The Palapa School

Multidisciplinary Congress

By Fátima M., 4th semester student

The first Multidisciplinary Congress, designed by our high school students, began on March 5th. 

The purpose of the event was to; 

discuss environmental and cultural problems in the town,

focus on disseminating research, and propose a number of solutions to these problems. 

There were presentations, posters, and dialogue tables in which students shared their knowledge and raised awareness throughout the school to make a change in favor of Planet Earth. 

This Congress brought together several subjects to develop and present research results. It was the result of several months of work and a collective effort by the entire high school. The students obtained a deeper understanding of the research process, presentation skills, and identified issues and potential solutions of the environment within their own community.  

Free, Not Just Brave.

By Evanette N.

To commemorate Women's Day, the sixth-semester group devised activities to promote a better understanding of this day and all the years women have fought to obtain the rights and visibility that were previously repressed.                

The day started with a student speech, allowing us to reflect on the importance of commemorating this day and of the women’s struggle of our past to obtain equality. Activities included mixed team races to promote collaboration and camaraderie. 

A special screening of the movie "Barbie” concluded the activities. This iconic character, who has evolved over the years and served as an inspiration for several girls around the world, served as a starting point for an in-depth discussion about gender stereotypes and the representation of women in the media and to be able to reflect on how a fairer society could be built. 

The day ended with reflections on how to continue promoting gender equality in our school and community. Every conversation we start brings us closer to a future where we all have an equal opportunity to shine. 

Puente al Inglés para Niños

By Jacki Gillespie

Happy Spring! We are in our final stretch of the school year. This month we started a Supply Drive to replenish supplies for the upcoming school year. You can find a list of needed supplies on our Facebook page. If you, or someone you know, is visiting Todos Santos, think about bringing a few extra school supplies to help with our Supply Drive. Every donation is greatly appreciated and goes toward helping our students get the most out of our program.

We would like to send a special thank you to the Lanier Family, who also made a visit to our facility as well as the McMartin/Puckett family and Mike Pollack.

Last month, students from the Palapa School taught the Puente students about the importance of recycling. They included slides and handouts. The kids really enjoyed this informative lesson.

This month we will begin to plan out summer activities, including Water Safety classes. More to come in future newsletters!

Puente Adultos

Spring term began April 9th, and I’d like to thank our outstanding volunteer teachers for their dedication and hard work. Our morning team of Mark Miller, Mike McFadden, Suzanne Lee Taylor, and Yolanda Trevino Villegas together with our afternoon group of Anne Patterson, Chris Day, Joyce Anderson, Paolo Santucci, and Paul Ridge all contribute greatly to the community with their efforts. We can always use new volunteer assistants, subs, and teachers. If you would like to be part of this rewarding endeavor, please contact us at adultenglish@palapasociety.org Our next term will run April 9-July 9. 

We are planning 1- to 2-day vocational workshops over the summer that we hope will reach many of our local service people who may not be familiar with our program. 

Saying Farewell

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Jamie Sechrist, our Director of Fund Development and Marketing (and so much more). Jamie has been an integral part of our organization's journey, contributing immensely to our growth and success.

Jamie recently relocated to New Mexico start her new position as the Executive Director for a Community Foundation there. However, we are pleased to share that she will continue to support The Palapa Society as a part-time consultant through the end of July, ensuring a smooth transition for our team.

Since joining The Palapa Society in 2014, Jamie has played a pivotal role in shaping our marketing, fundraising, and strategic planning initiatives, and has been instrumental in expanding our outreach to the Todos Santos community. Her dedication, passion, and leadership have left an indelible mark on our mission and values.

While we are saddened to bid farewell to Jamie, we are incredibly proud of her as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. We are confident that her expertise and passion will continue to make a positive impact on the communities she serves, and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

In addition, Jamie will remain a valued member of our organization as she continues to serve as a board member of Palapa’s Society's US Fundraising Organization (Friends of Palapa Society).

Although Jamie's departure marks the end of an era for us, it also presents an opportunity for growth and renewal. As we move forward, we are committed to building upon the foundation laid by Jamie and further strengthening our organization's impact on the Todos Santos community.

Donor Appreciation Party

Our annual Donor Appreciation Dinner was a delight! A big thank you to Rancho Corazon - DUM - and their staff for a delicious meal under the palms. Our director Diego Carranza and students gave inspiring talks, sharing their successes and appreciation to our donors. 

With a special thanks to Ardice Farrow for helping students prepare their speeches. We also heard from our new student teacher, Ainsley Epperson, who spoke on her impressive first few days in the classrooms and how amazing the students were to work with. Another special thanks to our supporters, Milt and Judi Stewart, who recommended The Palapa School to the Indiana University Global Gateway program and hosting our second exchange teacher. It was a fun evening sharing accomplishments of The Palapa Society and extending gratitude to our donors. Muchas Gracias!

