Marian Strengthens Connections Through ISSN

Most people within the Marian community are aware that Marian is a Servite High School; however, what most do not know is that it has connections and ties to several schools all over the world through the exceptional core values of the Servants of Mary. Marian has made a conscious effort to maintain and develop strong links with our sister Servite schools across the world. This connection has been revitalized in recent years. Last winter, Marian representatives joined leaders from The International Servite Schools Network (ISSN) in California. Representatives from five different countries gathered to discuss how to integrate and continue the charism of the Servants of Mary in schools all over the world.

In September 2011, Head of School Susan Toohey and faculty members Kim Remmick and Luke Ostrander experienced the wonderful opportunity of attending The International Servite Schools Network Conference held in Misano, Italy. Representatives from seven countries and their schools were present, as well as a strong showing from the Servite Sisters and Friars. The goal of the organization is to keep the Servite education strong, unite the schools, and further develop our charism in students. The 2014 conference will be held in Omaha, with Susan Toohey acting as President of the group and Luke Ostrander as Treasurer.


Learning from each other...

The ultimate goal of this conference was to set up a means to connect through common core values and the experience the mission the Servants of Mary has helped to create. Leaders from France, England, Australia, Italy and the United States came together with the goal of unifying the schools and exchanging ideas that would improve all of the schools sponsored by Servants of Mary around the world. In addition to planning another international conference for fall, the ISSN developed an exchange program that would allow students the opportunity to visit the different schools abroad and, hopefully, connect with the schools on a more personal level. Six Marian juniors have already traveled to a sister school in Perth, Australia. Around 10 girls are preparing for the next trip to Perth. Marian recognizes that as the interest grows, the exchange program will grow. The plan is for two teachers each year to accompany six to 10 students to visit another Servite school internationally. Plans also are underway for a pilgrimage to Monte Senario, Italy in 2014. This would be a significant trip, considering Monte Senario is where the order was founded.

Strengthening ties through technology...

Staying connected continues to be a key goal of the ISSN. Through technology, most students will be fortunate enough to meet students from other Servite schools via the ISSN website and video chatting. A group of students posted a video discussing and explaining American government on the ISSN website. In exchange, the other countries will also participate in creating videos about their different forms of government. In addition, all the schools will make an explanatory video about their own Servite schools. In the fall, the video chatting program Skype will help students get to know each other through the computer screen.These different forms of technology are away for all of the students to get hands on learning experience as well as improving the unity of the Servite schools. Head of School Susan Toohey said that recognizing the importance of the ISSN, exchanging ideas and providing students all over the world with new and vibrant opportunities will not only make Marian an even more unique institution but will also strengthen the bond of Servite schools. “We want to continue and ingrain these core values of the Servants of Mary in everything we do,” she said. 


ISSN Executive Meeting