Welcoming Fall Newsletter
Posted by La Catalina Foundation
on September 26, 2014, 9:15 pm
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Here is the latest newsletter from La Catalina Foundation - and you can always see the better version with pictures here: http://ymlp.com/zAi4xO
Wings to Fly Program - 47 Students Funded
Only 4 more need your support!
Thank you to all the generous donors of the 2014-15 Wings to Fly student support program! Forty-seven students are receiving financial assistance to attend the university, high school and middle school. They are also refining their academic abilities through tutoring and developing civic skills.
Never in La Manzanilla’s history have we had seven La Manzanilla high school graduates go on to the university like we have this year! Thank you to the donors whose caring and commitment are changing these students lives! To see who the four remaining students who still need sponsors are, click here.
Summer Camp - 2014
The English and Arts summer camp was once again well-attended, with 30 local kids learning about Health, Caring for Animals, and how to deal with Bullies at school. Thank you to this year’s staff: Gardenia Aguilar, Lorena Ponto Martinez, and Karen Taylor. This 3-week program is FREE for local residents (except for the cost of their camp T-shirt.)
The funds for the program came from “A Night under the Stars” auction proceeds, donated arts and crafts materials, and sponsorship by Helping Hands Bookstore. To view a wish list of materials needed to run our summer camp, as well as a list of materials needed by La Manzanilla public schools, click here.
John Collins leaves his mark on La Manzanilla and Rebalsito
John Collins served as a volunteer English teacher at the middle schools in La Manzanilla and in the nearby village of Rebalsito. He was passionate about working with the students and giving them the opportunity to learn English. His students were very fond of him
John was known for his passion to serve others, his dedication to the pursuit of education, and his love for the outdoors. Before volunteering in La Manzanilla and Rebalsito, John and his wife Katharine were active volunteers in Comala, Mexico.
John was originally from Seattle, Washington. He finished his B.A. at Stanford University in 1964, served in the U.S. Peace Corps, then returned to school, completing his Ph.D. in 1974 at Johns Hopkins University.
John passed away on August 6th, 2014 in Seattle, following a brief illness. He will truly be missed by the many, many, people whose lives he touched!
I highly recommend you see the better version with pictures here: http://ymlp.com/zAi4xO
Fashion by the Bay & 10th Annual A Night under the Stars
With the annual increasing program and operational expenses incurred in efforts to expand our services, two fundraisers helped La Catalina Foundation stay afloat this year. Fashion by the Bay took place in January and sold out with 100 people (mostly women) attending an elegant luncheon and fashion show. Models flaunted elegant and funky clothing from Misifus & Café Calypso boutiques in Barra de Navidad and Melaque. The eclectic group of models, including Mexican, American and Canadian women and our own Wings scholars mesmerized the crowd! The event was held at Chantli Mare’s beach-front restaurant in Boca de Iguana. The funds raised allowed us to install a phone and internet in La Catalina Foundation’s new computer lab and pay for expenses related to the lab. Thank you to Chantli Mare for hosting this incredible event and giving 100% of the proceeds to our foundation.
Here’s is what Jocelyn Estefania, a student in our Wings program, had to say about her experience as a volunteer model in the show:
“This was the first time in my life that I felt I could I express my creativity so freely. It was definitely my favorite volunteer experience at La Catalina! I learned so much and gained confidence, which is already helping me in my first year at the university in Colima, where I am majoring in psychology.”
–Joceyln Estefania
Also,a big thanks to the following participants and volunteers of Fashion by the Bay:
AniMac; Brenda & Ron; Café Calypso; Carolina & Cate; Chef Greg; Chantli Mare Restaurant; Consuelo; David &Debbie; Emily; Gabriela & Pablo; Gardenia; Helping Hands Bookstore; Ibett & Roberto; Isaura; Isis; Jacobo; Jacqueline; Jeanne; Jhennifer; Jocelyn Estefania; Joy; Julie & Victor; June; Kay; La Manzanilla Art Gallery; Leia; Linda & Claude; Lora Loka; Lorena; Misifus Boutique; Nancy; Nena; Octavio; Olga; Pedro; Sarahi & family; Valentin & Ester; Wings scholars; Yadira and to all the others who supported this event!!!
The 10Th annual “A Night under the Stars” drew hundreds of people to the main plaza, to taste delicious Mexican food, watch local talent and bid, bid, bid on lots of items in the silent auction. The silent auction, combined with the online auction which preceded it, once again raised approximately 80,000 pesos for La Catalina Foundation’s programs and facility improvements and projects at the 3 local public schools. Thank you to the many volunteers and donors who made this event possible and to Joanne Kipp and her crew who put on a fabulous silent auction!
