The Newsletter of the International School of Florence

May 2016 - Volume 49

Giving Back

eISF

HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE

Dear Parents of ISF,

This month’s newsletter highlights some of the ways in which ISF exemplifies Aristotle’s maxim that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts! Many people working together achieve results that go well beyond what our individual efforts can ever amount to.

Our Middle School Student Council project of gathering backpacks and school supplies for students in Malawi was a great success. The experience not only provided material support to students in another country, but also the chance for our students to reflect on the connection between education and opportunity.

During their Exhibition, our fifth graders linked their research projects to real problems in the world – hunger, access to clean water and animal rights, to

name a few. By thinking concretely about how to change some of what isn’t right in the world, students were able to connect their knowledge and actions to solutions.

Upper School students involved in the Dignity through Art project and the Angeli per un Giorno initiative have benefited from deeply human experiences that provide depth of understanding and awareness about the lives of people who are less fortunate.

Finally, our parents and friends enjoyed a fun evening at the Gala, and, through the generosity of donors, bidders and organizers, also provided funds to contribute to our academic and extracurricular offerings. Every contribution to our community is a contribution to our mission, to have a positive impact on others and the world around us. Thank you!

With best wishes, Debra Williams

News from the School Board

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

What a year it's been! The Board has had many important tasks this year, all of which have not only produced positive results but also brought the ISF community together. We started out with a participatory Head of School search, with the happy end result of the appointment of Debra Williams. We experienced the five year Primary Years Program (PYP) review that involved all stakeholders. We had successful negotiations with the staff to reach a mutually agreeable three year contract. We continued to work beyond ISF in the greater community both to advance our goal of finding a new campus and to raise awareness and support for international education. Together with the administration we are evaluating and renewing our Strategic Plan. All of these goals and achievements have moved us forward in taking ISF towards even better results. Everyone in our community plays a part, whether it's in attending a focus group, filling out a survey, attending the Gala, participating in the Meet the Board event, or volunteering in the Parents Association. Our next community-wide event is Field Day on June 1, so let's raise the bar and jump higher to clear it, not just on the field!

A huge ‘Thank you’ toour ISF Community.We met our goals!

Seniors’ Last Day of School

Congratulations to the Class of 2016! They have been accepted to, or have received a conditional offer from the following universities and colleges:

SENIOR UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES

In the United Kingdom

Bath (2) Bath Spa Birmingham Bristol Brunel (2) City (2) Coventry Creative Arts Derby Durham (2) Edinburgh (3) Essex Exeter (6) Gloucestershire Goldsmith’s (3) Kent (5) King’s (5) London Metropolitan (3) Imperial Middlesex (3) Northumbria Norwich Nottingham Trent Oxford Oxford Brookes (6) Queen Mary’s University of London (2) Regent’s Richmond (3) Roehampton (2) Royal Holloway (7) SOAS St. Andrew’s+ (2) University of the Arts, London (2) Warwick West London Westminster (2) Sussex Ulster University College of London York

In the United States and Canada

Asuza Pacific University American University Baylor University Bentley University Boston University (2) Brown University Colombia College Connecticut College Johnson and Wales University McGill University New York University New School Northeastern University (2) Rhode Island School of Design Rochester Institute of Technology Savannah School of Art and Design Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Southwestern University Trinity University University of Colorado Boulder University of Southern California

In Europe

Bocconi University Erasmus University Rotterdam ESSEC International Business School, Paris Instituto Europeo di Design, Milano Leiden University Luiss Business School Maastricht University Instituto Marangoni Universita Caltolica del Sacro Cuore Universita Degli Studi di Milano Universita di Torino Utrecht University

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS

The Junior Class has been working since January on the Pre-Application Process. This process is designed to help students be prepared for the application process next school year.

Students have been asked to complete the following assignments: -College Research. -Register for college admission exams, when appropriate. -A CV or resume, outlining their activities, interests, and accomplishments in grades 9-11. -A rough draft of a personal statement (UK), personal essay (U.S.) or both. By completing these assignments now, students will considerably lessen their load next year, when faced with the combination of I.B and university deadlines. Time permitting, students applying to the U.S. should also open the Common Application and create a file. Students applying to the UK should create an account during the summer so that they are ready to go when they start school in September. During the summer, time permitting, visiting colleges and attending open days (UK) is an excellent way to learn about different schools, from both and objective and more subjective point of view. The ISF College Counselor, Zoe Tosteson Losada, is meeting with students during the CAS and IB Skills classes. She is happy to meet with parents to brainstorm, plan, and answer questions. Parents who would like to communicate with her should call ISF for an appointment or email Zoe at z.losada@students.isfitaly.org.

