by Katie Chiaverini | May 4, 2020
Conferences offer the opportunity for families and teachers to discuss student progress, share the report card, discuss student strengths and areas of growth and to allow time for parents to ask important questions and share with teachers valuable information regarding their child. During the COVID-19 Pandemic from March 17th until now, all Futuro Verde students and teachers shifted learning to an online delivery. We have continued educating our students with our online program that fully complies with curricular and grade-level requirements. Futuro Verde also created a modified rubric for evaluation purposes that fairly accounts for student learning while also taking into consideration the challenges inherent to the global and local crisis. Following our online education model, we will move ahead with our trimester I parent-teacher conference plans, but in a modified online format.
As a staff and school, we have tried several different formats for online collaboration among teachers, administration and students, including the two we have found most popular and user friendly, Zoom and Google Hangouts. At this point, teachers and families can decide which method will work best whether it be Zoom, Google Hangouts, or phone calls. If anything changes, we will provide updated information but at this time you can get a head start by downloading Zoom on your phone, tablet, or computer. Follow this link to sign up for this free application and be ready to speak with your child’s teacher on May 19th or 20th. More information will be sent out soon regarding the scheduling of conferences, how to access your child’s report card and any additional technical support that you might need assistance with to successfully connect with your child’s teacher.
We remind you that one way to keep up on your child’s work and progress is through their Google Classroom account. You can receive regular messages through the platform but we also recommend sitting down with your child to look over their to-do lists, feedback on assignments and grades. In the primary years, teachers will continue communicating with families on a regular basis through Google Classroom, Google Hangouts, Seesaw, emails or phone calls. We know that not just one communication method works for all so we are trying to accommodate different needs.
At this time, we are noticing that students are being pushed to sharpen their “soft skills” which include things like communication, time management, and organization. Our modified online rubric accentuates these soft skills by giving weight to students who show effort, creativity and resilience as well as timeliness and communication, while continuing to evaluate content mastery. We hope that we can find a “silver lining” in the crisis and focus on developing these other areas which we know build character and more balanced human beings. As teachers and administrative staff, we are definitely being given the opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen those we already possess. Learning is definitely a life-long process and we are on that journey together right now!
We look forward to taking the time to celebrate your child’s growth during such a difficult time and also to work together as a team to identify ways in which we can help them be even more successful. As the age old saying goes….it takes a village to raise a child… and in this crisis this saying rings more true than ever.
by Angie Briceño | Feb 26, 2020
What is CREW?
CREW is a special time when students in each grade meet with their CREW teacher to do various activities in order to develop empathy, a sense of belonging, and a connection with others. At Futuro Verde, we don’t have passengers, we are all members of a CREW. This special time happens twice a week: on Mondays during the first hour of school and on Fridays during the last hour of school.
During CREW time students from pre-k to 12th grade plan the details of their annual field trip: the destination, budget, fundraising plan, transportation, etc.
It is important to remember that the students are in charge of raising funds for their field trips. This activity brings them together and brings the focus away from any socio-economic differences of the students, while also making it easy on parents’ pockets.
In addition, this year each CREW group will choose a cause that they identify with and want to work on to create positive change.
How can you help?
Throughout the year, each CREW group will organize activities to raise money for their field trip and the cause they have chosen to support. Some of the fundraising activities include: school sodas (selling food), toy sales, bake sales, no-uniform day passes for students, raffles, movie nights, and other clever fundraisers invented by our students!
If you would like to help with our students’ CREW efforts, send a little extra money with your student so that he or she can enjoy the tasty snacks students sell at our soda (restaurant/ kiosk). We will have soda every day during the month of March except: March 2, 3, 5 and 30.
Students may also participate in the no-uniform day if they buy a ticket for ₡500. In March, we will have the following non-uniform days:
- March 13, to benefit 7th grade
- March 27, to benefit 9th grade
- March 30, to benefit 3rd grade
by Noelia | Feb 5, 2020
School will be starting very soon! To begin this new 2020 school year, we’re sharing some important reminders for the first month of school. Some things will stay the same as last year, while others will be changed this year to improve and perfect our performance and quality service for our Futuro Verde community.
