Siter Schools

The sister school program at Meridian has two purposes: to broaden students’ awareness of the world by creating connections with foreign schools and to foster compassion by finding ways to support some of their needs when necessary. After three years of supporting one school in Nepal, we decided to find our sister school in a Spanish-speaking country to inspire students and provide a real-life communication purpose for learning Spanish.

In 2006 we initiated our relationship with Instituto Alexander Von Humboldt in Barranquilla, Colombia. Colombia is the home country of Yaneth Vrentas, our K-2 Spanish instructor and Director of Diversity. During spring break of 2006, Yaneth and Eilene Glasgow, first-grade teacher, visited the Humboldt school and created a more real and personal connection. Since then, Meridian and Humboldt students have exchanged letters, postcards, and videos sharing about themselves and their cultures.

The two schools have also partnered in international projects. For example, during 2007-2008 the two schools and an African school joined together in a Service Learning project focusing on water issues. The third grade students and their teachers developed a water unit that included exchanging information about the water issues in their own countries. The two schools also collected funds by selling old clothes, toys and water bottles donated by local stores. This money was donated to the foundation Water First International helping one specific community in Ethiopia to have access to clean water.

Humboldt is the only public school in Colombia for gifted students. In spite of a lack of books, out-of-date computers, and many other amenities that are standard in schools here, the Humboldt students excel in country-wide academic competitions and exhibit a true love of learning and desire to succeed. All classes, kindergarten through fifth grade, study English. During the last three years, Meridian students have collected funds through the Change for Change program and have assisted Humboldt with 20 scholarships, 3 computers, internet connection, books for the library, and funds to renovate their bathrooms.

We hope to continue our sister school program through future visits, possible exchanges, and ongoing support. For more information or questions about this program, please contact Yaneth Vrentas or Marilyn Easton.