All School Activities

	Cultural Enrichment Each school year IDS students experience a variety of programs sponsored by the Cultural Enrichment Committee and underwritten by the IDS Parent Association. The teachers of the Cultural Enrichment Committee strive to create a school year program that is varied and can be thought-provoking, engaging, entertaining, enlightening and educational. Programs can be division specific or include the entire school community. Past experiences have included: Blue Jupiter - An A Cappella vocal group of 4 performers in an interactive program which allows students to sing, try vocal percussion, and dance Collective Consciousness-Shakespeare: The Remix - The ghost of Shakespeare visits a girl in 2009 to help her see the power of words today Eshu Bumpus – A dynamic storyteller who presents stories drawn from folk tales and story songs from around the world Hip Hop Dimensions – Four performers present a dance program that explores the roots of Hip Hop and its impact on today's culture. Students participated in follow-up workshops in Hip Hop. Taikoza - A troupe of three drummers and a dancer who provide electrifying music on barrel-like drums and costumed dances inspired by traditional festivals of Japan Sirius Coyote – Two performers who present the cultural nuances of Latin America by singing and playing Latin American folk songs in English and Spanish Gayle Danley-In a Slam Poetry format, the poet dramatically relives her personal stories as a model for students to experience a spirit of creativity and self-expression Yorick's Marionettes – A presentation of familiar folk tales through the skillful manipulation of handmade marionettes Pilobolus – Two performers from this highly acclaimed dance troupe delight their audience with an exciting display of acrobatics joined with dance Little Theater of the Deaf – An offshoot of The National Theater of the Deaf, deaf performers, accompanied by a hearing narrator, present a dramatic version of an old folk tale, “The Brindle Beast”

	Grand Friends’ Day Each spring the IDS community invites their Grand Friends (Grandparents or mature friends) to join their grandchildren or young friends to experience a morning at IDS. It is a wonderful celebration of the generations! A light breakfast is provided as well as snacks throughout the morning. After classroom visits, which include numerous learning activities and games, our Grand Friends are treated to an All-School Musical Review.

	Earth Day In the spring of every year a day is set aside to celebrate Earth Day at IDS. A variety of celebratory and educational events planned by students and teachers take place fostering respect and appreciation for the planet while encouraging environmental stewardship and sustainability. Events and activities change each year but the planting of the spring crops in the school garden traditionally occurs on this day.

	IDS Garden Students participate in planting a school garden, organic of course, for a variety of purposes. From science, art, and social studies curriculum to community service learning projects that donate produce to feed the hungry, the harvest is a source of locally grown food for the community. Concepts related to sustainability and environmental literacy are fostered.

	Concerts IDS holds concerts with student perfomances twice a year. Members of the 5/6 Band, 7/8 Band, Chamber Strings, Jazz Band, 4/5 Chorus, and Middle School Chorus perform for the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as for Grandfriends' Day. The 4th Grade Band performs for the Spring Concert and Chamber Ensembles often have various opportunities to perform for concerts, Open Houses and Graduation.

	Talent Show Students from Kindergarten through eighth grade have the opportunity to audition and to perform during a three minute slot for the annual talent show. Due to the number of IDS students who possess diverse talents, the talent show has two performances with different acts and occurs during two consecutive days, often prior to the February vacation. In the past, acts have included Karate, singing, playing an instrument, skits, comedy, poetry, animation, dancing, and composing. Respect and appreciation for individual and sometimes unique talents often leave the performer not only with the wonderful experience of having performed for an audience, but also with the growth, confidence and pride that come from having had the opportunity.