of students and an EMT and is co–head of the Boys Dorm. This is Griffin’s third summer at The Island School and he is psyched to spend the term with a remarkable faculty team and 50 passionate students.
Kristin Treat (Su’10) is going to be a senior majoring in Marine Biology at Florida Institute of Technology. She is a shark conservation and research intern this summer at CEI. She is so excited to learn and get field experience during my time here. Kristin loves traveling, scuba diving, and trying new things. Maggie Winchester (Su’11) is a shark intern from Vermont. She studied abroad in Morocco, and in the spring Maggie will be graduating from the University of New England. She is really excited to be back in Eleuthera and be working with sharks again. Christian Daniell (F’10) is back as an intern with the Shark Research and Conservation program at CEI. He mostly lives in the UK, and I is currently going into his fourth year at Connecticut College. This is Christian’s third time on the island, his first being in 2010 as a student, then in 2012 as an intern. Christian is looking forward to getting out there and tagging some fish and help out in any way he can. Chase Goldston (Su’13) is interning with the Flats team this summer. He is going into his sophomore year at Colby College. Chase is from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He is a big Cleveland sports fan and loves dogs and being outdoors. Emilie Geissinger (S’08) is a summer intern with the Flats Ecology Team. She graduated from Bates College in 2014. This past year she taught high school Biology at the Noble and Greenough School. She is very excited to be back in Eleuthera and participating in the awesome research going on here! Emilie plays water polo with a team in Boston and participates in sprint triathlons for fun. Anna Jenkins (S’12) is in her third year at UC Berkeley and grew up in San Francisco. Anna is back at IS working with the Reef Ecology and Conservation research team and am very passionate about conservation regarding marine life and energy. Anna’s hobbies include soccer, dance, and generally being outdoors. James Boyce (F’12) is back on Eleuthera and working as an intern in the Boathouse. He spent the first part of the summer on the 5 Gyres sailing expedition from Bermuda to the east coast of the US and is psyched to be back and helping out. Dana Biddle (S’13) is very excited to be back this summer. During her semester, she worked with Jocelyn on the lionfish and lobster research project. She is back working for Jocelyn on the Sustainable Fisheries team. Dana will be a sophomore at the University of Miami next year and is studying Marine Science. Dana Colihan (S’12) is a Reef Ecology and Conservation Research Intern this summer. She was born and raised in New York City although Dana is currently attending Oberlin College in Ohio. She is an Environmental Studies major and a rising junior. Dana like bagels, fixing/riding bikes, and works at a Living Machine at Oberlin. She is super excited to be be back and to be doing work on sustainable fisheries this summer!
Aly Boyce (F’10) is working with the Sea Turtle team for the summer. She is originally from Abaco- just one island north of Eleuthera! Currently, she is a rising senior at UC Berkeley double majoring in Political Science and Environmental Science. She is looking forward to getting to spend time with old friends and getting to meet many more! She also hopes to be able to explore Eleuthera and freedive as much as possible. Brandon Gell (F’10) is currently a rising senior at Middlebury College in Vermont. This summer he is working at CSD working on creating a the framework for a sustainable design competition to be held at The Island School. Brandon is psyched to be back here and is looking forward to catching up with old friends and making many new ones.
Ryan Schendel (F’12) is working as a general systems intern at CSD. He is studying Sustainable Environmental Design at UC Berkeley. His project this summer is to connect the water cisterns underneath CSD with the pipe system throughout Island School Campus and CEI. Tamara Pletzer (S’12) is the aquaponics intern this summer. She is a second year at University of Edinburgh and is studying economics and math but originally hails from Colorado. Tamara loves scuba diving, swimming, among other activities and is looking forward to learning more about the aquaponics system as well as how to create the beds, grow tilapia and try growing different plants in the system! Whit Powel (S’09) is back for her third summer teaching, advising, and shaping the young minds of Summer Term students. This summer, she will be teaching the Sustainable Systems unit, advising, co-heading the Girls Dorm, and fulfilling the role of Dean of Students. Her hometown is Shaker Heights, Ohio and she graduated this spring from Denison University. Catharine Pirie (F’10) will be returning for her second summer working as a Tourism and Development teacher, advisor, and co-head of Girls Dorm for the Summer Term students. She is from Hamilton, Massachusetts and is currently a senior at Hobart and William Smith colleges. Catharine is so excited for yet another amazing and exciting summer here! Tori Suslovitch (F’11) is a rising Senior at the University of Tampa where she studies Biology with minors in Chemistry and Education. This is her first time back on Eleuthera since her semester and she is excited to help teach Marine Ecology for the Summer Term. Meaghan Kachadoorian (F’10) is from Connecticut and goes to school in North Carolina. She is really happy to be back and teaching Summer Term for the Tourism & Development and Sustainable Systems units. Katie Gougelet (S’08) is from Hanover, New Hampshire and a recent alumna of Dartmouth College. This is her first summer back to Eleuthera since Spring ’08 and she is excited to be here helping to teach and and get involved with all aspects of the students’ summer experience. Max Maloberti (S’10) is a Biology major and Junior at Dickinson College, PA. He is back teaching the Marine Ecology unit. Ever since his semester, he has been wanting to come back so he is really excited for this summer. Liam Macartney (F’13) is back and excited to be working with the Educational Programs team. George Giannos (F’10) is back for his 5th time since his semester working in CSD and helping oversee all of the interns at CEI and CSD this summer. Meagan Gary (F’07) is a Masters student at Florida Atlantic University and this summer/fall she will be comparing the home range and habitat use of different sized immature green turtles at CEI. After graduating from Colorado College where she majored in Biology, Meagan returned to CEI and was the sea turtle research assistant. Mike Cortina (F’02) has been working at CSD for 1.5 years as a Sustainability Teacher. Stanley Burnside (F’07) is a lead educator with CEI’s Educational Programs.
