Dear ISF Community

This is a very exhilarating time of the year as everyone returns from holiday break feeling refreshed and revitalized. We will need this energy as the end of the year will come at us at warp speed! Especially with all the upcoming exciting events.

We were honored to kick off the events of the new year with the United Korean Concert on Friday, January 20^th. We had around 330 parents, students, staff, alumni, and participants in attendance. The event raised more than 3000 euros which they will donate to the Kenya Project.

I would like to acknowledge a few key contributors: Chaejeong Han who organized the group of CAS students and volunteers for her IB CAS project, Ms. Su Eun Seong who was the staff liaison for the event, Ms. Adrienne Hannon and the SLO crew for the program management and logistical expertise to accomplish another successful ISF event, ISF Hausmeisters for turning our theater from an exam hall into a concert hall and then back into an exam hall, ISF staff in attendance who showed their support by cheering on the participants in the audience, and most importantly, the successful funds raised for the Kenya Project could not have happened without the parent and company sponsorships. Thank you all!

Stay tuned for more upcoming events posted in the Weekly Updates and online events calendar.

Corina Rader, School Director

On Friday, January 20, 2023, the 14^th United Korean Concert was held at the ISF School Theater. The concert theme this year is “Rabbit and Turtle”, a Korean Traditional fairy tale.

The concert was a big success! we raised 3604.5 euros, by selling 258 tickets, approximately selling 1600 raffle tickets, and selling snacks. The funds will go towards ISF's official charity Kenya Project, earmarked to support a water project which will endeavor to provide the students, teachers, and parents of the Chitsanze School community with access to drinking water.

A special thank you to our 2023 United Korean community. We would like once again to thank all the teachers and staff, for their support.

G10 to 11 transition meetings

“AP^® or IB? Which path should we select for Grades 11 and 12?” --- This is the question currently on the minds of most of our Grade 10 students and parents. At ISF, we are the only school in the Rhein-Main region to offer students two options to choose from for completing their High School Diploma requirements in Grades 11 and 12: The College Board Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) track, with the option of also completing the new AP^® Capstone Diploma Program or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Both paths offer students admission to the best universities in the world, including Japan, Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Our High School Academic Coordinators recently met with Grade 10 parents and students to help them understand the differences between the two curricula and which of these two options may be the best one for each individual student to follow. This was just the first step in our course selection process, which is guided by our team of expert university and career counsellors who are dedicated to assisting our students to qualify to gain access to the university and course or academic program of their choice.

The next step will be the actual course selection, which is done in a one-on-one meeting with each student. We are confident that we will be able to find the best way forward for all of our Grade 10 students.

On Thursday, January 19^th, ISF held its second annual Extended Essay (EE) Café. The event occurred after school, with two panels of IB2 students presenting on their research to an audience of roughly forty IB1 and 10^th grade students. The event was organized by IB2 students Kea Frölich and Matthias Schreeb as their CAS project.

This was an opportunity for IB2 students to share their research findings, and to celebrate their accomplishment of having completed their essays. It was also a chance for them to share their experiences and advice with IB1 students, who are just now beginning their own EE research.

The EE is part of the IB Diploma core – along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – which all students must complete in order to earn a full IB Diploma. It is an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper, which students must submit before the holiday break of IB2. With the support of a staff supervisor, students must choose their own topic, develop their own research question and methodology, and produce a genuinely worthwhile contribution to the ongoing academic discussion in a field that interests them.

This project allows students to explore an area of interest to them in more depth than perhaps any other aspect of the diploma program. It also furnishes them with excellent practice and preparation for undergraduate research and pushes them to develop their critical thinking, reading comprehension, communication, and planning skills.

At ISF’s EE Café, we had one panel of STEM presentations (Yaoning Yang, Ateeksh Luthra, Florian Liedtke, and Matthias Schreeb) and one panel of Humanities / Social Science presentations (Jungyoung Lim, Carlota Seibel, Havin Demir, Kea Frölich). Each panel was also judged by staff members (Mr. Stewart and Mr. Dabboussi for STEM; Dr. Lehmann, Dr. Warne, Mr. Hashmi, and Mr. McNulty for Humanities / Social Science). Presenters not only discussed their research but also fielded questions from staff and students in the audience.

