Hoping for a quick return to the Alejandro Tapia y Rivera school

The community of La Parguera in Lajas is on hold after the sudden closure of the Alejandro Tapia y Rivera school a few weeks ago. Students and families haven't lost hope for a quick return to the space that allowed them a safe and quiet physical come back.

The neighboring community, university professors, students and families are carrying out countless peaceful activities like construction of posters, paintings, letters, vigils and videos to uphold the request to the Department of Education (DE) for a quick re-opening of the school. 

Leslie Ostolaza, mother of a Secondary student, has witnessed how families have come together to seek alternatives and take the message to the correct forums in a respectful way. 

''We have never felt alone, like a family should be, Montessori. We have received messages of encouragement and support. It has been a struggle and the students have seen that they are not alone and have been able to know for sure the meaning of what community is.''

At this time the community is waiting for the report of the structural engineer of the DE, power restoration and the DE instruction to return. 

This space in the Alejandro Tapia y Rivera school is very important for the optimal learning of Secondary students, there they have space to be able to coexist in distance, in contact with nature and "rooms without walls" that can continue to function even after earth movements.

It is an ideal place to carry out the Montessori project for Secondary, known as “Erdkinder” or children of the earth. Their curriculum is nourished by tangible, rich experiences with the land and the sea. Joining the faculty are marine science professors, local farmers, leaders from organizations like Sea Grant and Para la Naturaleza, and the area's top fishermen. 

Alejandro Tapia y Rivera will be a model of a Montessori middle and high school for other schools on the island and around the world. 

The experience of dreaming and building the school has been one of great growth for young people, their families and guides acknowledge. Participating in petitions to the government, community work, working hand in hand with their guides has given life to concepts such as democracy and citizen participation. They learn while they build. 

Participating in meetings like the one they had with government official Chris Soto has created awareness of the state of education in the world, in the US and in Puerto Rico. It has made them feel part of the solution to extreme questions and situations that are being experienced, especially in the south of the island.

"This has opened their eyes to know that not only are they going through difficult times, but that education in Puerto Rico is going through an extremely difficult time," said Leslie, English guide at Secondary.