K1 poses, triumphant after a tough journey.

Right now all the students are involved in a 3-week rotation, during which we are split into groups for kayaking and academic work. Half of The Island School student body is currently on campus, while the other half is out at sea in kayaks on an 8-day voyage around the southernmost tip of Eleuthera. The kayakers who have already returned had an amazing experience. We learned a lot about the landscape of the Bahamas, bonded with peers, and overcame the challenges of surviving in the wilderness. The rough weather from hurricane Wilma provided many difficulties, but we pushed through the wind and rain. Another great challenge came in the form of our Solo experiences; a 2-day, 2-night time where each student is isolated on a designated section of Lighthouse Beach. This opportunity allows for students to gain confidence and independence, while providing time for relaxing reflection of our incredible journey so far at The Island School.

Mike, Justin, Dan, and Hank show off their Down-Island threads.

Along with the kayak excursions, students traveled via Island School vans farther north along Eleuthera on Down Island Trips. During this 3-day, 2-night, road trip we got to explore areas of the island that we had not yet encountered and gain a greater understanding of Bahamian culture. We began each morning with exercise on the beach to keep in shape for our run/swim track training. Days were fun-filled and action-packed with visits to historical caves, climbs on 90ft Banyan trees, swims in deep ocean holes, scavenger hunts in coastal settlements and many more exciting adventures. The first night we went out to dinner in Gregory Town and the second night we gathered around a campfire on the beach to cook dinner, observe the stars and enjoy each others’ company. All in all, the students had a blast spending time together learning about the Bahamas.

Mike takes measurements for the Aquaponics research group.

Also during the last week we have started our new rotation of classes. Although these classes are pretty much the same as always we have gained two new classes. We are diligently working on our Junkanoo performance for Parents’ Weekend, so we have this as a class. Also during this rotation our regular math class has given way to statistics that will help us with our research projects and our results. Earlier in the week we gave our book five Omeros presentations. For our presentations we were all assigned a certain chapter, with that chapter we were responsible for teaching it to a small group and making sure that they understand it. Due at the end of our rotation is our final art project which is our open project. An open project is anything that we want as long as it is within the realms of environmental art. Currently we are preparing for our community outreach kids to come and have a science fair day which we are all looking forward to. The Deep Creek Middle School held a walkathon, which we participated in to raise money for DCMS. Students ran a full five miles from the DCMS back to the Island School. A few days later, we participated in a timed exercise. The swim track swam a timed half-mile while the run track timed a four mile run.

It’s hard to believe that Parents’ Weekend is almost here and we have been frantically preparing our Junkanoo costumes for their arrival. Junkanoo is one of the main celebrations in the Bahamas, and is usually celebrated the day after Christmas. We are preparing are own mini Junkanoo here at the IS for our parents. Between decorating our drums, horns, bells, headpieces, and outfits we have been very busy. We are using a variety of decorations including glitter, beads, pipe cleaner, paint, and tissue paper. Although we have some work ahead of us it looks like Junkanoo is going to turn out extremely successful.

There was an optional free dive at 5:30 Monday morning. Maxey took us out on the boat to Cathedral where we saw hundreds of amazing fish. We then swam off to the hole in the wall and got to do some scuba diving around there as well. During the course of the semester we have become certified in SCUBA diving and have gone on many dives, but the second academic rotation is especially excited for the night dives. We can’t wait to get in the water and check out all the cool things out at night.

As the semester progressed, we have all anticipated the presentations of our research projects. The six research groups have written around ten pages of their research papers, and will soon begin the results section. This has proven rather difficult for one of the research groups, aquaponics, as the research team has just received the one thousand fish ordered. The sponge aquaculture group was devastated when a storm wiped out their sponges underwater. The rest of the groups are doing well and prepping for the Parents’ Weekend presentations.

SHOUTOUTS:

Mike: Hey Mom hey Dad, hope everything is good in Charleston. Hey Is tell the family I said hello. Hope you and George Thomas and Bubber and every body are doing ok. Tell Courtie, Wyatt, and Kenan I said hey, tell everybody that I miss them. George, Thomas, Bubber hope ya’ll aren’t having to much fun with out me. T hope basketball is going good. George try to keep your self from getting in trouble. Candice & Caroline thank you for the mail. Thanks everybody for writing I miss you all see you in a month, Michael

Hank: How’s the weather? Lookin forward to seeing everybody and hope everything is goin well. Mom and Dad – hey! Haven’t sent too many letters, sorry about that. Ill get on it. Peter – +15 pounds!? Wow, that’s impressive. Have fun at Hamilton. Lucy – Good to get all your letters and hope your havin fun at home w/o me. Charlie – Cant wait to see ya, I hear you are rockin sixth grade. Nashville – I wish I could join you for thanksgiving and will be thinking of ya. Gerritys – hope you are all well. Nic, Coolin, James, Sarah, George, Chris, Kristin, Amack, Wes and the rest of the juniors ’07 – best class at NYA. Freshmen and Sophomores – almost as cool, but not quite. Seniors – getting old. Ing – ur getting popular here, Thans been braggin about ya. Stay cool.

Katie: Hi everyone! I hope everything is fantastic back in the States! I bet you don’t quite have the luxurious Bahamian weather to brag about, but I am sure everything else is great. Although I am having a wonderful time, I am so excited to see everyone when I return home. Everyone at Thacher, especially Erin and Kathryn, how are you? How is campus? Everyone in New Jersey, guess what, I am finally coming to visit in mid-December! Allie, Alex, Nina, Nel, Jenna, Heidi, Ali, Margot, Maddie, Claire, Zack, Derek, Jonathan, Joey, and everyone else- please be there! Z, Sam, Spenc, Brad, Harriette and Steve- I can’t wait to see you all and your new house in Vermont! Jen how is Exeter? Sander how is Dartmouth? Mom and Mark I love and miss you both so much! I hope the animals are doing well, Laguna Blanca and Sansum are great, and you are happy and healthy. I can’t wait to see you… less than 2 weeks! Z- Please come down with them! :)

Carley: Ah Hello Everyone at home!! I miss you guys so much and hope everything is going well back in CT. Eleuthera is amazing and I am having the time of my life down here. Mims I miss you so much, cant wait till parents weekend, thank you for all of the mail!! Brother and Hayls I don’t know how I’m getting by without you guys. I’m counting down the days till you get here, your going to love it. Thanks for all of the mixes they help keep the dorm room alive. Betty, G, and Barbara I miss you guys so much and cant wait to see you the 7th. Thank you for all of the letters! Alexandra I miss you like crazy, time is flying by and I will be back before we know it. My D’s, Marg, Lee, Han, Lace (I bet you are reading this right now), tatty, Cait, and Gooch I love you guys and cant wait to see you! Rags and J$ thanks for the updations I miss our talks. Soccer team I love you all and am sure you are doing amazing.