PASSPORT....check....

Today, I learned more information about

my travel arrangements to Argentina!  

Mrs. Mastrocola, Mrs. Mays and I are getting everything at UPES ready for my trip!

American Councils for International Education is the organization that works with the US State Department to take care of all the details of their Educational Seminars. Elise, Kyler, and Zara are the program staff that have guided Susana and I through this amazing community connection.

These three program officers helped about 15 school principals prepare!

 

Sra. Carrizo and Dr. Patschke at the office of
The American Councils, Washington DC, Oct, 2012
 

 

Here's a few things that I learned:

 

The country of Argentina has a Reciprocity Fee of $160.00 to enter the country. 

This must be paid in advance of my travel.  The good news is that each person only pays this once every 10 years!  If I return to Argentina before 10 years have passed, I don't have to pay the fee again!   

 

I need my passport, and photo copies of it also. 

It's also important to take photo copies of my

credit cards and other important documents.

 

 

 

The money used in Argentina is called Pesos. 

I need to take a few Pesos with me, but most of the money

I will use will be exchanged in Buenos Aires upon my entry to the country.

This is a picture of one Peso:

 

 

 

I must take a power cord adapter for my electronics. 

The plugs in Argentina look like this:

 

 

 

The temperature in the Cordoba area will be about

46 degrees Fahrenheit or colder in June and July,

so I need to dress in layers to keep warm!  I will also be sure

to take along my winter coat!

 

 

Things I must find out from Susana:
1) What is my schedule?

2) Where to meet her in Cordoba?
3) Are there any special presentations I need to prepare?
 Ideas might include The American Educational System,
U.S. Culture/Pennsylvania Culture, Teaching Strategies that Improve Learning,
and/or A Day in the Life of a UPES students

 

 

 

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

 

 

Broccoli Bob Loves SHINE!

Breaking News:  Broccoli Bob Partners with Patschke!

 

I was working with Mrs. Yablonsky (Alivia's Mom) today.  We were discussing all the fantastic details of the "Growing Local and Learning Gobal" program which is our sister garden project with General Francisco Ortiz de Ocampo.  Mrs. Yablonsky and I  agreed that we are going to make sure the SHINE program messages reach our friends in Argentina!   

 

 

 

That's when I learned that Broccoli Bob is planning his summer vacation with me! 

Broccoli Bob will be visiting Argentina in June! 

How exciting to have a healthy partner during my travels!

 

 

SHINE: Sustainable Healthy Interactive Nurturing Environment

SHINE Moto: Nurturing a healthy mind and body now, ensures a sustainable lifestyle for the future.

 

Broccoli Bob Loves SHINE!

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

RCTV Takes Our Partnership to the Community!

Today, Sra. Susana Carrizo and Dr. Missie Patschke worked with the SFASD High School broadcasting department to produce a television program about our sister garden project!   Susana was joined in Argentina by Flor, a teacher of English,  a 5th grade student, Joaquin, and his mother, Paula. 

The production was done through Skype.  Supporting Dr. Missie Patschke was UPES parent, Patricia Sosa, mother of Sanit in 4th grade.   We all had a wonderful experience under the guidance of Mr. Steve Bonetz, HS Broadcasting Studio Director and his assistant, Nancy Gambino.  

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Thoughts of Argentina!

 

Dr. Patschke is Getting Ready to

 Visit Our Sister School!

 

 

Mrs. Lare and Mr. Pence are working together to help Dr. Patschke have all the garden project material ready to go to Argentina!  Also, students have started to give Dr. Patschke notes and cards to deliver to Sra. Carrizo.  In the picture above, Alex (Kindergarten at UPES) has given Dr. Patschke a photo album to highlight special memories of her upcoming trip! 

 

Dr. Patschke is mailing some items to Sra. Carrizo so

that they are already in Argentina when she arrives!

Inside the postal boxes are special pencils, pins, small American flags, and

 a few other special items to share with the students

 of General Francisco Ortiz de Ocampo!

