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Gimnasio Moderno
The Gimnasio Moderno is a private all-male primary and secondary school located in Bogota, Colombia. It was founded in 1914 by various prestigious Colombians following the leading initiative of Don Agustin Nieto Caballero. Some of the remarkable personalities who acted as co-founders of this New School (Escuela Nueva) were: Don Jose Maria Samper Brush, Don Daniel Samper Ortega, Don Tomas Rueda Vargas, and Ricardo Lleras Codazzi. These gentlemen were predominant freethinkers at the time in Colombia.
Since it was established, it has been considered one of the better schools in the country. Most of the students are among the elite of Colombian society, and many of them are sons of former alumni.
The main influences for the development of the New School in America, the first of its kind in South America, were mainly those of Ovide Decroly, Maria Montessori, and to a lesser extent, Jean Piaget. Don Agustin met all of them personally and engaged in intellectual conversation with them while studying in Europe. He carried their ideas back to America, and applied and modified them in a novel way according to the spirit and environment of Colombia in the 20th century.
Ideals
The school's principle of conduct is based on what is called a discipline of trust (''''), following the lines of Montessori's active discipline. This fundamental principle seeks to instill self-confidence and inner discipline in students, as well as developing in them a deep sense of responsibility, honesty, loyalty and friendship through the active development of freedom. The Gimnasio Moderno was awarded a national monument status due its longevity and historical stature.
The educational program is divided into four sections. The first section includes Montessori 1, 2, and 3, first Decroly, and second Decroly. The second section includes the third, fourth, and fifth Decroly grades. The third section includes the sixth through ninth grades, and the fourth section includes the tenth and eleventh grades.
Traditions
The school's traditions include:
A marching band (winners of the Silver Baton (Batuta de Plata) competition in 1999 with Sebastian Devis being drum major or leader, and again in 2006 with Nicolas Medina as drum major.
A Football Soccer championship between Gimnasio Moderno and Gimnasio Campestre, called the 'Tradition Cup' (Copa Tradicion). The school also hosts the Sparrowhawk Cup (Copa Aguilucho), a Football Soccer league made up of teams from other schools in Bogota.
Excursions around the whole extent of the country. Following the ideals of Robert Baden-Powell.
Sports Teams: The school has traditionally encouraged and supported its sports teams, such as the, football, basketball, volleyball and swimming teams.
The school gives annual recognition to those students who excel in different areas. These areas are called, personal effort, kindness to others, 'excursionist spirit' and a group recognition of friendship.
Directors
Juan Carlos Bayona Vargas "El Ovejo" - Headmaster
Guillermo Quiroga - Vice Headmaster and Coordinator of the Fourth Section (1965-2005)
Gonzalo Mallarino Florez - Finance Director
Ember Estefenn Rodriguez -Coordinator of the Third Section (2003-2007)
Juan Sebastian Hoyos - General Secretary
Esperanza Chia - Coordinator of the Second Section
Doris de Leon - Coordinator of the First Section
Headmasters
Alberto Corradine Varela (1914)
Pablo Vila Dinares (1915-1917)
Tomas Rueda Vargas
Erich Heincke Hoyer (1921)
Aurelio Tobon Mejia (1925-1927)
Julio Carrizosa Valenzuela (1934-1936)
Daniel Samper Ortega (1943-1944)
Carlos Lleras Restrepo (1944)
Agustin Nieto Caballero (1945-1975)
Ernest Bein (El Prof.) (1975-1980)
Mario Galofre Cano (1981-1984 and 1986-1994)
German Pardo Sanchez (1985)
Leopoldo Gonzalez Chaparro (1995-1997)
Juan Carlos Bayona Vargas (1998 - )
Marching band
The marching band of the Gimnasio Moderno is the one of the oldest school marching bands in Bogota, it is more than 50 years old.
The instruments played in the band are:
Lyres
Trumpets
Small Drum
Medium Drum
Big drum
Cymbals
Timbales
The drum major, or leader, of the band is selected by democratic process in which band members cast a secret ballot. Such process has taken place every year since 1952 and all members of the band vote.
This is one of the most traditional school bands in Colombia.
The band won the Silver Baton (Batuta de Plata) competition in 1999 with Sebastian Devis as drum major, and again in 2006 with Nicolas Medina as drum major.
A Few months ago the band was suspended by legal problems, and they still without playing.
Notable alumni and students
Alumni and non-graduates but at sometime students of the school include, former Colombian President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen, (Ernesto Samper), Senators Alvaro Araujo Castro, House Representatives (Nicolas Uribe), recognized scientists (Rodolfo Llinas), Entrpreneurs (Julio Mario Santodomingo) and authors (Eduardo Caballero Calderon, Lucas Caballero (Klim), Daniel Samper Pizano, Ricardo Silva Romero), as well as sportsmen (Eduardo Pimentel) Actors and artists (Compania Ilimitada, Mauricio y Palo de Agua, Sismo y Wamba.
Controversial alumni
Ernesto Samper Pizano (involved in the Proceso 8000 scandal)
External links
gimnasiomoderno.edu.co
Don Agustin Nieto Caballero
Montessori Schools in Science Magazine
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Gimnasio Moderno
