Palapa Society, Todos Santos

student blog

Student Blog: My Dear Eleventh Grade Class

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By Dulce G,

 

My name is Dulce G, and I am currently in my fourth semester. In a year’s time, I will be living my last days of high school with these people who, for better or worse, have been with me throughout this educational journey called school.

Personally, I believe that a good school is composed of various factors, but one of the most essential is the camaraderie and the relationship we have with each other as classmates. After all, it is with these people that you spend the majority of your time, and yes, it can be very challenging and complex at times. However, in the end, we can always find something that brings us together.

We are currently the fourth-semester group, but we were also the nervous new kids in middle school. Over time, we grew, faced numerous changes and challenges, but there was always something that united us. That something was the school, the space where friendships, feelings, relationships, laughter, tears, and stress emerged.

It started as four walls with chairs and a chalkboard on that first day, but over time, it became a safe place for many of us. Each classroom holds different meanings and memories for each of us, but for all of us, it is that place where we have grown, changed, matured, and shared different things with one another.

Today, we are closer to finishing, closer to leaving our last mark in the memory of this school that has shaped us for these five years. We have one classroom and one more year to live new adventures and create even more memories, and for my part, I intend to enjoy every moment until the end.

I still remember when we arrived at this school. We were small and clueless, watching as the world spun around us, about to board that train to start a life within the school full of adventure and secrets that, out of loyalty, I won’t share here. Hahaha.

However, I will share the time our entire class came together to present to our mothers a dance on their special day. These are the women who always support us in everything, from bringing us things we forgot to listening to our presentations before important assignments. So, even though not all of us had the talent for dancing, we united as a class and practiced until our legs trembled. After many rehearsals filled with laughter, embarrassment, and sore feet, we coordinated ourselves and put on a spectacular show for all the moms.

They left with roses, laughter, and the knowledge that their children had put in a lot of effort and had learned to dance a little more. And we left with the satisfaction of having achieved it, the unity as a group, and the certainty that we can achieve and do anything we set our minds to. So, if you ask me, “What is my class like?” My answer is, we are like a great variety of fruits and vegetables, different and with very different flavors. But if you know how to combine and bring them together, we can become the best salad of all.

Student Blog: My Final Semester at The Palapa School By Juan Pablo

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As a student at The Palapa School and in my final semester of high school, these past few weeks of classes have been filled with various emotions, experiences, and important decisions. It all started with the exam weeks, which, being so close to the project week, always manage to make me nervous and even scared. Perhaps it’s due to my habit of procrastinating and ending up with no time to study the important topics that could be evaluated. This only generates more stress for me. However, since we are a close-knit group, when I enter the classroom, I see my classmates reviewing together or even taking a break, and for a moment, I stop worrying so much.

The evaluation week comes to an end, with satisfactory grades or maybe not, but I feel like it’s all over. But just when you think the storm has passed, I realize that the paperwork I completed approximately three months ago is now requiring me to travel to take an exam at UNAM, which could determine a very important stage in my life. And as we always want more, now I find myself kilometers away from home, studying even on the plane, trying to arrive a day earlier to have some comfort and stay focused on my tasks.

I find myself in an unfamiliar place, with nothing but Google Maps and the good vibes from my classmates who wish me luck in the exam. I leave that room trembling, not knowing if my answers were correct or not. I question whether I studied well and why the topics I studied didn’t appear in the exam while the rest did. But it’s something I no longer have control over; all I can do now is enjoy the remaining days of my stay while I glance at the notifications from the classroom that arrive on my phone.

In my mind, I still have time to attend to them because the teachers are very considerate, which might cause me a problem since, as I mentioned before, I have a bad habit/great skill for procrastinating.

Back to where I started, but now with a sense of calmness after getting a great weight off my shoulders. Now all the remaining exams and assignments seem easier. I just have to wait for the results and see what the future holds for me. A two-month wait that keeps me restless, but regardless of the outcome, I know I did everything possible to get to this point, and my group patiently supports me in this sweet anticipation because some of them are also waiting for their own answers.

 

Student Blog: Life After The Palapa School By Santiago M. H.

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Life After The Palapa School
By Santiago M. H.

As the end of high school approaches, the question of what to do next can be daunting. Some students have a clear vision of what they want to pursue, while others may feel uncertain or overwhelmed by the options. In my case, I have a strong sense of what I want to do for my future and the goals I want to achieve.

 My goal after high school is to attend a virtuous college and earn a degree in computer science or software engineering. I have always been fascinated by the workings of the computer and cellphone we use everyday, and I believe that studying these two will pave the way for a fruitful and interesting future. I have already begun researching potential universities and have discovered many that align with my academic and personal interests.