Grade 12 CAS @ the Meyer Hospital Vivia Marchi, Fabienne Tarrant, Aloisia Rucellai and Camilia Pulidori proudly donated the money they had raised through bake sales, to Alessandro Benedetti at the Meyer Hospital. The money will be used in the Ludoteca.

La Ludoteca La ludoteca è un luogo speciale all’interno dell’ospedale. Luminoso e colorato, ricco di giochi, libri e materiali per i laboratori creativi, consente ai bambini e ai loro genitori di vivere un momento di pausa, gioco e relax durante il ricovero. La ludoteca è aperta anche ai bambini in day hospital e a quelli che hanno effettuato una visita ambulatoriale.

Le attività di gioco si sviluppano in base alle caratteristiche e alle esigenze dei bambini e sono svolte in autonomia, con i genitori o con gli educatori, oltre alle attività di laboratorio in occasione di feste o eventi speciali.

Più di 10.000 bambini hanno frequentato la ludoteca nell’anno 2014 e 1.000 incontri sono stati fatti direttamente nei reparti con gli educatori. Source: www.meyer.it

CAS - Pergola Project Our dedicated students Sky Bonan, Maria Sole Campinoti and Patrizia Tyfanyuk

keep enhancing the beautiful ISF grounds.

Backpack ProjectWe reached our goal:

110 backpacks !!!#makingadifference

#marysmeals

Dignity Through Art “The Dignity through Art project seeks to highlight the needs of those marginalized, homeless or needy people we see in Florence; acknowledging them to be part of our lives, whatever their personal stories. In doing so, not only do we give voice to those who are silenced by their circumstances or choices, but we also honor their essential human dignity, and with it our own.” Ten ISF students and Art teacher Jessica Russo Scherr painted portraits which form part of the exhibition in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The exhibition was officially opened on May 16 by Mons. Timothy Verdon who directs the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Dignity through Art will run until May 26. Sue Yiannakis, CAS

Artists on Display Portraits: Tessa Mair, Rita Reznichenko, Madison Elya, Diana Barta, Sofia Volpe, Elena Ivanaj, Jessica Russo Scherr Refugee Crisis: Emily Blackstone, Anna Pacciani, Alec Campbell, Emily Volpe

Grade 7 students drew our beautiful campus and

then created these monochromatic paintings

depicting atmospheric perspective.

CAS - Angeli per un Giorno The Giornata Di Pasqua experience was an event that everyone should look forward to. Seeing how the simplest acts such as playing with them for a few hours makes them happy, warmed my heart and made me recognize how much we take normal acts of affection for granted. The experience not only educated me to be more appreciative, it also taught me how to behave with kids of any age. Thanks to Ginevra, the child I was guarding as an Angelo, I discovered a part of me that had been buried deep inside me for almost 5 years now. Ginevra Lapi, Grade 10

A BIG THANK YOU to ALL Angeli who participated in this long and wonderful event. It might have felt challenging and endless at times, but the importance is that it was meaningful to the children and worth your presence! Thanks to the Grade 9 students Sibilla, Sarah, Nadia, Julia, Ginevra and Smilla, to the Grade 10 students Kojin, Jim, Alina and Duuk, and finally to the Grade 11 Students Sveva and Erica. Nathalie Vieillard, French Teacher

GRADE 9 - Art History, Fine Art and Technology

The three classes came together in one project to research Art Nouveau artworks. They selected one artwork and wrote about it and then they recreated an element on a square piece of paper. That element was scanned and opened in Photoshop. The students learned how to clean up an image, adjust lighting, erase and modify. Then they multiplied the design to create both vertical and horizontal mirror images of the original design. They will use this design to create a tempera painting. Below are some of the Photoshop edited designs that will be translated into paintings.

Grade 11 Art - Alumni Visit ISF Class of 2015's Henry Hunt came back to ISF to speak with 11th grade Art students about the creative tasks involved in the film industry. Henry has spent the past year working as a director's assistant making commercials all over the world. Our students learned about proposals, photography, location scouting, wardrobe, set design and more.

RIDE TO SCHOOLJoin us every Friday!

