On February 1st, 2010, preschool Puerto Nuevo will re-open with a new name, Escuela Verde Costa Ballena, in the heart of Uvita (at the previous location of the Heartsong lodge, 300 meters from BCR, across from muebleria Chacho). This is a provisional location for 2010 to allow for construction of the ultimate school site in Bahia in 2011.

This year we are offering pre-school classes for children from two years to four years of age, kindergarten and primary grades first through third. The mission of the school is to prepare children to be resourceful and independent while inspiring them to give back to their multi-cultural community and the natural environment. We aim to foster critical and creative thinking skills and an enjoyment of learning through life-related experiences with an ecological focus.

The school will be bilingual – with approximately 60% of the classes for first through third grades being taught in Spanish, and 40% being taught in English. The preschool and kindergarten classes will also have English, to prepare children to enter the bilingual primary school. We aim to educate children to become fluent in both languages. Children of all nationalities and languages are welcomed – being bilingual is not a pre-requisite.

The school will adhere to Costa Rican curriculum standards and, at a minimum, achieve US grade level expectations. The school is in the accreditation process. All courses are taught by native speakers. The three preschool class levels and kindergarten run from 8 am to 12:00 while elementary school is from 8 am to 2:30. At 2:45 Monday through Friday the school will offer after-school care that will be open to the public (you do not have to be a student to attend). There will also be after-school clubs, such as dance and karate, from Monday through Thursday that are also open to the public. Bus transport to and from Escuela Verde will be organized as demand requires.

Thanks to Kim Gilliom who started the Ojochal library and many others who have donated children’s books, the school will also house a small children’s library for its students. We are currently looking for funds to purchase a container to serve as the temporary Uvita public library. If you have any books to donate, please let us know.

Also please let us know if you are interested in helping the school in any way - we are in need of Spanish books, computer CD-Roms, building materials, and all types of school supplies. We are very excited to announce that Catapult, an IT company based in Austin recently donated half a dozen computers to the school. We will also be partnering with the upcoming Copa Playa Dominicalito fun run event in March. A portion of the proceeds from runners who register with Escuela Verde is pledged to the school. Please sign up with us if you plan to run it! And be on the look out for further fun fundraising events later in the year. In addition, we would love to have volunteers for extracurricular activities and to provide additional tutorial help in both languages.

For further information about the school, please contact Naomi or Cheryl at 8-879-8386 or 2743-8214 or at escuelaverdecostaballena@gmail.com. This article was originally printed in the Dominical Days.