the ESCUELAS we are ADOPTING or ASSISTING

Escuela Rincon de Mora (ERdM) (Blackberry Corner School) - is located in the Rincon de Mora area of San Rafael de San Ramon. Founded in 1964, the school was built as a part of a community project between 1966 and 1970. The two teachers (one of which is the principal) along with the part time religion and English teacher, educate 30 children from grades 1 to 6. Kindergarteners go to the Escuela San Rafael down the road. Classes are held in two sessions per day from this 2 room school. There is a separate building containing a kitchen and multi purpose room. Even though most schools in Costa Rica are painted blue or green on the exterior, Escuela Rincon de Mora was painted inside and out in bright pastels and primary colors in 2007 compliments of a group of missionaries.

Escuela Pata de Gallo (EPdG) is located in a remote region approximately 10 miles southeast of San Ramon. It is the local school for the town of Pata de Gallo (translated as Rooster Foot in English). Similar to escuela Rincon de Mora, it is a two room schoolhouse with an attached cafeteria/kitchen. The school also has a covered play area for the children. There is one full time Teacher/Principal and part time Special Education, Religion and English teachers who visit the school once each week. In 2010 there are 13 students in the entire school, 2nd through 6th grade. Unless things change there will be fewer children next year with no 1st or 2nd grade. The school is in excellent condition, having recently been refurbished through an international cultural exchange program.


Monday, October 22, 2007

The first meeting with the English teacher

Dave met Xinia this afternoon. She is the English teacher that works three days a week at Escuela San Rafael and two days a week at Escuela Rincon de Mora. She expressed great appreciation for our involvement in the schools and they briefly discussed ways that we could help. Since she was on a class break their conversation was short but productive. They agreed to keep in contact and either arrange a program for summer break (December-January) or start in February at the beginning of the academic year. Read more Entry>>
Posted by Dave at 3:08 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The first meeting at Escuela San Rafael (ESR)

This meeting at (ESR) Escuela San Rafael was with the principal, school board, Michelle and Alejandra.
We introduced ourselves and emphasized that we are not trying to impose our ideas, values or culture upon the school and that our only goal was to help the school and that we were very open to any ideas that will help with that goal.
We explained our ideas:
• First, and most importantly, we want to begin a dialog between us, (including our UCR student friends) students, teachers, staff and parents.
• Working 1-on-1 or in groups with teachers, students and possibly parents to help them with their English skills.
• The need to arrange a meeting with the English teacher. Everything that we do with students will be coordinated with her.
• Looking at the school’s supply needs (equipment, books, paper, pens, pencils, furniture, etc.) and determining what, if anything, we can do to help.
• Helping in other ways around the school. Read more Entry>>
Posted by Dave at 2:56 PM 0 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

Lunch with student helpers

We had lunch with Michelle and Alejandra at Aromas today. They are two of the students that we had in our group of ‘English Teacher’ trainees at UCR (University of Costa Rica). They volunteered to work with us at the school because they are bilingual and of their interest in teaching English. We got together with them to discuss how we might help the school in teaching English to students and possibly parents. This meeting with Michelle and Alejandra was scheduled a week before the meeting with the princpal and school board at the Escuela San Rafael. Read more Entry>>
Posted by Dave at 3:27 PM 0 comments
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