Another Excellent Day at the Altagracia School

 We spent the entire school day Tuesday at the Centro Educativo Altagracia with excellent results. Our nine high students in particular have really hit their stride as teachers, and the results are showing.  This afternoon, one of the fourth graders that we taught yesterday slipped out of the line from her PE class to tell Karen O'Hern and Danielle Taylor how much she had learned.  Pretty decent feedback!  Our students spent some time Monday night brainstorming teaching strategies and making some props, like the picnic sign pictured below, to help students learn the names of clothing items.

We arrived early at school for the second day in a row, and watched two staff members preparing breakfast for any child who wanted it.  For most, this will be the only breakfast they will get, a roll and a small container of chocolate milk.  Our amazing mentor Juan Valdez (more on him in future posts) has been tireless in describing to the Ministry of Education the clear connection between poor nutrition and poor school performance. We gathered in the hallway with the teachers before school started for a time of reflection, with the focus today on forgiveness.  We then came out into the courtyard for the regular day opening ceremony of flag raising and DR national hymn.  We have been provided sheets of laminated paper with the words, so we should know it pretty well by Friday.  Then a surprise!  Today is Ian's birthday, and then whole school sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  Then he got to dance with the charismatic Director, Maria Del Carmen, who has never turned down an opportunity to dance. Rita Severinghaus then was given the microphone and addressed everyone to describe her joy at what she was seeing on this visit, and reflected briefly on the wonderful partnership between this hard-working school community, fighting against significant odds, and DR Projefcts. We lined up to high five/fist bump the students as they headed to their classrooms, and then got to work.

We had a full, hot, tiring morning, and saw several new classes of students, since each grade has two sections. Rita and I got away for a few hours to do some errands, and visited the local Lions Club Diabetes Clinic to drop off some donated eyeglasses and specialized bandages.  Lunch at the Hostal Maria Yoban was interesting.  We have known for several years that the restaurant here has the reputation as the best in town. Today Every Important Person in Cotui was here for a formal dinner meeting:  The Mayor, City Officials, union leaders, and most interestingly the President of the Pueblo Viejo gold mine, the largest in the Caribbean and 13th largest in the world.  We'll drive past it Saturday on our way to Santo Domingo.  Even with 30 people wining and dining, we were still able to tiptoe into the modest-sized dining area and have our lunch.

Back at school, we did our best teaching of the entire trip.  I think it was the best teaching I have ever seen us do, Our students split into four teaching teams, and each of them received a group of seven fourth-graders.  Each team had a different style, and each taught great lessons on many of the words for food.  After 15 minutes,  the Altagracia students rotated to a new group of teachers, and got a fresh new take on the lesson.  By the end of an hour, every student had seen every student.  Twenty-seven fourth graders were totally engaged and inspired. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when they get home to describe their day at school. Our adults circulated and acted as go-fers, and I took pictures, eager to do so because now we are allowed to post pictures of our high school students, having carefully examined the forms for photo releases.  Now you can see Ian's birthday photos!  Ian has several birthday photos, because after school we were surprised to be led into a classroom, and there was a party waiting for us.  It had all the elements:  surprise, cake, singing, dancing, and the company of friends.  The Altagracia teachers appreciate what we have been up to since 2019, and we fully appreciate their challenges and successes.  

There was another nice surprise at the end of the day.  We found out that we were all invited to go to the home of the Cotui Fire Chief, and use his wonderful swimming pool.  What a nice way to cool down after another day when the temperature hit 90!  There is much more in store for us over the next several days.  Tomorrow, after a morning at school, we will drive to the very remote mountain village of El Limon to visit the local health clinic there. Rita and DR Projects made this vital local health asset come into being 15 years ago, enlisting lots of help, including the Peace Corps.  More on the clinic, and our further adventures, tomorrow.























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