Mindfulness Teacher Training Workshop in La Manzanilla
Last, but certainly not least important in the news…AtentaMente, a group from Guadalajara, will be coming to La Manzanilla to put on a workshop for teachers on Mindfulness in Education. This movement, picking up force all over the world, is about preparing teachers and students for a new paradigm of education—with a focus more on the present moment and learning to develop attention, balance, and compassion. Studies, though relatively in the early stages with children, are indicating that mindfulness training have positive benefits on students’ physical health, psychological well-being, social skills, and academic performance and reduce stress and burnout in teachers and administrators.
Funds are currently being collected to raise 42,000 pesos ($3,500US) to pay for the training. Teachers will receive 16 hours of Mindfulness training, a course manual and materials kit and will get to practice what they learn with the La Manzanilla students in a monitored environment. We encourage people to donate whatever they can—small or larger donations are welcome. U.S. residents can take advantage of receiving a timely tax deduction for their donations, before the end of the year. Make your donation to support the professional development of La Manzanilla teacher’s by clicking here!
Take a look and get to know the teachers who are soliciting your support so they can attend the Mindfulness course being planned for November 2014:
(and you should really go to http://ymlp.com/zAi4xO to see the pictures!
Guillermo Camacho Guerrero
20 years of service
Principal- La Manzanilla Middle School
Guillermo or “Memo” is the principal of the middle school and is currently working on his doctorate in education. Memo feels that this workshop is an important opportunity for him and his teachers at the middle school. As keeping their students focused and attentive in class can be very challenging, Memo believes this workshop will provide the teachers with better tools for this challenging age group.
Felipe Camarena
15 years of service
7th Grade Teacher-La Manzanilla Middle School
Felipe agrees with the principal, Memo, that focus and maintaining attention is very challenging for the students. He is eager to learn new strategies and their practical applications in his classroom.
Juan “Martin” Montes Camarena
17 years of service
8th Grade Teacher-La Manzanilla Middle School
Martin takes his job very seriously and is constantly striving to develop
his teaching and personal skills, so he can best serve the kids of La Manzanilla. He is looking forward to this unique training opportunity and finding ways to apply the principles in his classroom.
Fernando “Miguel” Avalos Barragán
2 years of service
9th grade teacher-La Manzanilla Middle School
Miguel wears several hats, as he works both at the middle school as well as at La Catalina Foundation, where he teaches students who are recipients of the “Wings” assistance program. As a younger teacher, Miguel is very interested in staying at the cutting edge of the movements in education, and is eager to receive training in this area.
José Valentín Chávez Castro
17 years of service
8th grade teacher-La Manzanilla Middle School
Valetin is one of the senior teachers at the middle school and a founding board member of La Catalina Foundation. He is continually looking for opportunities to help the students in La Manzanilla both through his work in the classroom and his involvement on the board, so he sees this as a truly invaluable opportunity for the teachers and students of La Manzanilla.
Lorena Ponto Martínez
Pre-school teacher
17 years experience
Lorena is always looking for enriching experiences that she can bring back to the children in her classroom. The Mindfulness for Educators workshop especially captured her attention, as she wants to continue finding ways to fully engage her students in learning.
Norma Mónica Chávez Pérez
Pre-school teacher
7 years experience
Norma is very excited about this opportunity, as working with improving the attention of students is an important topic right now in early education. She wants to help her students be better observers and listeners and more compassionate.
Claudia María Ruiz Rubio
Pre-school teacher
8 years experience
Claudia sees this workshop as an important opportunity to gain knowledge and critical tools which will help her students become more focused, well-rounded and emotionally balanced people both in and out of the classroom.
Julie Catton Amezcua
Director-La Catalina Foundation
12 years of service on La Catalina Board
Julie, one of La Catalina Foundation founding board members and acting Director, is very excited to participate in this Mindfulness for Educator’s workshop. She looks forward to learning all she can and bringing more of the Mindfulness practices into her work with children and teens in La Manzanilla.
Isaura Magańa
Mother/English & Spanish Teacher
Isa is another person who wears several hats! She has three daughters and participates on the Parent/Teacher board at their schools. Additionally, she has been a Spanish teacher and is now also teaching English in the La Manzanilla schools. She is a natural teacher, but is embracing more training opportunities to develop professionally and make the most positive impact on the kids that she can.
Olga Edith Hernández Gómez
Mother & Member of Parent/Teacher Organization
Olga is a very active mother in the community who has two sons and serves on the Parent/Teacher board. She sees this workshop as an opportunity to learn more and be able to give more back to her son’s school and the community.
For more information on Mindfulness in Education, visit these sites:
http://www.atentamente.mx/
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpMvTTIr2p4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpMvTTIr2p4
La Catalina Foundation, the schools, and the children of La Manzanilla say, “Gracias!”
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