Henry Hunt - ISF Alumni Class of 2015

Henry, please briefly tell us about your career path after you have graduated at ISF last year? Since graduating from ISF last year in May, I have worked as a Directors Assistant for Bruce Hunt. This has been a terrific experience and helped me to gain insight in both the film and advertising industry. For me, there are two main perks to the role I have. First, I'm lucky enough to travel quite a bit. I have worked in Chicago, New York City, Barcelona (three times), London, and most recently Sydney. Travelling is another passion of mine, so being able to work and travel is fantastic. The second best part of this job is that with the position I have, I am able to work with and observe the many different units within the film and advertising industry. This can range from the production and locations department, to the set design and art depart, the wardrobe department, as well as with the storyboard artist and agency producer(s). My hope is to one day become a producer. The organisational side of the film and advertising industry, as well as the production side, is where my true passion lies. Luckily for me, the role I have now allows me to work closely with the producers, which is, to quote essentially every producer I've worked with thus far - "the best way to learn." Hopefully the skills I have acquired and the people I have met will help me in working towards becoming a producer.

When did you discover your passion for the film industry? The love and involvement in the film industry runs in my family. My dad and uncle are both directors, my aunt is a producer, even my mom was an agency producer. And now, some of my cousins are also involved in it. Growing up I have always been surrounded by the film industry, so I would say I was influenced largely by that at first, but since working as a directors assistant and having had hands-on experience in the film industry, my passion and love for the industry has grown even stronger and confirmed my interest in it. Event coordination has also been a passion of mine, so when it came to figuring out what I wanted to do, and what role I wanted to have in the film industry, the role of a producer seemed to fit perfectly well. You're involved in a similar process only the "event" that you're organising is a film and on a much larger scale and with the fun and constant change of the film industry.

What are your plans for the future? At the moment I'm looking at working more permanently in New York. Many of the people I have met suggest either NYC or London as great cities to start pursuing a career in the production side of the film industry. So for now I'm exploring the different possibilities while finishing up this working "gap year" as a directors assistant. Hopefully this next step will be an exciting one, and one which can help in bringing me closer to my goal of becoming a producer.

What is your greatest ISF memory? As terrible as this may sound at first, I would have to say the last day of school and the day of our graduation. Both of these days were special and full of emotion. We were all together for the last time, making the most of our last ever school day, reminiscing with teachers and friends, making our final memories at ISF and most importantly, making the most of our last day. Looking back, I would definitely say these were the greatest, and most memorable, days at ISF.

Do you have any advice for our students? One piece of advice that I really think is key, is finding a balance. A balance between the time spent studying and covering the curriculum but also taking the time to follow and explore passions that you have outside of school. Not only is it rewarding to do something that you're passionate about but I also find that by doing so you meet other people with common interests. And most of the time, many things that you have to cover as part of the curriculum help when pursuing your passion. I know that for me, everything about essay writing, from the formatting, to the correction and citations, helped immensely in what I do now as a directors assistant.

5th Graders visit the Gattaia Campus for a taste of Middle School

The Spain Trip Video is available at https://youtu.be/uX1KVVTfmEM

By Sibilla Venerosi

Grade 6 Archaeology To compliment their archaelogical studies, Grade 6 visited the National Archaeological

Museum in Florence and engaged in an archaelogical dig at school.

Stay in the loop!

ITALIAN AB INITIO With the majority of our class living in Pisa, Florence often goes unexplored amongst our Italian Ab Initio classmates, due to this reason a field trip was conceived pertaining for all of us to traverse the city and all of its rich beauties. And thus on a clear sunny day, we set off with ideas of fresh coffee and gelato on our minds. Starting from Piazza Michelangelo, we toured the city, famous landmarks being pointed out, absorbing the centuries of history so clearly evident in the landscape. Whether it be walls dating back to the 14th century, or the National Library, Florentine scenery is overflowing with not only culture but also presents a magnificent chronicle of the past. The event provided an overall delight, mixing education with delectable refreshments in addition to hands on experience with the language. Sandra Karic, Grade 12

Poetry Month

El verano rima con “O”Llegó el verano que rima con O.Sol, canción, sandía y melón. El mar suena a risa y el pueblo a tambor.[Que no acabe nunca esta canción…]Helado, pescado y vestidos de lima limón.[Que no acabe nunca esta canción…]¡Cuaderno, libro de texto y lápiz del dos!Qué bonito fue rimar

L’Infini                                                       Lac  formé par la pluieQui descend sur la terreA l’infiniSoleil qui crée un arc-en-cielFleuve qui couleEt nourrit les rivièresLes couleurs du cielForment une cascade de fleursEt apporte un monde de ChaleurA l’INFINI !

