Friday, February 29, 2008
A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!
A donation of consumable school supplies was received today – THANK YOU DD & BA
Read more Entry>>
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Computer lab planning meeting at ESR
Andres went to the “computer plan” meeting at Escuela San Rafael and met with the members of the computer committee – the principal, school board and teachers. The committee had met earlier in the day and a plan was actually given to David (in English!) that afternoon. Although the plan was not particularly detailed, it contained the necessary information to proceed with the installation of the computers.
David explained to the committee that Andres was taking on the role as full-time “administrator” (translator and coordinator in our absence) and would be leading a group of tico “nerds” to help David ready the computer equipment for the lab.
Dave delivered a laser jet printer and a new computer task chair along with a computer and its components, e.g. monitor, pair of speakers, microphone, keyboard and power strip which were all tie wrapped to a new computer workstation. The computer, the components, the chair and workstation were donated by the Scotts to the English Department which was marked and accepted as such.
Read more Entry>>
David explained to the committee that Andres was taking on the role as full-time “administrator” (translator and coordinator in our absence) and would be leading a group of tico “nerds” to help David ready the computer equipment for the lab.
Dave delivered a laser jet printer and a new computer task chair along with a computer and its components, e.g. monitor, pair of speakers, microphone, keyboard and power strip which were all tie wrapped to a new computer workstation. The computer, the components, the chair and workstation were donated by the Scotts to the English Department which was marked and accepted as such.
Read more Entry>>
A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!
A donation of a complete computer setup for the English Department was received today – THANK YOU D & RS
Read more Entry>>
Thursday, February 21, 2008
First meeting at Escuela Rincon de Mora (ERdM)
Dave went to ERdM and meet with Xinia, the principal, Shirley Salas and the other full time teacher. They all welcomed the prospect of computers in their school and having native English speaking tutors. It was agreed that the first class to be tutored in English would be the 6th graders. Xinia explained the local school system structure and how the nearby schools were aligned.The principal stated that they would be looking for approval only by the local administrator and parents, not the Ministry. They discussed equipment and supply needs and agreed to maintain close contact until regular tutoring sessions could be scheduled.
L to R: Shirley Salas B., principal; Xinia Mendez Arroyo, English teacher; Maria Eugenia Arias C., teacher. Read more Entry>>
L to R: Shirley Salas B., principal; Xinia Mendez Arroyo, English teacher; Maria Eugenia Arias C., teacher. Read more Entry>>
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
1st computer planning meeting
Based on the prospect of having enough donated computers to establish a computer lab at San Rafael we scheduled a meeting at Escuela San Rafael through Xinia. Since our two students, Michelle and Alejandra, had informed us that their upcoming school schedules precluded them from helping, we asked our friend Andres to help out with translation. The principal and four school board members (and Xinia) attended the meeting and said that they would be grateful for any amount of computers and that they would love to have a computer lab. They told us that the Ministry of Education had promised them a lab nine years ago and had not delivered on that promise.
The principal explained that the Ministry of Education would have to be consulted at every step and that the entire concept had to be approved by them. We were also told that the Ministry probably will provide a teacher once the lab is established.
We had in-depth discussions about the requirements of a computer lab facility, e.g. space, furniture, lighting, power, security and possibly internet. They currently have a large room that is currently being used by a special needs teacher that would accommodate both the teacher and the lab. They assured us that they could have that room readied as a computer lab by the time that the computers are available (sometime after the 1st of June).We also discussed the need for a detailed plan prior to making a firm commitment for the computers. They agreed and scheduled a meeting for February 27 to formulate the plan. They also immediately formed an ad hoc computer committee to draw up the plan and coordinate the implementation of computers into their curriculum.
It was agreed that we would maintain close contact during the entire process.
L to R: Andres Chaves, volunteer assistant; Adolfo Hernandez Alpizar, school board member; Rafael Jimenez Castro, principal; Olger Guzmón Vargas, President of school board; Luis Castro Espinoza, school board member; and Xinia Mendez Arroyo, English teacher. Present but not pictured: Yamilith Chaves Vargas, Secretary of school board. Read more Entry>>
The principal explained that the Ministry of Education would have to be consulted at every step and that the entire concept had to be approved by them. We were also told that the Ministry probably will provide a teacher once the lab is established.
We had in-depth discussions about the requirements of a computer lab facility, e.g. space, furniture, lighting, power, security and possibly internet. They currently have a large room that is currently being used by a special needs teacher that would accommodate both the teacher and the lab. They assured us that they could have that room readied as a computer lab by the time that the computers are available (sometime after the 1st of June).We also discussed the need for a detailed plan prior to making a firm commitment for the computers. They agreed and scheduled a meeting for February 27 to formulate the plan. They also immediately formed an ad hoc computer committee to draw up the plan and coordinate the implementation of computers into their curriculum.
