Category: Administration - New Summit Academy Costa Rica

NSA 4.0 - Our latest release coming December 1!

11/12/2020

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.

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

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.

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

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:

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!

From Solos to SnapChat: Guiding Re-entry into a Technological World

5/9/2020

Martin Naffziger, M.Ed., and Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.D., presented in early 2020 at the annual NATSAP conference. The topic? Once through wilderness, how do we guide students back into the realities of our technological world?

Dr. Tracy presented the latest research on the positive and negative effects of technology use as well as presented a framework for how to assess and discuss intentionally moderate use.

Martin Naffziger then outlined how New Summit Academy re-introduces technology into student lives in an intentionally gradual way using process-based scaffolding. Enjoy!

Enrollments Open May 15

4/22/2020

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and all the back up plans and risk management required, our updated date for accepting enrollments is May 15 so that NSA and the Bridge can continue to offer the services that we know have changed many a life for the better.

We will be accommodating accepted students with a virtual platform to start earning academic credit and participating in our Orientation program.

We are confident that what we have to offer - albeit internationally, which can present additional hurdles in a time of a pandemic - is worth the wait.

So, please stay in touch. Our students, families, and staff have been amazing in their collaboration, their creative problem-sovling, and their resilience in these difficult times.

We are grateful to be living in a place where the government acted swiftly and continues to implement preventative measures, and the tropical climate allows us to actually find plenty of ways to enjoy our "quaranteam."

Pura vida,
Dr. Heather Tracy, EdD
Co-Founder & Executive Director, New Summit Academy & The Bridge - Costa Rica

Latest COVID-19 Update from NSA

4/9/2020

Hello, supportive community!

It is time for an update from Costa Rica! Our parents have been receiving regular email updates and calls to process the COVID-19 situation in Costa Rica. Parents have been absolute troopers participating in collaborative decision-making, creative problem-solving, and general flexibility and adaptability to this unprecedented situation.

Since Costa Rica implemented early prevention measures and continues to update restrictions for Holy Week, the spread has been slow here. We are grateful to our government’s innovative and exemplary response.

The current status is: 502 confirmed, 5533 negative, 3 deaths, 2 cases in Atenas, 23 hospitalized (14 in ICU), 29 recovered. Borders are closed to incoming foreigners through April 30. We will accept enrollments in May.

If you are interested in our decision-making processes and pandemic protocols implemented to ensure the safety of our students and staff to the best of our ability, please feel free to reach out. Our leadership team has been fully dedicated to risk management as well as turning lemons into lemonade. The silver linings may seem like few, but we have found a lot of joy and optimism in the way that our students and staff have responded to this crisis rather than being defeated by it.

NSA classes have continued as normal with some adjustments made to integrate the current global situation into our studies, such as immune system studies in science and pandemic history in social studies. We have also opened up time in our schedule for additional therapeutic groups for all students to process how COVID-19 is affecting them and their families.

Because we were not able to embark on our beloved Aventuras last week, we have also been guiding student cohort groups to implement projects on campus.

Each student has a role in their group, and projects have been finalized: 1) Hammock hut, 2) Music studio mural, 3) outdoor gym and 4) building Adirondack style chairs for the fire pit.

Campus weekends have been a flurry of "at home" game building on the weekends! With the help of our dedicated staff, we have managed to build and set up various on campus activities like: bocce ball, fire pit, frisbee golf, cornhole, ladder golf, horseshoes, graffiti wall, frisbee golf, gaga ball, an expanded gym (indoor and outdoor), and much more!

We've also heard from our alumni, and we're grateful for their connection and support as well. They remind us often how we always used to say, "Boredom is a choice!" and those words could not be more relevant than they are now.

Take care & stay safe!
Dr. Heather Tracy, EdD, Co-Founder & Executive Director

COVID-19 Update from NSA

3/30/2020

Hello, community!