Important Dates for the First Month of School
- February 10, 12.30 pm – 3 pm: Open House. An open-door event for all students and families at Futuro Verde; an opportunity to get the know the school, teachers, and staff that work and support students year-round.
- February 11: First day of classes for 1st through 12th grade. Preschool Department, gentle start: interviews with preschool students and families. Office staff at Futuro Verde will organize appointments for individual meetings with each family. During this appointment, families meet with the two preschool teachers in order to get to know each other, share important details about their students, and set goals for the year.
- February 12: Preschool Department, gentle start: interviews with preschool students and families. Office staff at Futuro Verde will organize appointments for individual meetings with each family. During this appointment, families meet with the two preschool teachers in order to get to know each other, share important details about their students, and set goals for the year.
- February 13: First day of school for Prepa (no school for pre-K or Kinder). Both teachers will work together on this day to get to know our preparatory students and help them adapt to their new role as older students in our preschool department.
- February 14: First day of classes for pre-K and Kinder (no classes for Prepa). It’s the little ones’ turn to have a day for themselves! Our two preschool teachers will work together on this day to get to know our Kinder and Pre-K students and help them feel comfortable as they start the school year.
- February 17: All students in the preschool department have their first day of classes together, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- March 4, 1pm – 5 pm: Back to School Night. See the detailed schedule of activities and workshops for Back to School Night here.
Futuro Verde Planners
Each year, Futuro Verde students receive a planner specially designed by our school in order to facilitate communication between parents and teachers. We strongly recommend that parents check their student’s planner every day to encourage smooth communication with teachers.
The planner also includes important information that helps families stay organized with school events and news, and contains resources that are worth reviewing each year:
- Schedule
- FV Directory
- Description of our Learning Community and Futuro Verde Values
- Academic Honesty
- Calendar
- Important Dates 2020
School Schedule
Futuro Verde’s class schedule is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. It is recommended that students arrive 10 minutes before the start time so that they can settle into their classrooms and greet their classmates. That way, classes can begin on time at 8 am, without interruptions.
The departure time is 3 pm. No changes are expected for students who take school transportation since last year’s system worked well. However, some changes will be implemented for children who are picked up by their parents and/or relatives in private vehicles as our pick-up and drop-off lot has been remodeled. Please read the email about this topic for specific details.
by Lural Ramirez | Feb 5, 2020
Each year Futuro Verde holds Back to School Night, an event that is full of activities and opportunities related to your child’s education!
During Back to School Night, to be held on Wednesday, March 4th, families and teachers have time to meet, students share their classrooms and learning spaces, and they walk their parents through some of their daily experiences at Futuro Verde. Specifically, families can get to know the school curriculum, assessment, classroom procedures, grade level expectations, and learn about field trips and events available at each grade level or within each subject area. There will also be time for families to tour the school, to meet and speak with specialists and to get to know teachers who work with their son/daughter in each of the distinct subject areas.
This year, as is our Futuro Verde tradition, parents can literally come “Back to School” with us by attending any of the four parent workshops that will be offered this year prior to our main event!
Parent workshops
IB at FV
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm- Art and Biology classes will be open to parent observers in IB classroom
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm- IB Dreaming of University – High School Alternative Pathways at FV in Bio Lab
College Counseling for Middle and High School Students (especially geared toward parents of 7th-10th graders) (location TBD
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm- Come take the College Counseling class along with the 10th, 11th and 12th graders. This class is open to any parent interested in learning more about this new course at FV!
Effective Parenting Strategies with our School Psychologist, Massiel Arroyo (in primary library)
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm- For parents of children ages birth to 9
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm- For parents of preadolescents and adolescents ages 10-18
Technology Help! Classroom, Google for Education, Turnitin, EBSCO ( in the computer lab)
- 1:00 – 3:00- Our librarian and IT assistant is here to help you with any of your questions and technical needs with any of the technology your children use at FV!
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- 1:00 – 2:00 Presentation on Turnitin and EBSCO (programs to prevent plagiarism and to support effective research)
- 2:00 – 3:00 Open access time for any and all tech needs. Any and all questions and needs are welcome!
General Whole School Meeting with the School Director, Lural Ramirez – 2020 at Futuro Verde!
