Many years ago, Judy McKee visited Monteverde Friends School and shared the curriculum she was developing on whales. Then, as often happens, went away wondering if it would be implemented; if she had made a difference.
Imagine her joy the day an envelope arrived from Costa Rica. Not only was there a hand-written letter about how she was using the curriculum with her students, but also thoughtful gifts like an oxcart painting and shells from the beach. Decades later, Judy has just reminded us of this beautiful connection:
When I visited your area so long ago I met a lovely teacher from your school. I was full into writing and presenting my original curriculum on whales at the time. Lots and lots of hands-on science connections were included. She asked me to send the 50 page unit which I did. All these years later I found her thank you note and the items she sent along with it. On the back of the envelope she drew a huge whale. I remember how pleased I was that she would use the curriculum.
It really is about connection. Judy cared enough to visit and share her expertise, and the teacher made the effort to use those resources then reach back out with a gift of her own. And then Judy brought her daughter and granddaughter to visit again this year, and shared the letter that she still treasures. Our volunteers and visitors help create a web, a worldwide village to raise our children. Gracias.
Speaking of volunteers, check out this photo of two recent volunteers trying to find and reclaim our garden:
Back to School comes early at Monteverde Friends School – August 9, this year. It means we can finish at the end of May, and stay aligned with the North American school year for our exchange students and our local students hoping to move on to an American college later.
It also means that we just completed our first amazing week back. We started, as we do every day, with an all-school assembly. The activity was a rousing, inspiring rendition of Row Your Boat in 4-part “harmony”, and introductions of our new teachers and students. We also announced changes to classrooms, schedule (earlier Friday to let kids catch the 2:00 bus home), after-school clubs, a new Advanced Placement science class and honours program, a community band… so much new to enjoy this year.
I’ve shared below a sampling of 20 photos from the first week, but it really was tough to make that selection. The week was full of people happy to be together and (despite my own son’s wailing about the increased homework load in secondary – “I have to read FIVE books!”) eager keep learning and growing.
We are ready for your children tomorrow. But don’t be deceived by the fresh, smiling faces of our teachers in the morning – getting here was a lot of work!
BEFORE
Our orientation for new teachers began the last week in July, when we introduced them to the many special ways of our school. Then the new teachers joined in last week, starting with a full-day retreat during which we met in curricular teams and committees to get right down to the nitty gritty of planning a fantastic year. We also did some fun team-building exercises to keep our esprit-de-corps strong.
AFTER
Due to many room changes, there was a huge amount of book and furniture moving – thankfully, everyone (and often their children) pitched in. Though once the books are all on the desks, it’s the teacher’s labour of love to sort through each one and find it’s place on the shelf and in the year’s plans.
We were blessed with the many families who came out for the day of “Limpieza” (cleaning). Parents, grandparents and children rolled up their sleeves and scrubbed floors, removed painted murals from windows, removed yard debris and scrap wood, and a million other tasks that make our facilities a pleasure to come to school each day.
And somewhere in the middle of all that action, our team has been getting mentally and spiritually ready for the honour of guiding your children through another year of their growth. Lesson planning, gathering resources (please bring 2-liter pop bottles and empty cereal boxes, by the way…), lovingly writing children’s names above their cubbies and coat hooks, reviewing files… So much goes into being truly prepared to embrace these children in the morning, ready to jump into another year together.
“We influence each other (in mostly positive ways…) I taught Analise violin, and now she teaches other children. Everything is very visible here.” – Helen Joyce,
Helen should know. She studied here from pre-kinder through grade 12, and her parents (Frank Joyce and Katy VanDusen) have been community leaders in Monteverde for decades.
What was it like studying at MFS for 15 years? It was great being with the same group of people. We were tight-knit, like siblings. And I loved the teachers. They were really committed to us, you could tell.
How is MFS different from other schools? I like MFS more than the big schools in New York City where I taught. New York schools are very contained. Here children can play and be free. I also appreciate the strong sense of community here. Being around people of different ages taught me to interact with a wide range of people. And this school is based in strong values – for example, how we address conflict and talk about feelings.
How was the transition from cloud-forest Monteverde to an American college? I chose Oberlin in Ohio, which is small, progressive and artistic. This made the transition more seamless than I expected. My teachers, especially Jonathan and Heather who went to Oberlin, instilled confidence in me that I was academically prepared for college.
What are you doing now? I just finished a 2-year post-baccalaureate science program in preparation for medical school. I’ve also been working as a Spanish medical interpreter. Thanks to my MFS education I am bilingual, able to understand where people are coming from, appreciative of different cultures, and experienced at translating and interpreting. All of this helped me get the interpreter job.
Where is home? Monteverde. But I have a more fluid sense of home; it’s a feeling. I know that I’ll always continue to spend chunks of time in Monteverde.
It’s impossible not to do bird watching in Monteverde. Whether you’re sitting in “silence” at a Quaker meeting, trying to concentrate on a science lesson, or enjoying a passion-fruit cheesecake at Stella’s Bakery, they’re all around, part of the visual and acoustic fabric of the community. We wake up to their song, enjoy them on the walk to work, and, in the case below, weave them into our fundraising events.
During this year’s Caminata (walkathon), long-time Monteverde resident and current meeting clerk Katy Van Dusen took up a challenge to identify birds as she walked up to San Gerardo look-out. Where some of us might be lucky to distinguish five or ten species, Katy identified an astounding 49 species. We thought you might enjoy her list below (migrant species in bold):
years ago, Judy McKee visited Monteverde Friends School and shared the curriculum she was developing on whales. Then, as often happens, went away wondering if it would be implemented; if she had made a difference.I was full into writing and presenting my original curriculum on whales at the time. Lots and lots of hands-on science connections were included. She asked me to send the 50 page unit which I did. All these years later I found her thank you note and the items she sent along with it. On the back of the envelope she drew a huge whale. I remember how pleased I was that she would use the curriculum.
How is MFS different from other schools? 
