In these tricky times, one or two more positive pieces of news:
While cases of Covid-19 are spiking in Europe, (Italy had 2547 new cases in the past 24 hours), China is turning the corner with only 22 new cases added to their total of 80,815 today. This suggests that a robust response, of the kind President Bukele has announced, can have significant success in the long run in slowing the spread of the virus
The Ministry of Education have suggested to us that if we make representation to them in writing regarding our plans for conducting external IGCSE and IB Exams safely here at school, they will strongly consider them
The Ministry of Education have suggested to us that if we make representation to them in writing regarding our plans for conducting external IGCSE and IB Exams safely here at school, they will strongly consider them
In the meantime, I am very proud of the way in which our teachers have responded in the past 48 hours. They have faced a steep learning curve with a growth mindset and resilience in taking on board new ways of using technology to support students’ learning during the shutdown. In addition, many have aborted travel plans over the Easter holidays in order to ensure that they are ready and able to teach our children as soon as school re-opens. In addition, there has been universal support from them for the idea of lengthening the school term by three days if school re-opens on April 2nd.
I think we have shown our true colours in the past 36 hours…...
“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” Albert Einstein
God willing we will all come through this crisis safe and well and when we do, we will be a stronger community for it.
“There is no education like adversity.” Benjamin Disraeli
From the Head of Primary
With the all educational sites being closed by the President, staff at the ABC have been busy preparing lessons in the Virtual classroom for Monday. While it is different, we hope the teachers and students will get familiar with learning online and therefore find the experience enjoyable and fun.
It is important that parents read the information received through emails, WhatsApp or the schools website. Please be mindful that an answer may take up to 48 hours.
Outdoor Education- A BIG congratulations to our wonderful teachers, learning assistants and parents who made outdoor experiences such a success.
Research shows that healthier and happier children do better in school and that education is an important determinant of future health. But education is not just about lessons within the four walls of a classroom. The outdoor environment encourages skills such as problem-solving and negotiating risk which are important for child development.
But opportunities for children to access the natural environment are diminishing. Children are spending less time outside due to concerns over safety, traffic, crime, and parental worries. Modern environments have reduced amounts of open green spaces too, while technology has increased children’s sedentary time. It is for these reasons and more that many think schools have the greatest potential – and responsibility – to give children access to natural environments.
The pupils felt a sense of freedom when outside the restricting walls of the classroom. They felt more able to express themselves, and enjoyed being able to move about more too. They also felt more engaged and were more positive about the learning experience. In addition, many said that their well-being and memory were better.
When children go out to the woods they don’t really know they are doing actual math’s and English, so it’s just making it educational and fun at the same time. Teachers discuss the different approach to lessons, and how it helped engage all types of learners. It is felt that children have a right to be outdoors – especially at a time when their opportunities to access the natural environment is limited – and schools were in a position to fulfil this.
Pick Up After School- Thank you to those parents who are prompt at picking up their children at the end of the day. However, a small number of children wait for up to two hours until someone picks them up. I realise that traffic and/or work can make it difficult to pick up students at a reasonable time.
So, have you thought of a plan ‘B?’ If you know you are going to be late, is there a family member (Grandma, Uncle, Cousin) or a trusted friend who could pick up your child/children for you? Could you carpool with friends who also have children at ABC? Waiting up to two hours is not desirable, so please consider a Plan B!!
Book of the Week
The Mediterranean by Armin Greder
Armin Greder’s earlier picture book The Island dramatically examined the theme of prejudice by showing people who were fearful and uncomprehending of a stranger who appeared in their small community, resulting in vicious behaviour. Here he uses his distinctive charcoal drawings to depict a dark world with a global dimension. The only words in the story are a single sentence indicating what is happening to the body in the water in the first picture. From there on the reader needs to examine the pictures to draw conclusions about how that body came to be in the sea. An afterword by Alessandro Leogrande, an Italian journalist who writes about social, political and environmental issues, fills in the background about the ‘food chain’ portrayed in this disturbing picture book which demands discussion.
I think we have shown our true colours in the past 36 hours…...
“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” Albert Einstein
God willing we will all come through this crisis safe and well and when we do, we will be a stronger community for it.
“There is no education like adversity.” Benjamin Disraeli
From the Head of Primary
With the all educational sites being closed by the President, staff at the ABC have been busy preparing lessons in the Virtual classroom for Monday. While it is different, we hope the teachers and students will get familiar with learning online and therefore find the experience enjoyable and fun.
It is important that parents read the information received through emails, WhatsApp or the schools website. Please be mindful that an answer may take up to 48 hours.
Outdoor Education- A BIG congratulations to our wonderful teachers, learning assistants and parents who made outdoor experiences such a success.
Research shows that healthier and happier children do better in school and that education is an important determinant of future health. But education is not just about lessons within the four walls of a classroom. The outdoor environment encourages skills such as problem-solving and negotiating risk which are important for child development.
But opportunities for children to access the natural environment are diminishing. Children are spending less time outside due to concerns over safety, traffic, crime, and parental worries. Modern environments have reduced amounts of open green spaces too, while technology has increased children’s sedentary time. It is for these reasons and more that many think schools have the greatest potential – and responsibility – to give children access to natural environments.
The pupils felt a sense of freedom when outside the restricting walls of the classroom. They felt more able to express themselves, and enjoyed being able to move about more too. They also felt more engaged and were more positive about the learning experience. In addition, many said that their well-being and memory were better.
When children go out to the woods they don’t really know they are doing actual math’s and English, so it’s just making it educational and fun at the same time. Teachers discuss the different approach to lessons, and how it helped engage all types of learners. It is felt that children have a right to be outdoors – especially at a time when their opportunities to access the natural environment is limited – and schools were in a position to fulfil this.
