Watch the highlights from United Nations Day at ICS!
Video captured by Greg Harding Films. Photography thanks to Joseph Aczel.
On October 25, our ICS community gathered to celebrate one of our most cherished traditions—United Nations Day. This marked our 22nd year honoring the founding of the United Nations and its mission to promote peace, global unity, and the protection of basic human rights, including education and safety for all children.
With a diverse student body representing more than 60 nationalities, UN Day is deeply significant for our Beloved Community.
The day began with a vibrant Parade of Nations, where flags and traditional attire from countries across the globe were proudly displayed. Two fifth graders—one representing the United States and the other her home country of Afghanistan—joined me in carrying the banner and leading the way as the rhythm of the drumline echoed through the crowd.
I love that the parade allows every child at ICS to feel proud of their culture and share it with others. The celebration continued with student performances on the World Stage, where their voices reminded us that hope is alive and a better world is possible!
The day ended with an International Potluck, as families from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe (and everywhere in between) gathered to share a meal. I was reminded that even though we have been doing this event for over two decades, in many ways we are still Charting New Territory. There are few places where people from such diverse cultures can come together, form friendships, and build community.
Community has never been more essential, especially as loneliness becomes a growing public health crisis, affecting 1 in 2 American adults. I recently read a report by the U.S. Surgeon General that loneliness and social isolation are more widespread than smoking or diabetes and pose significant risks to both mental and physical health. These feelings of isolation can be especially pronounced among immigrant and refugee populations, often amplified by language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of inclusive spaces.
By fostering a culture of engagement through events like UN Day, we’re creating intentional spaces for people to come together, reducing loneliness and reinforcing a shared sense of belonging. Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher, a psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains, “We’re wired as human beings to connect with others. Our brains are designed for social connectedness. Our survival from birth into adulthood depends on it.”
As we reflected on the UN’s commitment to protecting children’s rights to education, safety, and well-being, we recognized that our role extends beyond academics. Through each celebration, each conversation, and each new friendship, we are building more than a school—we’re building a home.
"We will chart new territory by helping where it’s needed. Here at ICS we help others learn English while they keep their language also. We celebrate each other’s cultures at community gathering and UN Day."
-Keyan Watson, ICS 5th Grader
Fran Carroll, ICS Executive Director, brings to ICS over 15 years of leadership and management experience in the for-profit and non-profit arena. For the last 2 years, Fran has served as the Executive Director at ICS. In her spare time, when not spending time with her family, you can find Fran involved in the entrepreneurship arena in the Metro Atlanta area. She graduated from the Start:ME Southside Cohort in 2018 through Emory’s Goizuetta Business School. In 2020 she was listed as one of 11 parents who are making a difference, and in 2023 she participated in Leadership DeKalb’s cohort.