Escuela Americana
Transcription
Escuela Americana
December 2011 4th edition Escuela Americana 1 EDITORIAL By: Carmen Nuñez - Communications \ Alumni Director 65 YEARS AGO… PK-12th all set on a beautiful 32-acre campus. Thousands of children have walked the hallways years of this school and all of us who have had the Inez privilege and honor to have been students in this Terzian and eight great school must thank the founding members students in grades for their incredible legacy. Sixty-five ago, Mrs. 1st-5th began their first day of The entire EA community owes class Mrs. which happened to also Terzian Without be our her insight, gratitude. persistence our beloved Escuela Americana’s first day of and this wonderful existence. Mrs. Terzian was a visionary woman educational institution would who served as headmistress and only teacher not have been born. for this newly- founded school. The idea of these children’s parents and of the Terzian family was Thank you Mrs. Terzian for giving El Salvador a to start an American - style school with bilingual school that we can call home and for giving us the education for their children. The year was 1946….. privilege to call ourselves TROJANS! If Mrs. Terzian could see the institution Escuela Americana has grown to be, she would most HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY certainly be full of pride and joy. ESCUELA AMERICANA! Escuela Americana has grown from having a single Carmen de Núñez classroom style education in a residential home Communications Director with a handful of students, to having a student Escuela Americana body of approximately 1,600 children in grades 2 ESCUELA AMERICANA EL SALVADOR ADDRESS: INDEX Calle y Colonia La Mascota Final Calle 3, San Salvador, El Salvador Phone: (503) 2528-8300 Fax: (503) 2528-8321 www.amschool.edu.sv 65th Anniversary (Pag. 4 - 16) La Escuela celebra 65 años de legado 65Th Anniversary Activities 65Th Anniversary Celebration Nuevos Miembros del Salon de la Fama de Exalumnos Escuela Americana Fun History Facts Educational Mission Escuela Americana is a college preparatory international school that seeks to provide a sound basis for life as a responsible member of society. Our educational program is built on high quality standards, and the commitment to help each child develop his or her potential. Escuela Americana offers a bilingual program embracing the cultures of El Salvador and the United States ADMINISTRATION (Pag. 17 - 18) Board Retreat and Strategic Planing New Teachers 2011 - 2012 PARENTS (Pag. 19) Construyendo la Relación Filial Mr. Kenneth Templeton General Director LOWER SCHOOL (Pag. 20 - 25) Bubbles!! Bubbles!! Día de los Difuntos - ¿Cómo se Celebra en EA? The Dream Place Lower School Helping Hands Help those in need! MIDDLE SCHOOL (Pag. 26 - 31) A New Middle School Tradition 8th Grade Girl’s Lock-In 2011 15 Years of Friendship, Learning, and Fun Middle School Trojan Games Mrs. Patricia Zaldivar Finance and Operations Mr. Richard Sinclair Upper School Director Mr. Robert Sinnett Middle School Director Ms. Cristina Lima Lower School Director Mrs. Yolanda de López Admissions Director UPPER SCHOOL (Pag. 32 - 44) AASCA Best Friends, Bikinis, and Business A New Way to the Future is Through the Youth MUN Actively Raising Awareness Paece Day Teachers Dress Up for Charity: A Fun Fundraiser! The EA Focuses on Student Welliness ALUMNI (Pag. 45 - 47) EXAM Gives Back to the Community Trojan Alumni Volunteers Participate in Turtle Release Mrs. Carol Johansing TLC Director Mrs. Raquel Rodriguez Athletic Director Mrs. Malisa Valladares EAX Director ESCUELA AMERICANA IN BRIEF: Founded: 1946 Enrollment PK -12: 1,728 Average Class Size: 14 Athletic sports: 6 Advanced Placement courses: 22 Teaching Faculty: 163 EAX (Pag. 48 - 49) EAX Gives Back ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIPS: The Trojan Today News is the Escuela Americana Official Quarterly Newsletter. Its objective is to keep the Escuela Americana Community informed about news, events and happenings of Escuela Americana as well as other articles of interest. We invite all Community members to contribute articles. Please submit them to the Communications Office. • Accredited - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) • Accredited- Ministry of Education of El Salvador (MINED) • Accredited – Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) • Member- College Board • Member- NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) • Member- AASCA (Association of American Schools in Central America) 3 • Member - Tri-Association (The Association of American Schools of Central America – Colombia – Caribbean – Mexico) 65TH ANNIVERSARY LA ESCUELA CELEBRA 65 AÑOS DE LEGADO By: Dr. Nicola Angelucci- Presidente Junta Directiva Escuela Americana Tomado del Discurso Conmemoración 65 Aniversario de cúmulo de experiencias constructivas, gratos Dr. Nicola Angelucci- Presidente Junta Directiva Escuela recuerdos y esa red de amigos que nos permite Americana. avanzar y encontrar nuestro sentido de identidad en el mundo. Después de la familia, la Escuela es “Cumplir 65 años no es poca cosa. En fuente de inspiración y guía. esta trayectoria hemos entregado al país hombres y mujeres que han hecho historia, El legado que la Escuela Americana deja en sus que han contribuido a la cultura y el deporte, alumnos se vuelve con el tiempo un importante hombres y mujeres que han hecho próspero estimulador de desarrollo y progreso para nuestro a El Salvador, hombres y mujeres que han país en la medida que vamos dando nuestro aporte puesto en alto el nombre de nuestro país y a la sociedad como ciudadanos productivos. Con la nuestra Escuela.” guía de nuestra familia y con lo que nos llevamos de las aulas de esta Escuela pasamos a construir San Salvador, Noviembre 23, 2011 progreso, a generar empleos, a construir familias, a multiplicar bienestar y a ser partícipes de las Sesenta y cinco años es una larga vida. soluciones a problemas nacionales. Comprenden un período en que los frutos del trabajo bien hecho se pueden palpar, medir Cumplir 65 años no es poca cosa. En esta y festejar en la presencia de familia y amigos. trayectoria hemos entregado al país hombres Por eso nos hemos reunido, en confianza, para y mujeres que han hecho historia, que han celebrar este aniversario número 65 de nuestra contribuido a la cultura y el deporte, hombres y Alma Mater. mujeres que han hecho próspero a El Salvador, hombres y mujeres que han puesto en alto el Para nuestra comunidad, 65 años significa nombre de nuestro país y nuestra Escuela. Pero experiencia, significa carácter y perseverancia. heredar de la Escuela Americana un legado es Significa aprendizaje y solidez. Pero más que un privilegio que nos exige responsabilidad. Nos todo, 65 años significa legado. Legado es todo exige que construyamos, que aportemos, que aquello que la Escuela Americana nos dejó. No sumemos, que participemos y le compartamos al hablo de paredes, ni de los títulos, ni de registros país los dones y talentos que Dios no ha regalado. de calificaciones. Me refiero a la formación y principios que de aquí nos llevamos todos los que Por eso me da mucho gusto que hayamos celebrado hemos pasado por sus aulas. el legado de 65 años de la Escuela Americana ingresando a dos grandes personalidades de El legado de la Escuela Americana es la llave que nuestro país al Salón de la Fama. Dos ex alumnos nos abre puertas y la brújula que nos ayuda a que ilustran cómo, ese legado puede ser usado diferenciar lo bueno de lo malo. Es la formación para hacer de El Salvador un país que pueda que nos ayuda a ser personas de bien, a soñar soñar en grande. Me da mucho gusto compartir, en grande y a vivir con plenitud. Legado es ese un homenaje donde honramos el mérito de 4 nuestros ex alumnos que han destacado a lo largo de su