Children's Library Hours

Community Calendar

Palapa Society Events Calendar

February & March Donors

Abigail Green

Adahi Parlun

Alexander & Claire Pogue

Alexandra Debyshure

Alexis Krilla

Alicia Pellegrin

Alondra Nápoles

Alyce & Robert Parsons

Amanda Hurry

Andrea Doshi

Andrew Wheelwright

Ann Patsy

Anne Boswall

Ardyth Ruth

Arturo Monkey

Ashley Guerrero

Ashley Ray

Audrey Banfill

Bal Claudius

Betsy Printz

Beverly Jackson

Bowen Kelly

Brenda Breshahan

Brian Talbert

Brit & Sarah Sparks

Carmen Gutierrez

Carolyn Veytia

Cat Gietzen

Cat Gietzen

Cathryn & Greg Williams & Broughton

Cathy Hayes

Celia Devault

Chantal Asseln

Charlene Smith

Charlene Williams

Charley Lymann

Charltotte Eulette

Cheri V. Myers

Cheryl Rossostreitz

Chris Miller & Diana Pandell

Chris LeCroy

Chris Figler

Chris Paulson

Christa Assad

Christa Meilak

Christine Micallef

Christine Ray

Christine Smith

Christopher Seto

Christopher Thorne

Cindy & David Higgins

Cindy & David Love

Cindy Anderson

Cindy Hall

Claire Lange Werton

Claudia & Rino Morganti

Claudia Cronin

Claudia Kopkowski

Claudine Marie

Colby Fulton

Colleen Kazemi

Crystal Ngo

Cynthia Ann Kevorkian

Cynthia Wakeman

Dan Cordell

Dana & Loren Etengoff

Daphne Sasson

Darin Brandt

Darryl Weigand

David & Nancy Lacey

David Glauser

David Rabinovitch

David Reynoldson

David Rosen

Deborah Horn

Deborah Parrish

Dee & Rob Levin

Deena Fisher

Denise Anderson

Denise P

Denise Pummer

Denisse Tavizon

Dennis & Nancy Naigle

Dia Ralyea

Diana Bola

Dianne Pilling

Dick & Margot Hampleman

Don & Micaela Jarred

Donna Billick

Donna Briggs

Donna Briggs

Donna Cuthbertson

Donna Hazleton

Doreen Richmond

Doris Deutschmann

Dorothy Phillimore

 Rebecca Silva Cota

Elizabeth & Rick Strand

Elizabeth Beringer

Elizabeth F. Jackson

Elizabeth Stern

Elizabeth Wylue

Ellen Singer

Elsa Corrigan

Emily West

Ericka Mulder

Felipe Lara

Franklin Campo

Gabriela Salomon

Gabrielle Ferro-Townsend & Martine Ferro

Gary Owen

Gerald Ronayne & David Runtz 

Giacomo Conti Soto

Gillian & Keith Kostek

Gina & Fred Graham & Chavez

Greg Swain

Gregory Mueller

Gwendolyn Crawshaw

Harold Jones

Heather Bolton

Heather Braun

Helenaz Hali

Hillar Bell

Ilan Shamirz

India Maya

Jack Gallant

James Taylor

Jamie & Lynette Sutton

Jamie Cleaver

Jamie Sechrist

Jan Moyes

Jana Soper

Jane M. Russell Tsarnard

Janet Naastad

Janet Tompkins

Janice Moe

Janise Rinaldi

Japa Kaur Pugach

Jenean Brady

Jenna Young

Jenni Wood

Jennifer & Fred Schuler

Jennifer Lindberg

Jesse Kaye

Jessica Canepa

Jill Janzen & Bruno Peyoretti

Jill & John Wallen

Jim & Patricia Kern-Cardillo

Joanne Berkowitz

Jody & Rick Kolb

Jody West

Johanna Lovera

John Walsh

Joyce & David Anderson

Juana Maloof

Judy Kessler

Judy Welch

Julia Kerrigan

Julie Flint

Julie Moderwell-Urban

Julie Urban

Kareli Soto

Karen & Judd Cuenin

Karen Bennett

Karen Heard

Karen R. Hill

Kate Ecker

Kate Paul & Mike Tengdin

Kate Lewis

Kate Turning

Katherine Rodriguez

Kathie Cullinane

Katia Pierre Louise

Kelly Pauze

Kelly Riggs

Kim Colsman-Horner

Kimberly Otto

Kristina Jo Saltekoff

L.S. McCarty

Laney & Andrew Heitner

Larry Martin

Laura & James Herrick

Laura Squires

Lauren Lowe

Lauren Vitulli

Leigh Kahn

Lesley Lewis

Leslie & Bud Crane

Linda & Doug Guest

Linda Tarnowski

Lisa Berkson Platt

Lisa Green

Lisa Heid

Lisa Welsch

Lissa Cook

Lissa Menge

Lorne Brownsey

Madeleine Emrick

Margaret Law

Maria Andrea Vidal

Maria Chaparro

Maria Virginia Macedo

Mariela Magdalena

Marilyn Martin

Marimar Higgins

Marina Nichols

Mark Attalla

Mark Gabriel

