Cacique Update

Cacique Update – September 1, 2010

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Caciques: Garneisha Pinder and Clay Bales

Although we had a sleep-in today, it was hard to appreciate its true value considering 7:15 is an early wake-up for most throughout their summer. We began our morning activities with a class entitled “When are we?” This activity was guided by a quotation: “We are not here to learn about people from the past, we are here to learn from people with a past.” Based on this quotation, we split up into groups and became very curious audiences. Joseph, Justin, Marco, and Bernadette all spoke about their personal histories.  Through this, we were able to get a better understanding of how locals live on the island, how some arrived at the island, and the cultures that they come from. This activity made students Continue reading →

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Octopus surprises Maxey and Fall 2010 on first morning exercise

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[slideshow]

While I was holding up an old conch shell telling the story of how the conch fishery is in trouble all over the tropical Atlantic a friendly octopus reached out from the shell and began climbing down my arm.  This was an awesome example of how the outdoor classroom is always unpredictable and exciting — no doubt creating a sense of wonder for all of us as we begin the Fall 2010 journey.

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Chris and Pam Tie the Knot!

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As the sun set over the Exuma Sound on Friday, August 20th, family and friends gathered on Sunset Beach at Cape Eleuthera to witness Chris and Pam Maxey exchange vows.  After almost nine years of separation, Chris and Pam decided it was time to reunite with a wedding ceremony on Eleuthera.  Almost 100 guests, plus faculty and staff of The Island School, Cape Eleuthera Institute, and Deep Creek Middle School joined the Maxey family in celebration of their marriage. Continue reading →

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A Star-Studded Welcome

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At sunrise exercise this morning I had dipped my head down into the bright underwater sky.  Little Jellyfish everywhere.  New to the island, I perked my head up, alarmed.  Treading water slightly quicker, I asked David whether the little creatures dotting the water below us were of any concern.

“They just sting a little,” he replied.

“They’re like the mosquitoes of the sea.”

They have a mosquito for everywhere here, I think to myself.

Later that day, I can chart the mosquito bites, from ankle to knee: from “Orion’s Belt of Irritation” to “The Southern Cross of Misery”  There is “Scratchy Major” and also “Scratchy Minor.” I sit at my new desk, in my new office, in my new home, at Continue reading →

Alumni, Events

Island School Visits the Big Apple

On Saturday The Island School’s Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) took a tour of the New York Harbor School (NYHS), a maritime themed public school located on Governor’s Island near Manhattan.  The AAB took the quick ferry from Manhattan and explored NYHS’s beautiful, historic building.  NYHS just recently moved from Brooklyn to their dream campus on Governor’s Island.  Sharon Jacker, community coordinator for NYHS, showed off the school’s aquaponics, composting, and aquaculture systems (sound familiar??) and explained the school’s program in detail.  The NYHS is an amazing school, and we encourage everyone to check out their website to hear more about the work they are doing.

After the tour, the AAB headed back to Manhattan to Ulysses Folkhouse for a happy hour with other Island School alumni.  It was great catching up with our NYC-area alumni, and we hope to do another event in Manhattan this fall!

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Island School Welcomes Harlem Children’s Zone

Justin Lewis and Chris Maxey teach students about a nurse shark at Boy's Dorm Beach on Day one

On Sunday The Island School welcomed students from Promise Academy and the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) to campus for a week-long experience. Twenty-three high school students and seven mentors made the trip from New York City to Cape Eleuthera to learn how to swim, SCUBA dive, and kayak.  The students will also learn about the various systems and research going at The Island School and CEI. Here is an update from Wednesday’s HCZ caciques Brandie and Tyriek.

Cacique Update- August 11, 2010

Today I overcame my fears and started swimming in the water. At first I was scared Continue reading →

Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight– Liza Morse F09!

Liza and a fellow volunteer stand on a porch they built while participating in the Appalachia Service Project

This summer Liza Morse (F09) headed to Appalachia to work with the Appalachia Service Project.  Liza sent out letters in the spring asking for support for her trip; Liza’s group needed to raise $10,000 in order to go and to buy all the supplies they would need.

According to Liza’s mom:

“Thanks to the help of the Fall 09 Island School community, she raised more money than anyone in her group….AND, she seemed to be well prepared for doing difficult work outside in the extreme heat with lots of bugs around.  Every morning she ran with several of the volunteers before they all went off to their various work sites. It reminded her of Island School morning runs except it was NOT flat and Maxey wasn’t there egging them on.”

Great job, Liza!