Pick Up After School- Thank you to those parents who are prompt at picking up their children at the end of the day. However, a small number of children wait for up to two hours until someone picks them up. I realise that traffic and/or work can make it difficult to pick up students at a reasonable time.
So, have you thought of a plan ‘B?’ If you know you are going to be late, is there a family member (Grandma, Uncle, Cousin) or a trusted friend who could pick up your child/children for you? Could you carpool with friends who also have children at ABC? Waiting up to two hours is not desirable, so please consider a Plan B!!
Book of the Week
The Mediterranean by Armin Greder
Armin Greder’s earlier picture book The Island dramatically examined the theme of prejudice by showing people who were fearful and uncomprehending of a stranger who appeared in their small community, resulting in vicious behaviour. Here he uses his distinctive charcoal drawings to depict a dark world with a global dimension. The only words in the story are a single sentence indicating what is happening to the body in the water in the first picture. From there on the reader needs to examine the pictures to draw conclusions about how that body came to be in the sea. An afterword by Alessandro Leogrande, an Italian journalist who writes about social, political and environmental issues, fills in the background about the ‘food chain’ portrayed in this disturbing picture book which demands discussion.
Dates for your Diary
Upper Primary
April
Monday 20 - Return to lessons after Easter Break
Tuesday 21 - COESAL talk for Grade 4 parents - 7:30am - 8:30am - PAC
Tuesday 28 - COESAL father/son talk for Grade 4 - 7:30am - 8:30am - Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 28 - COESAL Mother/Daughter talk for Grade 4 - 7:30am - 8:30am - PAC
Wednesday 29 - Grade 5 Camping
From the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
I am happy to announce the class of 2021 Prefect team. Thank you to all the temporary Prefects who served the community over the last few weeks. I felt very proud to see you all enthusiastically getting involved and doing your best. Unfortunately we cannot appoint everyone but please do not stop shining and we can of course appoint more Prefects in future.
Head Students
Luciana Molins
Senji Shibata
Deputy Head Students
Upper Primary
April
Monday 20 - Return to lessons after Easter Break
Tuesday 21 - COESAL talk for Grade 4 parents - 7:30am - 8:30am - PAC
Tuesday 28 - COESAL father/son talk for Grade 4 - 7:30am - 8:30am - Lecture Theatre
Tuesday 28 - COESAL Mother/Daughter talk for Grade 4 - 7:30am - 8:30am - PAC
Wednesday 29 - Grade 5 Camping
From the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
I am happy to announce the class of 2021 Prefect team. Thank you to all the temporary Prefects who served the community over the last few weeks. I felt very proud to see you all enthusiastically getting involved and doing your best. Unfortunately we cannot appoint everyone but please do not stop shining and we can of course appoint more Prefects in future.
Head Students
Luciana Molins
Senji Shibata
Deputy Head Students
Daniela Guerra
Daniel Figueroa
Jubran Lemus
PREFECTS
Andrea Cromeyer Gallardo
Sophia Gómez Merino
Alexandra María Charlaix Hidalgo
Valeria Andrea Zúñiga Ayala
Dulce María Mejía Morales
Paola Eugenia Samayoa Álvarez
Alissa Elizabeth Velásquez Peraza
María Jimena Castro Chico
María Loreto Paz Alvarado
Amy Daniella Villafuerte Palma
Adriela María Grijalva Sermeño
Luciana María Rico Panameño
Sofía Alejandra Carpio Molina
María José Delgado Vides
Diego Salvador Rivas Moreno
Katherine Alejandra Cortez Domínguez
Jackie Manuel Chen Guan
Juan Marco Molina Jovel
Sebastián Tona Padilla
René Antonio Serrano Franco
Fadia Paola Safie Mejía
Elisa Eleonora Giammattei Otaegui
Sienna Lang
Diego Alejandro Huezo Ruiz
Martín Farid Atanacio Zedán
Gerardo José Monjaras Henríquez
Sebastián Arce Pineda
Valeria Beatriz Rodríguez Cordero
Luciana Palomo Menéndez
Isabella Bolaños Fontg
Paola Elena Alfaro Lacayo
Gabriela Maritza Menjívar Figueroa
Alana Isabel Palomo Hernández
Daniel Figueroa
Jubran Lemus
PREFECTS
Andrea Cromeyer Gallardo
Sophia Gómez Merino
Alexandra María Charlaix Hidalgo
Valeria Andrea Zúñiga Ayala
Dulce María Mejía Morales
Paola Eugenia Samayoa Álvarez
Alissa Elizabeth Velásquez Peraza
María Jimena Castro Chico
María Loreto Paz Alvarado
Amy Daniella Villafuerte Palma
Adriela María Grijalva Sermeño
Luciana María Rico Panameño
Sofía Alejandra Carpio Molina
María José Delgado Vides
Diego Salvador Rivas Moreno
Katherine Alejandra Cortez Domínguez
Jackie Manuel Chen Guan
Juan Marco Molina Jovel
Sebastián Tona Padilla
René Antonio Serrano Franco
Fadia Paola Safie Mejía
Elisa Eleonora Giammattei Otaegui
Sienna Lang
Diego Alejandro Huezo Ruiz
Martín Farid Atanacio Zedán
Gerardo José Monjaras Henríquez
Sebastián Arce Pineda
Valeria Beatriz Rodríguez Cordero
Luciana Palomo Menéndez
Isabella Bolaños Fontg
Paola Elena Alfaro Lacayo
Gabriela Maritza Menjívar Figueroa
Alana Isabel Palomo Hernández
Have a great weekend,
Natalia Cáceres
Head of Secondary
Natalia Cáceres
Head of Secondary
