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Head of School Message
Dear ISF Families, 
Finalmente! It seems as though this year, for me, passed by in a flash, especially this last month with joyous and proud celebrations of our graduates. Students in Grade Five and Eight enjoyed well deserved "moments in the sun" with recent ceremonies marking their respective readiness for the next challenges of Middle and High School, respectively. It is always a pleasure, and source of pride, for me to see expressions of pride and happiness in the eyes of parents at Graduations because, in many ways, you are as much a part of their success, as any of us.
The end of the year is also somewhat bittersweet as we say farewell to our seniors and to some of our staff. I want to thank the following staff members for their positive contributions to ISF, and especially to our students: Upper School: Angela Benedetti, Italian Program; Stephen Eckert, Learning Support; Kate Bark, Technology; Melissa Gygax, College and Guidance Counselor; Russ Valentine, Mathematics; and Mark Knewstubb, Mathematics. At the Junior School: Rosie Knewstubb, Grade Two; Evita Flock, Grade Five; Wes Ivankovich, Administrative Dean; and Grazia Giannelli,Food Service.
The summer, for all of us, is a time to "re-charge" and to take a respite from our routines, and most importantly, to spend more time with one's family. I will be soon heading home to Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly ", to see my family and life- long friends. And of course, a return to my home town will not be complete without unhealthy indulgences that I have long craved, like the savory "Philly Cheese Steak", Bar-B-Que'd Ribs, huge soft pretzels, hard shell crabs and let's not forget the water ice found in the city's famous Italian Market, where "Rocky" once ran. The Head will be running more than usual this summer, ahem.
I promise that the next year will be even better than this and the previous year. It is what we do as educators; we will find ways to create more opportunities for success and fulfillment for our students.
In closing, I want to express my sincerest appreciation to you for the privilege of being with your children, and for your support, in our mutual mission to educate our students, and your children.
Warm regards,
Larry
P.S. The Head passed his Italian Driving Exam, finally: Believe, Achieve and Succeed! |
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Field Day Student Reflection
"Teachers and students cheering the confused mass of colors: that's all we could see on the big, green and colorful field. A field that normally was calm and silent. That Wednesday, that unforgettable Wednesday, 5th June, became a noisy, full and vibrant place. I'll never forget this date when I tasted my first, real glory, the hard teamwork ... From the youngest kid to the oldest senior, all together, collaborating, cooperating, but the main aim of the students was not to win, but to have fun, to help each other to overcome our personal obstacles, using the motto, "One for all and all for one."
Wherever you looked, there were colorful splashes of painting, running, jumping, throwing. All this movement was accompanied by the sweet perfume of fresh oranges, and by the loud noise of kids cheering their teams with short songs that invited all the students to do their best.
The tender, green grass was the most crowded place on the field, where all the students were relaxing and taking the spring sun in front of the sweaty students, running on the red, granular track, or jumping in the hot, yellow sand. The happiness helped their team, the teamwork, oldest encouraging youngest and vice versa.
These are the elements for a perfect field day: this year's Field Day."
Smilla Colombini Grade 6, EAL Student
Field day photo album |
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ISF Board of Trustees
Charts an Ambitious Course 
The Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the Head of School, has set an ambitious course to ensure a bright future for the International School of Florence. With a great deal of pride, the Board is pleased to report that a long term Strategic Plan, with the collaboration of teachers, parents and board members, has been finalized after nearly one year of intense work. The Plan will be placed on the ISF Website at the start of the new school year and will encompass five major areas: The Academic Program, Finance, Admissions and Enrollment, Marketing, Development and Fundraising and Technology. A revised ISF Mission Statement and Guiding Principles, the "center piece" of the Strategic Plan, will be presented to the Community this fall.
With a focus on the quality of our campuses, the Community is aware that the Board has spent a considerable amount of time evaluating and exploring potential future sites for the School. In accordance with the Strategic Plan, and specifically Campus and Facilities, the Board has made a determination to invest strongly in our current Villas, for the foreseeable future, and at the same time, continue to explore alternate campus possibilities for the future. For example, this summer, the Junior School, in collaboration with the Comune of Bagno a Ripoli, will undergo, in the first phase of a two summers project, extensive renovations that will focus on improved safety measures for students and staff. The Scope of Work scheduled comprises the following projects:
- Installation of two chair lifts in strategic locations
- Installation of a Fire Hydration System
- Installation of Fire Doors
- Installation of handicap accessible ramps in selected areas
- Widening of selected doorways
- Major Renovations to the music room
- Construction of a few separation walls, for Fire Safety
- Installation of an Air Ventilation System
- Construction of a handicap accessible bathroom on the first floor
At the Upper School, a project is underway to deliver fiber optic cable to the campus to increase internet connectivity to accommodate its growing needs to expand and integrate technology into everyday classroom practice. Plans are also being developed, for implementation next summer, to focus on improved safety features at the School.
In closing, as we continue on our path, with a clear focus on Academic Excellence as the top priority, we will keep the community well informed. |
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| Grade 5 Graduation | |
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Our Grade 5 Class of 2013 were the stars at their Graduation Ceremony held in the JS courtyard on Thursday, June 20th,10:30am. The students endearingly spoke about each other during the ceremony as well as sang their hearts out during the musical performances. Congratulations Grade 5, see you in Middle School!
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Grade 8 Graduation Recap |  | |
Thirty nine Grade 8 Graduates celebrated at their Commencemnet Ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 19th at 18:00 in the Aula Magna. Student speakers Kian Akhavan and Sophie Culpepper delighted the crowd with their wise and entertaining speeches.There were also musical performences by Elisabetta Ivankovich and the grade 8 class band. Congratulations Grade 8, see you in High School!
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Corriere della ISF
Middle School Student Paper |  | |
As part of the Middle School end of year project, a group of ISF students visirted the Corriere Fiorentino, the local edition of the main national newspaper The Corriere della Sera. Students learned about how a nespaper is made and then put that knowledge into practice by making their own newspaper "Il Corriere della ISF."
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Angeli per un Giorno |  |
"On Sunday,May 26th, we went to the Junior School along with some children from various institutions to give them a fun experience.
Personally, I don't speak Italian but I still had a great time interacting with the children, they were very friendly and interesting. One young boy was extremely sad so we tried our best to make him smile, which he did eventually. After, we took off his shoes and tickeld his feet, he was pretty cute!" |
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