trayectoria profesional. Dos personas que El mundo en el que nos toca vivir atraviesa han enarbolado las banderas de la excelencia, el momentos liderazgo y el amor por la patria. Son dos nombres oportunidades de sobresalir y de aportar a que conocidos y muy respetados, dos nombres que el mundo sea un poco mejor. Lo que soñemos lo le han agregado mucho prestigio a la Escuela podemos lograr con trabajo, con sacrificio y con Americana. Los dos son empresarios y han llevado claridad de propósitos. Y persiguiendo nuestros vidas activas en el servicio y la proyección hacia sueños tenemos que aspirar a vivir en gracia con causas sociales. Los dos se graduaron con honores Dios y en franca felicidad. difíciles pero siempre habrá de sus universidades en el extranjero. De la Escuela nos llevamos las herramientas para hacer lo que más nos guste y para hacerlo exitosamente. De la escuela nos llevamos una plataforma de conocimientos y valores que nos pueden catapultar hasta donde aspiremos llegar. Felicidades a la Comunidad Escuela Americana por estos 65 años de legado, herencia y excelencia! Ellos son Miguel Lacayo y Ricardo Poma, Los cuales serán homenajeados por su Liderazgo y Ciudadanía Ejemplar. Estos dos ex alumnos entran a un espacio privilegiado donde se convierten en modelos a imitar para todos nuestros estudiantes. Al integrarlos al Salón de la Fama de la Escuela Americana, colocamos en vitrina sus experiencias de vida para que sirvan de inspiración a toda la comunidad educativa. Ellos dos nos muestras a todos qué tan alto podemos soñar, que tan lejos podemos llegar y qué tanto podemos aportarle a nuestro país a través del servicio público, a través del trabajo en nuestras comunidades, a través de nuestra inversión de tiempo y recursos a temas tan sensibles como la educación y la salud. 5 65TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES By: Communications Office Escuela Americana celebrates its 65th Anniversary took place. The celebration was composed of this year with numerous activities. EXAM hosted two events; a luncheon with guests that included a cocktail party during the summer for EA new Hall of Fame inductees (Ricardo Poma and alumni. Many alumni came back to celebrate Miguel Lacayo) and guests, EA Board of Directors, their alma mater’s birthday with great food and Faculty and Staff. We honored faculty and staff great company, and even enjoyed a viewing of which had been with us for 25+ years. Later the a special commemorative video produced by the guests joined students and teachers for a school- Communications Office. wide assembly which took place in the gym to honor the new Hall of Fame inductees. On November 23rd , Escuela Americana’s 65th Anniversary Assembly / Hall of Fame Induction 6 7 65TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION By: EA Communications Office 8 9 Current Hall of Fame members: Carlos Hasbún and Roberto Murray with EA Board President, Dr. Nicola Angelucci. Special Guest Speaker, Mrs. María Eugenia de Ávila; Mr. Paul Steiner - Exam President; Mr. Miguel Lacayo - Hall of Fame Inductee and Mr. Ken Templeton - EA General Director 10 11 Images from our celebration 12 13 NUEVOS MIEMBROS DEL SALON DE LA FAMA DE EXALUMNOS By: EA Communications Office NUEVOS MIEBROS DEL SALON DE LA al mundo, 3- su rol como modelo y ejemplo FAMA DE EX ALUMNOS DE LA ESCUELA consistente con la misión de la Escuela Americana AMERICANA y 4- su reputación, de acuerdo a cuánto se ha destacado dentro y fuera de nuestro país. Cada dos años, la Oficina de Ex alumnos de la Escuela Americana abre el proceso de nominación En esta ocasión y con motivo de la Celebración del y selección de nuevos miembros del Salón de la 65 Aniversario de la Escuela Americana el Comité Fama de Ex alumnos. Para la selección de los ex de Selección con el aval de la Junta Directiva de alumnos que ingresan al Salón de la Fama, se la Escuela Americana seleccionó a dos ex alumnos evalúan varias categorías con base a una lista de para la categoría de Liderazgo y Ciudadanía criterios técnicos y un mecanismo para llevar a Ejemplar. cabo el procedimiento de selección. Las categorías son Liderazgo y Ciudadanía Ejemplar, Mérito Ellos son Miguel Lacayo Clase de 1978 y Ricardo Cultural y Profesional, Deportista Destacado y Poma Clase de 1963. Mérito Académico e Investigación. Damos Gracias a Don Miguel y Don Ricardo, por Los criterios de ingreso durante el proceso de aceptar la invitación a ser parte de nuestro Salón selección y evaluación son cuatro: de la Fama, ya que ellos son 1- los logros profesionales en su rubro de trabajo, nuestra comunidad y un ejemplo para estos niños 2- el servicio y contribuciones a la sociedad y y jóvenes. 14 un orgullo para ING. MIGUEL LACAYO ING. RICARDO POMA 15 ESCUELA AMERICANA FUN HISTORY FACTS By: Paulina Ortiz – Communications Office Did you know? expansion in the last 10 years, with reconstructions and constructions of 4 buildings? • EA’s first students had their classes in a house? • You can print anything from business cards, photobooks • Fiorella Massi, who is now a Lower School Assistant, to t shirts in PrintEAs publications department? won the first award as best student in 1948? • Each classroom in the Early Childhood Center has • The Elementary School land was bough at 3.00 an observation room designed for child education colones a square “vara”? research and for parents to do periodic observations of • The land where the Chicken Coops was built, was their children in school? bought from the US Embassy for a symbolic price of • The Extension Program at EA has more students $1.00? attending classes on weekdays and Saturdays than • First ever Escuela Americana yearbook, published in Escuela Americana? 1958, was called “Maquilishuat”? • The Trojan Learning Center is affiliated with The • The first seniors graduated in 1961? Hill Center in Durham, North Carolina: an innovative • Seño Ochoa started working in the school in 1960, research based program that has been helping children one year before the first class graduated? for over 30 years? • The Upper School Library is named after John P. • Escuela Americana has more than 8,000 alumni Maloney, our school’s director in 1958 who devoted 13 around the world from Madrid to Tokyo to Morroco? years to the school? Our Alumni Hall of Fame members range from former • The first design of the “Trojan” was created by a Salvadoran presidents to entrepreneurs, to successful student, Frank Angulo? athletes? • Students first began using uniforms in 1986? • Escuela Americana’s Service Program extends The Lower School Library is dedicated to Inez Terzian, from Lower School to Upper School with each grade the first Director and teacher of the Escuela Americana? participating in community service? • EXAM was founded by Victor Steiner, in 1983, while he was member of the Board of Directors? For more images scan • There was an actual Lady Trojan on a horse present this code or vist in EA’s 50th anniversary in 1996? www.amschool.edu.sv • The school has had its greatest infrastructure 16 By: Mr. Ken Templeton – General Director Discussions were lively and touched on every Under each of these over-arching or “mission” goals are area, from mission and admission to finance and a series of eight more specific goals or objectives which infrastructure, and even more. will be literally “hammered out” in ensuing Strategic Planning sessions leading to the who, what, when, As a follow up to the work of our five 12-hour commissions where, by what means, and how measured necessary that was completed during the 2010-2011 School Year, for an effective implementation of a strategic plan. the EA Board of Directors held an eight-hour retreat on Friday and Saturday, September 30 – October 1, at the To complete this planning work and move toward Lower School house on campus. At this