ISF Summer Newsletter 2017

eISF

The Newsletter of the International School of Florence

Endings and Beginnings June 2017 - Summer Edition

HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE Dear Parents of ISF, In summer, the pace changes. We can slow down, sleep in a bit, take time with the small pleasures. It is also a time of transition seniors prepare for the move to university, students look forward to changing grade, teacher or school. Here at ISF, the intensity of the last weeks of school (you get a taste of it here in this newsletter!) gives way to a quieter moment, when plans for the next year are developed, documents updated, building projects completed.

During the month of July, we will be working at the Junior School campus. Feel free to call or write with any questions or concerns, but if you want to stop by, you will find us in Villa Tavernule in Bagno a Ripoli! The Upper School campus will be closed in July.

One of my favorite activities - always - is reading. However, in summer, the long days lend themselves to even more reading and I look forward to getting through the piles of books that have accumulated on my bedside table over the year. I invite you to make summer a reading time for your children as well. We know that reading regularly throughout childhood is an important factor in school success. We also know that children and adolescents often need support in creating a quiet, uninterrupted environment to delve into the worlds contained in books. I invite you to help them do that - leave the telephones in another part of the house, switch off the devices, create a schedule or family habit, a comfortable spot, and enjoy!

Buon estate! Debra Williams

TELENOVELA - BARRERAS DE AMOR Written, performed and edited by the 10th Grade Spanish class. The soap opera is a love story between two students who apparently belong to different worlds. LOVE will always win and the two will go through difficult moments where all seemed lost.

News from the School Board

At this year's Spring Forum we presented an update regarding the project to identify an alternative campus more suited to the increasing and changing needs of the school.

Marco Uzielli (Chairman) advised the forum that considerable work and analysis had been undertaken in the past six months to make comparative judgements about a wide number of location options. These studies assessed the properties and sites based upon a number of critical criteria including potential to become a joint campus, appropriateness for academic requirements, facilities for extra curriculum needs, space for sport activities and financial feasibility.

He also highlighted that the swift advancement of the project had been achieved because of the efficiency and synergy between the Board itself, the Head of School (Mrs Debra Williams) and our Operations Manager (Mr Lorenzo Ricci). Given the long term importance of this project it was critical that the decision process be governed by rational criteria and well defined and thought through scenarios and the team have shown excellence in their approach to ensuring the very best outcome is secured.

Cathleen Compton (Chair of the facilities) confirmed that the two "best fit" options were now being assessed in greater depth. The preferred site at this time is the Villa De Larderel which is located in Pozzolatico. It has the advantages of being an historic Tuscan villa and so in keeping with our two current campi, with sufficient space for a common site with good facilities, including a pool.

The other alternative still being considered is a development plot in Bagno a Ripoli, which would allow construction of a purpose built modern facility. Cathleen advised that the Board and the Administration are now conducting a deep analysis of the financial, logistic and functional aspects of the options with the aim of providing an early recommendation.

If you would like to address any questions to Board members regarding this project or any other Board related activity, please do so using the dedicated notation form on the ISF website.

We extend our warmest wishes to everyone in our community for a relaxing and restorative summer.

See you in September!

GRADUATION SPEECH

By Jessica Russo Scherr

Welcome. It is an indescribable privilege to share this momentous occasion with you. You did it! Enjoy the moment and know we are all proud of you. Also know that we all have high expectations for you. Personally, I want you to create positive change in the world. However, do not let any of our expectations constrain your journey because the world ahead of you holds possibilities that we cannot even imagine at this time. In many industries, the most in-demand occupations or specialties did not exist 10 or even 5 years ago, and the pace of change is set to accelerate. So, it is hard to plan for a life after ISF when we don’t know what that future will look like.

I would like to tell you a story about a former student of mine whose future took an unexpected turn. She was a high achiever at a competitive IB school. We all had high expectations for her university plans, expectations that were quickly dashed when she told us that she would take a gap year in a war ravaged country. It was a service mission during which she met many orphans and children living in poverty, poverty so great that 6 year olds were forced to break large rocks into gravel by the riverbed to support their entire family. She reached out, at first to one girl, paying for her tuition, uniform, and books to go to school, a cost of $7 a year. She wanted to help more children and asked her parents to send her babysitting money earned throughout high school. Shortly after she raised money, bought land and built a school. By the age of 21 she was the legal guardian of over 45 children. Now, 10 years after her high school graduation, that school is her home and the home of her children. It educates over 370 students, has a women's center, health clinic, children's home and employs over 50 local residents. So, yes, we had high expectations for her upon graduation and we all assumed she would follow a certain path to success. She chose another path and exceeded our expectations in more ways than we could have imagined.