Mark Reid

Marla & Tom Nowak

Marsha Karr

Mary Muncci & Kevin Olsberg

Mary Chambers

Mary Christen

Mary Hurlbut

Maureen Motter-Hodgson

Mayra & Greg Buser

Meghein Uhrich-Brown

Melanie Monteiro & Juan Hernandez

Melissa Alexander

Melissa Doyle

Melissa Stratman

Michael Hogan

Michael Moll

Michele Campbell

Michelle Storment

Mike & Jan Turner

Mike Brinkman

Minerva Garcia

Monique Vandenberg

Glenn & Arlene Eige

Sarah Teale

Ardice Farrow

Nancy Buchanan

Nancy Joyce

Nancy Serfas

Nancy Serfas

Natalie MacLurchlon

Nick Papadopoulos & Jess Flood

Nicole White

Nora Kristensen

Norval Bradley

Oliva Kapell

Oscar Santiago Moreno Higgins

Pablo Arnaldo

Paola De La Rosa Algarabel

Patricia & Eric Adams

Patricia Anderson

Patricia & Greg Deuster

Patricia Rudolph

Patti Koepf

Paul Ridge

Paul Schrager

Paul Wertin

Paula & Barry Kuehl

Paula Ohaus

Paula Topley

Peggy Romero

Peggy Sigler

Peter & Anne Lepine

Pieter Timmermans

Race Wgind

Ramona Asmus

Ramsay Poindexter

Raul Cavazos Jr & Isabel Smyth

Raul & Diane Gonzales

Raul Hernandez

Ray Bush

Rebecca Garland

Rebecca Garrett

Rebecca Hammen

Rebekah Champagne

Rebekka Steininger

Gina Cerda

Robert Chorup

Robert Jacobi

Roberta Booth

Roger Clarke

Rosa Val Jones

Roy Rogosin

Rustin Thompson

S. Mansur

Samantha Richardson

Samantha Smith

Sandra Akers

Sandra Langley

Sandra Peterson

Sarah Davis

Sarrah Claman

Savanna Sprague

Scott Buchanan

Serena Saltzman

Sharon Glossop

Sharon Katz

Sharon Morris

Sharrol Lee McReynolds

Silvia Langmesser Sabedot

Simonne Lowry

Stephanie Donovan

Stephen & Shelia Jagenteufl

Stephen Carver & Stephanie Vetter

Susan & Jim Smith

Susan & Ken Churchill

Susan & Reed Banadonna

Susan Ferrer

Susan Fonseca

Susan Johannsen

Susan McPhearson

Suzanne Taylor & Michael McFadden

Suzette Bell

Sybille Dorn

Sylvia Velez

Tara Helene

Teresa Satthi

Terra Omni

Kim & Pierre Pellissier

Tim & Randy Griffin

Tim Whyte

Tlajida Hameed

To Reconcile

Tom Koltai

Tom Koltai

Tony & Janelle Palma

Tracy Rowe

Travis Baker

Valeria Hodgson

Veronica Hernandez

Vickie Butler

Victoria James

Walter Watson

Wanda Piccini

Wendy Rains

Zach Ball

Zeita Bailey

Zoe Edmonds

Anonymous

Anonymous

Eleanor Andrews

Suzanne & Rick Arnold

Heather Bauer and Jerry Back

Gail & Scott Bosch

Sally & David Brower

Pam & Paul Bumann

Vickie Butler

Stephen Carver & Stephanie Vetter

Timothy Case

Ryan Casey

Dennis Chapman

Karen & Judd Cuenin

Patricia & Greg Deuster

Julie & Michael Dandurand

Ken Ford

Kristen & Rick Friedman

Jane Gehring

Virginia Gollery

Charley & Karen Haley

Jane Hall

Margot & Dick Hampleman

Marc Hankin

Charles & Ruth Herren

Cindy & David Higgins

Courtney Higgins

Marimar Higgins

Anthony & Lee Irons

Rhoda Jacobs

Coach & Marilyn Jacques

Bonnie & AJ Johnston

Janna Kinkade

Lynn & Brian Kuske

Marshall Laird

Teresa Laird

Margaret Lawson

Becky Lopresti & Mike Carney

Jay Masaschi

Connie & Andy Mical

Jill Mollenhauer & Robert Bland

Chris Miller & Diana Pandell

Sharon Morris

Cheri V. Myers

Dennis & Nancy Naigle

Cathy & William Nation

Sophia & Stephen Nicholas

Patricia O'Connell

Maria Olaisen & Mike Block

Deborah Parrish

Kristin Rust

Jessica Spencer

Sydney & Greg Schweitzer

Oscar Rosales

Nancy Simpson

Cate Thomassen & Jack Schaub

Suzanne Taylor & Michael McFadden

Angelica Velez Mendez

Kathy Warnert

Lisa Welsch

Robert Bruce Westbrook

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Join our community of dedicated supporters, and together, we can make a profound and sustainable impact on the educational opportunities of those in need.