retreat, members effective action, board members and an expanded of the board began finalizing both short-term and long- group of EA staff and administration will have three term goals for EA. Attendance was excellent with 15 Monday meetings beginning Monday, October 31, of 16 members present. The considerable volume of and continuing through November 14. Each meeting input, research, and recommendations provided by will be from 7:00–9:30AM. each of the commissions gave strong direction to this under the guidance and direction of Amy Swiatek, our process. Each member of the EA Board was provided professional leader. These meetings will be with a good deal of information in advance and asked to arrive prepared to discuss and share in both small As a school community, we can and should be proud and large group exercises. Discussions were lively and of the enormous amount of time and effort that has touched on every area, from mission and admission gone into this process, and that we are a strong and to finance and infrastructure, and even more. It was confident institution that seeks to examine itself always decided at the end of the session on Saturday that with an idea to be better and stronger. another session be scheduled for the next week. From this process and following a third meeting with a smaller group of Board representatives and EA staff, the Board members have arrived at three broad areas of over-arching goals and under each area are sub-goals that will lead the EA strategic plan and the specific steps we will take to reach our goals. The overarching goals are: 1. Strengthening academic performance and developing the whole child 2. Positioning sound infrastructure and financial base to support future needs of a well-rounded education 3. Strengthening a mission driven board, leadership, and community 17 ADMINISTRATION BOARD RETREAT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING NEW TEACHERS 2011 - 2012 By: EA Communications Office From left to right: Rosie Escobar, Jess Rojas, Therese Boushay, Daniella Walsh, Carolyn Carter, Hudak Hendrix, Melanie Campione, Charlotte Glashagel, Elizabeth Liombart, Patricia Rodriguez Mrs. Beth Avila - TLC Mrs. Rosario de Keeling Pre kinder Mr. Carlos Velasco - MS Music Ms. Jessica Colburn 2nd Grade Mrs. Olga García - MS Assistant Ms. Isabel Epstein Kinder 18 Mrs. Eugenia Herrera US Assistant Por Mónica Pacas de Rodríguez- Master en Matrimonio y Familia Orientadora Familiar-Forja Una relación construida sobre la base del mutuo No se trata de resignarse e ignorar las áreas de mejora conocimiento, la aceptación, la comprensión y la ¡pues el mismo amor exige que le ayudes a ser la mejor ayuda mutua, es una relación fuerte. persona que puede ser!... pero partiendo de lo que es. Y teniendo en mente que la meta es su propio bien – Construir una relación fuerte con tu hij@ desde no el tuyo ¡aunque también te veas beneficiado!-. Así, pequeño es una de las inversiones más rentables las metas que plantees serán objetivas, deseables y y reconfortantes que puedes hacer en la vida. alcanzables para ambos. Aunque lo ideal es iniciar desde que los hij@s están pequeños, ¡cualquier edad es buena para comenzar! Aceptar a tu hij@ como es te ayudará a comprender Lo indispensable es que te lo plantees seriamente y mejor su mundo interior: a ponerte en sus zapatos. estés dispuesto a ir “construyendo” la relación “bloque De esta forma, se te hará más sencillo descubrir sus por bloque” con acciones y actitudes muy concretas. sentimientos en las diferentes situaciones que tenga que enfrentar y por ello, estarás mas dispuesto y mejor La relación comienza a establecerse cuando padre e capacitado para ayudarle cuando lo necesite. hij@ se conocen mutuamente. No basta con habitar en la misma casa o ocuparse de que vaya al colegio todos Una relación construida sobre la base del mutuo los días. Se trata de conocer sus gustos, sus aspiraciones conocimiento, la aceptación, la comprensión y la ayuda y sueños, sus necesidades, sus limitaciones y sus mutua, es una relación fuerte -a prueba de los retos miedos. Para conseguirlo, es indispensable compartir que la vida seguramente te presentará-. La relación tiempo juntos, durante el cual puedan “mirarse” y filial bien vivida posibilitará que ambos crezcan como “conversar”; solos tú y él, en un ambiente de apertura, seres humanos y les permitirá gozar a lo largo de la confianza y respeto. vida de una compañía invaluable, ya sea para celebrar o para lamentar, para reír o para llorar. A menudo, al conocerl@ puedes descubrir ciertos Pero siempre ¡JUNTOS! rasgos o actitudes en tu hij@ que por ser diferente a ti te pueden resultar poco atractivas o incluso a veces te Comentarios: [email protected] pueden provocar una reacción inicial de rechazo. Sin embrago, para que el amor entre padre e hij@ pueda crecer y fortalecerse es indispensable que lo aceptes tal como es; por el simple hecho de que aquel bebe, niñ@ o joven es tu hij@; y él a tí, porque tú le diste la vida, porque le brindas los cuidados que necesita para crecer y desarrollarse sanamente, y porque lo educas para que un día se convierta en adulto capaz de ser feliz. 19 PARENTS CONSTRUYENDO LA RELACIÓN FILIAL LOWER SCHOOL BUBBLES!! BUBBLES!! By: Ivette Molina – Math & Science Center Teacher “Can bubbles be shaped like the ones in Bus Movies). the cartoon?” Once the classroom is ready for the experiment, each student gets a wire hanger to try different shapes, like Imagine a classroom full of students eagerly trying rhombus, triangle, square and oval. a variety of fascinating experiments with bubbles. 3. Draw Conclusions and Communicate Results Following the Scientific Method, students figure out that bubbles are always spheres, they will never form a cube or prism no matter the shape of the hanger. In every experiment, the Math Science Center wants all students to engross themselves in the activity and become intensely involved in what they are doing They will learn through “play” and develop a intuitive sense of what science is all about, cooperating as needed, but learning at their own pace and level. In 3rd grade Science Class, students are learning the Scientific Method. The challenge the Math Science Center faces is how to help teachers teach the Scientific Method. Well, we’ll use bubbles as a fun way to learn! The Scientific Method has different stages: 1. Observe and ask Questions 2. Observe Ziggy’s picture above. You’re probably wondering, “Can bubbles be shaped like the ones in the cartoon?” Plan and conduct the Experiment This is the great thing about having a place like the Math Science Center, this classroom is ready for Lower School students to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy! (Like Ms. Frizzle says in the Magic School 20 Por: Oficina de Comunicaciones [Los Salvadoreños] recuerdan a los difuntos en al catolicismo cambiaron la fecha del festival para el este día, pero más que recordar, es un día en el inicio de noviembre; de esta manera coincidían con que se celebra la vida de los que siguen aquí. las festividades católicas del Día de todos los Santos y Todas las Almas. En El Salvador, el Día de los Muertos se celebra el 2 de noviembre. Aunque en menor escala que las grandes Cómo se celebra en América Latina fiestas de otros países, los salvadoreños siguen la tradición de sus raíces y recuerdan a los difuntos en El 1 y 2 de noviembre son dos días bien diferenciados este día, pero más que recordar, es un día en el que se en las festividades. El 1 es el día en que regresan las celebra la vida de los que siguen aquí. almas de los niños y el 2 las almas de los adultos. Para ambos días los pueblos y ciudades preparan una serie En La Escuela Americana, celebramos el Día de los de objetos que forman parte del ritual de todos los Difuntos en Primaria en las clases de español, donde