Now, I want to make myself clear, I am NOT saying you should skip university and adopt a bunch of orphans. Creating positive change in the world does not only come in the form of grand sweeping gestures in developing countries. It also happens with our everyday actions. Even the smallest ones are powerful. Open the door for others, both literally and metaphorically. Make sure your actions are positive and not just another item on your list of accomplishments but rather something to add to the achievement of others. Lift them up. As you embark on new experiences after ISF, at university, an internship or your first job, see what you can accomplish with a kind gesture, offering acceptance or a smile.

Everyday interactions like these are contagious and can spread happiness. In fact, Nicholas Christakis, a professor at Harvard Medical School, discovered something quite interesting while researching, of all things, viral epidemics. He found that emotional contagion takes place through our social connections. Emotions have a collective existence not just an individual one and they have the power to ripple through society. In short, emotions can spread in a similar way as a virus. Imagine happiness being just as contagious as the flu!

Why is this important? Well, there are a few things we do know about your impending future.

We have seen leading businesses and organizations move to facilitate team building and collaboration. The ability to work effectively with others has become a critically important skill for career and also for success in life. Therefore how we interact with others will be increasingly essential. So consider that one shared idea or one generous act that can alter someone’s path in life.

Share good and valuable things like kindness and altruism.

And know that you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems but just imagine the kind of change that you ARE going to make after ISF. Imagine how you can inspire those around you to reach higher and complete their own goals. If you do this with the same love that you have for those here with you today then you will create that positive change in the world. You don't know where life is going to take you, so be open to all possibilities, while being kind and positive to all the people you encounter along the way. Lift them up and they will lift you up. Don’t forget to spend time nursing and sustaining your communities because you cannot change the world by yourself. You will need family, friends, colleagues and the generosity of strangers to help you along.

Remember that each step you take is a step in a direction and mistakes are simply opportunities to build knowledge and experience. There is no straight path but while you are on that journey make space for Us and We rather than simply I and Me. So, since happiness is contagious, I will do my best to hide my tears and leave you with a smile.

Congratulations Class of 20-17!

VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH

By Riccardo Talini

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2017.

These achievements come at the end of a long journey composed of nights, months, years of sacrifice.

Our achievements are directly proportional to the sacrifices we made throughout this journey. Some sacrificed time, pleasure, and life, while others sacrificed their books; everyone has his priorities.

Nonetheless, we all sacrificed some of our time to reach this day.

We are not all satisfied with our achievements. To those I say keep believing in yourselves, because each one of us has an innate potential. Only through sacrifice and commitment can such potential be liberated and grow into achievements.

I disagree with the contemporary conviction that some people are just inept; I disagree with the vision of an elitist society; I disagree with the widespread opinion that some people are just inferior.

Instead, I believe that everyone has a talent that he or she can put to the service of society. I believe in an inclusive society. I believe in the equality of every individual, despite social and economic divisions.

The talent I see in my fellow friends makes me hopeful, because we have the potential to bring about unseen changes in our society, in every field.

We are lucky to have families that support our endeavors, so we have a duty toward all those people who lack the support to liberate their own potential. Our experience should serve as the basis for our future, where I hope each one of you will take upon yourselves the mission of inspiring others to liberate their potential.

I envision this class, each one of us, in a leadership role in their lives. Our future success will be determined by our sense of sacrifice; only through sacrifice will we ever be successful.

Let’s remember where we come from. We must always remember our path. We must always remember all those mentors who helped us grow into successful women and men. Success is not an end in itself, it is just an incentive to work harder and achieve our dreams. Dreams should not be relegated to the world of imagination; dreams should stem from our values and guide our choices in life.

My grandfather reminded me, in the last years of his life, after having created a successful family business from the ruins of war, “Io sono nessuno,” “I am nobody.”

I hope such humility will characterize each one of us in our lives, and remind us of the service we owe to our families, our countries, and humanity. May God bless you.

INTERVIEW WITH ‘THE LIFERS’

We interviewed four Seniors who have been at ISF since Kindergarten.

Leo Horiuchi, Ludovico Iannizzotto, Elena Ivanaj and Giuditta Parri all started ISF at a very young age.

The four Seniors (Class of 2017) sat down to share their experiences over the years at ISF.

