Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala - Monday - Wednesday, February 20 - 22, 2023
The Open Door School / La Puerta Abierta
Finally, it is time for school!
Monday
La Puerta Abierta continues to be an amazing school doimg exemplary work in the field of education.
Post pandemic - children were fully engaged in the environment, happy, the school was a bustling.
We connected with Amanda the founder of the school and delivered supplies such as: masks, Covid tests and of course an abundance of art supplies - a big shout out to all teh families who made donations.
Guess what was very popular.....STICKERS..... not easy to come by!
They were carefully sorted and each classroom received a bunch!
Our friend Suzi, who accompanied us to the school, had a mosaic activity planned with the 5th grade students on Monday and Tuesday - watching the students engage with the materials and eventually creating the final product was great!
The Preschool Class appeared very comfortable and were very receptive to us joining them in class to engage and play with them. The school year runs from January to October - therefore it is the start of school for many of these students.
We sat in on a music class with the preschoolers.
We spent time in the kindergarten class and shared stories about life in New England and SNOW - of which they are very curious.
In Guatemala there are two seasons - wet and dry! This is the dry season!
Tuesday
Preschool Physical Exercise class from 9.00am - 10.00am.
Children were actively engaged playing many organised games with David their instructor and the teachers.
Mini hula hoops were used in a variety of games.
Carole and I introduced a parachute game which they loved!
In the Kindergarten classroom we played the parachute game outside and then we played a fun game called Little Mouse, Little Mouse!!
Wednesday
We participated in an English class in1st grade, this was so enjoyable as we listened to these young children navigate a new language, visited the upper classes, and played with the preschoolers and kindergarten children.
It is hard to put into words the experience - but hopefully the pictures and narrative give you an idea of life at La Puerta Abierta
For more information on the school: www.atitlanabierta.com
