Trace Graduates Secundaria!

Well, that is a wrap!  Trace has completed "Secundaria".  Secundaria, the Mexico system, are grades 7-9.  I was figuring this out the other day.  Trace spent one year in the public system, 5 years with Escuela del Mundo and now has completed 5 years with Costa Verde.  As much as he complains about school he has always been an A student in most subjects and has always contributed positively in class.

Like his sister before him he will be working with the online highs school program called Laurel Springs for 10th grade beginning at the end of the summer.  Trace is very independent socially but also likes to run with friends at school so we are not sure how the online program will play out for him.  We shall see.

It seems like yesterday we were in the same beautiful location for Trace's graduation from "Primaria"  when he completed 6th grade just 3 years ago.  Since then so much of the world has had to go to school online or in some cases not even gone to school thanks to COVID.  We couldn't have imagined that would have happened to these kids in the last few years.  They have endured a lot and it is clear they have come out successfully on the other side of that mess.

Several of Trace's classmates have followed the same path the last 10 years and graduated the same evening so it was bitter sweet to see these families for perhaps the last time in a school setting.  From there the graduates will scatter.  Some will be online like Trace, some will attend private schools closer to Puerto Vallarta and some will attend "Prepa" the public high school right here in Sayulita.  Some may decide on a different path altogether.  Such are the way of things when these kids complete 9th grade.  

Both of the kids attending online programs next school year will allow for a lot more schedule flexibility. Opportunities to do some of the things we have been waiting to do like really travel will begin to open up as well.  As much as Ashley and I loved our HS experience we know that the kids attending online school will help the develop some skills that will carry over into whatever they decide to do after their high school years.  Pretty excited to see what the future holds for this family in the next year.

Alex's Public Speaking Engagement At Local Fundraising Event

 This last week Alex was asked to be a speaker at the annual fundraiser for the Costa Verde International School's student scholarship fund.  CVIS is the school that she graduated from almost two years ago and where Trace will graduate from later this year.  She was one of two student speakers who presented during the evening.  She had done a couple meetings with a school parent to help write and prepare for what ended up being a packed house of several hundred school supporters. 

Alex totally knocked it out of the park!!  Ashley was filming on one side of the event and I was filming on the other thus the two videos from different perspectives.  Almost a week later Ashley and I still receive comments about Alex's speech.  She was so comfortable speaking to a large, attentive crowd even with the distractions of dinner being served.  Such composure for anyone in front of a crowd like this!  Early estimates were that it was a record breaking event for the school!  Go Alex!

Alex Graduates Secundaria - June 2020

Well, that's a wrap.  The next level of school for Alex ended this week with a small, parent organized ceremony of the graduates, only a few parents and teachers.  "Secundaria" is considered 7th-9th grades and would be similar to Junior High School.  It is the last grade that Alex and her classmates are able to attend at Costa Verde International School aka CVIS.

Alex is standing 5th from the left.

Alex graduates with her good friend Ava, who she has been friends with since diapers.  Her friend, Luna, is also part of this class and has been with Alex during all her years at Escuela del Mundo and CVIS.  Some of these graduates have been together since beginning school and now everyone is going in separate directions for 10th grade.  Some are headed off to Canada, the US or other parts of Mexico. Some will attend school locally or commute to high school options between Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta.

Alex and her "sister" Ava.

Like everyone else the kids have been home completing the school year online due to Mexico schools closing in March.  During this time Alex was able to make up ground with her advanced online Chemistry course.  A course outside the normal curriculum that was recommended to a small group of students by a teacher who left school mid year.  This left Alex to make her way though a demanding online science course on her own with no teacher support and her parents 35+ years removed from high school Chemistry and math.  She busted her ass and finished the course just before this party began and we are beyond impressed.  In the last few months she learned so much about managing time and how to take courses online.  A daily struggle turned into a major success that will help her at her next school which will be totally online.

