Tag Archives: the island school

Daily Update, Student Update

Summer Term 2013: Academics Update July 11, 2013

After a week exploring South Eleuthera above and below the water, the students are already taking on the academic portion of Summer Term!  Again, the students are quite busy, so Summer Term faculty have filled in for this blog post!  We, as faculty, are consistently asking them, “How can we live well in a place?”  Exploring this question, students will rotate through week long intensives focusing on three different themes: Marine Ecology, Food Systems, and Tourism & Development.

Marine Ecology: In Marine Ecology, the classroom is not a room full of chairs or desks. Instead, the classroom is a small portion of a larger coral head, buzzing with fish of all sizes and coral of all kinds. As students learn about various components of the marine ecosystem, they have the opportunity to explore what they learn in class underwater by taking the time to observe a single section of a reef. Students return to the same spot every class, each day more aware of the complex interactions that make a functional ecosystem. Students also dive into the world of Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson and participate in discussions about ethics and conservation.

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Food Systems class visits Edrin’s farm in Rock Sound.

Food Systems: Understanding where our food comes from, how it gets to our table, and where our waste going after we are through are all essential in gaining a sense of place and grasping our term’s theme: living well in that place.  During the Food Systems unit, students will visit farms (both on and off Island School’s campus) to learn about the challenges and techniques to growing food on Eleuthera.  In addition, students will understand both our environmental and social impacts that accompany our production of waste products.  After two and a half days of in and out of classroom learning about food systems and human ecology, students will take part in intensives that highlight important sustainable food systems here on the Cape.  Students will break up into two groups, focusing on either the Aquaponics system at CEI or the Farm on Island School’s campus to further understand how to live well in a place with regards to the food we eat and the waste we produce.

Tourism & Development (Down Island Trip): Students explore the island of Eleuthera on a four day camping road trip. While visiting new settlements, such Governor’s Harbour, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, student conduct interviews with local Bahamians. On the Down Island Trip, students also visit some of the natural attractions like ocean holes to swim in, or caves to climb through. Throughout the week, students conduct a variety of readings and have discussions about how tourism has shaped the development of Eleuthera. As they see the effects of failed tourism on the island, they began to discuss alternative forms of tourism and how it can be done so in a sustainable way for the island of Eleuthera. The class opens student’s eyes to how we can travel and understand a place we are visiting, as well as getting a chance to see all 100 miles of Eleuthera!

Our first Down Island Trip comes back to campus today and we are looking forward to having our whole community together this afternoon!  Stay tuned for more updates from Summer Term 2013!

Student Update

Summer Term 2013: Student Update July 10, 2013

Greetings from the Island School’s 2013 Summer Term!  This weekend, students enjoyed an evening off to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the independence of the Bahamas.  We piled into the bus with high anticipation of enjoying some traditional Bahamian food and dance.   The warm hour and half long ride to Governor’s Harbour ended with a cool breeze and the sweet smell of celebration.  Almost immediately it seemed that the overwhelming smells of conch fritters and coconut drinks drew everyone into a line behind Shauna’s food stand.  After chowing down on the food, the cool grooves of rake and scrape music coaxed us into the dancing field.  Many of us took a break from twisting and shouting to cool off along the ocean side.  Some of us couldn’t help but admire the locally made jewelry and baskets.  Only the strong winds and rain could stop our moving feet.  A small storm blew in, forcing us to pile back into the bus with our conch salads and high spirits. The drive back quickly lulled us to sleep under the beautiful South Eleutheran stars. It was a truly memorable night. Happy Birthday, Bahamas!

Catherine securing aquaponics materials at CEI in anticipation of the wind.
Catherine secures aquaponics material at CEI in anticipation of the wind.

Thanks to Savannah and Chase for this Student Update!  In addition to celebrating Independence day today, we are also preparing the campus for the wind and rain expected to arrive later this week.  Students helped out on Island School’s campus and at CEI by assisting in storm prep!  Everyone is ready to face the wind and rain head on!

We're "okay" and ready for the storm!
We’re “okay” and ready for the storm!

