CASA MONTESSORI de VIEQUES

 

                                                                                                   12 December 2006

 

Gustavo Marin Mendez

Vice President

Casa Montessori de Vieques

P. O. Box 1578

Vieques, P. R. 00765-1578

 

Dear Friends,

 

With this letter our staff, at Casa Montessori de Vieques (CMV), wishes to share with you our goals, needs, and intent.

 

Casa Montessori De Vieques is the first Montessori school project to be established in Vieques island.

 

The idea is bourn out of what we at CMV view as a dire need to establish an alternative and successful schooling system in Vieques. We recognize several challenges (some unique to Vieques) that need to be overcome and have helped to bring about our resolve:

 

1) The unfortunate systemic failure of our public education system is becoming more of a hindrance than a vehicle to competent education;

 

2) The economic underdevelopment (now, finally, at the beginning of its end) that Vieques endures and its social implications; and

 

3) A circumspect or perhaps cynical view, held by many (and some influential) local residents, of the future opportunities that socioeconomic progress in Vieques will offer, and the risk that such a view becomes pervasive.

 

We at CMV are convinced that the changes taking place in Vieques can only be directed and sustained successfully, if a proper education can be provided to most.

 

The Montessori method offers such an opportunity. Its vision of education is that of preparation for life. The child receives the tools needed to develop inner maturity. It fosters a child's innate creativity and natural desire for learning. The principles that guide Montessori are based in the natural, individual development of a child.

 

Our goal is to begin mid January, 2007 with a class of up to twelve preschool children. We are staffed with a certified Montessori Method instructor. We have acquired a premises in the Esperanza neighborhood. The Escuelas Hermanas Foundation, with its other thirteen Montessori schools throughout Puerto Rico, has adopted Casa Montessori de Vieques as its sister school and The Banco Popular Foundation has donated most of our teaching equipment and materials.

 

Yearly operating costs are estimated to be $60,000.00. This amount divided by twelve students (the largest number our site can hold for now) sets tuition at $5,000.00 per child, per school year. Most parents in Vieques do not have the means to pay such a sum.

Our staff believes that it is the disadvantaged children that would benefit the most, if allowed access to good education. Our aim is to provide full or partial scholarships to most, if not all. Nonetheless $60,000.00 is a quantity not currently at our disposal.

 

We are appealing, for financial support, to those who have an interest in the betterment of our community. A way to do this is by sponsoring a student and paying his or her tuition.

A year's tuition of $5,000.00 or a semester's tuition of $2,500.00 or one Vieques child would greatly aid CMV in its goal to provide a fine and reasonable education to those who need it most, our young and underprivileged. What ever amount you are able to contribute will be of great assistance.

 

Checks should be made payable to "Casa Montessori de Vieques" and sent to PO Box 1578, Vieques, PR 00765.  As we approach the end of 2006 it is important to also note all contributions to Casa Montessori de Vieques are tax deductible. Please consider including this important Vieques effort in your year-end giving.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gustavo Marin