Starting at the end of August Alex will be attending Laurel Springs Online School.  A decision that was made mostly by Alex.  All the area school options required a minimum commute of about 35-40 minutes one way on a road known for it's slow truck traffic and accidents.  A commute twice a day that we were not really comfortable with.  Alex really wasn't prepared to spend upwards of 1.5 hours each day in a car either followed by sitting down to complete her daily homework assignments.  This would really make it tough for Alex to pursue other things she enjoys as well.  So, we will see how it goes this first year.  We have had good reports from some families who use the school in the area. After completing her online Chemistry course she is so much better prepared to take on a full course load via this format.  Until then she has a couple months off and enjoy summer without the stress of her studies.  Felicidades Secundaria Class de CVIS of 2020!!

2020 Algalita International Youth Summit on Plastic Pollution

Alex was off again to Dana Point, California this weekend and it was not with a paddle board.  It was for the 2020 Algalita International Youth Summit on Plastic Pollution.  She is part of a group from her school, Costa Verde International School, that is attending the 3 day Summit.  She was part of the group last year as well and thought so much of it she decided she wanted to be part of it again

Below is a Day One video recap from the Summit.  It is only about one minute long, super energetic and shows the kids attending from all over the world during some of the day's activities.  At about the 46 second mark Alex can be seen speaking on a microphone on stage.  She was soo excited about that!  You can enlarge the video as well.

The group of 6 students raised the funds for the trip through bake goods sales, movie night, online donations and concert ticket auctions.  (Thank you Bee-Bah for your donation)  Two teachers also accompanied the group to California as well.  An amazing opportunity for these kids to get out of our small town and meet kids from all over the globe.  We cannot wait to hear the stories when they get back home to Mexico.

Trace Graduates Primaria!

A big day for our T-man! Trace and his 6th grade classmates graduated from the Primaria to the Secundaria last night in a ceremony here in Sayulita. Basically it is the Mexican equivalent of moving from Elementary Schools to Junior High School.

Trace in his floppy graduation gown.

The event was at one of the most scenic spots in town.  With 5 kids having left for the season or not able to attend a small group of only 16 kids received certificates as the friends and families in attendance cheered for each graduate.  The class is small but they are a group who really seem to have a good time together and hopefully that will continue into next year in grade 7.

Following the 6th graders were the 9th graders who were graduating from the Secundaria so their families and friends were in attendance as well.  One of the things that we noticed standing and looking at the crowd of parents and students was how many of them we knew from the three different schools we have attended during our time here.  There were parents and kids who we knew from the public Kindergarten, Escuela del Mundo as well as CVIS.  Some of these kids we have known since our first or second year here.  We have really met so many different people and have made so many relationships along the way.

Trace also had to sadly say goodbye to a few classmates as well and his teachers, Ms. Laura and Mr. Richard, who he really, really liked. 'Tis the season for change as the end of the school year usually corresponds with folks moving on from their time in Sayulita.  Fortunately, it sounds like this group will stay mostly intact next year as they step up to take on more demanding challenges at school in the Secundaria.

Trace receives his diploma.  Watch on full screen.

A great end of the year video by their teacher, Ms. Laura.  Watch on full screen.

Trace "Got Game"!

At the kid's school there are clubs offered.  Trace participates in two of them.  One of them is photography and the other is basketball.  That's right, basketball.  A perfectly normal sport to play for most kids growing up but I know of only two hoops in the entire town.  Surfing and soccer are easily the most popular here.  Growing up it seemed like we were always watching the Boston Celtics on TV.  Every school yard and park had several courts or at least hoops to shoot at.  From the time I was in 5th grade we played basketball in gym class and intramural leagues were offered after school.  I even played on teams in high school not that I was really very good.  We always had a hoop in the driveway as did many families.  If I was bored going outside to shoot a few baskets was always an option. Not so much here.

