Director's Message
Posted on December 10 2019
Dear parents, This past weekend Mr. Mitchell Green, our Director of Students Language and Learning Support and I attended the AASSA teacher…
Read More...
Read Less...
Director's Message
December 10 2019
Dear parents,
This past weekend Mr. Mitchell Green, our Director of Students Language and Learning Support and I attended the AASSA teacher recruitment fair in Atlanta. Classroom teachers, the people who interact with your sons and daughters daily in the classes, in the subjects the are learning are the single most important element of a school. Schools can function without a lot of administration, but not without teachers. For this reason recruitment and retention of teachers is the single most important job of school administration.
We had a successful fair with several hires and had multiple interviews with excellent educators who we would have loved to have joined our team. Consistently candidates told us that the reputation of Cotopaxi, our model of inclusion, the quality of life in Quito, were strong drawing points. However it is a very competitive market for teachers and we face stiff competition from schools in more affluent markets, both here in South America and globally.
According to International School Research Foundation, in 1994, about when I started in international teaching, there were less than 1000 international schools. By 2000 there were 2584 schools with over 1 million students (receiving a combined $5 billion per year in tuition). In 2019 that number had grown to nearly 11,000 schools serving 6 million students (combined tuition of $50 billion/year). By 2028 there will be 17,000 international schools for 10 million students matched by a need for teachers growing from 450,000 today to 900,000.
To top it all off most experts predict an upcoming shortage in teachers, in the USA and around the world. Unfortunately, teaching does not receive the recognition or pay that it deserves. As a society, we must do our utmost to support teachers and attract the new talent, including our current students your sons and daughters, to be educators as well as retain young talent that all too often leave teaching within the first five years of teaching.
Currently the Board and administration is working on a new strategic plan to propel Academia Cotopaxi forward. Our goal is be the school of choice for educators who support inclusion, innovation, international mindedness, inquiry, and warm human interaction, all of which are part of our current mission and vision. The next few years at Academia Cotopaxi are going to be great.
Elementary School News
Posted on December 10 2019
Join us to visit the community of Zumbahua! This Sunday, December 15 we will visit the community of Zumbahua and we invite all families to attend.…
Read More...
Read Less...
Elementary School News
December 10 2019
Join us to visit the community of Zumbahua! This Sunday, December 15 we will visit the community of Zumbahua and we invite all families to attend. There is something very special that happens when we share with people who live in other places in Ecuador. We will bring the books that were collected as well as the food and candy bags. RSVP here
Celebrating the arts & Holiday Concerts
Stop by the auditorium with your child and enjoy a beautiful display of art pieces created by our students. Your child can share their painting or drawing and you will also appreciate the artwork of others.
You are cordially invited to this year’s Holiday Concerts which will be carried out by grades as follows:
December 19:
9:00-9:30 2nd Grade
9:40-10:10 5th Grade
10:50-11:20 1st Grade
11:30-12:00 4th Grade
12:10-12:40 3rd Grade
December 20
9:30-10:30 PreK/Kinder Concert
Please notify Ms. Robyn or Ms. Lacey ASAP if your child will not be in school for the concerts. rkammer@cotopaxi.k12.ec or liverson@cotopaxi.k12.ec
Children are encouraged to wear clothes that are festive or special for the concert. These are normal school day, so students should come in clothes that they can wear to play at recess. No high heeled shoes.
During the December 19 concerts, we ask that all parents exit the auditorium immediately following each concert to make space for the next audience. If you are waiting between concerts, you are welcome to get a treat and join a special holiday craft activity organized by PTSA in the Elementary Atelier.
Flu Prevention, a message from our Medical Office
Please keep in mind that there are important precautions to avoid spreading the Flu virus and other illnesses. If your child presents any symptoms of illness keep your child at home and see your doctor. Flu symptoms include any or all of the following: cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, joint pains or body aches, chills and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea may also be present.
