October 2021: Palapa Society News
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September Newsletter
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Palapa School Student Profile: Mariel M.
Hello, my name is Mariel G. M., and I recently finished my second year of high school. I decided to enter the Palapa School because it was the best option in the Todos Santos community. We had also heard that it was a school with a very good academics and good values promoted both in students and in the educational community.
What I liked the most about secondary school is the atmosphere between classmates. I also really like the way some teachers work. My favorite subject is maths. And the one I like the least is history since it is very difficult for me to learn dates and information. What excites me most about the coming year is that I am already entering the final stage of my basic education. I am about to enter the third year of secondary school.Regarding distance learning, at first I felt desperate and out of place. However, together with the help of my parents and organizing myself, I became more productive and autonomous.
Going to university is one of my greatest goals. My plan includes being a psychologist. I realize I still have several years ahead of me to clarify what I would like to be. Ideally, I want to be happy, responsible with my decisions, have freedom, do things well, seek honesty, and be a good citizen.
As a final comment, the truth is I am very grateful that The Palapa Society considered me to write this article about being a student at the Palapa School. I want to take the opportunity to thank them for the effort they make every day so that our learning is of good quality. I do not want to end without mentioning that I have grown a lot in friendship and companionship with people that I consider very valuable in my life. Thank you.
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In 2011, long-time Board Member of The Palapa Society, Donna Viglione, introduced The Palapa Society’s first intern, Jayna Schweitzer. Jayna had grown up visiting her grandparents in Todos Santos and had an interest working
in education. Jayna became a teacher at the Puente (Bridge to English) program for children, then Assistant to Puente Director Serena Saltzman, and later was promoted to Puente Director when Serena took on a new role. Jayna’s role for the past two years was the Executive Director of Programs and Facilities.
In her many roles at Puente, Jayna brought dedication and enthusiasm. She developed the children’s summer program into a popular summer day camp that included arts and crafts focused on ecology and environmental protection. She also developed a water safety course with Mario’s Surf School.
In 2015, Jayna became Secretary and member of the Education Committee as it began to design The Palapa School and its programming. Her participation and leadership on key issues of construction, staffing, and program development helped shape The Palapa School. Jayna’s leadership of staff recruitment efforts has been especially important — we can thank her for her assessments of candidates which were always key to our decision making.
(Continued from September Newsletter) Jayna helped oversee the construction of The Palapa Learning Center, and as Puente Director at the new location, increased enrollment to 150 students.
Jayna’s duties expanded as she helped facilitate new community partnerships for student volunteer opportunities. She also created the school’s Leadership Program in partnership with Palapa Board member Ardice Farrow.
Throughout Jayna’s 10 years at The Palapa, Jayna is known for her devotion to all students and their parents, as well as her commitment to the creation of The Palapa School. The Palapa’s core value of service to the community has been embodied in Jayna, and her work has laid a strong foundation for Palapa’s programs to continue to grow and thrive.
