ISF - Monthly Newsletter Issue October 2023

Frankfurt Rhein-Main, October 14, 2023 - The ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main, known for its commitment to fostering global awareness and cultural diversity, hosted a spectacular International Day event on October 14^th.. The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Farzami Sarkawi, the Consul General of Malaysia, and Mr. Zorn, a prominent member of the German Bundestag. Over 200 families from around the world came together to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the ISF community.

This year, ISF proudly boasts 42 nationalities within its student body, exemplifying the school's dedication to providing a truly international educational experience. The International Day festivities commenced with a vibrant Parade of Nations, where students proudly waved flags from their respective countries, creating a colorful spectacle that embodied the spirit of unity in diversity.

Throughout the day, families and students had the opportunity to explore "focus country rooms" that were meticulously designed to provide an immersive cultural experience. Each room allowed visitors to delve into the customs, traditions, and flavors of a specific country, providing a glimpse into the global mosaic represented at ISF.

Sports enthusiasts were not left out, as a variety of sports representing different countries were available for participation. From soccer to badminton, the event was a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together across borders.

One of the highlights of the day was the culturally diverse stage show, where talented students, parent, teachers, and staff showcased their skills and celebrated the fusion of cultures through music, dance, and drama. The performances underscored the school's commitment to nurturing global citizenship.

ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main's International Day serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and appreciating the diversity of cultures that enrich our lives. It offers a genuine international environment for all its students and families, emphasizing the need for a global mindset in today's interconnected world. The event was a resounding success, fostering unity, cultural exchange, and global awareness among the ISF community.

As soon as we finished cleaning up from the bonding event, discussions and planning for homecoming 2023 were underway. Save the date posters for Homecoming 2023: A Night Under the Stars started rolling out and building up the excitement amongst the high schoolers for the most awaited night. The Homecoming Committee met during breaks and free periods to decide on the menu, decorations, music, and more. The SLO^® Day was a great opportunity for the Homecoming team to work on preparations for the event, which was just under a week away. The registration form closed with around 100 sign-ups, tickets were purchased, and decorations started being prepared. Friday evening came faster than expected, and the homecoming team came together to blow out balloons, test the music system, create the photo booth, and start creating the atmosphere. Saturday morning was another busy two hours of finalizing the decorations and preparing the food for the night.

By 19:00, there was a large crowd waiting outside anxiously waiting to come in. After a small countdown, the gates opened and our guests started making their way inside for ‘A Night Under the Stars’. As guests arrived, they had the opportunity to "Sign Your Name Amongst the Stars", vote for Homecoming King and Queen, and take pictures at the photo booth. There were a lot of great dance moves on the dance floor, as people danced to their favorite songs throughout the night. After an entertaining night, it was time to say goodbye and Homecoming 2023 was officially over.

A very big thank you to the chaperones who spent the night with us and assisted with cleaning up after the event. To the Homecoming team, our DJs, SLO^® Leadership Team, and all the attendees, thank you so much for being a part of this year’s homecoming and making the event so memorable. Homecoming exceeded all expectations, and it was all made possible by everyone who helped from planning to attending. We hope everyone had a great time, and we can’t wait for another exciting event!

Tripti Rai G11

On October 21^st and 22^nd ISF ventured to Oslo for the first NORMUN conference, held at Blindern VGS. The theme of the conference was: A world elevated by technology. Our students delved into discussions about cyber warfare, tax evasion, personal data security, and ensuring global access to new technologies. We all had a great time and were even treated to a few flurries of snowflakes!

Congratulations to Sofía, representing India, who was named best delegate for GA 1 (Disarmament and International Security). Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make the trip happen. Special thanks to @blindernvgs, we hope we‘ll be back next year!

We hope you're ready to relive the magic of Halloween, as we take you through the thrilling festivities that took place at our school this past Tuesday. It was a day of costumes, smiles, and spooky surprises!

Costumes Galore: The day began with our students arriving at school dressed in an array of creative and colorful costumes. From pint-sized superheroes to enchanting witches and wizards, the school was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

Grade-Specific Parties: Thanks to the incredible efforts of our Parent Network, we had not just one, but five Halloween parties! Each party was tailor-made for different grade levels, ensuring that all our students had a bewitching time.

A Special Thanks: We want to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated Parent Network for their exceptional commitment and hard work in making this Halloween celebration a resounding success. Your creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication to ensuring a safe and memorable experience for our students did not go unnoticed.

Week 7 in Term 1 was dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues and promoting the importance of a healthy emotional support system. On Tuesday, students were encouraged to bring their favorite emotional support plushie, and the sight of radiant smiles as they clung to these comforting companions was truly heartwarming. This simple act provided a safe space for students to openly express their emotions and seek comfort. Throughout the week, students also had the opportunity to reflect on and expand their knowledge of mental health-related topics by solving crossword puzzles. Through this, we managed to not only spread awareness, but essentially de-stigmatize mental issues, and the eager participation of the students was very encouraging for our department as a whole. Hopefully, the week left the entire school community with a deeper understanding of mental health, encouraged students to feel unashamed to seek help, and realize that the school is an empathetic and supportive environment for them.

Anushree Goyal G11

What does the Parent Network do, and should I join?

The Parent Network coordinates activities for students, parents, families, and ISF faculty. Here are a handful of examples to give you an idea of why you should join the ISF Parent Network! For our students, the PN organizes holiday parties and treats decorates campus for seasons and holidays, runs a school supplies shop and student recognition program, supports the preschool, grade 4, and grade 12 graduations, and sponsors cultural celebrations that delight and educate.

For parents, we host a monthly parent Morning Mingle and social events like workouts and day trips. Last year we held our first Flohmarkt (flea market) where parents set up booths and sold their unwanted items. For families, we offer weekend meet-ups and our annual international food festival called “Taste of the World.”

We hope you will join the Parent Network to see more of what we are about! Membership is free; just fill out and return our one-page application which can be found on the ISF Parent Page: https://www.isf.sabis.net/parents-page

Please Join our WhatsApp Community

This year, our Parent Network moderated WhatsApp groups have transitioned to a WhatsApp “Community.” There are some wonderful benefits of this change, as now you can see all of the available groups using just one join link. Our Community has an announcement group for information relevant to everyone and continues to offer a chat group for each grade level. There are other groups to choose from as well, such as our Dance Group, PN Volunteers, Champions Club (parents supporting the Sports Academy), and more. We will continue to add groups based on your interests and recommendations.

International Day

Parent Network

Vielfalt