The World Health Organization lists the following recommendations for prevention in addition to the vaccine, as well as, consultation with your doctor about treatment:
- Regular hand washing with proper drying of the hands
- Good respiratory hygiene – covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using tissues and disposing of them correctly
- Early self-isolation of those feeling unwell, feverish and having other symptoms of influenza
- Avoiding close contact with sick people
- Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth
At school, we take the following measures during Flu season:
- Medical Officers review recommendations for personal care and prevention with all students and staff. We included these recommendations from CDC (Center for Disease Control in our earlier email)
- Parents are always asked to keep children who are ill at home both for their wellness and the wellness of others
- Physical spaces (classes & common areas) are disinfected when cases are reported
- All classes have sanitizers installed
- Children who present flu symptoms at school are taken to the medical office and parents are contacted for pick-up and referred to their doctor
- Employees who present symptoms check with the medical office in order to determine if isolation is needed
- Every year, the school determines if we can offer a vaccination campaign and what the parameters are
- Measures are reviewed annually
Please note that this year’s vaccination campaign is limited to children under the age of 5. The vaccine will be provided by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud Publica). We do recommend that older children seek vaccination outside of school.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: medical@cotopaxi.k12.ec
Warm regards,
Paola de Pereira
Elementary School Principal
Middle School News
Posted on December 10 2019
I hope you all enjoyed some of last week’s festivities celebrating Quito. We certainly had fun learning several traditional Ecuadorian games and…
Read More...
Read Less...
Middle School News
December 10 2019
I hope you all enjoyed some of last week’s festivities celebrating Quito. We certainly had fun learning several traditional Ecuadorian games and trying a few new traditional snacks. A very big thank you to the MS Spanish department and our parent volunteers who made this event possible!
Routines, routines, routines… As parents, you know how important routines are to your child’s success, whether with completing homework at a specific time, or doing things as a family. These routines are absolutely critical at this time of the year. With all of the holiday happenings, it is easy to lose track of routines, and then we wonder why our children (or others in our lives!) are not being themselves. A great gift you can give your child is stability and routine, and save the late nights and extra events for the weekends and for the upcoming holiday break. We are almost there! :)
Join us to visit the community of Zumbahua! This Sunday, December 15 we will visit the community of Zumbahua and we invite all families to attend. There is something very special that happens when we share with people who live in other places in Ecuador. We will bring the books that were collected as well as the food and candy bags. RSVP here
Flu Prevention, a message from our Medical Office
Please keep in mind that there are important precautions to avoid spreading the Flu virus and other illnesses. If your child presents any symptoms of illness keep your child at home and see your doctor. Flu symptoms include any or all of the following: cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, joint pains or body aches, chills and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea may also be present.
The World Health Organization lists the following recommendations for prevention in addition to the vaccine, as well as, consultation with your doctor about treatment:
- Regular hand washing with proper drying of the hands
- Good respiratory hygiene – covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using tissues and disposing of them correctly
- Early self-isolation of those feeling unwell, feverish and having other symptoms of influenza
- Avoiding close contact with sick people
- Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth
At school, we take the following measures during Flu season:
- Medical Officers review recommendations for personal care and prevention with all students and staff. We included these recommendations from CDC (Center for Disease Control in our earlier email)
- Parents are always asked to keep children who are ill at home both for their wellness and the wellness of others.
- Physical spaces (classes & common areas) are disinfected when cases are reported.
- All classes have sanitizers installed.
- Children who present flu symptoms at school are taken to the medical office and parents are contacted for pick-up and referred to their doctor.
- Employees who present symptoms check with the medical office in order to determine if isolation is needed.
- Every year, the school determines if we can offer a vaccination campaign and what the parameters are.
- Measures are reviewed annually
Please note that this year’s vaccination campaign is limited to children under the age of 5. The vaccine will be provided by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública). We do recommend that older children seek vaccination outside of school.
Do not hesitate to contact if you have any questions, medical@cotopaxi.k12.ec.
With kind regards,
Sheryl
Sheryl Gruber
Middle School Principal
sgruber@cotpaxi.k12.ec
(593-2) 382-3270 ext. 2001
"We are responsible for being informed global citizens who understand and affect positive change."
