A new school year begins … at PURA VIDA, it starts with a generous breakfast, a joint exchange of vacation news, getting acquainted with new students, teachers and classrooms.
This is followed by the Welcome Assembly, with greetings, and extensive information about school, the special start up days and the upcoming Alpstein hike.
Students organize their workspaces, binders and school supplies are labeled and subject folders are decorated. Independence and order are integral parts of PURA VIDA, so we use study cards in all subjects to ensure we’re all working towards the same learning targets.
Through play, we get to know each other better. We spend our breaks out in our wonderful garden. We set up our email accounts, so we can get our assignments via email. We discuss school rules and our school’s values. We gradually get back into the routine of school, get used to our new classes, new people and structures.
Thank goodness, the weather’s cooperating! Thursday and Friday, we spend two fantastic days in the Alpstein, getting to know each other better. We chat, sweat, swim, play, share commonalities, laugh, motivate each other, have fun, keep each other going admire the great outdoors … PURA VIDA!
From Wasserauen, the younger students go on to the Seealpsee. The older students ride up to the Ebenalp and hike to the Seealpsee to rejoin the others for lunch and swimming. Then, refreshed, we make our way to the Ebenalp, up, up, up … we made it! The older students make their way up, up, up, until … the gorgeous Meglisalp! Amazing views, games and dinner together, everyone falls into bed exhausted – good night. The next day greets us with more blue skies, sunshine and good moods. Time to head back down – to a refreshing swim in the Seealpsee and then back down to the train station.
