November 2020 Palapa Society News |
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Teachers Go the Extra Mile |
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Distance learning during COVID-19 has been a unique challenge for The Palapa School teaching staff. They’ve embraced this challenge with materials, guidance, and assistance so every student can achieve academic success. Carefully planned Google classrooms and Zoom meetings give students an opportunity to engage with teachers, fellow students, and friends. Study Guides offer each student the structure to complete valuable lessons at home and submit to teachers for review and feedback. WhatsApp and phone communication provide individualized support as needed. Parents give vital help and encouragement from home. |
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The success of the Back-to-School fundraising campaign and generous contributions from donors greatly helped students with the technology needed to stay connected. For a small number of students without home internet, teachers provide printed guides and additional phone calls.
To keep students’ academic needs a priority, teachers take part in professional development, work as a team mastering advanced techniques, and work to meet the needs of all student learning styles. Teachers created collaborative spaces and meet ups to share best practices and their vision for the future. Their plans include innovative and dynamic interdisciplinary projects to challenge students who combine academic knowledge with higher order thinking skills and produce their own thoughtful opinions and solutions to complex topics.
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A newly hired specialist is busy developing the Preparatoria curriculum for the “Community Development” program. It will engage students in local and national programs and campaigns throughout their formative school years. The Palapa Society is thrilled with the quality and initiative of the teaching staff knowing the mission and commitment of The Palapa School is thriving no matter the challenges. |
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Student Spotlight: Evelyn |
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This month the Student Spotlight shines on 9th grader Evelyn. Her favorite subject is Spanish and least favorite is history. What she likes most in high school is the way The Palapa School teachers instruct. She decided to enter The Palapa School because she was excited with the idea of a more rigorous academic challenge. She is especially excited about this school year and learning strategies for life challenges.
Evelyn focuses on who she wants to be as a person and wants to discover, understand, and love herself. Of course, going to university is in her plans but is still deciding what to study. “Think within yourself first, then what you want to do.” This is advice Evelyn wants to offer others her age.
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Teacher Spotlight: Monica Rodriguez Cortes
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Monica Rodriguez Cortez teaches Spanish 1, Reading Workshop, Geography, and Clubs at The Palapa School. Her goal is to improve the quality of life through conscious education. Monica graduated in dramatic arts and is an art therapist, teacher and educational leader since 2010.
She holds a master's degree from the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in the area of ​​institutional leadership and administration. She is also an alumna of the esteemed Enseña por México Program, the equivalent of Teach for America in the U.S.
Monica is an experienced bilingual teacher, holds diplomas in mediation and mental health care, as well as being an educational mediator in various “School for Parents” projects. Finally, she is an educational leader in the Design for Change methodology.
“Our students are not the future, they are the present”, Monica Rodriguez
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BECA Success Story: Guadalupe Abigail Ochoa AgĂşndez
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“I am grateful to The Palapa Society for the great impact on my life and professional training. I depended on their support when I was in the third semester at the local High School in Todos Santos."
“It was a great help for me to have this support since it helped my parents provide me an education and allowed me to finish high school. To my great surprise, I was also selected to continue the scholarship into my university career. Erick Ochoa, President of The Palapa Society and administrator of Beca scholarships, was always present with encouragement and support during my four years of university."
“Thanks to The Palapa Society for supporting many young people as we finish our studies and fulfill some of our dreams. I graduated this past July with a degree in primary education. With all my heart, I thank all the people who make up The Palapa Society for their dedication, time, love, and resources to help young people improve themselves. I give infinite thanks for helping make this possible.”
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Zoom Conference Calls with Donors |
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The Palapa Society’s Fund Development committee will hold a series of three Zoom meetings November 18th – 20th. The goals of the meeting include an update of the Palapa School, programs, construction, and an opportunity for attendee feedback. If you are interested in attending, please email: jamie@palapasociety.org
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Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska

Due to the orange alert still in effect in Mexico, government approval is needed before we can reopen. We appreciate your patience & understanding in this process but the safety of volunteers & patrons is our primary concern. Please visit the LFL at Esquina, Parque de Pinos & Padrino Clinic
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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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Save the Date: Season of Giving Kick Off |
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The Palapa Society Events Update |
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Thank You Monthly Donors
You Make a Difference!
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Aj & Bonnie Johnston
Ann Hazard
Cheri Myers
Connie & Andy Mical
Dr. Bill & Cathy Nation
Eleanor Andrews
Gail & Scott Bosch
Grace Tuttle
Heather Bauer
Jamie Sechrist
Jane Gehring
Janna Kinkade
Jessica Spencer
Judd & Karin Cuenin
Karen & Charley Haley
Kathy & Tod Warnert
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Kristin Rust
Lee Purser
Liane Collins
Lisa Goodman
Margot & Dick Hampleman
Maria & Mike Olaisen
Marshall Laird
Nancy & Dennis Naigle
Nancy Simpson
Pam & Paul Bumann
Paty Rains
Susan & Jim Smith
Suzanne & Rick Arnold
Sydney & Greg Schweitzer
Tori Sepulveda
Virginia Gollery
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Thank You October Donors
Your Help Goes A Long Way!
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Andy & Ginny Ades
Benjamin Cudd
Diana Long
Judith's Reading Room
Michael Rupe
Pam & Peter Mcllroy
Ted & Kim Higgins
Satterfield & Phillips Financial Strategies Group
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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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