High School News
Posted on December 10 2019
Dear Parents, We are now one week away from the semester 1 exams. We are getting closer and closer to the end. Let’s all make sure that we all…
Read More...
Read Less...
High School News
December 10 2019
Dear Parents,
We are now one week away from the semester 1 exams. We are getting closer and closer to the end. Let’s all make sure that we all finish strong. December 9 is the cut off date to submit any missing assignments. Students who still have incomplete assignments will be internally suspended, as per our policy.
Fiestas de Quito
While the Senior class beautifully won the 2019 Fiestas de Quito, the entire High School put on some great skits mixing cultural understanding, humour and quite impressive sets. The Cuarenta tournament attracted more participants than ever and Guillermo Chediak and Ms. Luna won the final last Wednesday in an epic game. Well done to them but also to all participants. 2019 was a great edition of the Fiestas de Quito. Thanks to everyone who contributed to its success.
Join us to visit the community of Zumbahua! This Sunday, December 15 we will visit the community of Zumbahua and we invite all families to attend. There is something very special that happens when we share with people who live in other places in Ecuador. We will bring the books that were collected as well as the food and candy bags. RSVP here
IB Corner
Our full IB Diploma Candidates have been working on their Extended Essay since early October and are meeting with their supervisors now. Mr. Voeller is inviting all Juniors writing the EE to come to school on December 19 and 20 to use as writing days to get a jump on their first draft which will be due in May.
College Counseling News - 12th Grade Parents
If your son or daughter is applying to a school with a deadline from January 1 to January 8, the last day Mr. Wasser will look at Personal Statements or Supplementary Essays is December 19. This is a firm internal deadline! Please encourage your student to plan accordingly if these deadlines pertain to them and best of luck to your student in these final weeks of their 1st semester. -Mr. Wasser
Athletics
AC Athletics Survey
Dear parents, I have sent you a survey regarding our Athletics Program. If you would please fill it out by next Friday at the latest, that would be very helpful. Thank you for your continued support!
Swimming
December 7-8 all day at St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul, MN
Saint Croix Swim Meet
QISSA Games
-December 9, 4:15 p.m. at Colegio Americano
Girls Varsity Soccer Semi-Finals vs. Colegio Americano
Boys JV Volleyball Semi-Finals vs. Colegio Americano
-December 11, 4:15 p.m. at (TBD)
Boys JV Volleyball 3rd place game and Finals
-December 12, 4:15 p.m. at (TBD)
Girls Varsity Soccer 3rd place game and Finals
Flu Prevention, a message from our Medical Office
Please keep in mind that there are important precautions to avoid spreading the Flu virus and other illnesses. If your child presents any symptoms of illness keep your child at home and see your doctor. Flu symptoms include any or all of the following: cough, sore throat, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, joint pains or body aches, chills and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea may also be present.
The World Health Organization lists the following recommendations for prevention in addition to the vaccine, as well as, consultation with your doctor about treatment:
- Regular hand washing with proper drying of the hands
- Good respiratory hygiene – covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using tissues and disposing of them correctly
- Early self-isolation of those feeling unwell, feverish and having other symptoms of influenza
- Avoiding close contact with sick people
- Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth
At school, we take the following measures during Flu season:
- Medical Officers review recommendations for personal care and prevention with all students and staff. We included these recommendations from CDC (Center for Disease Control in our earlier email)
- Parents are always asked to keep children who are ill at home both for their wellness and the wellness of others.
- Physical spaces (classes & common areas) are disinfected when cases are reported.
- All classes have sanitizers installed.
- Children who present flu symptoms at school are taken to the medical office and parents are contacted for pick-up and referred to their doctor.
- Employees who present symptoms check with the medical office in order to determine if isolation is needed.
- Every year, the school determines if we can offer a vaccination campaign and what the parameters are.
- Measures are reviewed annually
Please note that this year’s vaccination campaign is limited to children under the age of 5. The vaccine will be provided by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública). We do recommend that older children seek vaccination outside of school.
Do not hesitate to contact if you have any questions, medical@cotopaxi.k12.ec.
Thank you,
Fred Bordaguibel
High School Principal