It is time for an update from NSA! Our parents have been receiving daily updates and weekly conference calls (as well as individualized calls) to process the situation, and they have been absolute troopers in making the tough decisions about whether to bring their sons home or leave them in Costa Rica to finish out the quarter as we shelter in place. Truth be told, we were conflicted about what to do, but we knew that if parents agreed, we could certainly shelter in place without losing our flow of academics, activities and therapeutic support. Almost all of our parents agreed, so here we are!

If you are curious about our decision-making processes and risk management protocols that we’ve been implementing since late February, feel free to reach out. We have back up plans in place and feel prepared for worst case scenarios, but we are optimistic and hoping for the best. Costa Rica took early preventative and precautionary measures and continues to implement policies that seem to be making a significant difference so far. We are proud of Costa Rica and our UN's representative's acknowledgment of our exceptional and innovative handling of the pandemic.

As for NSA, we are very proud of our team and how everyone came together to adapt and adjust to the “new normal” – from extra strict cleaning protocols (and additional cleaning staff and cooking staff in order to implement these protocols) …to inventing a whole new list of on campus activities. The students showed outstanding participation and ownership in building and setting up of all sorts of new on campus recreational activities like cornhole, frisbee golf, a horseshoe pit, a graffiti wall, bocce ball, ladder golf, etc. in addition to our already existing recreational options like basketball, ping pong, pool, etc.. It feels a bit like summer camp on the weekends and we’re grateful to be on 7 acres in a climate where we have plenty of space to be outdoors and active. At this point, boredom is a choice!

We understand that this is far from over. When the US issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory, we knew that we had a tough decision to make. We involved parents in the decision, and we found that almost all were more comfortable with their students staying here and continuing a healthy routine and progress towards graduation with therapeutic support, even if that meant not being able to fly home mid-May when the quarter ends. The various medical professionals in our parent group certainly helped confirm that decision. So with that collaborative decision made, we hunkered down and got to work.

Since the Costa Rican border is closed to incoming foreigners until April 13, we are not currently accepting enrollments, but we will continue to assess referrals and continue application processes. When the border does open, we will have a plan for enrolling new students that will take into account the global health situation at that time (and our responsibilities to do our part) and will communicate that directly with all applying families and referral sources. But for now, we are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for our current families, our staff, and our program as we do our very best to weather the storm and turn lemons into lemonade. And, let's be honest, our lemonade here is pretty tasty!

Take care & stay healthy!
Dr. Heather Tracy, EdD

COVID-19 Update from NSA

3/16/2020

Hello, everyone!
Our current parents have been receiving updates every couple of days about the precautions we've been taking on campus since February 28 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but we thought it might be time to update the larger community.

We are proud of how our staff & students have been collaborating to come up with "fun bubble" activities to keep us all engaged on the weekends while we continue our normal academic schedule. Marco Arce, our Medical Coordinator, has been a champ at communicating with students and overseeing that all protocols are being followed to ensure our health and safety. The rest of our staff has been positive, proactive, and collaborative in keeping a sense of normalcy to avoid panic while adapting and adjusting to any new situations and information to provide good risk management.

We are also proud of how Costa Rica reacted and responded swiftly and thoroughly to the first reported case on March 6. Because of Costa Rica's quick decisions to cancel large public events and authorize quick testing, only 41 cases have been confirmed and 615 have been discarded.

Because Costa Rica has been prioritizing prevention, the government today declared a national state of emergency. Although anyone may leave... as of Wednesday, March 18, only Costa Rican citizens and residents may enter Costa Rica through April 12. Therefore, we will not be enrolling any new students from March 18 - April 12.

We will continue our "epidemic protocols" which have been in place since February 28. Our next school break is not scheduled until May 14, so we will hunker down and keep up our academic schedule through then if all goes well. If things do not go well, then we have back up plans in place to address the various paths that this pandemic may require. We have been in with the Ministry of Health on a daily basis, have discussed our situation with the USA Embassy, and are stocked up with supplies as well. We do hope you know that the safety and health of our students and staff is our priority, and at this moment, it appears that "staying put" is our best course of action.

