Hyatt Regency Hotel

Albuquerque, New Mexico

JULY 9, 2009 – JULY 12, 2009

Early Bird Registration ends on March 31, 2009
Regular Registration ends on June 9, 2009
Onsite Registration begins on July 8, 2009
For more information on registration details visit http://www.aatsp.org. Join your colleagues in the beautiful state of New Mexico for a fun and exciting conference!

Costa Rica is coming soon:

Weather:

July there falls in the rainy season. That means some kind of summer shower during each 24 hour period. Bring along a travel umbrella and a poncho. With the weight per bag restriction that makes the most sense, but if you plan to go to Volcano Irazu near San Jose you might bring a parka? jacket? or sweater to wear under the poncho as it can be very chilly and windy there.

For side trips, if you tour before or after the conference and if you are going to the Cloud Forest and the Rain Forest, you will also need the rain gear. For that excursion you could use your oldest sneakers–to toss out– or a pair of mud shoes(or reef runners) as it is messy walking when it is really wet there.

You might have use for the latter also if you go to a beach that is rocky, in the ocean as well.

Insect repellent:

You will need it and if you do not have a favorite one, Avon has one with sunscreen built in– Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Insect Repellent spf 30-moisturing sunblock lotion-that works.

Air conditioning:

You will find that the temperature is often in the 80’s so fans are common.(Ramada..AC?)If you travel on your own in the countryside or on a tour and stay in small hotels,plan on letting things dry for up to two days if you wash and wear. We found it very humid for drying things out at night anywhere there wasn’t AC.

Currency:

The colon is the local currency though many times they take US dollars. Be aware of what dollars are currently big on the counterfeit trade for the ($100?)and the $50 bills were the ones not accepted last summer. We saw the manager checking our $10 bills at the supermarket to see if they were counterfeit. You do not want to bring along denominations of bills you cannot use. The $ US1 bills are always useful. If you use American dollars, you will receive all kinds of local coins for your change–so you get local money easily.

Cuisine-local food:

Costa Rica can offer you a different fruit each day: soupsop!!!!, guayabana, banana, mora, piña, sandía etc. in the form of a fresco, a room-temperature fruit drink without much added sugar or ice. With so many flavorful drinks, there is not much need for soft drinks! to quench your thirst. You can drink the water, but we bought bottled water to have on hand for the day.
The staple of each breakfast is black–the rice and beans, and it is tasty and addictive!!!
The coffee is mild as it has less caffeine than the norm back home. Be sure to stop at a cafe that makes it in the traditional drip way common there though not often seen in modern venues. They are known for their pork and arroz con pollo.

San José, Costa Rica
July 8—July 11, 2008

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Experience “La Pura Vida” as well as a variety of events:

·        Numerous off-site excursions, mid and post conference
·        Welcome Reception included with registration
·        Distinguished keynote speakers and authors
·        Special sessions on Costa Rica presented by Ticos
·        Chapter Delegate Assembly
·        A variety of  workshops covering  pre-K—16+ topics
related to the teaching and learning of Spanish and Portuguese
·        Over 200 sessions devoted to language, literature, linguistics and culture
·        Awards Luncheon included with registration
·        Exhibitors from around the world
·        NSE/SHH/SHA receptions
·        Professional networking
·        The beauty and nature of Costa Rica

Registration is now open.  For more details and to register on-line visit the AATSP website www.aatsp.org

26 participants offered ideas for Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremonies.
Ideas included decorations to use such as flowers, month of year, keynote speakers for the ceremony (perhaps an ex-student or someone well-known-such
as Marcos Arenas). Have the ceremony ritual and order of the ceremony activities
in Spanish and English. Let the students do lots of the planning ie set-up activities-logistics-place, speaker, decorations, order of events, promo. Make the event a formal one. Make the formal initiation a banquet! For those students who can’t make the banquet (short on funds, athletic event, sick, etc), please initiate them at the next SHH Club meeting!

SHA Ideas

How to establish a chapter of SHA?

1. AATSP membership

2. Contact Pam-send 25.00 for Charter-you will get notebook with

by-laws and procedures.

3. Get students to do projects.

4. Schedule an induction-send to Pam the names for certificates (5.00 per studente).

Pam Wink explains to Melanie Jarvis of Shorecrest Prep School some important ideas on how to start a SHA chapter!