los noviembres. En primer lugar están las calaveras, que estudiantes aprenden de las tradiciones y costumbres se ven representadas tanto en artesanías como en los del pueblo Salvadoreño. Los niños disfrutan la tradición platos de la víspera. de comer el plato típico de ese día, las hojuelas embadurnadas de una deliciosa miel de azúcar de caña. También existen máscaras con forma de cráneo y calaveras a las que se les inscriben en la frente el Orígenes del Día de los Muertos nombre de los difuntos o de gente viva como una broma. Para nada tétricas, las formas de los objetos Los orígenes de la celebración del Día de Muertos se son siempre redondeadas, las calaveras muestran una encuentran en los antiguas culturas indígenas de los irónica sonrisa y la comida es por lo general dulce y la Aztecas, Mayas, Purepechas, Nahuas y Totonacas que parte más esperada para los niños a los que se convida durante 3 mil años hicieron rituales dedicados a sus con todo tipo de golosinas. ancestros coincidiendo con estas fechas. Estos rituales simbolizaban la muerte y el renacimiento que en la época prehispánica se representaba con los cráneos de los muertos. Las festividades eran presididas por el dios Mictecacihuatl, conocido como la “Dama de la muerte” (actualmente corresponde con “la Catrina”) y eran dedicadas a la celebración de los niños y las vidas de parientes fallecidos. Así como se sienten muchos extranjeros al ver esta celebración que tiene algo de morboso y mucho de El Día de los Muertos se celebra en muchos países pagano, los conquistadores españoles del siglo XV de América Latina y aunque en todos tiene el mismo estuvieron aterrados por las practicas de los indígenas, significado, cada uno le da a un toque personal. y en un intento de convertir a los nativos americanos Información proviene de www.viajeros.com 21 LOWER SCHOOL DIA DE LOS DIFUNTOS – ¿COMO SE CELEBRA EN EA? 22 By Martin Hererra - 5th grade student Try to climb Mt. Aconcagua someday. See the snow as white as paper, It’s like escaping completely away. And feel yourself a movie maker. If you can, you should feel proud. Hear the birds singing, You will get free of all the crowd. Instead of your phone ringing. If you get to the summit, Now you’ve climbed the tallest mount, I’m sure you won’t vomit. Instead of using your Facebook account. Smell the flowers, Now you have escaped away, And explore for hours. Remember to come back someday. Even though you might have fear, Try to stay in the rear. Fell the breeze, And why not sneeze? 23 LOWER SCHOOL THE DREAM PLACE LOWER SCHOOL LOWER SCHOOL HELPING HANDS HELP THOSE IN NEED! By: Florence de Lemus – Lower School Assistant Director educational materials prepared by the students (first grade); brooms - each faculty member brought one or more brooms on Monday, Oct. 31st. There were many mothers and TA’s that helped organize the packing of the “canasta básica” on Nov. 4th and 18th in the Cafetorium. It was great to see so many people joining efforts and helping out. Lower School raised a total of $2646.09! The Lower School joined “helping hands” to help Salvadorans affected by the october rains. LS teachers started the solidarity movement and soon mothers were helping as well. Several activities were organized giving students opportunities to be active participants in community service. Lower School selected the Community of San Nicolás Lempa (at Bajo Lempa area) to receive our donations and TCS helped them with the delivery of these donations to this area. The activities included: Two Helping Hands Days (Jeans’ Day, Nov. 4 and 18) - students brought a monetary donation, between $2 and $5 (which was used to buy metal sheeting for Students had previously participated in a sticker design contest. The Helping Hands committee selected three drawings that best reflected the purpose of this special endeavor. Publications helped create the sticker. All students had the opportunity to pack one or more “canastas” and place the special “HELPING HAND from EA” sticker on their bag. TCS will make a video as they deliver the LS donations. We will, in due time, share this video everybody gets to see who the beneficiaries of Lower School’s “service” and efforts are and the area they have all helped “reconstruct”. Thank you Lower School for you great initiative in helping others and a great program! rebuilding roofs) PLUS one pound or more of a food item (Nov.4) and a cleaning item (Nov. 18). FUSAL’s recommendations for specific items were taken into consideration: PK Rice K Beans 1st “Incaparina” 2nd “Maseca” 3rd Cooking Oil 4th Powder Milk 5th Sugar Donations - shoes (used but in good condition/ new) from PK students (their Social Service project); 24 25 MIDDLE SCHOOL A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TRADITION By: Carmen Novoa – Middle School Assistant Director “In order to establish enriching traditions and customs at EA that bring students together and to instill a sense of citizenship, community, and patriotism…” In order to establish enriching traditions and customs at EA that bring students together and to instill a sense of citizenship, community, and patriotism, members of the Middle School Student Government lead all Middle School students in a Flag Raising Ceremony. This ceremony is held the first Tuesday of each month except when there is a modified schedule or a holiday. The Flag Raising Ceremony consists of the Executive officers, and grade level officers taking turns on a designated month to raise the flag of El Salvador and the flag of the United States of America. All Middle School students and staff stand in the area in front of the main lobby and join in singing the National Anthems of both countries as the class officers raise the flags. 26 By: Jonathan Roach - 8th Grade History Teacher On Friday, November 4th fifty five 8th grade vigilantes…some interesting stories by the way! girls gathered in the gym with their tents, Shortly afterwards the girls played a game of sleeping bags, music, movies, Nintendo midnight soccer, followed by a mass exodus from Wii’s, food, and an endless amount of the gym to the soccer field. energy. out their sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets and Everyone brought laid down on the new turf (which is actually very What is a Lock-In you ask? … Well, it is probably comfortable and keeps you warm when you lay one of the most memorable experiences in the on it) and gazed at the stars and watched what 8th grade and the biggest slumber party many seemed to be an unending show of shooting stars. students have ever been to. The Lock-In begins Sunrise came at 5:15am, and with it an amazing at 8:00pm on Friday evening and ends at 7:00am display of colors and sounds most of the girls on Saturday morning. This is the second year had never seen before. Just after sunrise several that the Middle School has held its annual girls’ of the 8th grade mothers came to the gym and Lock- In, and the second annual boys’ lock in is brought every breakfast. It was a great way to coming up in January 2012. One key aspect of end the night. the Lock-In is that students are not able to attend if they have a Major Infraction. It is evident that In sum, it was an unforgettable event that not students this year are responding to this, as the only brought the girls together, but allowed for number of Major Infractions is lower compared to some safe and relaxed fun time! previous years. Special thanks to Mr. Roach for organizing the On Friday, November 4th fifty five 8th grade girls Lock-In, to Mr. Sorto, Mrs. Guirola, Mr. Sinnett, gathered in the gym with their tents, sleeping and Mrs. Novoa for supervision, to vigilantes bags, music, movies, Nintendo Wii’s, food, and an Martin and Jose Antonio for their awesome endless amount of energy. stories and for providing security throughout