by escuelacaracol | Jun 18, 2020 | UPDATES
Oxlajuj is the representation of the movement of the universe and the cosmos. In the Mayan cosmovision, the Oxlajuj represents the 13 positions and the 13 powers of the Sun in an ascending form; The Maya Cholqui’j calendar, one of the most accurate in the history of humanity, is made up of 13 months of 20 days each, the facts previously exposed briefly illustrates the importance of the number 13 for our ancestral culture. For the cosmovision, 13 represents change, transformation, evolution, ascension, spiritual journeys, messages from other planes, dreams, and signs; this is the number of the transformation. Within Anthroposophy, 13 represents the last step before starting the third septennium, in which our school will dive into the adolescence, running into the adult age as an institution and as an almost autonomous being, arising as a motor for the development fo the intellect and all the human qualities of a borderless community. This year, Escuela Caracol celebrates its thirteenth anniversary. Having coincided with the current moment humanity is going through cannot be seen as a bad omen, this has to bee seen as a foresight addressing to our beloved school’s transformation, walking towards times of growth and of great light, in which Mayan boys and girls from the western region of the Guatemalan highlands will continue to receive the tools to grow and develop holistically in an environment of love and respect, to become, as they grow, beacons of light for their communities, for their people, and for humanity. Happy 13th anniversary, Escuela...
by escuelacaracol | May 12, 2020 | UPDATES
We cannot let the current circumstances tear us apart and break with the affection, love, and trust that we have built within the classrooms. Our kindergarten teachers have been very aware of their Caracolitos, the role they have taken now focuses on accompanying the parents. Teacher Sandra Pérez tells us in a short text, how the relationship between the youngest students of our school and their teachers have continued developing: The emotion of the boys and girls when seeing and talking with their teachers is of pure happiness. Upon receiving the call, they talk about what they have done at home lately: taking care of the gardens, caring for the house’s animals, and helping mom and dad with other chores. In some children, shyness appears when they see or listen to their teacher, it is at this moment that we ask mom or dad about what is going on, they, in most of the cases answer the same, the Caracolitos are missing Escuela Caracol, their classmates, and their teachers. Some parents also thank us for being aware of what is happening with their children and for guiding them with activities to do with the children. We have tried to continue as planned. Recently we sent the tale “La Semillita” in audio * and text to all our students; the parents, kindly read the story and sang the songs to the Caracolitos. A question has been constantly being heard in our student’s homes: Mom, Dad, when will we return to Escuela Caracol? We want to thank our families for the support and interest in continuing with the nurturing of their...
by escuelacaracol | May 12, 2020 | UPDATES
The gardens and paths of the School are impatiently waiting for the return of our Caracolitos and Caracolitas, the silence, even though it has been of great pleasure for our wild friends, is not something that the soul of our school enjoys. The gardens and pathways have been in constant repair; We will all see and enjoy the long-awaited return when the processes of nature allow us, as long as we can be sure that our boys and girls will not be in any extraordinary danger. Our dear Chico has done a great job. The front wall has been remodeled, the gardens cared for with great love, and the paths have been widened to allow our growing number of students to move comfortably within the beautiful gardens. Very soon we will return to play and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this magical corner of the...
by escuelacaracol | May 12, 2020 | UPDATES
“To truly know the world, look deeply within your own being; to truly know yourself, take real interest in the world.” R. Steiner. Moving between towns around the lake has turned out to be a very difficult task since the measures to prevent Covid-19 from spreading in the region began. Even though the official command only reached the prohibition to mobilize between departments, the municipal governments have taken more drastic measures with the sole intention of protecting local populations. Escuela Caracol students come from different towns in the western region of Lake Atitlán and have very limited access to the technologies proposed to be the communication channels to continue with the pedagogical processes of learning-teaching. These conditions have made the communication between teachers and students a difficult task, however, after analyzing the situation and investing lots of effort, our teachers found the channels and ways to continue with this labor. The way adopted to execute this plan was to continue using the materials traditionally materials found in the classroom; notebooks, crayons, pencils, among others, sending them to our students through some kind of mail were the teachers would act as messengers, designating a region or destination for each one in which they would be in charge of distributing the “pedagogical packages” for boys and girls, as well as visiting the homes of our little Caracolitos to learn at first-hand about the current situation of our families*, and to resolve possible doubts regarding the content or the assignments; always following each of the measures of distancing and care recommended so as not to endanger our communities or ourselves. * If...
by escuelacaracol | May 12, 2020 | UPDATES
Kim D’Angelo is a person who has earned a very important place in the heart of Escuela Caracol. She is a Spanish teacher at the Emerson Waldorf School in North Carolina, Year after year she organizes a trip with students from various Waldorf Schools from the United States to visit our school, Kim is also an unofficial ambassador of our School, sharing information to students and parents in their community whenever she can. A few months ago we received an email from Kim, in which he told us about one of her students, Niki Chan, who promoted a beautiful pottery project from which all the earnings were destined to support Escuela Caracol. Next, we want to share with you an e_mail Mr. Henry Chan, Niki’s father, sent to Kim. — Hi Senora D’Angelo! Thank you so much for being the advocate for such an important Waldorf school for Guatemala and that region. You have planted the seed in Niki’s heart to help ever since the Spanish Market at the Gazebo a few years ago and various lessons and school activities. Ikumi and I are so touched by Niki’s serving heart and generosity to contribute his work to supporting that school’s need in order to provide Waldorf education to so many children. I wrote up a little summary, feel free to share or paraphrase. Throughout the Summer of 2019, Niki worked as a junior mentor at the summer camps at Sarah’s House of Clay, each weekday from 9am to 3pm, often stayed longer. Niki has used over 90 pounds of clay to craft dozens of exquisite pottery items, from mugs and bowls to...