In each panel, one staff choice and one audience choice award were conferred. The STEM winners were Yaoning Yang (Biology) and Ateeksh Luthra (Physics). In Humanities / Social Science, Carlota Seibel (Visual Arts) and Havin Demir (German Literature) won. Following the presentations, students got a chance to discuss what they had heard over Pizza in the SLO room. Hopefully, the IB1 students present feel armed to embark on the process themselves with a bit more confidence – we look forward to their own presentations a year from now.

Thank you very much to our Chinese community for the absolutely amazing and wonderful experience! Parents, teachers, and pupils worked together and put in their finest efforts to brighten the classrooms with festive decorations. Together, we shared our international-mindedness and appreciation of Chinese culture. The ISF community was treated with an array of visual treats.

Chinese New Year is one of the world’s most prominent and celebrated holidays. It is the most important annual event for many countries in Asia

This year ushers in the Year of the Rabbit, the rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese Culture, thus 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. This Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 22^nd, 2023, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 5^th, 2023.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a fun activity that everyone enjoys, whether they know how to or not. I was given the opportunity to plan an ice skating event for the students at our school. I was particularly eager to plan this in a way that was giving back to the people that planned such a wonderful ice skating trip when I was in 7^th grade. The SLO Activities Department was delighted to host the first outing after covid regulations for 75 of our students from fifth grade to eleventh grade.

Because the event took place after school, it was best to leave directly from school to get to the Eissporthalle via public transport. Our five wonderful chaperones led the way while traveling and the older students stepped up and gave a hand in escorting the younger ones to the ice rink. There were a few worries throughout the journey considering it was ISF's first time back out after COVID and due to the necessity of making train connections, but everyone did an exceptional job at getting there. Being together with friends during the winter months and taking part in this event was a fun and exhilarating way to experience the cold and create wonderful memories.

On Friday, January 27^th, 2023, our Junior League Debate team took 7 students to Heilbronn to compete in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds of the German Debating Society’s Junior League competition. This is the first time since the pandemic began that our debaters have had the opportunity to debate in person. For each competition day, there are two rounds. The first debate is an impromptu motion, meaning that the students do not know what they will be debating until an hour before the debate starts. All teams are given one hour to build an argument- our team was on the opposition side for the 1^st round.

The motion was ‘This house believes that climate activists should stop blocking roads’. Shaurya B. (9), Hannah S. (9), and Aaditya N (8) were successful and won their first debate. A special thanks goes to Ahan S. (8) and Ayan V. (8) for assisting with research during the preparation time for the impromptu round. The second debate was a prepared debate meaning that our team had time before the competition to create and research their side. The motion was ‘This house would not go to university’ and we were team proposition. The debaters for this debate worked for weeks on their arguments and strategy.

Their hard work paid off as the debaters, Tejashavi R. (8), Anannya T. (8). And Ayan V. (8) won their debate as well. Needless to say, all debaters were ecstatic with their performance in their first competition of the debate season.

We all had a fantastic time meeting with other teams and gaining experience that will be used for the next rounds. As their debate coach, I am extremely proud of them and all of their hard work. A special thanks goes out to Mr. McDaniel who chaperoned as well.

Debate Coach: Allison Schutt

Basketball friendlies -

This month our U14boys and varsity boys had a couple of wonderful basketball friendlies with MSF(Metropolitan School Frankfurt).

FIS swimming friendly -

The competition was on Saturday, January 28^th at Frankfurt International School (FIS).

8 schools from different German and European cities participated in the event (5 hours of swimming). ISF brought 15 of its swimmers and it was a very nice and satisfying afternoon for all swimmers.

We took some medals with us:

In Varsity boys, Ye Kai Yang won gold in 50 m, butterfly, and 100 m. IM.; also bronze in 200 m. Freestyle.

In U14 boys, Emil Gödeker was second in 50 m. backstroke and Shaurya Baliga was second in 100 m. backstroke.

Our U14 Boys team composed of Suiun, Atharv, Emil, and Shaurya won the silver in 4x50 m. Medley.

Swimming GISST -

This month our high school swimming team was training hard for GISST!