the First and foremost, the initial activity that the girls dug into, literally, night. was dinner. Mantenimiento for helping with the set up, and to The girls ordered enough pizza to feed an army…and ate it all! Then Mrs Novoa and Ms. Raquel Rodriguez for letting us use the gym. Mr Sinnett made additional runs (Not literally; they drove to pick up!) to Buffalo Wings and Mc Donald’s for more food. Once hunger was satiated, some girls played Wii, including Dance Dance Revolution, Just Dance 2, Mario Kart, and Guitar Hero, while others listened to music, danced, and chatted. Then it was time for movies, and of course you can’t have a LockIn without a scary movie!! After the movie, at 2:00 am, everyone was too psyched to sleep so they went outside to hear ghost stories from the Additional thanks goes to CopeClean and 27 MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE GIRLS’ LOCK- IN 2011 28 By: Ms Agnes Dutriz – Middle School Teacher ESCUELA AMERICANA-WEBB SCHOOL CULTURAL EXCHANGE and delicious food. Moms at Webb were always helping out in EA students become part of their families anything they could. They took the EA students and have the opportunity to experience day and the chaperones to downtown Knoxville were to day life in the United States. they learned about their history by visiting James White Fort and seeing how life in the early days A delegation of seventeen EA Middle School was very different to what we are used to now. students had the opportunity to learn and But this trip was not complete without a visit to experience a new culture through an exchange the famous Chocolate Factory that had, what that took place in Knoxville, Tennessee. For the else…the widest variety of chocolates and sweets past fifteen years, the Webb school community one had ever seen. has hosted EA students and welcomed them with their southern hospitality. EA students become One highlight of the exchange was the Salvadorian part of their families and have the opportunity to Cultural Fair. Our delegates prepared an exhibit experience day to day life in the United States. with touristic videos of El Salvador, typical foods and beverages, songs, crafts, souvenirs, Our delegates attended Webb school classes and dresses. A map and the flag of El Salvador and were amazed to see how each student was were also displayed in the building. EA students required to have an IPAD. Heavy books were worked hard explaining Salvadoran traditions, not a problem anymore; they were downloaded handing out samples of platanitos, elotitos, and straight to the IPAD. And what about lockers? cerecitas, as well as arrayan, maracuya, and Yes, they had lockers, but no locks! Honor code is tamarind beverages. They demonstrated the use something they really respect. Every day, at 8:15 of capiruchos and displayed Fernado Llort´s arts a.m. students would gather at the auditorium and cratfs. Webb students and teachers learned, and had a brief assembly were they recited “The in a couple hours, what El Salvador is all about. Pledge of Allegiance” and their Honor Code. The last day the students spent at the Webb School EA students were involved in many fun activities. turned out to be Halloween. Both teachers and The first one was the Welcome Fiesta, a gathering students dressed up, and lower school kids got to that takes place in one of the host´s homes. show their costumes in a parade that took place Parents, students and teachers are invited to from middle school through high school. M&Ms chat, eat dinner, and get to know each other a walked through the hallways, princesses were little better. It was evident that the students had happy to show off their gowns, and super heroes already created wonderful friendships. Later on in were running around. Only one thing was on their the week, both WEBB students and EA students minds... trick or treating. They all left school with went on a fieldtrip to Dollywood, a fun amusement one thing in mind…candy, candy, candy. park with roller coasters, southern arts and crafts, 29 MIDDLE SCHOOL 15 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP, LEARNING, AND FUN The trip eventually came to an end and EA students came to school with their suitcases all packed. A last farewell was said at the assembly. EA students and Webb students gathered together for the last picture. They hugged goodbye and some had tears in their eyes; but they knew that this was not a goodbye, it was an Hasta Luego! until February 2012 when the Webb delegation visits EA. 30 MIDDLE SCHOOL TROJAN GAMES By: Middle School Office 31 32 UPPER SCHOOL 33 AASCA By: Communications Office 34 AASCA By: Communications Office 35 Congratulations Trojans! 2nd Place! 3rd Place! 36 By: Isabella Alvarez – 12th grade student “There should be no reason why girl should were yet to find the fabric. After wandering around pay so much for bikinis, since after all we El Salvador, making their way through random could actually make them!” shops, and unfamiliar people, they finally found a distributor of Spanish spandex. They were able What do Mark Zuckerberg, to begin. Valeria Quirós and Camila Araujo have in common? They launched their first collection, the “Black They have all started a and White” in late March of 2011, which proved business in their teenage very successful. Instead of the bikinis being sold years. Mark Zuckerberg in stores, they were assembled by a seamstress may have launched Facebook in Harvard, but best and made “to order”, proving very advantageous. friends Valeria and Camila have demonstrated Girls looked at the styles in V&C’s Facebook page that it’s really not necessary to be in a university and then selected the piece they desired, and in to establish an enterprise. They currently walk the the size they wanted it. This ultimately got rid of halls of Escuela American as seniors, and prove the common dilemma all girls go through when themselves unstoppable businesswomen with shopping for bathing suits- “finding that cute their newly launched swimsuit line, V&C. piece, and in my size.” They started their bikini line five months ago. They There is no doubt that this mechanism gave V&C commented that they always wanted to start a a lead over most other bikini lines. Sixty nine project together, but did not know exactly what percent of senior girls admitted in a pubic poll to do. It finally came to them when they were that their main priority when shopping for bathing shopping for American bikinis. “ We noted that suits is ‘fit’, giving both Valeria and Camila bonus they were way over-priced, since after all, they points on making the business satisfying to the were just a piece of fabric. There should be no clients reason why we should pay so much for them, since after all we could actually make them!” Valeria explained. “We wanted to allow Salvadorean girls to have access to cute suits and at affordable prices.” And so the idea was born. Camila described that getting the business started was a bit challenging. They knew they wanted to design and sell bikinis, but did not have the material to do it. They were already acquainted with the people from whom they could buy the jewels and accessories for the designs, but they 37 UPPER SCHOOL BEST FRIENDS, BIKINS, AND BUSINESS Valeria admits though, that what she believes people, specifically EA community members. the real asset of their bikini business is that their Andrea Bazant, former Escuela Americana student bathing suits are of high quality. “There were has modeled bikinis for them. While current EA times when I ordered bikinis from Victoria’s Secret seniors, Julio Saravia, and Pablo Avilés have taken and that they were very see-through. We make pictures for them. The mother of current senior, sure that this doesn’t happen in our line,” Camila Mónica Pinzón has also offered her salon, Monike added. to