Back to School Night Classroom Visits – Visit your child’s teachers and classes!
Mark your calendars now for the afternoon of March 4th and don’t miss this fun-filled afternoon at Futuro Verde!
by Noelia | Jan 10, 2020
Important dates for the first days of classes 2020
True to our Futuro Verde tradition of innovation and dedication, the 2020 school year brings many activities and positive changes to our educational center. Please find below the important dates to start the year off well.
January 20th: the Futuro Verde offices open.
February 10th: 12.30pm – 3 pm: Open House
February 11th: First day of classes from 1st to 12th grade. Preschool department, soft start: interviews with preschool students and families.
February 12th: Preschool Department, soft start: interviews with preschool students and families.
February 13th: First day of school for Prepa (no classes for Pre-K or Kinder).
February 14th: First day of classes for Pre-K and Kinder (there are no classes for Prepa).
March 4th, 3pm – 5pm: Back to School Night
by Angie Briceño | Jan 8, 2020
Welcome to the 2020 school year! We hope it will be a rewarding school year for all!
Some important reminders for this new school year:
This year you will not receive a list of school supplies since the enrollment fee already includes the purchase of the school supplies for the year. So, you needn´t worry about going shopping because we already did it for you!
School Supplies
Parents pay a registration fee that includes the school’s purchasing of all school supplies that are shared items that a student will need throughout the year. Parents are in charge of purchasing for their child the following personal items:
- backpack
- reusable water bottle
- laptop (suggested for 7-8 and required for 9-12)
Please note the revised school policy regarding your child’s school uniform:
FV students must come to school each day in their appropriate uniform. Do you know which uniform is required for preschool and primary students and which one is required for middle and high school students? Please read carefully no make sure you are fully understanding which uniform is the correct one for your child!
Dress code- The official Futuro Verde uniform is slightly different for daily wear and official events (you will receive a prior notification by the director when an occasion requires the official uniform):
| Official Futuro Verde Uniform |
| Uniform shirt (green for prek-10 and navy blue for IB students) |
| Black or brown closed-toe, closed-heel shoes |
| Beige pants, skirt or shorts (skirts and shorts cannot be shorter than the student’s hand´s length above the knee) |
| Physical Education Uniform |
| Official Physical Education Uniform (athletic shirt and shorts) |
| Athletic footwear |
| Swimming Classes |
| One-piece bathing suit (or with a shirt on top if wearing a bikini) and/or
Swim shorts |
| Goggles |
| Non-official Futuro Verde uniform (for daily wear) |
Preschool to 6th: Beige pants, skirt or shorts
(skirts and shorts cannot be shorter than the student’s hand´s length above the knee)Middle and High school: Pants, skirt or shorts
(in any color but skirts and shorts cannot be shorter than the student’s hand´s length above the knee)IB students: Beige pants, skirt or shorts or jeans or dark blue shorts or pants
(skirts and shorts cannot be shorter than the student’s hand´s length above the knee) |
| Uniform shirt (green for prek-10, navy blue for IB) |
| Footwear: sandals, tennis shoes, shoes of any color |
Note: Students must wear a Futuro Verde uniform every day of the week. One of the prizes available to students at all grade levels as a part of our valores program is a “uniform free day”. If a student earns and uses a “uniform free day”, their clothes still need to meet the following requirements: skirts and shorts cannot be shorter than the student’s hand length above their knee, no transparent clothing, cleavage, or spaghetti straps, no inappropriate prints, etc.
Students who come to school without their full uniform will receive the following immediate consequences:
We remind parents that their child wearing the full and approved uniform is the responsibility of the parent only. Students who come without the appropriate uniform will need to purchase a full PE uniform set that they will then need to change into immediately and the uniform set will be automatically charged to the family as a part of the next month’s tuition. The child will NOT be allowed to call a parent to bring a change of clothes nor change into clothes that are appropriate that they have in their backpacks or within their personal items as this inhibits immediate attendance to classes and does not reflect a responsible and appropriate solution for a preventable uniform infraction.
Please help our students follow and comply responsibly with the school’s policies.
We wish you a happy start to the school year!