Three IB1 students decided to work on different scientific themes each month and express their passion for science, specifically for chemistry, through games, activities, and writing. Their advisor and editor, Dr. Mrad-Hage, the Head of the Chemistry Department, ensured that all the published information was accurate and met high standards.

Please click on the link and read the wonderful work by Shruti Vattiam Sivakumar (Leader), Shauryadip Sanyal (Author), and Anya Pujol (co-Author). The magazine includes a study on Bioplastics, a crossword, and some science riddles!

All of the music classes are refocusing their efforts after the winter concerts and moving forward with the summer concerts on 31 May for grades 1-4 and 7 June for grades 5-8. With the changing of the year, it is also a changing and adjusting of our musical cultures. This is an interesting time as there are a number of new families that move into music and also some that are returning to their homelands. We share our musical values with our new students and accept influences from their musical experiences. The New Year brings new ideas and themes.

Here are the links again for the primary and middle school concerts.

KG winter concert: https://youtu.be/Y0ZReKUHIOE

Primary Winter Concert https://youtu.be/OSNeqJz2fGA

Middle School Winter Concert https://youtu.be/i7gGypQaqxo

In Primary School, we are developing our skills in writing and identifying aspects of music. Students have the opportunity to write their own 8-measure composition. Of course, there are rules and guidelines and a full range of expressions, and it is really a chance for students to write their own melody that is possible to be played. Many students light up when given this opportunity and are excited to get their musical ideas down on paper.

In Middle School, students are starting the New Year with various projects. In Strings, students read new music and discuss how this music is put together to make a whole piece. In Music Production, students are building on their electronic manipulation of sound by exploring and using different effects. In Choir, some classes are doing a Composition Project and getting comfortable with their Music First account.

With the New Year, comes some new students, new musical and cultural adjustments, and new projects. We are happy with these new experiences that build on our foundations.

“I planned my 2023 CAS project based on my passion for art. After a lot of planning and a successful proposal to the school, I am painting a school mural. My experience implementing this project will align with the foundation of CAS; creativity, activity, and service. I am already facing challenges; creating the geometric design is proving to be out of my comfort zone. Not to mention the cold weather and rain that makes it harder to paint. I‘m hoping I will deliver on the other challenges that lie ahead, like efficient execution and leading a team. I‘m very excited to create some on-site artwork that will be there for years to come! Thanks to ISF for supporting me and I‘m buzzed to share it with you all!”

- Carly Seibel Grade 12 Art HL

Warm Greetings Everyone. I am Rodney Richard, Head of the Art department. I would like to welcome everyone to our 2023 IB Art Exhibition! It gives me a great sense of joy to organize this event every year in our school inviting students, staff, parents, associates, partners, and other schools.

The IB Art Exhibition is a two-year combination of theoretical, practical, and curatorial art skills. ISF students explore ways of communicating through visual and written means while making artistic choices about how to effectively communicate knowledge and understanding. They produce a body of artwork through a process of reflection and evaluation, showing a synthesis of skill, media, and concept.

This year our students chose various nuanced themes. These topics range from identity to personal struggles and triumphs balanced with critiques and celebrations of culture which ultimately contribute to the entire comprehensive program.

2023 IB Art exhibition candidates:

Jeeyoo Chang

Ronnie Kim

Yuika Konishi

Suyoung Lee

Carlota Seibel

Seungheon Lee

February 2023 PN Activities at-a-Glance

Weekly: German A1 Language Classes- Limited space. Registration and fee required.
2, 9, 23: Thursdays- Free Dance Workout! Join our fun and friendly Zumba-style workout every Thursday from 8:30-9:30 in room 102 in the music building. Join the Zumba workout WhatsApp chat here, if interested. No registration required.
10- Parent Mingle in the Sports Cafeteria 8:30-9:30. Complimentary coffee. Network, share concerns, and receive information about upcoming school and PN activities at our monthly Parent Mingle. No registration required.

21- Fasching Carnival in the gym periods 2-7. With multiple stations, including games, face painting, balloons, and a prize table, this is sure to be a memorable event for our students in grades 1-5! Parents may attend as volunteers for one of our event stations if registered online.

24-Monthly English Morning- 8:30-9:30 in the Sports Cafeteria. Learn conversational English. Complimentary coffee. For updates, join our English Morning WhatsApp chat. No registration required.