 

Student Update, Uncategorized

Summer Term 2013: Student Update July 6, 2013

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Orientation Week continues with kayak and SCUBA!

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K4 prepares for their daylong kayak trip.

The kayak trip was a great experience for all Island School students.  We learned the basic kayak skills, such as what to do in a situation when the kayak tips over.  The current was both with and against us at different points during the trip.  We traveled from campus to Triangle Cut then through the Marina to Sunset Beach.  At Sunset Beach, we began a lesson about the moon phases and how the position of the moon affects the tides.  We enjoyed a short snorkel and swim at the beach.  For lunch, we ate awesome PB&J tortilla wraps with great GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) on the side.

After lunch, we got back in our kayaks and made our way to No Name Harbor, where we explorP7050840ed the mangroves while fighting the current which tried to push us to shore!  The wind began pushing us back to campus as we started our travel in our kayaks. Although we were tired and sore by the time we got back, it was a great day on the water.  We finished up our kayak day by washing the kayaks and lifting them back under the boat house and we were free to explore the Cape for exploration time!

In addition to kayaking on the surface of the water and exploring the island on vans on the South Eleuthera Road Trip (SERT) this week, we began to develop a sense of place for South Eleuthera through SCUBA diving!

“We are ok!” Student’s head out to dive on the Cobia.
“We are ok!” Student’s head out to dive on the Cobia.

We took our first breath underwater and plunged deeper and deeper into the ocean.  In order to be certified divers, most of us had to develop skills such as buddy breathing, buoyancy, and other basic skills.   In addition to these requirements for certification, we had a great time taking in our surroundings.  A couple of ways that we made the dives fun were break dancing in the water and doing handstands.  While underwater, we also had the opportunity to see some really cool marine life such as: sting rays, battle stars, and many colorful fish.

Students on Boys Dorm Beach for the 4th of July bonfire.
Students on Boys Dorm Beach for the 4th of July bonfire.

Even though our orientation week has been really busy, we are learning a lot about where we are and we even found time to unwind on the Fourth of July to celebrate America’s independence. We roasted marshmallows on the bonfire and we made s’mores (which for some of us was a first!) out on Boys Dorm Beach. We laughed and sang songs that reminded us of home. We realized how close we had become in only a few days!  We lit sparklers and hung out all together.  We are getting even more excited for the Bahamian Independence Day celebration tonight in Governor’s Harbour!

Thanks to Taylor, Tim, Sophie, and Sydney for this Student Update!
Thanks to Taylor, Tim, Sophie, and Sydney for this Student Update!

 

 

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Teaching Fellowship Positions Open for 2013-14 Academic Year

The Island School’s Teaching Fellowship Program is an opportunity for recent college graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in education. It is an ideal way for future teachers to immerse themselves in all aspects of boarding school life, while receiving the support and training necessary to be successful as educators. As a member of our community, teaching fellows will experience the day-to-day challenges of living on an island while also discovering the rewards of working with young people and other educators who share a similar dedication to academic rigor, environmental issues, and local culture.

The Island School is now accepting applications for the year-long Teaching Fellowships in the following core subject areas:

  • Human Ecology
  • Marine Ecology and SCUBA Diving
  • Environmental Art
  • English Literature
  • History
  • Applied Scientific Research

For further information on the teaching fellowships and instructions on how to apply, please visit our website.

 

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Job and Internship Opportunities with the Cape Eleuthera Island School

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We are currently accepting applications for a number of positions with The Island School, Cape Eleuthera Institute, and Deep Creek Middle School. Please see below for each position for more information and links to applications.

Island School Teaching Positions

The Island School is currently accepting applications for full-time Literature, Histories, and Mathematics teachers for the 2012-2013 school year. More information about the job and how to apply can be found on our website.

Island School Master Teacher in Residence

The MTiR position is a semester-long position designed for educators with at least 8 years if experience who are craving the opportunity to mentor young teachers and experiment with vanguard ideas in teaching. The Island School is currently accepting applications for master teachers in all disciplines for the 2012-2013 school year. More information about the job and how to apply can be found on our website.