Summer Term: Back After A Day Off
Good Morning from Eleuthera,
After a relaxing day-off we were so pumped to start off the day with another amazing run-swim! But before we began we took a moment to marvel at the magnificent sunrise. It’s crazy how we are so used to getting up with the sun. One of the morning’s surprises was a beached Lemon Shark- we are so excited to learn more about this creature in Marine Eco. While doing curls with rocks, Liz told us the reason why the Lemon Shark gets its name- the sides have a yellow appearance, making it a shark the color of a lemon. Our Monster 10k run-swim is coming up soon and we are so ready!
Today also marks the first day of our final academic rotation. It’s so crazy how fast the time is flying by! The Queen Triggers started our first day of Sustainable Systems. Today we learned about how we make biodiesel here at The Island School. This renewable resource powers all cars on campus! We get vegetable oil from cruise lines and we are able to convert it into fuel.
In Tourism and Development the Blue Tangs split up in to research groups. One group worked on pond research. Despite getting lost a few times, the group had so much fun duck diving in the pond. We were able to swim with shrimp that may be a new species! The other group began their studies early this morning with bonefish research. In the afternoon, the group assisted with Lionfish research. This invasive species has come to the Bahamas from the Indo-Pacific. We then were able to assist the researchers by cutting off the poisonous spikes and then filleting the Lionfish, which can be eaten by humans.
Finally, the Sargent Majors had our first day of Marine Ecology. We began by learning about the power of careful observation. We put this into practice by using all five senses to discover an area in the mangroves. This later would come into play when we went out for our dives at Tunnel Rock this afternoon. Each buddy pair was assigned a coral reef ecosystem that they will focus on and become intimate with for the next week. We were in awe of the abundance of life. We took underwater notes on a slate, which would then be transferred into our placebook.
We are so excited to keep learning and stretching. We can’t wait for the days ahead!
Your Caciques,
Lucy and Doug
Summer Term: Jaws
Hello All!
Our days are going by faster and faster as we continue on our Island School journey. After yesterday’s challenging exercise, we had the choice between a fun game of water polo, or a relaxing yoga session in the boathouse. Both were nice ways of recovering from yesterday’s strenuous workout.
Today marked the last day of our second academic week, so classes are wrapping up. In Sustainable Systems we finished by presenting our redesign projects, where we walked all around campus sharing our innovative ideas on sustainable redesign. After presenting, we headed to the farm where Johnny and Joseph (the men in charge of maintaining the farm) helped us collect a variety of medicinal plants for our bush tea. We all had a glass, and it was surprisingly tasty! In the Marine Ecology class, students finished up the day with an amazing dive at Tunnel Rock where they saw many beautiful fish and even a big barracuda. To finish the evening, all the students who were away on the Down Island Camping Trip in the Tourism and Development class returned back home! It was so great to see everyone and be back together after three days. We are still looking forward to hearing their amazing stories and being reunited as a family once again!
Tonight we are looking forward to a boathouse movie night! It will be a screening of Jaws, which we will be watching in the water as we float in the marina. We are also looking forward to our last day off tomorrow, which we will spend exploring the island, and catching up with everyone’s week.
As we grow closer to Parent’s Weekend, we are realizing our time here is limited, so we are doing everything we can to live in the moment and stretch ourselves. Everyday, we continue to make new friends and form new relationships that expand our Island School Family!
Your Caciques,
Rylie and Miles
Summer Term: What A Treat!
Twenty minutes there and twenty minutes back. This morning all of us rose to our most challenging exercise yet. Together, we pushed our boundaries farther and farther back all the way to high rock and some, even farther. Running with our new best friends allowed us to complete this extreme expedition. The moment each and every one of us touched the flagpole cheers and screams exploded into the air as we celebrated this large feat.
For the Sustainable Systems class, it was a long hard day on the farm. Our farming expert Joseph taught us all about the composting process and even let us take a stab at it, with our pitchforks and machetes of course. In the afternoon we biked the 4 mile trek to Deep Creek to a farm to learn about farming techniques used on islands like Eleuthera. We were lucky enough to try some local sugarcane. After spending several hours in the hot sun, we cooled off with a refreshing cup of mouthwatering frozen mango or passion fruit popsicles. What a treat!
Today a third of the community is off on the down island trip having unique opportunities and experiences that they will never forget. Through jamming out in the Island School vans to being completely enveloped in the deep mysterious caves, these students are making memories that will last a lifetime. Each and every student comes back from this trip with dozens of stories to share with the rest of the community. All of us here cannot wait to here about their epic and eventful journey.
There are only eight more days until our families will be joining our wonderful community we have been establishing. We cannot wait for them to get the chance to experience all that the Island School has to offer and especially all that Eleuthera has to offer.
Your Caciques,
Megan Hooper and Drew Ginsberg
