Author: General Admin

Parents to School Day

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How many parents bring their children to school every day, trusting in the teachers but not really knowing what goes on in this crazy wonderful world of education? Last week was our annual Parents-to-School day, to let them in on the not-so-well-held secret: school is fun!

After a tea and short presentation from the co-Directors, parents joined their children in “pre-meeting”, then Quaker meeting for worship with the whole community. Children were thrilled at the end to stand up and introduce their parents, grandparents and even big brothers. Adventurous parents then joined in on recess soccer, skipping and swings before settling into the rest of the morning classes.

Earlier in the year we similarly opened the doors for Grandparents Day, then a day for Quaker meeting members to come witness the school that is under their care. It takes a community to raise a child, and we love the many ways our adult community participates and learns alongside our children.

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March 7, 2016
Monday Morning Blahs

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Monday mornings are hard. But this morning being the fifth Monday in February (thanks to the leap-year – last time this happened was 1976), our morning assembly was just Dead. Blah.

No birthdays. No announcements. No response of any kind. Poor Kirk had his work cut out to accomplish the goals of our morning assemblies – to get excited about the day, and to feel together in community.

Kirk announced a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, which got a buzz going. Then he invited us outside to the sunny/windy playfield, which got us all on our feet. And the game was structured so that each time you lose, you join the team of the winner as a fan. Each match-up resulted in larger and larger groups cheering on their champion (see the progression of photos below), until the final showdown between girls from 8th and 3rd grades. Cheers and groans and high-gives and hugs abounded as the younger one’s paper covered her friend’s rock.

In just five minutes, our students and faculty transformed from “I need another coffee” to a group who were hugging, playing, cheering, and energized. They’re all now back in class with awake minds. What a blessing to have these gatherings every morning, and not just every 28 years!

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February 29, 2016
Volunteer with Monteverde Friends School!

In January we were blessed with over a dozen committed volunteers, helping in the classroom, the garden, the office, and all places in between. Some are “snowbirds”, coming back every year to share their energy, while some come for a shorter time. Some also enjoyed our new short-term homestay program, enjoying the experience of staying with a school family. But all make a huge, unique contribution to our school and community. Below is the perspective of Linsey (pictured above, and below with volunteer coordinator Eugenio Vargas), who joined us for one brief but very full week.

“Volunteering at Monteverde Friends School in its simplest form is an opportunity to connect to a vibrant and caring community. Although my time at the school was brief, only one week, it was the highlight of my month exploring Costa Rica. At the school I was able to help on a number of various projects such as gardening, organizing, and leading a few activities and games with the kids. Everyone was extremely welcoming and appreciative of my presence and small contributions.

The best part of my volunteer experience was the homestay, the family I lived with have two children that attend the school and I loved every second of getting to know them. After school I’d often go on a hike around their family farm or play soccer with the youngest brother and his cousins. Then over dinner I’d get a chance to talk to the oldest daughter and their mother about their lives and interests, and share about myself as well. Not to mention the delicious Tican meals their family provided!

My experiences with the school and homestay gave me a strong feeling of togetherness and family. I sincerely home to return one day and experience more of what this wonderful place has to offer, in addition to contributing more of what I learn from my life and career.”

February 23, 2016
Haverford Friends School Visits Monteverde

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Grade 5&6 students from the Friends School of Haverford (PA) made their annual pilgrimage to Costa Rica, once again joining up with MFS students to visit the public school in San Luis. Small groups were formed with children from all 3 schools, often with our students translating between the Spanish-speaking local children and the American visitors (who are, it must be said, studying Spanish and were valiantly trying!)

Together, the children helped prep for the new public school year (which starts in February in Costa Rica – at MFS we choose to follow the American calendar of August-June). Desks were sanded and re-painted, rainbarrels painted for garbage and recycling, and walls scrubbed and painted. And of course, soccer and playground games were played. San Luis parents provided a delicious snack, including hot sugar cane juice.

The weekend before, Haverford students attended the Monteverde Friends meeting for worship, and of course a pick-up game of soccer with our children. They also enjoyed a school tour, getting to know new friends and a new environment.

While the contrast between the Pennsylvania and San Luis schools were obvious, it was also interesting to see how Monteverde Friends School falls somewhere in between, incorporating elements from both cultures and systems. Our students were proud to help out and reach out to new friends from both schools. Big thanks to the Friends School of Haverford for making the great effort and long trip to keep this connection alive.

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February 17, 2016
100 Days of Gratitude
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How do grade 1-4 celebrate the 100th day of this school year? Sixteen activity stations, all helping the children enjoy working with the number and concept of one hundred. Such as:
- How many times can you sing Happy Birthday in 100 seconds?
- What do 100 beans weigh?
- How far down the hall does 100 toe-to-heel steps take you?
- What are 100 ways you can remember people have helped each other this year?
- And the most popular, dividing up the shared snack into piles of one-hundred items (thank goodness for popcorn!)
I did take 100 photos, but narrowed it down to these 11 winners. So if you spend 9.09 seconds per photo, you’ll enjoy 100 seconds of sharing a wonderful morning with us.

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February 12, 2016