do the hair and make- up for models. With this cooperation, Camila has been able to compile a Both Valeria and Camila have proved themselves printed catalog, more evidence of their expertise successful entrepreneurs, as they have taken into when it comes to running a business. account the desires of clients and have modeled their business around them. Regardless, it should Both Valeria and Camila say that they are also be taken into account that they have also considering continuing their project well after created a business that works well along economic they go off to college. They admit that it might be terms. If V&C is looked upon a more economic hard, but that they would be willing to continue perspective, it can be noted that Valeria and it in the summer and winter holidays, when they Camila score an A+ when it comes to creating a would be in town. Hopefully, they carry on their professional business. project. Despite what happens, they can be sure that they will leave a legacy in the school. They Currently, they are selling their bikinis at “Colecciones”, which has opened their doors to are proof that a high school diploma isn’t really necessary to work like professionals. them. It has allowed them to sell their bikinis without a cost. This has helped them immensely. With the money they would have spent on the locale and the clerk, they can invest on better fabrics and accessories, which is what Camila explained to done with all the profit. Likewise, because they are selling their pieces at $30 to $40, a bargain compared to lines like that of Agua Bendita, which can sell up to $300, they have been able to successfully compete in the market. Their bathing suits are very accessible. Girls do not have to order them from other countries and they are at affordable prices. There is no surprise that as of now, they have been able to sell approximately 60 pieces, and have launched four more collections, “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Neolicious”, “Zip It” and “Turquoise”. Further demonstrating Camila and Valeria’s success is their ability to involve a variety of 38 By: Kevin O’Farrell, NHS President, class of 2012 This year the National Honor Society has The NHS has also been working with the Ludoteca focused on two projects: the ESL program this year, a free play area where kids can come for and Ludoteca. a couple of hours every day. The Ludoteca’s motto is: “Learning while playing”. I first volunteered In order for our developing country of El Salvador at the Ludoteca as a Junior in a service learning to grow, it is necessary to give its youth, the adults project, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But, due of the future, more opportunities and a better to lack of volunteers, the project was cancelled, education, so when their time comes, they will which is why, as president of the NHS, I was lead this country in the right direction. Therefore, zealous to involve the NHS with Ludoteca. this year the National Honor Society has focused on two projects: the ESL program and Ludoteca. The ESL program is a continuation of last year, in which NHS members volunteered to teach English to a group of 25 kids between the ages of six and thirteen from San Ramón, Cuscatlán. It’s not all about them learning English, though, as during our breaks, we all play tag, run around and simply have fun in the playground and monkey bars. These breaks are important as it lets us bond with the kids, which is crucial since many of them come from broken homes. The Ludoteca is made up of different areas, all focused on playing, but geared towards different skills children should have, such as rules, artistic, sports and critical thinking, among others. Both the kids and NHS members really enjoy going to the Ludoteca. For the children, it’s a way for them to express themselves and simply have fun in a safe environment, all while learning. While, on the Last year, with the money the NHS raised, we other hand, we love to spend time with the kids, built an art room at Colegio San Ramón. About as they are truly grateful and sweet. We also get a month ago, we went to visit the school and we to re-live our childhood playing board games and saw the truly stunning art pieces the students silly games with the kids! have created. Thus, the money we raise this year will go into buying even more supplies for the art classes. 39 UPPER SCHOOL A NEW THE WAY TO THE FUTURE IS THROUGH THE YOUTH UPPER SCHOOL MUN ACTIVELY RAISING AWARENESS By: Ivonne Sosa – Upper School English Teacher Being a “MUNer” is not only being a diplomat. conflict in Libya. Enthusiastic students not only It means being a socially responsible student devoted their valuable free afternoons to the who will one day be a socially responsible simulation, but also spent hours in preparation for world leader. such a demanding endeavor. In order to prepare for simulations MUN club members come together at least once a week to meet the intense academic rigor of the club. Students hone their research, writing, presentation, and debating skills through a series of formal assignments and debate activities. The academic demands increase when students must remain in A young man in a brown woolen three-piece suit the role of a delegate from their assigned country; stands to speak. He nervously fiddles with the in order to effectively remain in this role students chain of his golden watch as he glances at the must understand their country’s position on an face to try to estimate time. He has thirty seconds issue by knowing what their country has already to speak. The United States, the Soviet Union, articulated and be able to apply this knowledge in France, North Yemen and other diplomats from order to predict what the country would say in a around the world will hear his request. The young new and different discussion on the issue. man is Great Britain’s Foreign Secretary and he must bring forth the matter of the British Mandate Dedicated MUN members will not only successfully of Palestine at the United Nations General represent their countries at on campus simulations, Assembly of 1947. but will also represent EA at the international simulation at Yale University, YMUN, in January. But it is not 1947. It is 2011. This young man in 1940’s garb is not the actual British Foreign Through simulations on and off campus MUN Secretary, but rather a student at Escuela members become more aware of world issues. Americana who is participating in a Model United They learn not only to sympathize with the Nations simulation of a historic 1947 UN General citizens of the world, but to also empathize. They Assembly. This is one of the many opportunities learn not only to recognize social, economic, and our students have to experience what it is, and political problems, but also to propose solutions was, like to be a UN diplomat. to them. MUN makes an effort to support world organizations and events through our activities. This semester EA’s MUN club will hold two on This year the MUN club presented an assembly in campus simulations. Our first simulation on honor of International Peace Day and organized a October 6-7 included three committees and t-shirt sale in benefit of the international charity, student delegates from over twenty-five countries. UNICEF. Students discussed sanitary conditions and health as affected by flooding in Pakistan, the detrimental Being a “MUNer” is not only being a diplomat. It effect of organized crime on the economic and means being a socially responsible student who social development of Central America, and the 40will one day be a socially responsible world leader. By Arie Bogaard - 12th grade student “War, what is it good for? Absolutely peace, like peace day, we attempt to bring about a nothing”. social awareness for the struggle for