Words from Secondary, 07.05.2021

Dear Families,

We are officially in May! And this means that the end of the school year is around the corner.  But we can’t be thinking about the end of the year just yet.  There is still much learning to be done and tests to be taken.  Next week, our MS students will be MAP testing and beginning May 18th, AP students will be taking their AP exams between the 18th and 28th.  

Meanwhile we continue to pay close attention to the rising cases in Costa Rica and are in the middle of re-evaluating our end of year events.  The 8th grade Moving Up Ceremony is currently slated to take place on campus, but due to the rise in cases, we are preparing for a different option.  The same is being done for our HS Commencement ceremony.  We have a number of plans in the works and are awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Health to be able to hold such events safely on campus.  

A BIG THANK YOU to all the parents for the Appreciation orchids and lunch given to the HS and MS teachers respectively. Senior parents, thank you for the breakfast and for the senior notes of thanks.  They warmed all of our hearts. 

Please continue to be safe, practicing all safety guidelines as we work together to continue keeping our school open for the final 5 weeks of school! 

Onward and Upward,
JLM

Are YOU Fully Vaccinated? 

As our community begins to get vaccinated, we are keeping up with this so we have an idea when our internal community has a certain percentage of adult vaccination. If you have reached full vaccination (both shots + 14 days), please notify our school nurse, Martha Bello (martha_bello@cds.ed.cr ),  so she can count you as part of our vaccinated community percentage! 

Hybrid Schedule Next Week E Week

HS GSA club leads the way in teaching about inclusivity

The HS GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) is leading the way in educating students about the importance of inclusivity in our school community.  The club led by senior Isabella Peterson and junior Jossue Sandoval are leading students in HS and MS about the importance of creating an environment where students can feel safe to express themselves without fear of being harassed or bullied.  

Their work this year has led to us having conversations about how we as teachers and students can be more inclusive in our daily lives.  They have taught us how words have the power to cause harm and at the same time lift someone up.  

The work we are doing to create safe places in our secondary school is an important one.  The GSA will be speaking with MS students this coming Wednesday during Community Time about the importance of being inclusive and what it looks like in their daily lives.

MS MAP Testing May 12-14

MS students will have MAP testing next week to assess their growth in the following subject areas: Wednesday, May 12th, 8:00-9:30 am, Reading; Thursday, May 13th, 8:00-9:30 am, Math; Friday, May 14th, 8:00-9:30 am, Language. Your student will be tested by their advisory teacher for both in-person and virtual school students. Please avoid any planned absences and have your student ready to start on time! 

Before Testing Day

Your student's device must be ready for MAP testing, so please be sure to update both their computer operating system and their internet browser if needed (e.g Chrome, Safari, etc.).

Students Testing Remotely in Virtual School

Please be sure to have your student close any other applications on their computer.

Also, please turn-off any unused devices that are connected to wifi in your home to improve your internet connection. Your student will be connected to their advisory class through Zoom. 

Please provide a quiet area for your student, free of distractions.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure your student upholds the Honor Code, so that all answers are their own without assistance from others or available materials, either digital or print. MAP testing results are used by your student’s teachers to assess performance and plan for next steps in your student’s learning so accuracy is important for future academic planning and success. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me (joseluis_menendez@cds.ed.cr ) or Vera Adams ( vera_adams@cds.ed.cr ). 

AP Exam Information

After a long year of challenges and hours of study, AP exams are around the corner and are scheduled this year from May 18-28. Unlike last year, exams are both digital and paper and pencil based, and are full length, meaning that most are between two- and one-half hours to three hours long, not including instructions that need to be read and breaks.

Please be sure that you read through the entirety of this information carefully in order to best be prepared for the days of exams ahead. 

Below we will explain each exam date:

Digital Exams are at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Students MUST log in 30 minutes BEFORE the start time. Students were asked to log into each practice exam to become familiar with the format.

Students should be on campus at 7:45 and 12:45. Doors close at 8am and 1pm. Afternoon exams will pass the dismissal time of 3:00pm. School transportation will not be provided. 

Digital Exams are at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Students MUST log in 30 minutes BEFORE the start time to fill out personal information. Students were asked to log into each practice exam to become familiar with the format.

* AP Computer Science, AP Seminar and AP Studio Art will upload their work with teachers’ supervision. The dates have been announced by their teachers.

** Students with accommodations will test in Ms. Amy Cohen’s room. Ms. Cohen will let students know where to go.

*** We ask that on the digital exam day, family members refrain from using their devices and disconnect any wifi-enabled device until their child has finished with the exam. We are all aware of how unstable the connection can be in Costa Rica.

**** ALL DIGITAL EXAMS ARE ON EASTERN TIME AT 12:00noon and 4:00pm…in CR it would be 10 and 2. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF CR, PLEASE CHECK YOUR TIME ZONE!

The students are ready for these exams! They have been working hard on preparing for these classes.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at joseluis_menendez@cds.ed.cr or Ms. Anna Oliveras at anna_oliveras@cds.ed.cr 

Upcoming Dates

Middle School Dates

 
High School Dates