Leo Horiuchi What year did you attend ISF? Kindergarten - 12th Grade Nationality: Japanese / Italian What university will you be attending? University College London, Science Technology Studies How did ISF impact your life? Small community of strong friendships Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Wood for lad, Mrs. Scherr for so many laughs together, Ms. Van Forst for shared struggle What advice would you give students of ISF? Work hard, play hard What is your fondest memory of the school? The last walk out of exams Describe ISF in one word: Boomin Ludovico Iannizzotto What year did you attend ISF? All 15 grades Nationality: Italian What university will you be attending? University of Surrey, Physics How did ISF impact your life? ISF founded my personality Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Ms. Fossi What advice would you give students of ISF? Survive What is your fondest memory of the school? Junior School Halloween Describe ISF in one word: Family

Elena Ivanaj What year did you attend ISF? All 15 Grades Nationality: Italian What university will you be attending? University of the Arts London (UAL), Arts How did ISF impact your life? It shaped me Who was your favorite teacher? All What advice would you give students of ISF? Assimilate everything and get the most from every experience What is your fondest memory of the school? Christmas Describe ISF in one word: Home Giuditta Parri What year did you attend ISF? 2004 - 2017 Nationality: Italian What university will you be attending? I don’t know yet How did ISF impact your life? ISF was my life Who was your favorite teacher? Why? Ms. Chiaravalli, Mr. Boscherini, Ms. Szablinski, Ms. Fossi What advice would you give students of ISF? Be yourself What is your fondest memory of the school? Talking to Tessa Griffiths Describe ISF in one word: Sensational

Are you following us? facebook.com/isf.florence - facebook.com/isf.alumni - instagram.com/isf_florence flickr.com/photos/isf-florence

Class of 2017

Congratulations to the Class of 2017! The students of this class have been accepted to or received offers from the following colleges and universities: Acceptances: Art Academy (UK) Adelphi University (USA) Auburn State U. (USA) Bocconi University (Italia) University of British Columbia (Canada) Brown University (USA) Georgetown University (McDonough School of Business (USA) Duke University (USA) Elon University (USA) Fordham University (USA) Johns Hopkins University (USA) University of California, Berkeley (USA) University of California, Los Angeles (USA) University of Chicago (USA) Lynn University (USA)

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (USA) North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) Northeastern University (USA) Northwestern University (USA) Pacific University (USA) Parsons School of Art and Design (New School) (USA) Parsons Paris (France) University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School of Business (USA) Princeton University (USA) Skidmore College USA) University of Southern California (World Bachelor in Business) (USA) University of Tilburg (Netherlands) University of Virginia (USA) Yale NUS (Singapore)

Offers from U.K. Universities: University of the Arts, London University of Bath Bangor University University College Birmingham Bournemouth University University of Brighton Coventry University Bristol, University of the West of England City, University of London University College London University of Dundee University of Exeter Goldsmith, University of London University of Glasgow Kent University King's College London London School of Economics University of Manchester Manchester Metropolitan University Oxford Brookes University Plumpton College Marangoni Insitute London Queen Margaret University Queen Mary, University of London University of Reading Regent's University Royal Holloway University SOAS, University of London Southampton University University of Surrey University of Sussex University of Warwick

Grade Grade 88 Graduation Celebration

Grade Grade 55 Promotion Promotion

I COLLOQUI FIORENTINI Nel mese di marzo, noi studenti della classe di italiano abbiamo preso parte ai Colloqui Fiorentini su Luigi Pirandello. In un primo momento, quando la nostra professoressa ci ha parlato di questa nuova iniziativa, non abbiamo pensato neanche lontanamente di partecipare, ritenendo che sarebbe stata una noia. Con nostra grande sorpresa però ci siamo dovuti ricredere, infatti questa esperienza si è rivelata molto gradevole. Le lezioni sono state tenute da professori universitari e liceali che noi tutti abbiamo trovato interessanti e coinvolgenti nel descrivere la psicologia pirandelliana. Tra questi ultimi ci sono piaciuti particolarmente Carmine Di Martino e Alessandro d’Avenia. D’Avenia ci ha fatto notare che Pirandello in molte delle sue novelle apostrofa Copernico come “maledetto”, poiché ritiene che la sua rivoluzione abbia decentrato l’uomo che si rivela da protagonista a “vermuccio”, ad “atomo infinitesimale”.

Il professore Carmine di Martino, dell'università di Milano, ha approfondito il tema della conoscenza, evidenziando il modo in cui Pirandello denuncia l'impossibilità di spiegare se stessi. Il suo intervento era intitolato proprio ”Ma voi si può sapere chi siete ?” frase finale tratta dal romanzo “Il Fu Mattia Pascal”. Il protagonista infatti non sa più chi è, dopo aver vissuto tutta una vita piena di menzogne.

Pirandello muove nel lettore domande e questioni legate al nostro modo di vivere, alla necessità che spesso ci spinge a non comportarci in maniera autentica e ad indossare maschere. Ci fa riflettere sul fatto che in realtà proprio questo annulla la nostra libertà di essere.

