Category: Sharing

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

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.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3349,3345,3347,3348,3346″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”6000″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_font_size=”14″ caption_all_caps=”off” title_font_size=”16″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

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.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3304,3300,3301,3302,3303,3313,3305,3306,3310,3312,3311,3314″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”4000″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_font_size=”14″ caption_all_caps=”off” title_font_size=”16″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias graced the stage at Monteverde Friends School last Saturday.  But as lovely as their rendition of “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” might have been, the old crooners were clearly upstaged by the variety of talent from students, parents and community members at the grade 11/12 Coffee House.

One special part of these evenings – and indeed, of the Monteverde community – is the loving acceptance of everyone’s gifts.  Every person on stage feels supported and appreciated, not in fear of ridicule.  What that does is draw out hidden talents and passions in all our students and friends.  For example, at intermission, a grade 11 student approached me (Willie Nelson) and asked if she could be included in the program, and if there was anyone on guitar to accompany her.  She said, “I see now that you don’t have to have the highest level of talent, just really enjoy sharing music.”  We quickly hooked her up with guitar-superstar J.P. to figure out their number, and another student ended up doing harmonies with her.

In addition to the photos below, we’re excited to be able to share the entire podcast (click here) of the evening, thanks to Marvelous Mari at Monteverde FM Community Radio.  So as you drive to work or do your workout or surf through the rest of the MFS website today, enjoy the creative energy and surprising talent here in the cloud forest.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3214,3202,3203,3206,3204,3209,3207,3213,3208,3215,3201,3210,3205,3211,3212,3200″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”off” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_font_size=”14″ caption_all_caps=”off” title_font_size=”16″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

What a beautiful, blessed end to the first semester!  The annual Christmas Assembly was graced by song, dance, skit and laughter from every class, plus a bonus version of Twist and Shout from the teachers and staff.  We also gave graduation certificates to last year’s grade 6 and 9 graduates.  Enjoy the photos (click below to see them all), and enjoy this holiday season.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3044,3024,3046,3036,3030,3026,3022,3027,3034,3038,3023,3050,3035,3028,3029,3031,3042,3032,3048,3025,3052,3033,3037,3047,3039,3043,3049,3041,3045,3051,3040″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”off” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

When José Figueres Ferrer became President of Costa Rica in 1949 after the civil war, he didn’t cling to power. Instead, one of his first acts was to abolish the army and establish Costa Rica as a bastion of Peace in the region.

As Abolition of the Army Day is celebrated across the country today (Dec.1), it is a particularly special day for us here in Monteverde. It was this brave act of Peace that attracted the original Quaker settlers (and builders of our school) here in 1950. 65 years later we continue to dedicate ourselves to learning and living Peace as one of the core Quaker values and defining characteristics of our school.

Today is also Giving Tuesday across the globe. To continue our legacy of teaching and living Peace, all donations received today will go directly into our scholarship fund, providing financial assistance for local students unable to pay the full cost of our Quaker education.

As we often do, we are choosing to use this day to play, celebrate and learn at the same time. Students are divided into small groups – all ages together – to engage in a series of co-operative games, art, drama, and discussion activities. They learn the way of Peace through doing and sharing, discovering the joy of working together in harmony.

Please enjoy these photos (below) and videos (very bottom) that I am adding throughout this fun day of learning. (Click on each to advance to the next photo/video).

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”3000″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” gallery_ids=”2902,2901,2904,2933,2900,2903,2896,2873,2899,2887,2920,2897,2888,2909,2910,2872,2923,2915,2874,2931,2916,2917,2918,2919,2921,2922,2925,2924,2930,2926,2927,2928,2929,2932″]

[/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_video_slider admin_label=”Video Slider” show_image_overlay=”hide” show_arrows=”on” show_thumbnails=”on” controls_color=”light”]

[et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://mfschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Abolition-002_x264.mp4″ background_layout=”dark”]

[/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://mfschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Game.mp4″ background_layout=”dark” /][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https://mfschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Theatre.mp4″ background_layout=”dark” /]

[/et_pb_video_slider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]