February Newsletter

Dear Readers,

The Spring semester is in full swing. We welcomed the Year of the Tiger with songs, food, games, crafts, a couplet challenge, and the Lantern Festival. These wonderful festivities remind us that spring is a time of renewal, vitality, and new beginnings. Wishing you all a happy spring season!

Sincerely,

The IGDVS Newsletter Team

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COVID-19 Education

By Katherine Wang

• Across the six WHO (World Health Organization) regions, over 18 million new cases were reported, which is a 20% increase from the previous week

• Around 74% of the population of the US has gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (yay!)

• COVAX (a worldwide initiative aimed at providing access to vaccines) delivered its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose

• 60.2% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

Source: “Addressing Imbalance,” by Tony Ruth for the 2019 Design in Tech Report.

Virtue of the Month: Fairness

By Tessa Jahnke

“Audiatur et altera pars. (The other side shall be heard as well.)” ― Seneca, Medea

"Fairness is man’s ability to rise above his prejudices." ― Wes Fessler

“It is the fairness of life that makes it seem unfair.” ― Gugu Mona

Inspirational Quote:

“The point of healing is not to return to a place where everything is perfect, it is to develop the ability to respond to what’s imperfect.” ― Brianna Wiest

Environmental

By Tessa Jahnke

The sea levels will rise 10-12 inches by 2050, according to a report released on February 16 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This will happen regardless of any actions being carried out to slow current and future emissions. Global warming is the main reason for the rise of sea levels. Consequences that will most likely arise: destroyed economies, food and water shortages, powerful hurricanes, and healthcare crises.

The Orbit

By Kaitlin Harness & Cherry Ngo

It's a Pisces Party!

Moon

When the moon is in Pisces you may feel more aware of your emotions and this can be hard. feed them into compassion. you may also feel a kind of intuition, follow it wisely. take the time to nurture your imagination

Stereotypes :

• have the urge to heal others

• hopeless romantics

• motivated by their emotions

• sensitive towards emotion

• can be extremely idealistic -> may lead to pessimism

Zodiac Dates:

Aries March 21- April 19

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Leo July 23 - August 22

Virgo August 23 - Sept. 22

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 22

Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20

Senior Spotlight: Katherine Chen

Conducted by Veronica Tee

What was your inspiration for coming to this school?

I came to this school because I want to get used to being in a different environment and to get used to living independently. Another reason would be because I wanted to learn Chinese since it’s my mother language. My third reason was because I wanted to meet new people and gain more friends.

What is your favorite school lunch?

I love curry and fried rice because not only is it healthy, but also very delicious.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

Work harder academically. Sometimes I feel like I am not working hard enough compared to everyone else. For example, math, everyone in my class is in ap calc and yet I am still in alg 2 now.

What is something you hope will continue even after leaving?

I hope that my classmates and I, and the rest of my schoolmates, can all still stay in contact (even when I graduate) and hang out once in a while, since we may all end up in different places.

What is your advice for the students currently studying in the school or future students?

• Live your life to the fullest, no regrets.

• Love yourself.

• Think before you do or say.

• Go with the flow.

What has been the highlight of senior year so far?

Due to the pandemic, I wasn’t able to communicate well with my classmates online so I felt quite lonely. However, now that I am back, I feel very happy to be with my classmates and hanging out with them is something I would cherish and never forget.

Where do you see yourself in ten year?

I see myself as a successful CEO of a biggest coffee plantation company. (I love coffee, especially drinking coffee with my friends!)

What was your most memorable experience in IGDVS?

My most memorable experience in IGDVS was going out with my classmates. Everywhere we went together, I had fun and I really enjoyed being with them even though I am a quiet person. Especially when we went canoeing. :)

What is your favorite subject and why?

My favorite subject doesn’t really exist in school. It’s art. However, I do spend my time sketching from time to time. Other than that, I would say that Microeconomics is one of my favorite classes since I find it very interesting and very useful for my future.

What is your favorite part of the school?

I like the back mountain because I find that area to be quite pretty. Plus I really like being with nature and it’s silence.

Book Recommends

By Heidi Blythe

High School Reads:

The Prophet

by Kahlil Gibran

“I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.”

This is the story of Almustafa, the Prophet, who is departing the city of Orphalese after a 12 year visit. But before he leaves, the residents of the city ask him to enlighten them on a variety of subjects that deal with life and life's issues. You will find wisdom, compassion, love, friendship, teaching, and maybe best of all, beauty. This book is filled with poems that are inspiring and uplifting, and they are spoken with pure altruism.

Far From the Madding Crowd

by Thomas Hardy

“And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be— and whenever I look up, there will be you.”

Far From the Madding Crowd would not feel out of place on a shelf between Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Set in Victorian England, independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene returns home to take care of her family’s estate. Beautiful and bold, her presence soon draws the attention of a neighboring shepherd, a rich older neighbor, and a strapping soldier. This English country tale touches on issues of women’s independence in society, class, wealth and propriety in 19th century England while also offering a whirlwind romance infused with swift passion and sweet courtship.

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Elementary School Reads:

The Candy Makers

by Wendy Mass

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

In the small town of Spring Haven, four children have been chosen to compete in a national competition to create the tastiest confection in the country. With only a couple of days to make their own treats, they rush to finish their creations in the Life is Sweet candy factory filled with chocolate pizzas, taffy rooms and marshmallow clouds. Who will be the first to invent a candy more delicious than the Oozing Crunchorama or the Neon Lightning Chew?

But as the Confectionary Association's Convention draws nearer, the contestants find themselves all facing an unlikely turn of events. Someone is trying to steal the Candymaker’s secret ingredient and shut down his factory! But who's the spy? Who can be trusted? Will the four kids end up best friends or bitter enemies?