Barry Dequanne

Tag: Community

  • Moments of Joy – More Joy

    Moments of Joy – More Joy

    These brief reflections capture small moments of joy, noticed in everyday life and shared generously by others. Together, they hopefully form a gentle practice of paying attention to what brings light to our days and offer a quiet reminder of the kind of communities we seek to nurture. If you feel inclined, you are kindly invited…

  • The Bells That Still Ring

    The Bells That Still Ring

    As the school year came to a close, I found myself returning to a photograph taken during a student trip to the Himalayas and to a line from Leonard Cohen’s Anthem: “Ring the bells that still can ring.” The photograph and the lyric prompted me to think about community, imperfection, loss, hope, and the importance…

  • Moments of Joy

    Moments of Joy

    These brief reflections capture small moments of joy noticed in everyday life and shared generously by others. Together, they offer a gentle reminder of what brings light to our days and the kind of communities we seek to nurture. This shared practice began on December 31, 2025.

  • Noticing Joy

    Noticing Joy

    Not all meaningful moments announce themselves. On New Year’s Eve, watching children chase the wind with a kite became a quiet reminder to pause and be present. From this grew Moments of Joy—a shared practice of noticing small, meaningful moments that bring light, even alongside life’s challenges.

  • Learning Beyond the Classroom: Reflections from the Himalayas

    Learning Beyond the Classroom: Reflections from the Himalayas

    This September, I had the privilege of spending nine days in the Himalayas with nineteen ISZL students and three teachers as part of our Personal Development Week (PDW). What unfolded was not simply a trip, but a journey into history, culture, resilience, and, above all, human connection. From walking the ancient trails of the Silk…

  • Fourteen Years of Life, Love, and Lessons

    Fourteen Years of Life, Love, and Lessons

    For fourteen years, Vida filled our lives with joy, loyalty, and love. She taught us to live in the moment, to love without judgment, and to greet each day with joy. While her leash now hangs empty, her presence and lessons remain forever in our hearts.

  • The Privilege of Letting Go

    The Privilege of Letting Go

    Parenting and teaching are acts of deep care and quiet courage. As a new school year begins, the privilege of walking beside young people comes into focus, along with the quiet strength it takes to let go, trust, and hope. Each step forward marks a leap toward growth, independence, and becoming.

  • Celebrating International Mother Language Day

    Celebrating International Mother Language Day

    At ISZL, language is more than communication—it is a bridge to identity, culture, and understanding. Multilingualism enhances cognitive development, problem-solving skills, and memory. Learning in one’s mother tongue fosters deeper comprehension and academic success, supporting additional language acquisition. Language plays a crucial role in shaping experiences and interactions in our diverse and multilingual community. ISZL…

  • A Hanbok, a Friendship, and a Cultural Connection

    A Hanbok, a Friendship, and a Cultural Connection

    I am grateful to be part of a community where our daughter comes home from school, inspired by her friends and teachers, eager to celebrate Lunar New Year. Yesterday, she reminded us of its importance and asked us to wear the beautiful hanbok her Korean classmate gifted her last year—a heartwarming reminder of the connections…

  • Youth Forum Switzerland

    Youth Forum Switzerland

    Youth Forum Switzerland (YFS) 2025 at International School of Zug and Luzern (ISZL): We are filled with gratitude and pride for the 8th edition of YFS, an event that has truly embodied the power of youth to inspire change. YFS is a landmark event that amplifies youth voices and highlights their power to effect meaningful…