Dear CDS Families,
ES Global Citizenship – Being Assertive
During my early morning walk around campus greeting students, staff, and parents, I noticed that the ES students were dressed quite differently today, in what the students explained to me were clothes that expressed the value of “being assertive.” Assertiveness, an important human characteristic that must be taught, modeled, and cultivated, is one of the many themes highlighted in our Global Citizenship program across the primary grades. Today and this week, being assertive was celebrated and expressed through activities, readings, and presentations.
STEAM in 3rd Grade – Forces & Motions
On that same walk, I enjoyed previewing–and even playing–some hand-made carnival games in the 3rd-grade classrooms. Designed, modeled, and constructed by individuals or teams, the games had to exhibit different forces and motions, the science unit under study. These projects illustrated both the “S – Science” and “E – Engineering” of our STEAM program, learning the physical properties of forces and motions, and engineering the game from raw materials. When we return from spring break, the students will extend their physics understanding even further with a hands-on learning visit to an amusement park, to experience the various ways motions and forces are manipulated for human thrill and entertainment.
AASCA Volleyball Tournament
The HS likewise had alternative dress today (and all this week) to demonstrate spirit for our volleyball teams who are participating in the AASCA Volleyball Tournament that we are hosting this week. We have both boys and girls teams from four different countries in our AASCA region. The quality of play, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm was extraordinary in our gym, especially since these F2F competitions were canceled the last two years. Our CDS Panther teams have played some great matches and play again this evening, so be sure to tune in to the streaming platform to cheer them on to victory. When we return from spring break, we will join the Swimming and Tennis AASCA tournaments, which will be played here in San Jose.
Open Campus for Parents & Space Changes
After our opening celebrations for having parents return to campus last week, CDS has felt more complete and joyous with our families among our community. Now that all capacity limits, social distancing, and bubbles have been eliminated, we will return to more integrated and cross-grade activities and events, like assemblies, concerts, lunch seating, plays, recess, etc. throughout the school. Masking and handwashing continue for now and will be monitored to track Ministry of Health guidelines as well as health/safety.
Cafeteria Advisory Team (CAT)
Our Cafeteria Advisory Team (CAT), lead by parent Jennifer Dinsmore and CDS Community Outreach Coordinator Maria Fernanda Cardona, has worked with their diverse team of parents and CDS cafeteria staff on implementing some improvements to our cafeteria food service. Data from a survey was used to generate some targeted suggestions, changes which should improve the overall quality of the cafeteria service. As CAT continues its improvement efforts, we will share specific updates and outcomes.
We are blessed with a two-week spring break and Semana Santa coming up, starting this weekend. Enjoy your time together with family and friends, have a happy Easter, and travel safely if you are on the go. See you at the beach! Be ready when we return in mid-April for the final two months of the school year, which traditionally feel like they go by super fast.
As always, please write to me at cds_director@cds.ed.cr or call me at 2289 0919 ext. 2224 if I can do anything to help your children and your family have the absolute best experience possible at CDS. Covid Status, Restriction Changes, & Campus Opening.
With Panther Pride,
Dr. Scott Adams, Director