As part of the poetry month activities at the library, the Grade 6 Spanish class and Grade 6 and 7 French classes participated in the event and read poems in both languages. The French Grade 6 class read their own poem, L’Infini, for which they won the Best Class poem Award! Look for all Poetry Month winning poems in the next edition of the Tuskan Times magazine.

ISF Onan Family Foundation Library

Book Plate CompetitionRules for submission and further information

are available from Ms. Allen.

What is MAP Testing?

MAP testing takes place at ISF three times per year. The tests measure the academic progress of our students in the areas of Reading, Language Usage, and Mathematics. The assessments are adaptive; the assessments adapt to the student’s responses and predict their success on successive questions. The data generated from these exams is used by the teachers to set learning goals for students in the fall, monitor progress in the winter and then measure and compare actual growth in the spring.

Students do not need to prepare for these tests; preparation takes place in the classroom every day. Teachers also use the data to help guide their classroom instruction and make curricular decisions. In summary, the MAP tests are a tool for teachers to help their students achieve their maximum.

By Joshua Federwisch, Science

The latest TUSKAN TIMES

edition can be found at https://issuu.com/tuskantimes/docs/

april_2016_volume4issue8

#TEACHERSMATTER The Parent Association prepared the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast,

an event that the teachers and staff always appreciate and enjoy very much. THANK YOU.

Grade 5 Exhibition

Grade 5 students came to the Upper School to interview students on gender stereotypes as part of their Grade 5 Exhibition. Gender stereotypes are simplistic generalizations about the

gender attributes, differences, and roles of individuals and/or groups. Stereotypes can be positive or negative, but they rarely communicate accurate information about others (www.cliffsnotes.com).

Portfolio Day & 5th Grade PYP Exhibition Junior School

Portfolio Day and 5th Grade PYP Exhibition was this past Wednesday, the 4th of May. It was a smashing success by all accounts. The students were very proud to show their work which demonstrates very clearly the progress they have made since last Fall. During the school year, students compile their own portfolios by choosing the work that they are the most proud of, and they feel highlights their hard work, significant learning and new knowledge. On Portfolio Day each student sat with their families and independently led their family conference. This not only was a time for them to show and explain their academic progress which required thinking skills and research skills, but also their communication skills, self-management skills and social skills. Student-led Conferences are an integral part of the Primary Years Programme. Conferences such as these, allow the students to demonstrate their continuing development of the Learner Profile; to explain their expanding understanding of the world around them, and their responsibilities towards making it a better place.

Again this year, the 5th Grade Exhibition was held simultaneously with Portfolio Day. This provides an opportunity for a much larger portion of our ISF Junior School community to share in this culminating celebration of our 5th graders. There were seven student teams this year. They investigated very significant issues present in today’s world: Air Pollution, Animal Rights, Disability Rights, Food Issues, Gender Equality, Racism and Water Issues. They did extensive research, compiled their findings to create reports, infograms, displays and oral presentations. Each student also made a creative piece to demonstrate their message raising awareness about their topic, and to encourage others to join them in making the world a better place.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our families, for supporting your children in their learning and play. Your children appreciate it and so do we, the faculty and staff at the Junior School.

By Melissa Rossini, PYP Coordinator

JS Library - Grade 3 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

In Library class the children revisited C.S. Lewis’s ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. They are exploring themes, characters and setting as well as thinking about the parallels with Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’ and Disney’s ‘Frozen’ film, and even the Harry Potter series! In Art class they created a character mask from the book. On Monday 16th May, Grade 3 had a chance to experience the story for real with a themed party. The library was transformed in to the world of Narnia, the children were dressed in their character masks and took part in themed activities, such as Narnia Bingo and White Witch Freeze. Food plays a large and important role in the book so of course there was themed food for the children to enjoy. And of course there was Turkish Delight:

“It is dull, Son of Adam, to drink without eating,” said the Queen presently. “What would you like best to eat?” “Turkish Delight, please, your Majesty,” said Edmund. “The Queen let another drop fall from her bottle onto the snow, and instantly there appeared a round box, tied with green silk ribbon, which, when opened, turned out to contain several pounds of the best Turkish Delight. Each piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious. He was quite warm now, and very comfortable.” –C. S. Lewis, ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’.

April Child, Junior School Librarian

Mary’s Meals