Having really no previous experience with the sport, Trace has really taken to the basketball club program, his coach and learning a new activity that is not on the water.  Shocker!!  Basketball is also his first real "team" sport as well.  Athletics, especially team sports, teaches important lessons growing up so I have always felt good about the kids getting involved in anything they have an interest in.  Most of their activities have been group sports but not necessarily ones where you rely on other team mates during competition.  Certainly a different experience for Trace.

Photo by Paula.  Trace on the right.

The basketball club traveled to its first real games away from school this week and Trace was pretty excited.  Ashley was out of town and I was waiting on contractors at the house so we were not able to attend but Trace came back super stoked about the whole experience.  He played with the kids his own age and then played with the older kids as well to fill in when someone needed a rest.  He had comments about the game, the reffing, the other team's players and even the equipment.  I have never really heard him "talk basketball" before so it was fun to listen and ask him game related questions and get real game experience answers.

Photo by Paula.  Trace center.

His club team sounds like it will be participating in a real basketball tournament at the end of March. Efforts to get uniforms made up are even underway!  We will make sure we will be there for that but at the same time try not put any pressure on him with family cheering for him and the team.  Looks like I will have to go to watch a game or two with him during the NBA playoffs at the Sayulita Public House so we can talk hoops over tacos, tequila and a lemonade.

School Year 2018-2019 Begins!

It was a blur.  Just like that the summer is over.  School has begun and the kids are back at it.  Alex is now in 8th grade, Trace is in 6th and they will attend Costa Verde International School again.  We can't believe we started this adventure when they were in 1st grade and preschool age.  Big kids now. Looking forward to another good year!

Freshmen

As I have said before we are just one family who decided to move to Mexico from where we were before.  There are lots of people like us here though to many we seem unique or adventurous.  We decided to "just do it" and after that we learned and adapted the best we could in our new country.

We have been here 6 years so we have been here longer than some and not as long as many.  What is unique about this particular year is that the kids are at a new school, Costa Verde International School (CVIS).  We are a new family to the school yet we know most of the kids and families enrolled there and we have had 6 years of living in Sayulita experience.  Much more Mexico living experience than many of the first year families at school.

Through this blog, some fortunate chance meetings and introductions along the way we have met many "first year" families who arrived this year and also have their children in CVIS.  I kiddingly refer to them at "Freshman".  We are kind of like the 25 year old who has decided to go back to school for a second major in something totally different than the first time around.  We already know our way around campus, know many of the upper classmen and faculty and where things are.  We have a big head start on the Freshman and getting settled the first year can be overwhelming at times with new faces and new surroundings.

That said, it has been great to meet these new people and see their enthusiasm as many of them start their own adventure.  It's great to listen and learn from their experiences compared to our own and how they handled certain things and who they have met along the way.  We really like the people who we have met but everyone has their own timeline as far as how long they will be in Sayulita.  I've seen some come only for one school year and they are still here years later and have no intention of ever leaving Mexico.  I've also seen some folks arrive intending on staying permanently only to see them burn out, pack up and move on.  Sayulita is not for everybody and The Vortex is at work constantly.  Kind of a downer knowing that there is a chance many of the new people we enjoy hanging with now might be down the road by the beginning of the next school year when the new "Freshman" arrive.  Such is the way of things in Sayulita.

First Day of School At CVIS - August 2017

Today the kids went off to their new school, Costa Verde International School.  It is a private school here in Sayulita.  They will attend class for a half day in English and half the day in Spanish.  It will be a much more demanding curriculum for the kids and totally different socially with a lot more kids to interact with at all grade levels.  They both spent 5 years at Escuela del Mundo and the campus, staff and kids were all very comfortable for them. It will be all new this year but they do know many of the kids, some of the staff and will be able to find their way around the small campus with ease by the end of the week.  Saw lots of friendly parent faces this morning too welcoming us to our new school.  A new world for them and us.

Sorry my phone's camera is so bad.