peace. Now, bringing peace to a world that is oh so familiar I want you to try and think back to a time when the with war and conflict is no easy task, but we have news had something good to say, when it wasn’t what it takes to start a change for the good. We plagued with death tolls and calamity and blood- have before us the ability and choice to become red headlines, it’s hard isn’t it? Well the truth is ambassadors of peace so that maybe our children there haven’t been many times when humanity or our children’s children will be able to see, peace has truly had peace in recent decades. We, as a one day. generation, were born into a time where conflict is seen on many different fronts. From the blood and September 21st is United Nations Peace Day. This sand of the middle east, to the hidden genocides year the Model United Nations club designed and in Africa of the 90s to the recent bloody uprisings sold peace day shirts to raise money for UNICEF in Egypt and Libya, the list goes on and on of and put together an awe-inspiring assembly conflicts which our generation and our parents’ utilizing the many talents of students from the generations have seen and even lived through. Upper school. Miguel Lacayo Co-President of the Model United Nations club welcomed upper Coming closer to home, at the turn of the school students and Arie Bogaard Co-President millennium, just before many of us were born, our presented what peace day means in his own words parents lived through an armed conflict here in (see above). Mrs. Jensen-Hengstler’s drama class El Salvador. The war cost over seventy thousand presented a visual representation of different lives and left scars which are felt even today. We areas of conflict and role played solutions to each as a generation are aware of this rash of conflict; conflict. it is because of this awareness that we host two songs. “All You Need is Love” and “Imagine” events for peace such as today. What sets apart sung by Diego Trigueros. Closing the assembly our generation from others is the ability we have was the world premier of a peace day lip dub to take fresh, raw ideas and see them spread and video to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole “Somewhere over take root on a global scale via the internet. This the rainbow/what a wonderful world” by Upper tool of mass communication gives us the ability School students. to consolidate our ideas and make the change we closed with the words: “War, what is it good for? want to see happen. It is because of this ability Absolutely nothing”. and the internet that protesters are able to rally in China and the reason why the micro-revolution in Egypt reached the scale it did. Our generation has what it takes to bring change to the world; we are already impacting the world in certain ways. By hosting rallies for peace, and days to observe 41 Mr. Martinez’s music students perform Helena Alvarez, MUN officer, UPPER SCHOOL PEACE DAY UPPER SCHOOL TEACHERS DRESS UP FOR CHARITY: A FUN FUNDRAISER! By: Lisa Jensen-Hengstler – Upper School English Teacher Lady Macbeth, a Rubix Cube, a Roman Goddess, the element Aluminum, a monk, Winnie the Pooh, Hester Prynne, a 1980s rocker, a slinky, a flapper, a cat, a bunny, and Miss America. On October 31, students of the Upper School were greeted at classroom doors by an array of “characters”: Lady Macbeth, a Rubix Cube, a Roman Goddess, the element Aluminum, a monk, Winnie the Pooh, Hester Prynne, a 1980s rocker, a slinky, a flapper, a cat, a bunny, and Miss America - to name but a few! This was no trick and the treat was that students got to see their teachers demonstrating great school spirit by dressing up for a charity. Students “voted” for their favorite costume by donating cash to their cause. Mr. Brad McFarland (dressed as a jester complete with juggling sticks) and Ms Monica Parraga (dressed as The Wicked Queen from Snow White) drew the most donations but FUNSAL was the clear winner. At the end of the day, teachers raised over $350 and handed over the cash to help the victims of recent flooding in El Salvador. Thanks to all teachers who bravely sported a costume and to all students who generously contributed. It was a fun day! 42 By: Colleen O’Brien – Upper School Science Teacher We will link nutrition The Wellness Policy will specifically outline education, the food served standards for: in schools, physical activity, • nutrient content for all food available on campus; environmental • health education as part of the curriculum; education, and personal wellness. • physical activity throughout all grade levels; and • a measurement plans for implementation. The link between nutrition and learning is well documented; eating healthy, being physically It is important to note that all these standards active and academic success goes hand in hand. A will not necessarily bring about a landslide of new component of the educational mission of Escuela changes; here at school, we are already doing Americana is to provide a sound basis for life as a many things that promote student wellness. For responsible member of society, and a commitment example, the school cafeteria has a “Healthy to help each child develop his or her potential. In Corner” where students can opt to purchase à la recognition of the important connection between carte items such as chicken salads, sandwiches a healthy diet and a student’s ability to learn on whole wheat bread, and yogurt. The school effectively and achieve high standards in school, also has an excellent health curriculum that has EA is developing a Wellness Policy. This policy recently been revised across all grade levels and aims to ensure students acquire the knowledge meets or exceeds the national health standards and skills necessary to establish and maintain set for schools in the United States. Instead, lifelong healthy eating patterns. A well-planned these standards are meant to reinforce what is and well-implemented policy has been shown to already working well and to seek out areas of positively influence students’ health. improvement. With this Wellness Policy we will link nutrition In 2004, Wellness Policies became a requirement education, the food served in schools, physical for all schools in the United States receiving activity, environmental education, and personal federal funding for school meal programs – which wellness. It is EA’s role, as part of a larger is basically all public schools in the country! The community, to model and actively practice and motivation behind this requirement came from the support, through policies and procedures, the worrying rise in obese and overweight children promotion of school health, physical activity, as well as an increase in juvenile diabetes. The good and federal mandate does not tell schools what foods and to serve or how much physical activity students enjoyment of food and participation in physical should receive. Instead, it places the onus of activities are fundamental experiences for all development on each individual school district to people and are primary ways to nurture and create a policy, as long as that policy leads to an celebrate our cultural diversity. outcome of improved student health. And there nutrition, environmental sustainable restoration. agriculture, The sharing have been hundreds of success stories. 