Philanthropy and volunteering play a vital role at ISP, allowing us to advance in our pursuit of becoming the most impactful progressive IB school in Europe. Through the generous contributions of our community, we kept our community connected and made remarkable strides in enhancing our learning programmes this school year, such as:
- New learning opportunities across the school supported by collective giving from our community through the ISP Fund.
- Life-changing opportunities for 14 scholars of outstanding promise and potential for whom an ISP education would otherwise be out of financial reach, supported through the annual ISP Gala and donations from individual and corporate donors.
- Bringing world-renowned leaders and inspiring speakers to ISP, through Distinguished Speakers Series. This school year, we hosted Petr Sis, the world-renowned author, illustrator, graphic artist, and storyteller, in honor of Dr. Arnie Bieber, ISP Director for 13 years, and his wife Marianne.
Earlier this week, we had the privilege of hosting the 2023 Donor and Volunteer Reception at the ISP Learning Innovation Hub and Idea Lab to express our gratitude and acknowledge the generosity of our community. This delightful event showcased the learning advancements made possible through these contributions and offered participants the chance to engage with our students and explore the new tools and expanded programmes.
The highlight of the evening was a captivating student and teacher panel, hosted by our ISP Director, Dr. Chip Kimball. The panel members, including Grade 12 students Eldar and Jana, and Upper School teachers, Amanda Lenk and Lawrence Hrubes, discussed their hopes and concerns for the future, thoughtfully exploring a broad range of topics such as climate change, education, technology, and the value of empathy. It was fascinating to hear the perspectives of our students as they contemplated the future and interesting to observe the areas where teachers and students shared common ground or differed in their viewpoints.
The Idea Lab was a popular spot at the Reception, with students eagerly showcasing their learning experiences utilizing the new tools generously provided by the ISP Fund. Of particular interest were the DeBot Robot arms and Spike Lego Robots, which serve as exciting additions to our upper elementary and middle school robotics curriculum. These innovative tools foster students’ curiosity and inquiry and enable them to develop valuable real-world skills in coding, design, and creative arts, among others. Donors and volunteers were delighted to witness these robots in action, while students were excited at the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and understanding.
At the Reception, we were excited to showcase yet another remarkable addition to our design and robotics programme: the newly acquired podcast equipment. This professional-grade sound mixing equipment and microphones have inspired our students, leading to the creation of the first-ever student-led ISP podcast, Falcons on Air. This podcast is entirely produced by students and aims to connect ISP by sharing voices from the community and spreading stories that matter.
Our Elementary Outdoor Education programme displayed a beautiful array of materials and resources purchased through the ISP Fund. From lovely books about gardening to outdoor equipment and state-of-the-art composting bins, the students at the reception were thrilled at the opportunity to share everything they have learned in our programme.
The generosity and dedication of our donors and volunteers have made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students, and we are so grateful for your support.
Thank you!
