by Stuart Millar, IB coordinator | Oct 3, 2019
11th grade is hard at work, raising funds for their upcoming trip to Guatemala at the end of November. Students will experience the sights and sounds of Antigua, climb a volcano, visit local villages, and be responsible for making meals for the group! This trip will be the culmination of fundraising activities that started at the beginning of last year. It is a fundamental part of Futuro Verde’s philosophy that students should be responsible for raising the money for their field trips. This way, families are not burdened with an extra cost and students learn about the results of effort and the value of money.
However, fundraising isn’t easy. Sodas are the traditional method at Futuro Verde, but you need a lot of sodas to raise $5,000! There have been lots of good ideas, and some very successful events, but sometimes putting these into practice has been a challenge. Across all grades we have been seeing some interesting initiatives: the chance not to wear uniform in exchange for a donation, raffles, garage sales, movie nights, and sponsored field trip t-shirts. One of the main challenges is that fundraising efforts normally target students and staff. As that is a relatively small population, all these initiatives are looking to benefit from the same limited pot of financial resources. One suggestion to all classes looking to pay for their field trips is to consider holding events that reach a wider audience. Also, maybe we’re missing a trick if we don’t involve parents, families, and friends and ask for their ideas and support.
So what’s next for 11th grade? A great collaboration between a student and his parents. Look out for an announcement about a raffle with a prize of dinner at Restaurant Montezuma!
by Karol Madrigal | Aug 29, 2019
During the month of September, at the same time as our fellow Central American nations, we celebrate our country´s Declaration of Independence. As a result, a series of activities are organized, such as decorating the classrooms with patriotic symbols, creating lanterns, and rehearsing for the colorful parade of marching bands, flag bearers and twirlers, among others.
This holiday, in particular, is highly valued at a national level as it represents a special opportunity to reflect on how proud we feel of our political stability and pacifism, which is evident in the fact that our parades, throughout the country, are organized and spearheaded by our “army” of teachers and students.
This year, all our students are already preparing for their participation in the parade on Sunday, September 15th. To this purpose, we have formed a variety of groups preparing different types of presentations and dedicating time and effort to our weekly rehearsals.
In addition, at the beginning of September, our classrooms and corridors will be decorated with patriotic symbols and lanterns will be made for the nightly lantern parades held in each community on Saturday, September 14th. In conclusion, our students will have the opportunity to enjoy all the ongoing activities while developing their civic awareness.
by Katie Chiaverini | Aug 8, 2019
Scarlet Macaw Release at Wild Sun Rescue Center
Last Friday, July 26th, four Futuro Verde students were invited to be the Masters of Ceremony for the fifth annual Scarlet Macaw Release at Wild Sun Rescue Center. Futuro Verde is excited to be collaborating with ASOPROLAPA and Wild Sun Rescue Center with several different projects so our students participate in hands-on experiences with various environmentally focused entities and learn to take action for a cause they support. It was an emotional event and wonderful to see our students as leaders within our community.
Reflections from our student and teacher participants:
Ashlen in 10th grade: “It was a really great experience to be able to encounter the release of a reintroduced animal who goes out and explores once again in an area. It was also great to have the possibility to speak in front of lots of people to improve my public speaking skills. It was a big responsibility to take part in representing the school in such a sensitive topic.”
For her CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project, Ashlen was volunteering at Wild Sun Rescue Center. When asked about the connections she was able to make between these two experiences, Ashlen responded, “because of my CAS project, it was great to come back and experience WIld Sun from another standpoint, seeing it from another point of view, seeing a different side. We were working on bringing more volunteers and educating students for my project and this was helping in the release of reintroduced animals.”
Rafa in 8th grade: “It was really beautiful to see the work that Wild Sun and ASOPROLAPA did together and how all that work was reflected in the release. It was also really amazing to be involved in the event as a presenter.” Rafa’s mother also expressed her pride in her son for being chosen to take part in the event as a Master of Ceremony.
Lian in 5th grade: “I liked when Jeremy (Wild Sun Director) talked with so much emotion about how much effort he and his team put into the project and how much he loves animals. It was very exciting when they opened the gate and all the macaws went out, especially when one went out first and then called to the others to come.”
Atila in 4th grade: “The best part was when I saw the first Macaw. It was so cool because I had never seen one so close. Then, suddenly they were going to freedom. I also liked seeing so many people together at an important event.” When Atila turned to Don Alex, Operations Manager for Los Delfines – ASOPROLAPA base and said “this is the first time I have been involved in such an important event” with very wide eyes as he looked at all taking place around him his teachers got a bit emotional.
Javier, IB Biology Teacher and Sustainability Coordinator: “Activities such as the Macaw Release at Wild Sun Rescue Center are those that make one proud of being part of a community so united in environmental conservation issues and efforts.”
Katie, Curriculum and Special Programs Coordinator: “It was very exciting to see the joint efforts from so many different community groups, including local businesses, non-profit institutions, schools, and community members. The 5th Annual Scarlet Macaw Release is an excellent example of the power of collaboration and the importance of involving youth in community initiatives. I was so proud to see our Futuro Verde students take active roles in this important environmental event.”
by Noelia | Jun 18, 2019
Reminding you of important dates of enrollment for the 2020 school year:
For all current FV families we have a pre-registration and discount period from June 14 to August 15, 2019.
Starting August 16, 2019, enrollment priority comes to an end, which means that regular enrollment is open for everyone wishing to enroll for the 2020 school year and the regular and non-discounted enrollment price for the 2020 school year applies for both current and new FV families.
The enrollment discount applies only to families that are currently enrolled at Futuro Verde.
by Angie Briceño | May 8, 2019
There are only a few days left until Earth Day Charity Challenge ends!
The organizations have been inviting the participants to visit the different workplaces so that they may learn about what they do and how to help. Last week, the ASVO group was able to watch and participate in the release of sea turtles and learn about why some of the baby turtles did not hatch. They found out it can be important to place a roof to avoid further warming of the sand.
In the following days and weeks, the participants will be visiting and volunteering with the organizations they support.
Here are the amounts collected to date:
Refugio Romelia $96
Wild Sun Rescue Center $109
Casa del Árbol de Futuro Verde $26
Gatos de Futuro Verde $70
ASVO $532
CREMA $129
Remember, the groups to claim the top three spots by raising $ 1,000 can donate the following to their organization:
1st place $1000
2nd place $750
3rd place $500
You can help the groups reach their goal of $ 1,000 and thus support the organizations as they protect the environment and different species!
The rest of the money raised will be used to complete the amount for the construction of the Futuro Verde sports court.
Donate now!
by Lural Ramirez | May 7, 2019
Have you heard about Futuro Verde’s annual education conference held on our campus on the last Thursday and Friday of June each year? Attendees from years past can attest to how unifying the conference is with attendance by educators, community members, parents and students from around the peninsula, Costa Rica and the world.
This year’s conference is gearing up to be another great experience! Click on the link below to register and read the flyer below for details on the basics of registering and getting involved in this year’s conference! And, don’t forget! Our Call for Proposals is currently open for submissions. If you are an educator or community member with something to share in the area of bilingual, holistic or sustainable education, submit your proposal today!
Registration Form
Call for Proposal
