The gang's all here

We finally made it! On Thursday, students piled into the Rock Sound airport to begin their three month adventure.   We jumped into the Island School’s “luxury” biodiesel vehicles and headed towards our new home.   The rest of the day consisted of name games and other icebreaking activities, and ended with a bonfire on the beach where we were put into our advisor groups.   Drew F. was chosen as group leader, or ‘Cacique’ for the next day.

Early morning sunrise snorkel

We awoke Friday morning to the cockadoodledoo of a rooster from the school farm at 6 a.m.   This was followed by a jog around the school boundaries led by Chris Maxey.   We then took a relieving dip in the boy’s dorm beach ocean for our first snorkel, where we saw a nurse shark hanging out in an old boat wreck.   Chores and breakfast followed our introduction to morning exercise.   The rest of the day was a continued tour of the campus and included our first group activity with Mr. Maxey.   That night we met our dorm parents and had our first dorm meeting.   Pat was chosen as Cacique for the Saturday.

A kayaking we will go

Saturday began with the same 6 a.m. wakeup call and was followed by a fun morning exercise, which included swimming down the cut.   A yummy pancake breakfast awaited us when we returned to campus.   Saturday morning and afternoon was taken up with medical training and an intense discussion about Barry Lopez’s “The Rediscovery of North America” in our Humanities class.   We held our first student led meeting to discuss our first night off, and had a birthday celebration for Jaclyn.  The next day’s cacique would be Maggie.   Then we headed off to bed for much needed rest.

Sunday morning we ran to the marina and took boats to a sandbar off shore.   There we had our first geology lesson and acted out the process of oolitification.   When we got back, we had our first kayak experience and conquered our fears of wet exits.   After snorkeling as a class, we cleaned up and had a barbecue on the beach.   There was never a dull moment during our first night off.   Upon our return to school, we decided to give a fellow student (Pat) a mow hawk. It looks great Mrs. Long! We were then serenaded by guitar playing, and played a community game of cards.   Luke was named Monday’s Cacique.   What a night!

Monday was our first free day.   No specified wakeup time, no morning exercise, (Score!) and no classes.   Some chose this day to catch up on sleep, enjoy the beach, write letters, or explore the cape.   All activities were relaxing and well deserved.   At the day’s end Luke handed the Cacique honors to Jesse. Tuesday was a return to our regular schedule.   “Psychos” were done for morning exercise, and though the name is intimidating, we are happy to report that we all survived.   It was our first day of the regular class schedule, including our first research session.

Our first few days have been a little overwhelming, but our tight knit group continues to get even tighter as the days go on.   We have an awesome community of diverse people here at the Island School and we’re having a great time!

**Parents please note that the Kayak/SCUBA rotation starts Monday, Sept. 12th until Sunday, Sept. 18th and, therefore, may change your child's phone time.**

K1 and K2 leave Monday on kayak and will be back on Thursday afternoon for the start of their SCUBA rotation: Steff, Olivia, Carley, Kat, Katie, Cassidy, Ben, Henry G, Jessie, David M, Dan W, Maggie, Annie, Lizzie, leah, Kimmy, Kara, Chris K, David B, Drew, Henry H, and David S.

K3 and K4 will be on campus until Friday when the leave on their kayak trip and will be back Sunday afternoon: Eleanor, Kylie, Caroline, Brittany, Amelia, Jaclyn B, Duriko, Justin, Drew M, Michael, Nick Z, Nate, Eliza, Delia, tonin, Jackie C, Hanna, Pat, Luke, Chris DR, Colton, Jake and Danny S.

SHOUTOUTS

Danny:   Mom, the letter kept me going the first couple days.   Dad, keep me updated on sports.   Caleigh, take care of the dogs for me.   Matt, have a good time at school-live it up.   I miss everyone and I’ll talk to you later!

Kimberlee : Hey Bahama peoples! I’m having an awesome time already! I’m meeting new people, learning so much from our brilliant and energetic staff, & experiencing what it feels like to wake up with the sun and run till you feel like your legs are gonna fall off. Mom & dad, thank you for making this all possible for me. I love you both so much! To my sisters, I hope your new school year is off to a great start; be good! Shannon, my bestest friend, I hope you’re surviving the year without me & make sure to fill me in on everything I’ve missed. I’m working on letters for you all & should be sending them out within a week or so. I’m keeping all of you in my prayers and can’t wait to see everyone again. TTFN! love, Kimmy! ‘xoxox’

Lizzie: Ahhh!! my C-town loves! Mom, Dad, Pete, and Alex – miss you bunches! Fron – looovee you. Tell keegs I say hi keegle. Mellie – miss you! I hope you like your mix and the letter. Oh, and you best be working hard on …project Jesse. Hahaha. Shiverick – I love you! I need your fire! Only one kid here has it and its not nearly as brilliant as yours!! Peeway – I’m waiting for my letter. hah… Ohh. starting algebra 2 and im really sad that im not gonna have you to help me.. L love you! Wynnie – Have you had lunch with Brad? Tell him I say hi. I miss his golf lessons. I love you all at home and miss you guys soo much! Tell everyone at school I say hello and that I send them my regards. Write me and send me packages…without food. Ahhhh xoxo!!!

Colton: The Island School is so awesome.   Mom, thank you for all the hard work that you helped me with during the fair and getting ready for school.   Dad, you were the best with the animals.   Keep the dogs and fish healthy.   I know that you will.   I miss everyone and can’t wait to get mail.   Exercise is hard, but I have been surviving.   By the way I think that we wake up at 6:00 at the earliest ever day, but if you aren’t sure, just ask Dad.   Haha, well have everyone send mail, I mean all of them.   I miss the valley and dancing at the Rodeo.   Mom happy birthday and tell Jason congratulations on his internet class.   Happy weddings.   Bye, when you come be prepared for humidity. Love -Colty