March Newsletter

Dear Families,

Wishing you all a wonderful spring break! See you all on Monday, April 4. For families traveling, safe and happy travels.

Sincerely,

The IGDVS Newsletter Team

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COVID-19 Education

By Katherine Wang

Why should we get the booster?

Even though the first two vaccines provide protection against COVID-19, studies show that the effectiveness decreases over time. Therefore, the booster shot will help maintain your protection against the virus and help prevent further spread. It is proven to be safe and serious side effects are rare, and it also improves the immune response to the new Omicron variant.

Inspirational Quote

Normality is a paved road: it is comfortable to work on, but no flowers grow. - Vincent Van Gogh

Fun Fact:

Scotland has 421 words for snow. Yes, 421! Some examples: sneesl (to start raining or snowing); feefle (to swirl); and flinkdrinkin (a light snow)

Most Endangered Animals in 2022:

• Javan rhinoceros

• Vaquita Mountain gorilla

• Tiger Asian elephant

• Orangutans Leatherback turtles

Senior Spotlight: Kaitlin Harness

Conducted by Veronica Tee

What was your inspiration for coming to this school?

To live out my Wild Child dreams. JUST KIDDING. But I think I did romanticize boarding school a little too much…

What was your most memorable experience in IGDVS?

There are a lot, I actually have three journals filled with my years here (Diaries of A Dorm Kid coming to stores soon ;) but I’d have to say ABS Welcome Back at the beginning of each year is always fun and eventful, whether it’s JJ rolling on the front lawn, singing karaoke, or night walks I always wake up the next morning with plenty to write about.

What is your favorite subject and why?

I’ll admit I didn’t want to admit this. But I’d have to say my current favorite subject is AP Lit. HEAR ME OUT OK. It’s a hard class. Lang last year was difficult too. But I’ve learned so so much over the past two years; it shocked me when I realized what an impact Jin Jr Shr’s class has had on the way I consume and compose literary works. I have a much greater appreciation for good books and poetry now having explored analytical methods and added to my repertoire of literary devices.

What is your favorite part of the school？

The lockers. I never had a locker before because I was either homeschooled or did independent study so when I came here I was so excited to have a locker, again I tend to romanticize things (it’s a coping mechanism ok).

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

Hard things are hard, and sometimes they don’t get easier but often enough you’ll be surprised at how much you can overcome. Stay organized, good time management is very very important. Always use sunscreen. Read good books. Don’t lose sight of who you are in an environment that tells you who you should be.

What is your favorite school lunch?

I am not too picky with my lunch, I’ll eat just about everything. I’m happy with just brown rice, veggies, and tofu, but I especially like to eat Miss Ji’s fungus for her. Everyday I am so grateful to the kitchen staff for the work they put into making us food, they are the real MVPs.

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

Having a power nap period would be super rejuvenating in my opinion, Ms. Mark’s Shavasana (corpse pose) concentration and naps always helps me really decompress, it’s so refreshing to clear the mind a bit during long school days.

What has been the highlight of senior year so far?

Screaming karaoke with friends. So stress relieving, I highly recommend.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Homeless. No seriously, capitalism sucks. But where do I hope to be? In a place where there’s good light and good books. Sharing good food with good company. Still excited to experience all that waits to be explored. Exploring.

The Orbit

By Kaitlin Harness & Cherry Ngo

Aries is In The Air

Moon Transits: Aries

More emotional energy, may feel more fired up and want to act on feelings. May have more instinctive reactions, feel more restless/impatient. Exercise; get your blood flowing. You may have a more direct approach to things, having more courage under this moon, and this may lead to conflicts. Initiate new projects + remember to set boundaries; don’t lose your empathy.

Stereotypes:

• Aggressive and passionate; impatient

• Often have strong opinions

• Stubborn

• Excessively impulsive, don’t think before acting

• Comes off as know-it-alls

• Act childish

Book Recommendations

By Heidi Blythe

Elementary Reads:

“Blistering barnacles! What are we going to do now?”

“NEPAL AIR DISASTER — NO SURVIVORS,” reads the newspaper headline that transforms Tintin’s holiday into an extraordinary adventure. Set among the Himalayan snow, the little reporter journeys through the merciless plateaus of Tibet in search of his missing friend, Chang, who Tintin is convinced survived the crash. Accompanied by his faithful companions, Captain Haddock and Snowy, Tintin sets out for the site of the crash located high up in

mountains filled with adventurous sights and mysterious beasts. There they explore the hazards of Himalayan mountain climbing, the gentle Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and the truth about the Yeti, abominable snowman. Filled with emotional depth, unwavering faith in friendships and realistic visuals, this book became one of Herge’s most prominent works.

The Magic Faraway Tree

By Enid Blyton

“I don't believe in things like that - fairies or brownies or magic or anything. It's old-fashioned.”

If you look out your window towards the

woodlands yonder hill, there lies the Enchanted

Forest. If you walk down the dirt path and head

towards the forest heart, if you keep very very

quiet, you can hear it. The pulsing beat of magic.

During their summer holidays, Jo, Bessie and Fanny moved to the country and found an Enchanted Wood right on their doorstep. While playing under its shade, the children stumble

upon a Magic Faraway Tree wherein lives magical characters that soon become their new friends – Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, and Saucepan Man. Together they visit the strange lands (the Roundabout Land, the Land of Ice and Snow, Toyland and the Land of Take What You Want) atop the tree and have the most exciting adventures – and narrow escapes.

High School Reads:

Selected Stories by H.G. Wells

“In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.”

This book explores some of H.G. Wells other works beside his famous

The Time Machine and War of Worlds novels. Consisting of 11 short

stories, each of them is infused with futuristic science fiction elements,

extraordinary miracles, and moral lessons with edge and humor. Wells

places ordinary characters in remarkable situations, constantly showing

human beings at a disadvantage in a future where alternative realities

converge. In The Pearl of Love, a prince madly devoted to his

deceased princess sets forth to build the grandest tomb for her, until

ultimately his appreciation for the architecture itself eclipses his

memory of his love. In another tale, The Country of the Blind, a man

stumbles upon a country of blind people, and gets treated as an idiot

by a society who cannot understand his extra sense. Wells’ works

domesticate the fantastic, making the impossible seem plausible which

opens up new realms for readers to ponder.