Head of School's Blog

Sisu (see-soo) is a Finnish word connoting someone who possess extreme grit and determination - I like to think of it as a close cousin of moxie. Maybe a decade ago, I used to challenge our students to participate in a Winter Sisu Challenge where they would complete a variety of winter-themed activities for their chance to become a Dublin School Sisu Warrior. 

This year, I decided to resurrect the challenge. The goal of this challenge is for students to experience a Dublin winter in all of its glory by completing at least sixteen of the following challenges. Successful participants must provide a 1-minute video or slideshow demonstrating completion of the challenges by 7 pm on March 2nd. Those who do complete the challenge will receive a student-designed Dublin SISU T-shirt and a pizza party. Parents, you are welcome to join the challenge as well!

1. Complete a winter hike and reach the summit of a local mountain

2. Go ice skating

3. Go Nordic skiing

4. Go snowshoeing

5. Build a snowman that is at least 3 feet tall

6. Build a snow fort or quinzhee

7. Go either alpine skiing or snowboarding

8. Submit a video of you reciting your favorite Robert Frost poem

9. Write a poem, haiku, or short story about winter at Dublin School

10. Read an unassigned novel

11. Watch a foreign film

12. Attend two school-sponsored off-campus weekend trips

13. Hike to the field on top of Beech Hill

14. Take and submit a photo that captures the essence of "Winter in Dublin"

15. Go sledding

16. Camp on the quad in a North Face winter tent

17. Use the Gibson Sauna

18. Bake something

19. Attend a home Dublin School winter sporting event as a spectator

20. Sing a song or play a musical instrument with friends

21. Do a puzzle

22. Make something with your hands, woodworking, crafting, etc. 

23. Perform a random act of kindness