Island School Teaching Fellowships

Year-long teaching fellowships are great entry opportunities for young professionals new to teaching. The Island School is currently accepting applications for fellows in all disciplines for the 2012-2013 school year. More information about the job and how to apply can be found on our website.

Deep Creek Middle School Social Studies Teacher

In this position, you will utilize a variety of instructional strategies consistent with the DCMS mission to teach national curriculum and the core values of the school. Our curriculum and pedagogy allows for a lot of flexibility as teachers focus on the real world concepts, skills and values that the students will need to be successful community members. Place and project-based lessons with experiential components are used to engage students. For more information and how to apply can be found on our website.

Cape Eleuthera Institute Spring, Summer, and Fall 2012 Internships

The Cape Eleuthera Institute offers college students a solid internship program that provides real work experience, professional development, outdoor exploration activities, and access to professional networks while living on a beautiful green campus with diverse people from all over the world. For more details and to apply online visit our website. Limited scholarship opportunities are available.

Continue reading →

News

Welcome New Head of Island School, John Schatz!

The Island School is proud to announce a new head of school starting in the 2012-13 school year! After an extensive 18-month search, John Schatz has been hired to be the next Head of School. John has a long history with The Island School semester program. He joined a pioneer teaching team back in the fall of 2001 as a mathematics teacher. Outside the classroom John was head of the boys’ dormitory, sea kayaking guide, research advisor for a number of different projects and in his final year he ran the daily program as Dean of the School. John is remembered well as the teacher/mentor who was always there to challenge and at the same time support the community.

After four years of committed service to The Island School, John went on to receive his Masters in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College and taught at several private schools. Continue reading →

News

F’11 Parent and Educator Gives Thanks

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Steve Murray, Headmaster at University School in Hunting Valley, OH, recently returned from a trip to The Island School where he was visiting his son James (F11) during Parents Weekend. In addressing the University School community in his Thanksgiving Assembly Comments last week, he reflected on his time on Eleuthera, reminding us all that we have much to be thankful for. You can read the entire address here.

Cacique Update

Cacique Update November 2, 2011

Jane and Katie  11.2.11

A legacy is something you leave for the future. 

A big-cheeked smile, dripping with mango juice, came to mind while working on creating the grow-beds. My little sister cherishes a good piece of fruit more than anyone I know. “One of the goals here at The Island School is to have all our food grown right here on campus,” Cam shared with us in between shovels full of dirt.  I imagined my sister, a potential Island School student, passing by lavish grow beds that we had been working all day to install and grabbing a piece of fruit before class. I pictured the fruit in her palm being a reminder to be thankful for the opportunity she was given to come to school here. Although I wanted that for myself, thinking about it being available to my sister made me happy about the work I had done. We worked hard all day in the rain, filling and emptying wheelbarrows full of sand to lay out so plants could grow. It was a strenuous day but well worth the while, so that students just like us will one day have The Island School experience we had, with a little fruit to top it off.

Exploration time was quiet today. The rain and freezing temperatures, (freezing, considering we’ve been in The Bahamas for 2 months) made for a perfect indoor cozy-up day. After getting soda for our Legacy Day accomplishments, I ventured to the dining hall for a snack. I found Sam and Henry helping Mooch make our dinner’s bread, and asked if I could help. We kneaded the dough, rolled it out, had a miniature flour fight, but got the job done. Afterwards, Mooch let us make brownies for the community. Once the batter was in the tray, I sheepishly suggested, “I could go get some spoons…” Alluding to finishing off the batter. Mooch caught my drift. “No, no, no, baby girl. You’re gonna get me in trouble!” My heart sank a little, but then she added, “That’s a finger-licking job!” We all laughed as we took swipes of batter from the bowl that held enough batter to make 80 brownies. The brownies were put in the oven and served after dinner. As much as I enjoyed dishing out the brownies and devouring them, myself, the most memorable part of my day was licking that bowl clean with Mooch in the kitchen.