As the 2025–2026 school year begins, ISDenver is buzzing with the energy of new beginnings. Both Head of School, Roberto d’Erizans, and 8th grade Head of School Award recipient, Leni Sanderson, offered two beautifully aligned themes to guide our community as we start this new year: be green and embrace a beginner’s mindset. These calls to action are more than just inspirational, they’re deeply rooted in what it means to be an IB learner.

In the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, curiosity is the heartbeat of the Inquirer, one of the ten traits in the IB Learner Profile. IB learners are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, and dive into new experiences with open minds and brave hearts. This year, Roberto and Leni remind us that curiosity and courage go hand-in-hand.

“It’s not easy being green” but it’s worth it

Leni’s speech at the Cérémonie d’Ouverture struck a chord with students and faculty alike. Quoting Kermit the Frog’s famous line, “It’s not easy being green,” she reframed the idea of “green” as the vulnerability of being new. New to a school, a grade, a language, or a challenge.

Her message was clear: being green means being brave enough to try. Whether it’s joining a new sport, learning a new instrument, or speaking up in a new language, Leni encouraged everyone to embrace the discomfort of unfamiliarity. Because at ISDenver, being green isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated.

The power of a beginner’s mind

Roberto echoed this theme with a reflection on the “butterflies” that come with the start of school in his E-News message to the community. He reminded us that those fluttering feelings—nerves, excitement, uncertainty—are part of the learning journey. By cultivating a Beginner’s Mind, we help our children see each new experience not as a test, but as an opportunity.

A beginner’s mindset invites exploration over perfection. It gives permission to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s the mindset that transforms fear into curiosity and hesitation into growth.

Roberto offered practical ways to support our children through this mindset shift:

• Ask: “What emotions are you feeling right now?” to build emotional awareness.
• Reflect: “What did you learn from that experience?” to shift focus from failure to growth.
• Encourage: “What’s one thing you can try differently next time?” to foster ownership and problem-solving.

Both Roberto and Leni remind us that the IB journey is not about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions. It’s about writing your own beginning, middle, and ending to the year. And it’s about recognizing that every learner, no matter their age or experience, has the capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive.

So as we step into this new school year, let’s be green. Let’s be beginners. Let’s be inquirers. Let’s welcome the butterflies and the beautiful transformation they bring.

Read Leni's inspiring Cérémonie d'Ouverture address to the community

Good morning, everybody! I am so excited to welcome you all to the 2025-26 school year at ISDenver!

Thank you, Dr D, for the introduction.

I am honored to be here today and grateful to be speaking as a member of the ISDenver community. I would like to take a quick moment to introduce myself - my name is Leni Sanderson, I am an 8th grader in the French program.

This morning, I would especially like to welcome all the new faces – those of you who are just starting at the very beginning in K1, or joining us as a new student or teacher in our elementary or middle school. I’d also like to welcome our new middle school director, Dr Perry, and our new school director, Dr D. For those of you who are feeling a little bit anxious or scared about being in a new school or starting a new school year, I felt exactly the same way 2 years ago.
 
I think most of you will recognize the name Kermit the Frog. While it might generally not be a good idea to take advice from amphibians, in this case the frog has wise words. He sings: “It’s not easy being green”.

While this may refer to him being a frog, or that he was feeling sick that day, it can also mean that it’s not easy being new at something.

So, if you are 4 years old, 9 years old or 13 years old, I know it's hard to start at something new. And if you are scared, I bet you Dr Perry and Dr D and all the new faculty, might be just as nervous as you are!
 
When I started at ISDenver at the beginning of 6th grade I had no idea what a welcoming community this place is. This community made being green easy.    Right now everything might feel new and different, you might have changed schools, or none of your friends are in your new class. While it might feel daunting to start the year, I can assure you that every other person around you can relate to what you’re feeling. Being new at and trying new things are good and “normal” at ISDenver. Whether it's joining a new sport, learning a new instrument or new language – I say embrace being green and try something different! Challenge yourself to doing the harder math problem, or making a new friend! Over the last two years, ISDenver made it easy for me to try new things – and I love some of them like running cross country, playing the trumpet and learning French.
 
So, I want you to look at the people sitting to the left and right of you. And, if you know them well, or you don’t, maybe ask them to sit with you at lunch or be a partner in gym. Sign yourself up for something you have never tried before! Volunteer to read the passage out loud in French, Spanish or Mandarin – even if you are still working on your pronunciation like me!
 
Finally, Kermit has more words of wisdom. He says: “life is like a movie, you can write your own ending”.    

I challenge you all to write your own beginning, middle and ending to the school year!
 
Welcome again, to ISDenver and the 2025 academic year!

Read more about the 2025-2026 Head of School Award Recipient, Leni Sanderson.