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As we reopen, we are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on our campus. Luckily, the rainy season is ending and we will be soon entering the dry season. What does that mean? That we will be able to be outdoors as much as possible!
Learning more about the aerosol spread of the virus has encouraged us to take many precautions such as:
Learning more about the aerosol spread of the virus has encouraged us to take many precautions such as:
- Classroom time and therapeutic groups conducted in outdoor ranchos and covered (but open-air) spaces.
- Social distance spacing at meal tables (in our open-air dining hall).
- Mask wearing by all staff at all times and students as well when in off campus situations.
- Outdoor recreation and cultural immersion will only be implemented in outdoor activities with proper social distancing.
- Campus modifications: More night-time lighting to allow for more time spent outdoors after dark, more fans for better ventilation, designating bathrooms to specific groups of people, and spreading out dorm placements in a way that provides ample personal air space but also does not leave students isolated or lonely.
We're excited to reopen and feel optimistic about all that Costa Rica and NSA has to offer during this stressful global pandemic.
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December 1 is our 4th album release in almost 16 years! We've sold some tickets for our December concert and are fine-tuning our playlists with the band, back up singers, stage hands and all the rest! Let's take a look back at the first 3 albums and why you're going to love the 4th even more...
NSA 1.0 was released on January 1, 2005, when NSA first opened its doors to 11 students and their families. Young, inspired, energetic and ambitious, we pumped ourselves up with hits like:
- Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Something,"
- "Let's Get it Started" by the Black Eyed Peas, &
- "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac.
- Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Something,"
- "Let's Get it Started" by the Black Eyed Peas, &
- "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac.
NSA 2.0 was released in 2012 as we moved into our newly built campus and opened our young adult Bridge program. We psyched ourselves up with:
- the Jefferson's theme song, "Moving On Up"
- and then slowed it down with hits like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel &
- "Home" by Phillip Phillips
- the Jefferson's theme song, "Moving On Up"
- and then slowed it down with hits like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel &
- "Home" by Phillip Phillips
NSA 3.0 - The 2020 COVID COHORT! The COVID lockdown brought out our inner divas as we discoed our way through
- "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees,
- Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and
- REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)"
... all while playing corn hole, horseshoes, ladder golf, and gathering to make S'mores around our fire pit.
- "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees,
- Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and
- REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)"
... all while playing corn hole, horseshoes, ladder golf, and gathering to make S'mores around our fire pit.
NSA 4.0 - Now, as we prepare for our post-covid-lockdown December 1st release, we are inspired to begin again - with a return to our roots, an even more powerful purpose, and lots of inspiration. Listen to our rendition of
- "Don't Stop Believin'" (no, it's not as good as the Glee cast!),
- "I'll Rise" by Ben Harper (a la Maya Angelou)
- "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, &
- "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles
- "Don't Stop Believin'" (no, it's not as good as the Glee cast!),
- "I'll Rise" by Ben Harper (a la Maya Angelou)
- "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, &
- "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles
One of the the things of which we are proud is our commitment to life-long learning, and that isn't only for our students! Each version of NSA is a result of a reflective, systemic process of self-examination, feedback from our stakeholders, and research on best practices.
NSA 4.0 is a result of this process in our team as we decided to take advantage of the opportunity that the COVID hibernation brought us. You will not be disappointed as NSA 4.0 brings to the forefront:
NSA 4.0 is a result of this process in our team as we decided to take advantage of the opportunity that the COVID hibernation brought us. You will not be disappointed as NSA 4.0 brings to the forefront:
- even more intentional integration within our program,
- relationship-based humility in our activities and cultural immersion,
- a continued commitment to diversity among our staff and students,
- a renewed commitment to open, mindful communication and collaboration,
- Dr. Danny Recio's new position dedicated to tending the fire of a healthy community culture at both NSA & The Bridge,
- the same high quality service and connection you are used to, and
- an exciting revamp of the weekly schedule to empower students to take more ownership in building their own healthy lifestyles and create more space for experiential learning!