We will continue to keep you updated as to any significant developments in our little community as well as when we are free to enroll students again. For now, it's "school as usual" with modified recreational activities (which we've also been doing since Feb 28) to keep us within our little fun bubble to protect our community and prevent the spread of any illnesses. The students are handling it well and excited to use our "weekend rec" budget to implement some fun "leisure sports" areas on campus - like bocce ball, horseshoes, and some games I hadn't even heard of like "gaga ball"! They are being very collaborative and we are grateful that they are seeing this as an opportunity to actively engage to improve their community from the inside out!

Please reach out if you have any questions about our protocols. Otherwise, we will continue to communicate via email to our currently enrolled families every couple of days.

Thanks!
Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.D.

Laura Cespedes Joins Admissions Team

9/11/2019

Laura Céspedes has joined Lee Nadeau (Admissions Director) to form a dynamic Costa Rica - USA duo to provide the highest quality of service to our collaborating referral sources and families. You will not be disappointed with their warmth, care, attention to detail, knowledge, and professionalism in walking alongside our applicants as they navigate the stress and anxiety of this important step on their journey.

Laura grew up in NSA's home community of Atenas and has been involved with New Summit Academy most of her life through family connections, community service and cultural activities, the homestay program, and working at a local hotel where many NSA parents stay during their visits.

After graduating from her bilingual high school, Laura had the opportunity to volunteer in South Africa with Usiko for three months.

This experience made her more aware of all the different realities in the world and gave her a different perspective on language, culture, and social work - for the better!

Once she came back from this journey, she decided to resume her studies by majoring in Psychology and also studying Publicity. Laura is currently finishing her degree while also working with NSA to improve her knowledge in the field. Our students have already taken to her warm personality and stop by her office to distract her :) and share their day to day experiences. Lee and Laura will make a great first impression for New Summit Academy.

We are Accredited by AEE!

9/11/2019

As of 2019, New Summit Academy passed the high standards set by the Outdoor Behavioral Health council and the Association for Experiential Education. We are so proud of all of our staff and students who made this a possibility.

A special thanks goes to Andy Myers, Experiential Education Director, and his amazing team - especially Eric Cano, Miguel Varela, Tom Hutten, Sam Forti, James Mas, and our other departments - Personal Growth, Administration, and Academics - who all made this possible with their never ending quest for high standards!

Congrats, NSA!

Staff Spotlight: Roy Vargas

8/26/2019

To describe Roy Vargas as one of our campus “guards” doesn’t begin to tell the story of how Roy contributes to New Summit Academy. Roy joined the NSA family eight years ago, and his organization, intelligence, and people skills have helped Roy develop into one of our “indispensable” members of the school.

Not only does Roy spend his days ensuring that each of our students is safely where he needs to be, he manages all of NSA’s transportation logistics, checks in returning students, coordinates logistics for Bridge students arriving to campus, and much more. Roy is even one of our go-to staff for technical issues, troubleshooting internet and printer problems with ease.

Roy says that his favorite part about working at NSA is knowing that he is being of service in a job that helps young people, adding humbly, “even if the support is minimum, it is satisfying to be able to help in some way.” He needs to take more credit. Roy spends his free time with his family and doing small projects around the house.

Thanks, Roy, for your invaluable service!

Staff Spotlight: Diana Rojas

8/1/2019

Diana is our beloved Family and Student Services Coordinator.

All of our families are familiar with Diana, as her dedication to helping them arrange travel, logistics, mail packages, prepare for workshops, and much more are one of the major reasons for their positive experiences at NSA.

Diana spent 10 years in California, so understands our families very well. She has been a part of the New Summit community for nearly nine years. She loves helping all of our families and students, and collaborating with her co-workers every day.

Outside of NSA, Diana enjoys spending time at her house, admiring the beautiful view with her dog Chispa and her cats, crocheting, and visiting her family on the beach in Puntarenas.

Diana has a vibrant spirit and enjoys life to the fullest, and we are very grateful to have her as part of the team at New Summit Academy!