December Husky Herald 2024 by ismhuskies

THE HUSKY HERALD

GIVING BACK & LOOKING FORWARD

CELEBRATING A MONTH OF GIVING AND SERVICE

FROM THE DIRECTOR

With Term 1 concluding, there is already so much to celebrateatISM Ourfallsportsteamscompetedwell in both volleyball and soccer this season The winter basketball season is already underway for both the boys’andgirls’teams Weareexcitedtopartnerwith Chesterton Academy to offer varsity, junior varsity, andCsquadlevelcompetitiveteams Besuretovisit theactivitiesandathleticscheduleforopportunitiesto cheer on the Huskies! As a service to our ISM athletes, strength and condition training is available everydayafterschoolfrom4-6pm

The fall play and PAC Rats performance this fall offered just a glimpse of the ISM acting talent, as we gear up for the Competitive Speech season and the SpringMusical TheISMRoboticsandDebateteams have honed their skills at local meets as they prepare for state competition ahead in Term 2 Half of our ISM high school students elected to participate in a competitivemathexaminNovember

Alloftheseamazingextra-curricularaccomplishments are not overshadowed by the academic achievements of our talented ISM students As finals week concluded, students in Grades 1-12 showcased their learning while taking advantage of hot chocolate breaks,meditationrooms,andopengym

Thank you for partnering with ISM to provide an excellenteducationalexperience Welookforwardto learningandgrowingtogetherinTerm2!

Throughout the month of December, ISM will celebrate service and giving back as a community ISM’s Day of Service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 Together, students and staff will engage in seven different acts of service, beginning preparations in the first week of Term 2 Each grade level will participate in different ways through each of these experiences to give back to the greater community This year ’ s projects include fulfilling holiday wish lists for families in need, volunteering at a donation center, assembling bed frames for families, making blankets for youth hospital patients, assembling snack packs for a child care center, writing letters and cards to be distributed to hospitals across the nation, and building habitats for wildlife Through these activities, students will not only develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others, but also gain valuable teamwork and leadership skills. ISM’s commitment to service ensures that students grow as compassionate and engaged members of society, ready to make a positive impact both locally and globally In addition, December offers a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the ISM community to reflect on giving and serving others It’s a time to consider how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone ’ s life. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading joy, we are reminded of the importance of compassion and generosity. Let’s use this month to seek out service opportunities in our own lives, and inspire others to do the same, embodying the spirit of giving beyond the Day of Service Together, we can make this season truly meaningful for all!

JeanaCarrasco

ISMSchoolDirector

ISM IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

1,366 POUNDS OF HOPE FOR PROP FOOD SHELF

Throughout the month of October, students and staff, as well as their families and neighbors, collected and donated shelf-stable food and necessities to People Reaching Out to People (PROP) Food Shelf, to help community members who are experiencing food and financial insecurity Together, the ISM community collected 1,366 pounds of food and necessities during the annual drive. The drive was organized by the school’s Student Life Organization’s Social Responsibility Department and led by ISM

senior Kaia Frazier Kaia shares, "Raising over 1000 lbs of food is a great accomplishment! I am grateful that we were able to support PROP Food Shelf through this donation drive and want to send a big THANK YOU to all that have participated." We are thankful that our school community can work together to give back to our own community Thank you, ISM community!

Jeana Carrasco

FINALS WEEK RELIEF RECAP

ISM ADDS ACTIVITIES AND GAMES TO FINALS WEEK

Term 1 has come to a close, students took all of there end-of-term exams and, Friends of ISM and SLO provided some fun in between testing. On

Monday, the students had an assembly to learn about the SABIS Global Sports Tournament, gathered for a video game club, or enjoyed quiet study time in the SLO office Friends of ISM provided Tuesday's activities of 9-hole mini golf and three arcade machines, featuring old-school video games All of these proved to be a great hit, and even the teachers stopped to play Wednesday included two opposite

led by Tyler Lafferty (ISM '26), Logan Saba (ISM '29), and Elianna Agunwamba (ISM '29)

This presentation added to the celebration of National Native American Heritage Month at ISM. Additionally, Grade 1-5 students created Native American dwellings All the dwellings were

activities

Students could choose to be in the quiet meditation room or the open gym Both proved to be needed for the students Thursday included a Playdoh Power Hour, a hot cocoa bar, and ice cream treats The Playdoh Power Hour brought both students and staff back to their childhood On Friday, we celebrated the end of a successful Term 1. Students learned about Native American history and indigenous innovations through presentations

A MESSAGE FROM FRIENDS OF ISM

We are incredibly grateful for your amazing support, especially with our back-to-back fundraising efforts! ��

Over the past 30 days, your generosity has allowed us to:

Offer a miniature golf and gaming experience for kids during finals week

Provide our teachers with a small stipend for something fun in their classrooms

Expand student activity scholarships

Fund and host a fantastic Trunk or Treat event

Co-sponsor parent social

All of this was made possible through your contributions to the Silent Auction and Give to MN. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Dec 12: Say thank you to our ISM staff with a Winter Tea! Please consider donating homemade or store-bought treats for the staff.

