Mexico Educational Exchange

Destination: Juan de la Barrera Primary School, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Trip Date: February 21-25, 2011
Informational Meeting: November 1, 6:30pm, Room 205
Registration Opens: November 3, 7:30am

Preparations are underway for the annual trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The trip is planned for Winter Break (Feb. 21-25, 2011) and is open to all JSIS students and their families. Students attend a half-day of classes at our sister school, Juan de la Barrera (JB). Parents are encouraged to volunteer, either in the classroom or helping to improve the school grounds and infrastructure.

An informational meeting will be held Monday, November 1 at 6:30pm. The meeting is open to everyone whether you are considering going, would like to get involved in the planning, or involved in strengthening the sister school relationship.

Registration opens on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:30am and is on a first come first served basis.

Please find below a list of Frequently Asked Questions from previous years. If you have any further questions, please contact Erin Branigan (braniganerin@yahoo.com), PTSA Committee Chair for Educational Exchange.

How much will the trip cost?

There will be a non-refundable deposit for each person going on the trip (approx. $35 each). Children under 2 years of age are exempt, and the fee is capped at $140 per family.  This money is used to pay for the airfare for the JSIS staff/faculty  going on the trip. You are responsible for your own airfare, hotel, transportation, and meals. Airfare is currently about $575 round-trip; hotel costs about $65 per night per room. Ground transportation costs via bus are minimal; meals can vary from tacos from a street vendor ($2.50), to dinner at a nice restaurant ($15-20 each). 

Where will we stay?

We stay at the Posada de Roger in old-town Puerto Vallarta (PV). Since we reserve as a group, the hotel gives us a free room for the JSIS staff/faculty and a discounted rate for other rooms if at least 10 families stay there. Last year, rooms were about $60 per night. We will make the reservations for you, may need payment in advance  to get the discount. The modest hotel is located near many restaurants, 4 blocks from the beach, and 10 blocks from a grocery store. There is a swimming pool, shared kitchen, and attached restaurant. http://www.hotelposadaderoger.com/.

How do I sign up?

We'll announce the posting of a sign-up sheet at the JSIS front desk, probably in early November, and you'll need to pay the deposit at the time of registration. We'll need at least 40 participants, and a maximum of 25 JSIS students, for the trip to succeed. Siblings of JSIS students are welcome to accompany families, although younger children will need proper supervision, and older children may be asked to volunteer in some capacity.

Do I need a passport?

Yes.

What is the health situation? Do I need vaccinations?

For the latest information, see http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mexico.aspx.

What if I don't speak Spanish?

PV has a very developed tourist infrastructure and most store, restaurant, and hotel staff speak English. However, the school is located in a disadvantaged area of PV and most students and teachers do not speak English. There are usually several Spanish speakers among the teachers and parents. Although JSIS Japanese students have participated successfully in the past, most JSIS students are from the Spanish track. 

What is a typical day like?
  • Wake up at 6:30am
  • Meet in the hotel courtyard at 6:45am
  • Get on the city bus to school at 7:00am
  • Arrive at school at 8:00am and enjoy some recess before class starts.
  • Attend class 8:30am to 12:30pm
  • Take bus back to hotel, arriving around 1:30pm
  • Free time all afternoon for swimming, sight-seeing, shopping, etc.
Do the kids go to school everyday?

Yes, we require students to go to school each day they are in Puerto Vallarta.

Will the kids be with their friends in class?

Yes, but they will sit with a JB student. The school is for children grades 1 to 6. Some of the JSIS 5th graders may be put in the 6th grade classroom, and K students will be placed in first grade.

Do parents go to school everyday?

Parents do not have to go to school every day if they can find another adult to be responsible for their child(ren). Participating in a volunteer project is highly encouraged, however.

What do parents do while kids are in class?
  • Parents do a service project for the school. In past years we have cleaned and painted exterior walls and classrooms, picked up trash, and planted a garden. In 2011 we may help improve the IT infrastructure at the school.
  • Parents are also asked to organize one art project for each classroom at Juan de la Barrera. You can work with the other families in your grade.
  • JSIS holds a plant sale in the Spring to raise money for Juan de la Barrera. During the trip we discuss with the school officials how best to use it for the benefit of the school community.

 

Are there other planned events?
  • Sunday evening at 7pm we usually have a meeting at the hotel.
  • Monday morning there is usually a flag ceremony at the school and some welcome speeches. We sing the National Anthem.
  • You may be able to go on a tour of the neighborhood and the municipal landfill nearby.
  • Friday morning there is usually a performance and lunch for the families prepared by the teachers.
  • Often the school organizes outings for the JSIS families, such as visits to beaches, dance performances, etc.
Can I design my own trip?

Yes. We do not purchase plane tickets together, so families are free to schedule their arrival and departure days. In the past, some families have arrived a few days early or stayed later, in order to spend more time in PV or visit other towns up and down the coast and in the mountains.

What will the weather be like?

Puerto Vallarta is always about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in February. It is cool in the mornings when we have to get on the bus so pack a warm sweater.