 

 

When gardening flowers at my home this weekend, I was wondering what types of flowers and plants grow at Mrs. Carrizo's home?  It'll be interesting to see if there are any just like we have in Pennsylvania!  I'll be sure to take pictures and share what I learn!

This is one of our family dogs, Tiny. 

He's pretty "tiny."

I took this photo of him next to a teacup. 

He's really small!

 He weighs just under 6 lbs.  

While I was writing this blog, he was sleeping!

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

Dr. Patschke

Find the Helpers & Be a Helper!

 

A huge event  called "Race for the Cure" took place in Philadelphia, PA on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013.  Many good friends from the Spring-Ford Area School District participated in an effort to raise money for cancer research.  Our hope is that if we walk together, none of our children or grandchildren will ever have to face this terrible disease. 

 

By sharing this experience with thousands of others in the Philadelphia area, I have learned that there are many other good people in our world fighting to keep our children healthy, safe, and happy!

 

 

 

The events start on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum!  Above is a photo of a puppy wearing a pink tutu!  How funny!  People use the color "PINK" to symbolize the need to cure cancer. When Sra. Carrizo visited in October, there was a display in Washington DC for cancer awareness.  She and her friends automatically knew what it was from the pink colors and ribbons!

 

Along the 5K walk, Mrs. Havrilla, Olivia, and Dr. Patschke found some cool sights to share! Above is a photo of us in Love Park! Next, you'll notice the Argentina flag we saw when walking on the Ben Franklin Parkway!  We also walked through University City and around the train station!

 

 

 

This is my youngest daughter, Olivia.

This was her first time at the event.

She had a great experience! 

On the way home she said,

 "Mom, can we do this every Mother's Day?"

and I said, "You got it Olivia!  I can't think of a

 better way to celebrate being a Mom!"

 

As Mr. Rogers' mother, Nancy, advised him during tough times,

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

 

Thanks Philadelphia, for showing us so many trusted helpers!

 

 

What will we learn about next?

You'll find out soon!

Check back often and stay connected!

 

Dr. Patschke

 

 

 

 

Surprises Are Awesome!

 

Learning About:  18th Century Settlers, Spots in Nature, and a surprise visitor at a park!

 

Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro, PA

 

http://www.danielboonehomestead.org
 

 

 

The area was the boyhood home of frontiersman Daniel Boone from 1734 to 1750. 

Today, this area is reserved as a place to learn about 18th-century settlers in Pennsylvania.  

Here's what's surprisingm this historical spot doubles as a

GREAT location to enjoy trails and walking paths. 

 

 

This site offers friendly landscapes, natural settings, as well as,

polite visits with the resident sheep, geese, ducks, birds, and deer.  

In the spring, the area is blanketed with sweet smells of honeysuckle bushes. 

 

My favorite time to take a walk at the Homestead is at dusk. 

It's so relaxing to watch a glowing sunset!  I often see wildlife at this time!

 

The Reading Public Museum Park

 

http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org
 

 

This is a park in the West Reading Area. 
Look at the Great Blue Heron in the middle of the Wyomissing Creek! 
Whoa! Surprise!
There he was, concentrating on catching his lunch in the stream!

When you take a walk in nature,
always be ready for surprises!

 

This is my cat, Jasmine.  She's so cute!

She was patiently waiting me to finish this blog post.

 

What will we learn about next? 

You'll find out soon!

Check back and stay connected!

 

Dr. Patschke

 

 

Spring Here - Fall There!

 

It's Spring in the USA!  In Argentina it's Autumn!

Dr. Patschke travels to Argentina on June 16th to visit with Sra. Carrizo! 



 

Staff, students and parents are using SKYPE to work with Sra. Carrizo!

 

Mr. Pence, Mrs. Lare, and Dr. Patschke are partnering with our friends in Argentina
on a sister garden project between our schools!

Check out our project blog site:  http://growwithupes.blogspot.com