Dec 11 at 4 PM: Join Friends of ISM for a Cookie Decorating and Pizza Party!

Jan 14 at 5 PM: Our next Friends of ISM meeting in the library. Feb 2: Save the date for another Friends of ISM Lunch/Brunch

We can ’ t wait to see you at these events! ��

Join our email list by emailing mnfriendsofism@gmail com to receive updates and information

staged in a museum for students and staff to see After the presentations, students were able to walk through the dwellings museum to see the final projects This was followed by a Friends of ISM fundraiser activity, where students had the opportunity to throw a pie at Mrs Bianucci Ten students purchased a pie to throw at Mrs Bianucci's face. Needless to say, a mess was made, and fun was had by all! To conclude the week, SLO Deputy Head of Sports, Minjun Jang (ISM '26), led an SLO competition and Student vs Staff basketball game First, students were split into their designated teams to compete in three-legged races and then a balloon pop-up race Next, eight staff members built a team to play against about 10 students during the staff versus student basketball game The ISM staff team beat the students by two points in the last few seconds The audience was loud and proud, showing their ISM pride cheering everyone on. All of these activities were a great way to relieve some stress and celebrate a successful end to Term 1

WINTER ATHLETICS & ACTVITIES

BASKETBALL: HUSKIES & HOOPS

Our High School Basketball season is officially underway, and we are thrilled to share the excitement with our community! All schedules and coach information are readily available on the Activities Calendar, making it easy to follow along and show your support This season promises to be filled with growth, teamwork, and thrilling moments on the court as our players work hard and aim high

Girls Head Coach Christopher Olley returns for his second year, bringing enthusiasm and expertise to our young team Coach Olley is committed to fostering a strong partnership with players, building their skills, and instilling a love for the game Meanwhile, the Boys Basketball

program welcomes Head Coach Doug Sabers in his inaugural season. With a large roster of eager players, Coach Sabers is ready to lead the team through a season of camaraderie, competition, and fun

Our student-athletes are equally excited to embrace the season ahead Ruhaan Singh (ISM '25) expressed his anticipation, saying, "I'm excited to get after it and play with new players." With their dedication and passion, the ISM Huskies are set to make this basketball season a memorable one for players, coaches, and fans alike We encourage everyone to come out, cheer loudly, and support our teams as they strive for excellence!

DEBATE TEAM: EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES & SOLVING PROBLEMS

Debating in various forms can be traced back to intellectual matches waged between the worldfamous philosophers of Ancient Greece or the scholars of Ancient India The Greek philosopher Socrates (c 470-399 BC) sought to understand the world by teasing out the assumptions and principles of different perspectives The civil exchange of competing ideas is an excellent way to hone skills in logical reasoning, persuasion, and argumentation

While there are multiple styles of debate including policy, value, and public forum, ISM participates in Classic Debate along with over 20 other school districts in the state of Minnesota Each fall, the season is divided into two topics. Topic one required competitors to consider the benefits of a carbon neutrality policy for the United States. Currently, the team is debating whether NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) should remain committed to Ukrainian membership. For ISM students, debate is more than an academic competition it’s a transformative experience. Cecilia Lundquist

(ISM '25) shares, “I find debate to be really fun because I've always liked to see other perspectives and ideas on diverse issues, and being a part of debate allows me to discuss how we can solve difficult problems in the best way possible. Being in debate allows me to do that in a safe space where each side shows respect to one another, valuing the other side ” Malaika Bajwa (ISM '25) echoes this sentiment, saying, “I love debate because it brings students together, creating collaboration and the creation of unique cases on topics that fuel our passion and challenge our perspectives.”

The benefits of debate extend far beyond competition Laura Odeh (ISM '25) reflects, "Personally, I find debate to be such a rewarding experience, because it is the perfect mix of learning and fun It’s really helped me improve my public speaking and research skills while also

building great friendships along the way " Minjun Jang (ISM ‘26) adds, “Debate is one of the afterschool activities that I find rewarding because it helped me improve my public speaking skills and confidence drastically, and I was also able to become more knowledgeable about a lot of global issues.”

