Page 23 - FIS World JUne 2024

The World of FIS
A gift that keeps on giving
With ten years of experience as an FIS parent, dipping and digging into the many offerings and opportunities – ABC, BoT, PTG, REAL, SPA, Worldfest, and this very magazine
– I can assert community building is a well-crafted skill at our school. The building blocks of the FIS community are meaningful connections. The criss-crossing of all these connections between students, faculty and parents bear its fruit in relationships. In the gift of friendship making.
Early in the academic year, the Class of 2024 parents received an email with information and a list of important dates, preparing us for the BIG day. A flurry of activities was called to action in preparation for Saturday, 1 June. FIS teacher and Graduation Coordinator Christiane Storm affirmed, “Thank you so much for your interest in helping. And wow – you broke all records. I have never had so many volunteer helpers, which is absolutely lovely.”
Amazed by the creativity alive within our campus, I could have never imagined that a decade-old ironing table and a humble but reliable Rossman-purchased iron would have a stint in the FIS Media Center and be featured in Dr. Fochtman’s Friday Calendar Highlights video update. A very first for this FIS parent!
For one morning a group of moms became “iron maidens,” ready to battle out the many rebellious wrinkles in our children’s graduation gowns. With more than 137 gowns to be ironed, we created chit-chatting opportunities, raised up the heat in our irons, the levels of fun and friendship. Fuses blew up. They really did! Media Coordinator Ilia Katulin and Hausmeister Peter Becskei came to our rescue. A group of us poured out into the US foyer and continued with the task at hand; students came by to say “hi,” and Upper School teachers admired our efforts.
As I ironed out the wrinkles in the gowns of my son’s homeroom class, my thoughts loomed on the end of school, on an empty nest, on farewells. My thoughts traveled. A flashback to 2014 – our first July in Germany, knowing no one in Oberursel; our kids opening the colorful, welcoming gate of the Primary School, no ID required back then; two weeks of Summer Camp at FIS and already harvesting friends.
Back to the present – students try on their gowns, slant into place their caps, place tassels to the left; my son comes by with a group of buddies, many I’ve known since he was in Grade 3, their parents now our friends. All give me a smile. Seniors gather in front of the Stroth Center and a group photo with caps flying high in the air becomes a moment to last a lifetime. Continuing with my ironing duties, I wonder about the future. My thoughts flash forward ten years – our FIS students are full fledged, worldly adults with careers, with professions, with a passion to positively impact the world. All part of a grand tapestry of global FIS friendships, us parents, too.
When I switch off both thoughts and iron, one thing I know for sure. We as a family have reaped ten years of meaningful experiences and friendships at this school. Extending from An der Waldlust and spreading throughout the world, we are connected by a network of FISers. At FIS we excel at crafting friendships. This is a gift to fill our hearts. One that never ends; a gift that will keep on giving.
Deirdre Harriet-Boettcher FIS Parent
“This is really hard work!” said Ms. Jessome.
Grade 12 parents coming together for fun and friendship in preparation for the Class of 2024 graduation
May 2024 FIS World 21