Pirandello non è soltanto uno scrittore, ma anche un filosofo, in quanto pare sia l’unico ad aver davvero compreso la natura umana. Egli sostiene che viviamo in un mondo stereotipato in cui essere diversi non è un pregio o qualcosa che ci rende unici, bensì un difetto da nascondere. Con la teoria della maschera, Pirandello espone questa problematica: ognuno di noi possiede centomila maschere e proprio per questo motivo, in realtà, non è nessuno. Talvolta anche noi stessi, non ci conosciamo davvero a fondo anche se siamo totalmente convinti del contrario. Ciò che siamo dentro, la nostra anima, il nostro io ha smania di trovare sincerità.

Non siamo cresciuti soltanto dal punto di vista educativo, ma ci siamo soprattutto arricchiti dal punto di vista personale, interrogando noi stessi su chi siamo e su chi vorremmo diventare un giorno. Dopo la fine di ogni sessione, noi ragazzi eravamo liberi di intervenire esprimendo le nostre opinioni su quello che era stato detto, per approfondire e per scoprire noi stessi.

Abbiamo inoltre avuto la possibilità di stringere rapporti con ragazzi più grandi e di diverse regioni d'Italia e di rafforzare le già consolidate amicizie con i nostri compagni di classe. Uno dei momenti più belli e di maggior condivisione è stato il pranzo a casa della professoressa che ci ha accompagnato, durante il quale abbiamo gettato le maschere di cui ci vestiamo in classe e ci siamo mostrati tutti alunni e professori per quello che realmente siamo. Ci auguriamo che questa nostra esperienza sia di stimolo per coloro che cercano di approfondire e trovare risposte nelle tematiche letterarie e vi invitiamo a partecipare ai prossimi colloqui fiorentini.

Da Martina Vanni, Rosario Ferragina, Edoardo Ceruti, Sara Vicari e Francesco Cambria.

ART Grade 8/9 Detailed Perspective Drawings - Our students are working on imaginary cities that have both medieval and Renaissance architectural features.

Photorealism with Colored Pencils - Students created a photo shoot where they used proper lighting to capture the details of their eye or a friend's eye. They used this photo to create a detailed drawing using colored pencils. They emphasized the saturation and blending of colors to achieve photo realism.

Ceramics - Students learned about the architectural elements of medieval and Renaissance Florence. They created a ceramic sculpture that utilized at least some of those elements and some of their imagination.

ART Grade 10 Refugee Crisis in Italy with Gel Image Transfers - Students wrote about their personal ideology regarding the refugee crisis in Italy and in Europe. Based on his or her ideology, they created an artwork to communicate their beliefs visually.

ART Grade 10 Watercolor - Students used the beautiful Gattaia campus as inspiration for these works of art. Some of them are not fully completed yet but they are truly representative of life under the Tuscan sun. Students learned about various watercolor techniques and how to apply the rule of thirds and atmospheric perspective in their work.

GRADE 5 PYP EXHIBITION

The process of Exhibition represents the culmination of the IB Primary Years program and encompasses all the transdisciplinary skills, profile traits, and attributes learned throughout the students’ journey through the Junior School, from preschool to Grade 5.

Exhibition 2016 took place on Wednesday, April 12, as part of the transdisciplinary theme “Sharing the Planet”, where students exhibited their in-depth learning experiences through their research of a current issue impacting society today. Although the unit officially began in March, the students had been preparing since the fall, reading up on current events, and listening to various inspirational speakers from local organizations such as Dynamo Camp, Angeli per un Giorno, Artemesia, Refugee Center Online, Healing Photo Art and UNICEF, all using their specific talents and taking action to make the world a better place.

The process of Exhibition evolved through several steps: To begin the unit, students first analyzed the description of the transdisciplinary theme “sharing the planet,” and identified areas where they could take action to make a difference. From that analysis, students chose areas for further investigation in groups of three or four. This year, students chose the following areas of investigation: gender discrimination, pollution, human rights, discrimination, disabilities, deforestation and animal rights.

They then wrote up central ideas on their general topic, then chose a more specific line of inquiry for further investigation. Each group, along with the assistance of a mentor, identified an action they could initiate to ameliorate their chosen topic. As part of their research, many also initiated interviews with people intimately involved in their topic. They then wrote an essay on their line of inquiry, prepared a slide presentation and creative piece to demonstrate their learning. Throughout the entire preparation process, they reflected upon the growth of their transdisciplinary skills, profile traits, and attributes, throughout the various steps.