The 2024-2025 Debate season has been marked by rigorous preparation and spirited competition. The team has participated in four tournaments, honing their skills and gaining valuable experience ahead of the highly anticipated State Festival, scheduled for December 6th and 7th at Two Rivers High School. With each debate, ISM students continue to embody the timeless tradition of intellectual engagement, critical thinking, and the respectful exchange of ideas, while growing as individuals and forming lasting connections

ISM STUDENTS SHINE AT MSHSL

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

LEARNING TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE

The Minnesota State High School League, in partnership with Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT), held a regional student conference. This conference featured dynamic speakers and engaging activities for the students Attendees experience four break-out sessions that targeted developing personal leadership skills; collaborating to create safe, more respectful, and inclusive environments in athletics and activities; inspiring students to positively impact the culture of their school and community.

Ten high school students from ISM attended this conference, and many reflected on how this experience taught them so much and gave them ideas to bring back to ISM and beyond Baikaw “BK” Thumprada (ISM '27) stated, "I learned about several new resources for searching colleges and this will kickstart my hopes and dreams for my future." Opportunities like this regional conference are invaluable in preparing ISM students to become compassionate leaders, both on and off the field ISM is proud of the dedication shown by our students and their commitment to making a positive difference Greta Reich (ISM '28) said, "There was this really fun sort of ice breaker game, and everyone had to do a silly walk one by one Towards the end everybody was happy and more connected. I could use it in team sports or with new people to get to know them better "

Roshan Batham (ISM '28) reflected, "One of the most impactful skills I learned was the importance of active listening A speaker emphasized that great leaders listen to understand, not just to respond. This fosters stronger connections and more effective teamwork " We look forward to continuing to attend these conferences, as they provide an amazing opportunity for our student athletes and performers To learn more, go to mshsl.org/together2024

WHAT IS A HUSKY HOWL?

CELEBRATING & RECOGNIZING ISM STUDENTS

Husky Howls are postcards recognizing ISM students for outstanding conduct and social skills Staff select a student and write a brief postcard to the student and their family and these are then mailed out to students to receive in the mail In October, we acknowledged students for their acts of kindness and inclusion. For the month of November, staff were asked to identify students who demonstrate great manners and gratitude

Husky Howls are more than just postcards; they’re a way to foster a culture of positivity and recognition within the ISM community By highlighting acts of kindness, inclusion, and gratitude, these acknowledgments inspire students to continue demonstrating exemplary character and remind families of the meaningful contributions their children make every day Together, these small gestures build a stronger, more compassionate school environment

SABIS® GLOBAL SPORTS TOURNAMENT

AN OLYMPIC-STYLE EXPERIENCE

The SABIS® Global Sports Tournament (GST) is a prestigious biennial event that unites over 1,000 student-athletes from across the SABIS® Network. This international competition celebrates athletic excellence and camaraderie, with students competing in four categories: Swimming, Basketball, Soccer (Football), and Track & Field. Every two years, a different school within the SABIS® Network hosts the tournament, providing a unique Olympic-style experience for participants

We are thrilled to announce that the 14th SABIS® Global Sports Tournament will be hosted by SABIS® International School – Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from April 25 to 27, 2025. This year marks a special milestone for ISM, as it will be our very first time participating in this highly anticipated global event Preparations are already in full swing at ISM, with athletes training rigorously to represent our school on this international stage

Our athletic teams are gearing up for the challenge, embodying dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. ISM will also send multiple staff members to accompany and support our student-athletes, ensuring their safety and success throughout the journey

The ISM delegation will depart on April 23, 2025, and return on April 28, 2025, giving students ample time to acclimate to the competition atmosphere and enjoy their stay in Abu Dhabi The tournament is more than just an athletic event; it is an extraordinary opportunity for students to forge new friendships, explore different cultures, and connect through their shared passion for sports The vibrant and friendly atmosphere of the Global Sports Tournament fosters not only competition, but also global understanding and unity.

ISM students are eagerly looking forward to this event Ninth-grader Greta Reich (ISM '28) expressed her excitement, saying "I think it would be a great opportunity! It would also be a great achievement just to be invited, and I would LOVE to go!" Similarly, fellow ninth-grader Roshan Batham (ISM '28), shared that " once I heard about the opportunity to compete in the global sports tournament, I was thrilled to represent my school in swimming, push my limits, and connect with others from around the world through our shared passion for sports " We are beyond excited for our students to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Competing on a global stage like the SABIS® GST is a chance for them to showcase their talents, build confidence, and grow as individuals. This tournament will allow our student-athletes to represent ISM with pride, while forming connections that transcend borders, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The SABIS® Global Sports Tournament promises to be an exhilarating event that will challenge and inspire our students while creating lasting memories ISM is proud to join this esteemed competition for the first time and looks forward to fostering a spirit of excellence and global friendship on this international journey Stay tuned for more updates as our athletes prepare to make ISM proud in Abu Dhabi!