Blessing, Belonging, DVAC, and Melon Dropping

The wait is over—the school year has officially begun, and what a first week it's been! From the moment students stepped onto campus, they were met with high-fives, cheers, and the enthusiastic welcome of our beloved mascot and amazing staff.

Laughter and excitement filled the hallways as students made their way to classrooms, where they met their teachers, reconnected with friends, and began forming new friendships. The day was packed with energy—from learning new routines and discovering this year’s subjects to jumping into fun icebreakers that brought classrooms to life. Some teachers, like Mr. Smith, kicked off the year with a juicy science experiment, which involved him dropping a watermelon from his third-floor balcony, much to the enjoyment of his eighth-grade students. 

"I love being a science teacher."

Mr. Sawyer Smith 

 

 

Whether it was a pre-first grader's very first day in school, a new teacher's first time teaching a class, or the beginning of a senior's last year, the atmosphere buzzed with possibility, joy, and a strong sense of community.

 

 

The next day, in the Upper School chapel, our student-led worship teams hit the ground running, leading our Upper School community in a moving time of praise and worship. Led by Mira T. and Avalyn D., they closed their set by singing a blessing over our school, "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe.

"New Rule: you can't sing that song right before I have to get up here and speak."

Mr. Culbertson jokingly said, trying not to tear up, as he began his chapel message. In all of our chapels this week, he led an activity in which students and staff organized into groups based on categories that were true about them, everything from country of origin and hobbies, to the color they were wearing. Then he talked about how, as we go about our day and divide into our friend groups, we might be leaving some people out. He went on to share a moving and important message about belonging, based on Ephesians 2. He talked about how Jesus has brought people who did not belong together into one family, and posed the question:

 If that's the way the kingdom of God operates, then how do we want ICSB to operate? We actually do belong together at ICSB, and we need to work together to make it feel like we do. 

 

 

Among all the many exciting things happening this first week, the Upper School and Middle Grades halls were abuzz in preparation for the kickoff of our fall sports season. Sign-ups ended, coaches prepared, and we are happy to announce that for the first time in years, our school once again has a Boys Varsity Soccer team participating in the Danube Valley Athletic Conference (DVAC)! We are grateful to Athletic Director Mr. John Burgess for organizing our busiest sports season, and to one of our new staff members, Mr. Paulo Williams Santos, for taking on our first Boys Varsity Soccer team in several seasons. We are excited for a fun fall filled with volleyball and soccer! Go Bulldogs!

On another exciting note, Thursday afternoon Middle Grades students prepared for their Musical auditions, which will be held next Monday!

 

 

We are grateful for another strong start to what we believe will be a wonderful school year, and we expect to see how God will work in and through our community. 

Let the adventure begin!