It was agreed that we would maintain close contact during the entire process.
L to R: Andres Chaves, volunteer assistant; Adolfo Hernandez Alpizar, school board member; Rafael Jimenez Castro, principal; Olger Guzmón Vargas, President of school board; Luis Castro Espinoza, school board member; and Xinia Mendez Arroyo, English teacher. Present but not pictured: Yamilith Chaves Vargas, Secretary of school board. Read more Entry>>
Monday, February 18, 2008
A third meeting with Xinia
Dave and I met with Xinia here at our house. We further discussed our potential classroom involvement. It was evident that Rincon de Mora was ready for us to take part in regular classroom activities without going through the school Ministry, and that we were invited to talk with the principal at the school. They had already fabricated a temporary wheelchair ramp for Raylene and were discussing how to make one of the restrooms wheelchair accessible.
Read more Entry>>
Monday, February 11, 2008
A DONATION IS RECEIVED !!!
A donation of consumable school supplies was received today – THANK YOU G & KS
Read more Entry>>
Sunday, February 3, 2008
THANK YOU for the overwelming response!
We are in awe of the pledges for donations that we received!
Our friend, Kat, was stateside and on an already scheduled trip to Costco she picked up a whole box of much needed supplies.
An unexpected turn of events was the beginning of the commitment of a significant number of computers thanks to the appeal of other friends Sue Lyons and Tom Ackley. Using their contacts in the Tulsa and Houston area they began receiving commitments for a number of computers from an insurance agency and school system.
Arden Brink (who works for Barry Wilson, the owner of Ship Costa Rica) talked with Barry and immediately pledged their help in getting whatever we received shipped to Costa Rica.
That same day, we also received a pledge of cash from our friend Don Paul (Dr. Dish).
Wow! You never know what will happen when you cast the net! Thank you one and all!!! Read more Entry>>
Our friend, Kat, was stateside and on an already scheduled trip to Costco she picked up a whole box of much needed supplies.
An unexpected turn of events was the beginning of the commitment of a significant number of computers thanks to the appeal of other friends Sue Lyons and Tom Ackley. Using their contacts in the Tulsa and Houston area they began receiving commitments for a number of computers from an insurance agency and school system.
Arden Brink (who works for Barry Wilson, the owner of Ship Costa Rica) talked with Barry and immediately pledged their help in getting whatever we received shipped to Costa Rica.
That same day, we also received a pledge of cash from our friend Don Paul (Dr. Dish).
Wow! You never know what will happen when you cast the net! Thank you one and all!!! Read more Entry>>
Saturday, February 2, 2008
"Shameless Request For Help" broadcast email
Based on the list of equipment and supplies provided by Xinia, Dave wrote the following email to some of our friends in the San Ramon area:
Dear Friends,
I haven’t done a charity plug, specifically for donations, for some time……. but here goes.
Raylene and I are “adopting” Escuela San Rafael in our adopted barrio of, you guessed it, San Rafael. More accurately we are organizing an English tutoring program for the school’s students and their parents. In doing so, we have identified a number of “needs” of the English class students and their teacher, Xinia. Since all of the 200 or so students attend English classes in Xinia’s classroom that means that every student, K through 6, would have the potential of being touched by your generosity. Modest by nearly all standards these are small things that would make a huge difference in their learning experience.
Whatever you do to help will be most helpful and appreciated. We are truly blessed with a school Principal, School Committee and parents who are inviting us into their school with open arms. Combine that with an English teacher who is truly dedicated to her students and interested in exposing them to native speakers and you have a real winner!
Their needs, in no particular order, are:
• Computer(s) and printer(s) – The school currently has one computer & a printer, donated by a friend of VTE, Jimmy Seta. That computer is being used as the school’s administrative tool and is not available for the students and teachers for classroom use. Amnet recently installed cable in our area, but even though RACSA provides free internet to all schools there will be no internet in a classroom until computers are made available. Raylene and I are donating an older model with printer in hopes that this might be the first to go online in San Rafael! Many more are needed. And, they need not be the newest, latest and greatest. As a matter of fact, even those that don’t work may be of use. I have a pretty strong computer background and can fix what ails most!
• VCR/DVD Player(so) – The school currently has ONE VCR, an older model which must be disassembled and cleaned regularly in order to play a fuzzy image. The school owns no tapes so what few they see are provided by teachers and parents. A VCR/DVD combo (or two or three) would be a great asset to the school.
• VHS tapes and DVD’s – Educational and entertainment tapes and CD’s would be a great addition to the teacher’s toolboxes.
