There are two main buildings for classrooms, a basketball/volleyball court and a cafeteria. The buildings here are much more open to the outdoors because the weather is warm year-round. Having lots of open windows is essential for cooling down classrooms that don't have air conditioning. The school is run by my directora (Principal) and supported by the coordinadoras and orientadoras (secretaries and counselors). There's also a psicologia (psychologist) who acts as a guidance counselor. The school also has janitors, lunch ladies and a portero (the man who opens and closes the school gates). The staff works together as a team to make sure the school is a safe and fun place to learn.
What do students enjoy doing in the DR? Here, students like playing sports like baseball, basketball and volleyball. They also like learning dances on TikTok, listening to music and hanging out with friends. Art and video games are also popular. Personally, one of my favorite parts of the day is lunch. The cafeteria usually serves rice, beans and meat, though sometimes there are also hard-boiled eggs and salad. For breakfast, the students receive a masa (bread/cookie) and leche (milk carton). Teachers also enjoy a cafecito (small cup of coffee) in the morning.
I hope this journal has helped you to learn about what school is like in the DR. While the full-day school schedule is still a work in progress, the Dominican government is dedicated to making sure that every child receives a quality education.