One of the reasons I feel so grateful about my plan is the support I have received from my family and teachers.. They have encouraged me to pursue my interests and have provided guidance and advice throughout my high school years.

My teachers have challenged me academically and provided a well-rounded education that includes many interesting subjects. I have also been able to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, which have taught me valuable skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am also grateful for the relationships I have formed in high school. I have made many friends and have had the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.

These experiences have broadened my perspective and taught me to be more empathetic and understanding towards others. Looking ahead, I know that college will bring new challenges and opportunities. However, I am excited to take on these challenges and to continue learning and growing as a person. In conclusion, I am filled with gratitude as I look ahead to my future after high school. I am grateful for the support of my family, teachers, and mentors, the education I have received, the relationships I have formed, and the opportunities that lie ahead. I am excited to pursue my dreams and to see where my journey will take.

Student Blog

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The Palapa School: Student Blog

by Maria

My name is Maria C. S. and I am currently in my fourth semester. I am very interested in health-related topics, although the study of medicine may not be my ultimate goal. I do, however, enjoy learning about all the topics related to the human body, because I like helping people and being prepared in an emergency. At school, I’ve been involved in clubs related to health. The first time was with teacher Surisaday, a physiotherapist. We learned basics including the circulatory system, the skeletal system, CPR, how to apply bandages, and other emergency techniques.

Though we are no longer under Surisaday’s guidance, my classmate Andres (paramedic assistant) and I now run the club. I have never done anything like this before, and I have very high expectations for myself and the program. I not only  learn more but also disseminate this important knowledge to other children. My goal for the future is to obtain at least a license that qualifies me to provide first aid. My career goal is to become a psychologist, but you never know when someone will need us to save their life.

 

 

Student Blog

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How Students Support Each Other
by Ivana

Hello, my name is Ivana and I will talk about how students support each other. Most of us get along well, which has many benefits. For example, when someone misses a class, they can ask a classmate for the notes and not miss any topics or assignments. Additionally, if you have a question in class or somewhere else, you can ask a classmate who can help you with the problem you have. Another example is when you are feeling down, they support you and help you feel better. It is great to have confidence in them, and I am glad that there is harmony among everyone. I would not change my classroom because, despite difficulties, we all support each other, and part of learning is also experiencing difficult times.

Teacher’s Day

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The Palapa School: Teachers’ Day (Día del Maestro)

By Arias S., Student

Teachers are the individuals who keep a school running, so shouldn’t we celebrate that? Teacher’s Day was celebrated in Todos Santos, and our event shone brightly. My school set out to have a great day where teachers would feel appreciated, while also having fun with the students. My class decided to organize a rally with fun activities for the teachers and their groups.

The entire student body worked hard to make an event like this happen, and we managed to organize some enjoyable festivities. Each teacher received a customized award to show how much we appreciate them individually. We created activities challenging their intellect and showcasing their knowledge of the subjects they taught.

Days like these are so important and desired in a school because they help teachers understand how much they are needed. This event helped students work together to create a space where they can feel proud and comfortable with what they are doing. I am grateful we had the opportunity to experience something as great as this and hope through this article, you can see how much we support our teachers.

 

 

The Palapa School Extracurricular Activities in Sight

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By Palapa School Co-Directors Citlalli, Armando, and Diego

New trends in education highlight the importance of extracurricular activities in the comprehensive development of students. The most developed program includes clubs which take place during school hours and are designed from the principles dictated by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP).

Leaders of The Palapa School embrace this aspect and offer an array of activities including art, music, crafts, leadership, chess, electrical, first aid, and photography. In addition to learning through academic growth and personal development, these activities bring joy, motivation, and enthusiasm to students.

But not everything stops there. As a newly inaugurated tradition, the year begins with the “School Start Bonfire” where students and teachers gather on the beach to enjoy an afternoon full of fun and sand. This year the event was in Las Playitas where laughter, challenging activities, teamwork, and chocolates were not lacking.

Student Projects: Drawing Dreams

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The students from the eighth grade, as a part of their Spanish class, attended a workshop called “Literary Cafe” in which they explored and developed reading and deep reflection skills. In this part of the course they read “The Old Man and the Sea” by E. Hemingway.
The activity was to focus on a scene in which the character expressed his dream while observing life in the sea. The student had to express in a drawing their own dreams to achieve, taking the example of reading and making a brief explanation of the drawing.
Drawing Dreams