• TV’s – well, these new/recycled VCR’s, DVD players, tapes & DVD’s aren’t much good without televisions to go with them. We are even thinking of having Friday afternoon children’s movies to provide entertainment and to increase the student’s exposure to hearing English spoken at the same time.
• CD/Cassette Tape Player(s) and Kid’s Tapes – Player(s) and CD’s/tapes suitable for K thru 6…. Raffy, Disney, Rick Charrette, etc. would be super!
• Copier – OK, this may be a stretch, but I have to ask. Right now the teachers get their copying done at the local pulperia!
• That’s pretty much it for the techy stuff, but there’s much more:
o Kid’s Books – Books written in English which can be used by tutors in their sessions. Disney, Golden Books, etc.
o Pencils – good old Number 2’s that go in a pencil sharpener
o Colored Pencils – crayons aren’t used after pre-school here
o Pens – Black and blue ballpoints, rollerballs, etc.
o Black “Magic Markers” for making flash cards
o Scissors
o Glue Sticks
o Construction Paper (the heavier colored paper)
o Plain white bond copy paper
o Chalk – white & colored
Thank you for reading this far, but there is one last thing. As we get more and more involved with the school, we may well need additional tutors. In no way am I trying to reduce anyone’s involvement in VTE, but if you have an interest in working with young children please call or email me. The school is already talking about a lot more tutoring than Raylene and I will be able to provide.
Pura Vida, Read more Entry>>
Dear Friends,
I haven’t done a charity plug, specifically for donations, for some time……. but here goes.
Raylene and I are “adopting” Escuela San Rafael in our adopted barrio of, you guessed it, San Rafael. More accurately we are organizing an English tutoring program for the school’s students and their parents. In doing so, we have identified a number of “needs” of the English class students and their teacher, Xinia. Since all of the 200 or so students attend English classes in Xinia’s classroom that means that every student, K through 6, would have the potential of being touched by your generosity. Modest by nearly all standards these are small things that would make a huge difference in their learning experience.
Whatever you do to help will be most helpful and appreciated. We are truly blessed with a school Principal, School Committee and parents who are inviting us into their school with open arms. Combine that with an English teacher who is truly dedicated to her students and interested in exposing them to native speakers and you have a real winner!
Their needs, in no particular order, are:
• Computer(s) and printer(s) – The school currently has one computer & a printer, donated by a friend of VTE, Jimmy Seta. That computer is being used as the school’s administrative tool and is not available for the students and teachers for classroom use. Amnet recently installed cable in our area, but even though RACSA provides free internet to all schools there will be no internet in a classroom until computers are made available. Raylene and I are donating an older model with printer in hopes that this might be the first to go online in San Rafael! Many more are needed. And, they need not be the newest, latest and greatest. As a matter of fact, even those that don’t work may be of use. I have a pretty strong computer background and can fix what ails most!
• VCR/DVD Player(so) – The school currently has ONE VCR, an older model which must be disassembled and cleaned regularly in order to play a fuzzy image. The school owns no tapes so what few they see are provided by teachers and parents. A VCR/DVD combo (or two or three) would be a great asset to the school.
• VHS tapes and DVD’s – Educational and entertainment tapes and CD’s would be a great addition to the teacher’s toolboxes.
• TV’s – well, these new/recycled VCR’s, DVD players, tapes & DVD’s aren’t much good without televisions to go with them. We are even thinking of having Friday afternoon children’s movies to provide entertainment and to increase the student’s exposure to hearing English spoken at the same time.
• CD/Cassette Tape Player(s) and Kid’s Tapes – Player(s) and CD’s/tapes suitable for K thru 6…. Raffy, Disney, Rick Charrette, etc. would be super!
• Copier – OK, this may be a stretch, but I have to ask. Right now the teachers get their copying done at the local pulperia!
• That’s pretty much it for the techy stuff, but there’s much more:
o Kid’s Books – Books written in English which can be used by tutors in their sessions. Disney, Golden Books, etc.
o Pencils – good old Number 2’s that go in a pencil sharpener
o Colored Pencils – crayons aren’t used after pre-school here
o Pens – Black and blue ballpoints, rollerballs, etc.
o Black “Magic Markers” for making flash cards
o Scissors
o Glue Sticks
o Construction Paper (the heavier colored paper)
o Plain white bond copy paper
o Chalk – white & colored
Thank you for reading this far, but there is one last thing. As we get more and more involved with the school, we may well need additional tutors. In no way am I trying to reduce anyone’s involvement in VTE, but if you have an interest in working with young children please call or email me. The school is already talking about a lot more tutoring than Raylene and I will be able to provide.
Pura Vida, Read more Entry>>
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