Horatio and his Mom stretch for morning exercise

It's been a busy week at the Island School. None of us can believe that we are entering our last week. Look out, parents, here we come! Parents Weekend kicked off this past week's festivities. It was amazing and we all had a wonderful time. Our schedule was jam packed with activities and by Sunday night we were all exhausted. The schedule began with the reopening of our art gallery on Thursday evening. Our parents got to see real examples of the projects we have worked on all semester and feast on such treats as conch fritters, bean dip and cheese dip. We then sat down for the first of many All School dinners. Our numbers more than doubled, meaning a very full dining hall!

Ryan Bates and family

On Friday morning, we practiced our research presentations in front of our parents. We were all really nervous and spent a frantic night on Tuesday polishing our presentations, but they were very professional and ran smoothly. Thanks a lot, parents, for all your hard questions! Friday continued with parent conferences in the afternoon and ended with Junkanoo. We had all worked for a long time on our costumes and routines for this event and we were ready to put on a show! It turned out to be awesome with everyone exhibiting the energy typical of Junkanoo. On Saturday, our parents impressed us by waking up for circle at 6:30 and running out to High Rock. Unfortunately, the seas were too rough for the traditional leap into the ocean, but everyone continued along the loop and ended by jumping into and floating the cut. Not a bad fall back option!

Mike Sewell's environmental art

Sunday was a day to relax with our parents. Most of us woke up early and headed out to Cotton Bay, where our parents were staying. We also explored the island and gift shopped until we dropped in Rock Sound, Gregory Town or Harbor Island. After we said good-bye to our parents on Sunday evening, we went to be exhausted and not looking forward to a full day of classes on Monday. The bell, however, rang at 6:30 as usual on Monday. We wearily put on our shoes, preparing to run, when we noticed notes posted on the doors of our dorms. "Congratulations," the note said, "Go back to bed. You have a surprise day off! Love, the Faculty." Did we ever need it! After the hectic weekend, we all relaxed, catching up on sleep and work.

Also this week, we had our first night dive. At first, everyone was a little hesitant, but, by the time we got on the boat, everyone had that scared/excited feeling. Getting into the water and putting our gear was the funniest thing anyone will ever see. The site of our dive lights shinning everywhere and sounds of our regulators making strange noises had everyone laughing uncontrollably. When people started to descend, everything went quiet and we saw things you only see once in a lifetime, including giant sea stars, moray eels, massive crawfish, and the most beautifully colored fish. Many of us can comfortably say it was one of the coolest experiences we had ever gone through.

Wednesday saw one of the most interesting and thought-provoking experiences many of have ever gone through. It was time to slaughter one of our pigs, whom we had fed and watched grow throughout the semester. Interested students and faculty sacrificed a morning of sleep and woke at 5:00 AM to watch the event. Two people came from Deep Creek to do the work in the proper manner, but it forced many to think about and realize where our food comes from. We spent the rest of the day in classes and community outreach, getting ready for Thanksgiving on Thursday and the half-marathon on Saturday. Only a week left!

The girls before Junkanoo

Amir: Hey Mom, Dad, Zehra, and Nadi! I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. I'm really going to miss this place and leaving it is going to be hard, but break will be nice.

Mike:Everybody at L'ville-What's up-especially my bros in Dickinson-Mom+ Dad+ Chris+Daisy-love yous-Lex-Carly-Lilly-Devin-I got your letters-Georgie-what's up?

Nina: I'm coming home in less than 2 weeks, can't wait to see you guys! Ariel and Em I'll meet you on my front steps! Central -Love you! Miss you mom, dad, Andrew, Liz.

Lindsey: Its ending and I don't wanna leave all that I love here! California: BRITT & NESA I love u guys, we'll stay friends through it all! Mom, Dad and Sarah: love you!