This year’s grade 5 class presented a variety of creative pieces: from songs, to skits, to papier-mâché’ representations, to watercolor paintings, to iMovies to communicate their learning. April 12 provided a joyous occasion where students shared their learning with their parents and wider school community.

Throughout the entire process, the journey provides a valuable learning opportunity, not only about their topic, but about themselves, and their classmates which they cherish for years to come. By Mary Anne Runge and Adam Bailey, Grade 5 Teachers Click here to watch the Exhibition iMovie: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5u6lc5dISp3dDViNEM3T1Vwc2c/view?usp=sharing

Junior School International Week Activities included students as language detectives: deciphering boxes and packaging in different languages; sorting different alphabets; guessing noises animals make around the world and learning Capoeira, Indian and Flamenco dances. The week ended on a high note with Bobo and Zale from Senegal and Ms Tanja teaching percussion around the world followed by an international banquet sponsored by the PA. Thank you to everyone involved in making this week so special for our students.

Elena Bandinelli and Paolo Martinelli were married in the Dolomites in May.

Gemma Iannone and her husband welcomed their second child, son Riccardo, on January 4th.

Marco Tufariello and his wife Francesca welcomed their second child, daughter Sveva, in May.

Roberto Clausi and his wife welcomed their second child, son Victor, on April 23rd.

Congratulations also to Carla Benedetti and Tiziano Zamillo, who will be married this summer.

ALUMNI MESSAGE

By Debra Williams

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Debra Williams and I am the Head of the International School of Florence. And I would like to say, Welcome and welcome Back! What an amazing turnout we have had for this special school sponsored alumni reunion weekend.

Everything starts with an idea. This autumn, when our tiny alumni office began concerted efforts to connect with our alumni community, we had no real idea of how things would go. But we knew that we needed to connect, to reconnect.

In addition to friends who have travelled from the US, the UK, Australia, and all over Europe, we have students who are now teachers with us. We have teachers who departed and whose children came back to be students. We have students who are now parents of students. Amongst our alumni we even have grandparents of students.

Those connections, that prompted you to come here this evening, are held up here in our memories.

Everyone has a story to tell, a memory to share, and the looks of amazement, laughter, sometimes tears, when people meet up again in the present, are borne of the richness of those memories. So much comes tumbling back when you immerse yourself in the same landscape, the sounds, the smells of your past.

And what a beautiful place to have those memories - Florence Italy!

You will have learned about this event through communication with our alumni office, led by Tanya Bruckner, supported by Angela Matos. I would like to thank them now for the tremendous work they have done over the past months in reconnecting ISF to its past. Thank you Tanya! Thank you Angie! I would also like to recognize the immense support of our operations team, with Lorenzo Ricci, our Operations Manager, and his tireless efforts. Thank you Lorenzo. Thank you Fabio and Guglielmo, you have been working through this unexpected heatwave to ensure that everything is in place for a beautiful evening.

When we began planning this event, in September of this year, we had the blessing and support of Horace Gibson, the school's co-founder. I was having lunch with Horace in a restaurant just around the corner from his house, somewhere he had been going for 49 years! More years than I have been alive.

Horace entered the restaurant, in his late 90s, and no less spry and witty as he was when many of you knew him, waving to the waiters who all called out, Buon giorno Orazio! Orazio, come sta!

He was telling me stories about the history of the school, the various phases, the people who helped in times of need, and what struck me as I listened was the enormous courage, that so many people associated with the school, had had. There were times in the school's history when finances were dire, or the rug was literally being pulled out from under the students' feet because a building had changed owner and was no longer available, and each of those situations had to be faced with courage, and I would say a touch of folly.

But that is what I think education and schools are all about - hope for the future because you are touching the future when you work with young people. It makes you brave, and a bit mad. You are the people that were touched by your time at school here in this historical institution that is called today The International School of Florence.

In his memoir, Horace wrote: "I have been reading about the great philanthropists and wishing I were rich. I'd give it all away. It is so good to do things for others.But when I think of the lives I have helped change (I sincerely hope for the better) the hundreds of teacher I have given employment and the thousands of children I have helped educate, who are now parents, grandparents, teachers, musicians, authors, chefs, designers, investors, professors, artists, ambassadors, authors, journalists , military people, and the list goes on ...I guess that is my legacy."

And that leaves us with a responsibility. To continue Horace's work. To teach young people about love of life, tolerance, open-mindedness , kindness and joy. And to remember the same lessons for ourselves . It's wonderful to see you all here, and I am confident that this is just the beginning of another wonderful relationship between you and your school.

Alumni Reunion Aperitivo

Alumni Reunion BBQ

Have a great Summer!