Saturday, March 29, 2008
A DONATION IS RECEIVED!!!
A donation of consumable school supplies was received today – THANK YOU DD & BA
Read more Entry>>
Thursday, March 13, 2008
First class with 6th graders at ERdM
We met for the first time with the 6th graders today. There were ten of them – 5 boys and 5 girls. Their teacher, Xinia as well as the principal, Shirley was there. Shirley ‘sat in’ to practice her English.
In our 90 minute ‘class’, we helped them prepare for a test on introductions. Dave put together a presentation to introduce us, complete with colored pictures. After, we encouraged them to think and speak in English by participating in interactive exercises, e.g. “My name is . . . , What is your name?”, “I live in . . . Where do you live?”, etc.
Read more Entry>>
In our 90 minute ‘class’, we helped them prepare for a test on introductions. Dave put together a presentation to introduce us, complete with colored pictures. After, we encouraged them to think and speak in English by participating in interactive exercises, e.g. “My name is . . . , What is your name?”, “I live in . . . Where do you live?”, etc.
Read more Entry>>
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Meeting with the parents at ERdM
Shirley Salas, the principal of Escuela Rincon de Mora called a meeting of all of the 6th grade parents (10 students) and us to discuss our involvement with that class. As a prelude to the meeting, everyone was treated to a traditional story told by Shirley via a PowerPoint presentation prepared using the school’s only computer. Dave wasn’t exactly sure of the content of the presentation since it was all done in Spanish.
The parents of eight of the ten students in the 6th grade attended the meeting and were very excited to hear that native English speakers would be helping their children. Xinia, the English teacher assigned to this school, explained that we would be attending one 80 minute class per week starting March 13 at 3:30 pm. The parents immediately asked if it was possible for us to do two sessions a week! David explained that since it would require the use of an interpreter we would have to look into that possibility.
We discussed the other needs of the school. It was apparent that they needed a new Television. Theirs is approximately 15” with a mediocre picture. They, like San Rafael, also are in need of a VCR/DVD player as their only VCR has seen better days.
While everyone was being served cookies, crackers and soda by some of the 6th grade students, the parents discussed the 6th grade graduation field trip. The kids all want to go to an amusement park near San Jose, but there seems to be a challenge with the cost. It was estimated that each student would have to come up with 20,000 Colones (about $40.00 or $1.00 per week) by the end of the school year and that is a hardship for some of the parents. It appeared that there was going to be more discussion at a later date to talk about options. Read more Entry>>
The parents of eight of the ten students in the 6th grade attended the meeting and were very excited to hear that native English speakers would be helping their children. Xinia, the English teacher assigned to this school, explained that we would be attending one 80 minute class per week starting March 13 at 3:30 pm. The parents immediately asked if it was possible for us to do two sessions a week! David explained that since it would require the use of an interpreter we would have to look into that possibility.
We discussed the other needs of the school. It was apparent that they needed a new Television. Theirs is approximately 15” with a mediocre picture. They, like San Rafael, also are in need of a VCR/DVD player as their only VCR has seen better days.
While everyone was being served cookies, crackers and soda by some of the 6th grade students, the parents discussed the 6th grade graduation field trip. The kids all want to go to an amusement park near San Jose, but there seems to be a challenge with the cost. It was estimated that each student would have to come up with 20,000 Colones (about $40.00 or $1.00 per week) by the end of the school year and that is a hardship for some of the parents. It appeared that there was going to be more discussion at a later date to talk about options. Read more Entry>>
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
"Ask and Ye Shall . . . ?" broadcast email
Dave sent out another broadcast email which contained a "wish list" from Escuela Rincon de Mora:
Dear Friends,
We would like to thank you for all of the ideas and generous donations that we have received over the past couple of weeks.
From staple classroom supplies to a used computer (with the likelihood of many more to come) along with cash, the response has been heartwarming. We have had supplies brought back from a Gringa visiting the states and promises of supplies from others “the next time we go to PriceSmart, Hypermas or Office Depot.” People with contacts in the shipping business have committed to helping get “stuff” to Costa Rica; businesses have expressed their desire to help as the school year progresses and one immediately handed over a cash donation; individuals have expressed a desire to help with in-school tutoring or helping in any way they can. And Ticos have also expressed a desire to help. From helping us look for used and “nearly free” equipment to helping us with translation in school meetings, they are pitching in too.
That said, our “Shameless Request for Help” continues and we still are looking the same things that we listed in our first email, along with a number of added items. Remember, most of the items that we are requesting and are receiving are consumables. So……. please think about dedicating a few Colones on that next “outing” to Alajuela, Heredia, Escazu (or even Nuevo Mercadito downtown) to the school kids. To give you an idea of exactly what type of request we are getting please take a moment to read the letter we recently received form Escuela Rincon de Mora:
We are also investigating expanding our efforts to other schools and to fundraising and “supplyraising” in the U. S. (We are taking baby steps with this, though – we learned long ago that “Slow and steady wins the race”). So, if you have any contacts in that arena, please get in touch with us. Aside from a rather large email database our experience in that area is a bit thin.
Once again, thank you for reading this. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
David & Raylene Scott Read more Entry>>
Dear Friends,
We would like to thank you for all of the ideas and generous donations that we have received over the past couple of weeks.
From staple classroom supplies to a used computer (with the likelihood of many more to come) along with cash, the response has been heartwarming. We have had supplies brought back from a Gringa visiting the states and promises of supplies from others “the next time we go to PriceSmart, Hypermas or Office Depot.” People with contacts in the shipping business have committed to helping get “stuff” to Costa Rica; businesses have expressed their desire to help as the school year progresses and one immediately handed over a cash donation; individuals have expressed a desire to help with in-school tutoring or helping in any way they can. And Ticos have also expressed a desire to help. From helping us look for used and “nearly free” equipment to helping us with translation in school meetings, they are pitching in too.
That said, our “Shameless Request for Help” continues and we still are looking the same things that we listed in our first email, along with a number of added items. Remember, most of the items that we are requesting and are receiving are consumables. So……. please think about dedicating a few Colones on that next “outing” to Alajuela, Heredia, Escazu (or even Nuevo Mercadito downtown) to the school kids. To give you an idea of exactly what type of request we are getting please take a moment to read the letter we recently received form Escuela Rincon de Mora:
We are also investigating expanding our efforts to other schools and to fundraising and “supplyraising” in the U. S. (We are taking baby steps with this, though – we learned long ago that “Slow and steady wins the race”). So, if you have any contacts in that arena, please get in touch with us. Aside from a rather large email database our experience in that area is a bit thin.
Once again, thank you for reading this. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
David & Raylene Scott Read more Entry>>
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>>
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