For parents

We know this is an important and meaningful moment for many of you, this may be the first time your child is traveling abroad or living away from home for an extended period. That mix of excitement and nervousness is completely natural, and we want you to know: we take our responsibility to care for your child seriously.

We encourage you to have conversations with your child before they leave.

Listen to what they’re looking forward to and what feels uncertain. Help them name their feelings so they arrive prepared rather than surprised by homesickness or new challenges.

As you prepare them to take on this journey, we’d like to share this poem, a gift to every parent watching their child step into a bigger world:

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

— Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet (public domain)

Sharing stories of your culture

This will most likely be the first time for most of the children to be part of a community which is represented by around 40 countries. The beauty with this is that many stories come together. 
So as your child prepares for the summer, we would encourage you to spend time together talking about practices that have shaped you as a family. Think and talk about your culture, your family practices, your surroundings and also how does your child wish to express themselves and their culture with all of us. 

Newsletter and Photo album

During the summer school, we will send a daily newsletter highlighting moments from each day with a few photos showing what your children have been upto.
We find this a wonderful way for you to be connected to your child’s journey even from a distance.

Due to our no technology policy during the Summer School you will not have direct contact with your child.
We understand that for the most of you this might be the first time and cause a sense of uncertainty.
Incase there anything urgent from your child we will reach out to and if there is something from your side, please reach out to us. 
We hope you will reach out only in case of an emergency or an urgent need.