October 2020 Palapa Society News |
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Back-to-School Fundraiser Success! |
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From everyone at The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C., we would like to extend our deep gratitude to the Palapa family of donors.
The back-to-school fundraiser was a huge success. The goal of $100k was nearly met with a total of $95,540 USD raised! This unique, online fundraiser included a total of 106 donors, received a full matching gift of $25,000, and increased our donor retention by 12% over last year.
Thank you for your continued help and support of The Palapa Society and the educational future of our youth.
You make a difference!
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Distance Learning: Updates and Challenges |
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Juan Diego Gonzalez, Director of The Palapa School provided an update on distance learning. In general, students are interacting via the distance learning model in good spirits. Teachers receive students’ assignments and offer feedback via WhatsApp, email, Zoom, and phone calls. All students have textbooks and weekly activity guides.
The digital aspect has been a leap of new learning for teachers and students; however, everyone seems to have adapted nicely. Some adaptations were incorporated as a result of student feedback. Teachers have introduced playful homework activities and school activities involving families.
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While textbooks continue to be the core of learning, the need for digital communication has raised obstacles. These obstacles include a lack of computers, sharing a single computer with siblings, and a lack of reliable internet. Communication and collaboration with parents has increase as they help us monitor students’ homework.
To include all students, various platforms are being embraced including WhatsApp, email, Zoom, digital guides and textbooks. Adjustments are constantly being made as necessary so distance learning is better for everyone.
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Meet Our New Student: Horus M.G. |
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Meet Horus who comes to us from the Miguel Hidalgo School. He recently shared his experience with us about applying, testing, and entering The Palapa School. It’s such a treat to learn the experiences of our students and gain insight into what student life is like during the time of COVID-19.
Horus wanted to come to The Palapa School to gain new experiences and a quality education. His goal is to become an Architect and hopes his time at Palapa will provide a pathway to college and his future career. His experience with the admission process was a bit difficult, but he didn’t mind because he really wanted to be accepted. When he was interviewed by Palapa School Director Juan Diego, he was very excited for the opportunity to speak one-on-one.
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Horus’ favorite subject is math, and though his least favorite is biology, he is determined to master it. The Palapa School is currently delivering classes via distance learning and he is looking forward to the day he and his friends can be in onsite classes again at The Palapa Learning Center. A persistent struggle with distance learning is the unstable internet connection in Todos Santos. His classmates have supported each other by banning together and re-transmitting information once they’ve rejoined or via WhatsApp. We have some pretty amazing students who help one another like this. |
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BECA Success Story: Elisa Guadalupe |
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“I want to thank The Palapa Society for the past help and support since my first semester in high school. On July 29, 2020, I received my university degree in primary education at the Benemérita Normal Urbana School Profr. Domingo Carballo Félix in the city of La Paz. I am grateful for the tuition support during the past seven years to complete my studies.
“During my education, I was motivated to maintained the required grade average in order to continue as a beneficiary of the Beca Scholarship Program. Importantly, The Palapa Society consistently stayed in contact to offer support, follow progress, and provide the tools to complete my studies and certification.
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“Thank you to the donors of The Palapa Society for all the support received and being aware of my studies. Above all, thank you for continuing to motivate many students who continue their studies and become better people. I appreciate everything I have received.”
Atte:
Elisa Guadalupe Castillo González
Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, August 2020
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Thank You Dennis and Nancy Naigle |
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Music lessons are an important part of a well-rounded education. Thank you to longtime Palapa supporters Dennis and Nancy Naigle for their donation of a Technics Digital Piano to the Music program at The Palapa School. Led by our Science and Music Teacher Armando Vázquez, the music program at Palapa can use this all-in-one instrument as a piano, organ, and harpsichord. Additionally, students can record and save the songs they play. This digital piano is less sensitive to room climate changes and is maintenance-free with no tuning required. We look forward to hearing some beautiful music from our Palapa students when they return to the classroom next year.
Click here to see the piano.
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Second Floor Building Update |
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We are very excited to share how our second floor building is going.
Soon it will be ready to receive our students when it is safe to return to classrooms.
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Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska is working toward a possible late fall opening. Among factors to consider, foremost will be the safety of our volunteers and patrons. Requirements need to be met including masks, hand sanitizing, limiting the number of patrons, quarantining returned books, etc. We may also need to limit hours and days open. However, we are determined to meet all challenges so once again, our Community Library can thrive! Books are a form of magic, a safe place you can escape to, something you can't find anywhere else. |
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Children's After School Art Program
The After-School Art Program is currently suspended until it is determined safe to again meet face-to-face, share space, and resume classes.
Meanwhile, art director Jill Mollenhauer, has created a Facebook page: Imagine It! These weekly posts include a new creative project and are open to anyone of any age. While this is not a program directly connected to The Palapa Society, we think it sounds like a lot of fun.
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Puente Program is currently on hold for Fall 2020 to maintain safety for our students, their families, and the teachers. We will reassess this plan in December to determine if we can resume in January/February 2021.
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Our 2019/20 Annual Report |
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Our 2019/20 Annual Report
(18-months) is now ready.
Please Note: We have changed from a calendar year to a fiscal year for alignment to our school year.
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Thank You to the Last Few Donors for
Our Back-to-School Fundraiser!
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Al and Susan Adams
Bill Levine
Brit & Sarah Sparks
Cindy & David Higgins
Cynthia & Ace White
HHMR
Deborah Parrish - In Memory of Tom Parrish
Demi Ayres
Dr. William & Cathy Nation
James Ambrose & Linda Rasmussen
Jan & Mike Turner
Janelle & Tony Palma
Jeff & Erica McIlroy
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Jim and Dianne Robinson
John & Sharon Foster
Kate Paul & Mike Tengdin
LaVenda Lee
Lee & Tony Irons
Mark Neiman
Mike Block & Maria Olaisen
Onagh Ash
Pam Bixter
Pam Marcus
Paty Rains
Robert Dannenhold
Roger & Claudia Coyle
Sue White & Scott Moser
Tracy & Chris Lecroy
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Thank You Monthly & Annual Donors
You Make a Difference!
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AJ & Bonnie Johnston
Andy & Connie Mical
Ann Hazard
Cheri Myers
Dennis & Nancy Naigle
Dr. William & Cathy Nation
Eleanor Andrews
Gail & Scott Bosch
Grace Tuttle
Hal & Vickie Butler
Heather Bauer
Jane Gehring
Janna Kinkade
Kathy Warnert & Tod Diamond
Karen & Judd Cuenin
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Karen Haley
Kristin Rust
Lee Purser
Liane Collins
Margot Hampleman
Marjolean Brugman
Marsh Laird
Nancy Simpson
Pam & Paul Bumann
Paty Rains
Susan & Jim Smith
Suzanne Arnold
Sydney & Greg Schweitzer
Tori Sepulveda & Oscar Rosales
Virginia Gollery
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Please note: if you have not received a thank you email from our Fund Development Director, Jamie Sechrist, please click here to email her and let her know. She has had some technical difficulties with her email that are now resolved. Thank you. |
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Make A Difference in
a Young Life Today!
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Please consider giving today. Your donations will help us to ensure we can continue to provide access to high quality education.
No gift is too small and makes a big difference to so many young lives!
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MISSION
The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. exists to make a positive difference in people’s lives through inspirational quality education and timely support through community service and programs.
VISION
It is the vision of The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C. to be a sustainable, accessible community focused organization in which quality educational programs empower choice filled lives and create positive transformational change.
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