43 UPPER SCHOOL THE EA FOCUSES ON STUDENT WELLNESS Schools who have redesigned their approach to Wellness: the state or condition of being in the food they serve and the physical and health good physical and mental health. education their students receive have seen a School Wellness Facts variety of positive benefits. In many schools, • Healthy students learn better selling healthier foods during fundraising events • Eating a healthy breakfast and getting regular led to an increase in revenue, and no schools physical activity are both linked to improvement in saw a drop in revenue after changing to healthy test scores, concentration, and student behavior food. Similarly with vending machine items; when • An increase in physical activity and healthy schools replaced high-fat, high-sodium and high- eating reduces risks and prevents obesity and sugar snack foods with healthier items such as overweight granola bars and packaged nuts, sales from those • Parents and teachers can positively impact machines did not change, and in some cases students’ eating and physical activity habits when increased. Many schools have begun incorporating they role model healthy behaviors diversity into their physical education curriculum • Providing more time for physical activity to include more non-competitive sports such as during school can lead to increased test scores, yoga and weight training, which has resulted in particularly in mathematics greater positive responses of students towards PE classes. Children with daily physical education exhibit better attendance, a more positive attitude Upon the acceptance and implementation of towards school, and superior academic our Wellness Policy, you should expect to see a performance. greater emphasis placed on healthy and delicious Sport and Physical Education. –National Association for meals, a renewed focus on physical education and health across all disciplines, and healthier, happier, Well-nourished students who skip breakfast more successful students! Stay tuned for the next perform worse on tests and have poor newsletter where we will provide an update on concentration. our progress. 44 By: Communications Office EXAM gives back to the community on behalf of all EA Alum! EXAM threw a party for alumni celebrating Escuela Americana’s 65th Anniversary. They collected donations from alumni and with the funds collected from the party and some existing EXAM funds, they paved the floor of the gallery/auditorium of a small, public school in Rio Chiquito, Chalatenango. EXAM has adopted the Rio Chiquito School and has already made 3 substantial donations to help its infrastructure. The Rio Chiquito School houses around 230 students and is the largest school in its area, which is right next to El Pital, Chalatenango. The first donation made by EXAM helped build a computer room with 10 computers. Its second donation built a gallery/auditorium area for the students. The third donation, which is the one made partially with donations collected from 65th Anniversary Party, paved the floor of this gallery with ceramic tiles. EXAM is working on its fourth donation which will help build a bathroom area for the school. EXAM is making great contributions to help this Rio Chiquito school on behalf of all of Escuela Americana alums! 45 ALUMNI EXAM GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY TROJAN ALUMNI VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN TURTLE RELEASE! By: Communications Office We must all work together to conserve -Provide a technical tool to monitor, evaluate and sea monitor the processes of conservation of sea turtles, avoiding the consumption of their eggs, not killing adult turtles on turtles. the beaches, not polluting the seas, and -Promote supporting the nursery to keep the balance recovery of sea turtle populations and habitat in the ecosystem for new generations to on which they depend through environmental appreciate. education. the protection, conservation and -Involve communities in the conservation of the Escuela Americana works hard to instill in students species and in tourism opportunities that arise a sense of responsibility towards the Salvadoran from conservation actions. community. This sense of responsibility should not fade away when students graduate from school. EA Around 60 members of the EA community Alumni should be responsible members of society participated in a turtle release led by Salva and give back to their Salvadoran community and NATURA at La Hola Betos in Costa del Sol. The those in need. That is why we have established group was composed of alumni and their families, the Trojan Alumni Volunteers Program. EA Administration, Faculty and Board members. Each participant was asked to give a $5 donation organize to participate. The volunteers sat in on a lecture community service events for its alumni and given by a member of SalvaNATURA explaining for any EA community member who wishes to the perils sea turtles face and which species are participate. Our first event was held on November in danger of extinction. The volunteers learned 19th in conjunction with SalvaNATURA. that they can also do their part in conserving The Communications Office will sea turtles, by avoiding the consumption of their SalvaNATURA’s SalvaTortuga project began with eggs, not killing adult turtles on the beaches, not the creation of egg incubation areas for “tortugas polluting the seas, and supporting the nursery marinas de carey y golfinas”, located on the to keep the balance in the ecosystem for new Costa del Sol beach, according to legal guidelines generations to appreciate. established by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). With the monetary donation and time volunteered, the EA community gave back and helped out the SalvaTortuga’s Objectives: sea turtles and the great program SalvaNATURA -Improve the conservation status of marine turtles is organizing. in El Salvador, supporting regional conservation efforts. Thank you Trojan Volunteers for your dedication -Promote the establishment of correct models of and great work! Look out for more upcoming nurseries for new and existing projects. Trojan Volunteer Events! 46 47 EAX EAX GIVES BACK By: Gabriela Rodriguez – EAX Marketing Office Escuela Americana’s rallied were given to the Manitas por El Salvador together to help those affected by October’s Foundation, to be added to bags they were already 2011 people preparing, and through the Department of Public who were severely affected by climate Works (M.O.P.) were taken to the Cantón Colima, conditions. near Suchitoto. EAX staff members and their families joined Thanks to the helping hands of Escuela Americana’s efforts to prepare numerous bags with provisions community, 3,616 provision bags were distributed which were taken to different centros de acopio. to various shelters. rains, in community solidarity with The next day 497 bags were distributed at San Salvador’s National Gymnasium and at the Adolfo When the bag distribution had ended, packages Pineda Gymnasium in Santa Tecla. Thanks to a with bread and cookies were distributed among donation from Escuela Americana, it was also Coopeclean and Maintenance staff from the possible to donate 561 bags to Santa Tecla’s City school. Hall. We are grateful to everyone’s collaboration! A group of mothers from the school made a monetary donation, and alongside their children, helped prepare and send provisions to shelters in the metropolitan area such as Margarita Duran School in Santa Tecla, San Martin’s City Hall and Emergency Operations Center in Soyapango. On one day, more than 1,800 bags were distributed not only for breakfast but also for dinner, to Zaragoza’s City Hall, San Salvador‘s archdiocese, and to different shelters in the area of Metalío, La Libertad. EAX also delivered 400 bags to Fundación San Andrés, with which Extension has a strong bond, since it supervises English classes for children with high academic performance from the San Andrés Valley. For more information about this Foundation, you can call the following telephone numbers: (503) 2318-6644 / 2318-8994: E-mail: [email protected] On the last day of volunteering, 300 juice packets 48 49 EDITORIAL SUPPORT Paulina Ortiz Amy Swiatek December 2011 – 4th edition DESIGN AND LAYOUT Gilberto Campos The Trojan Today News is the Escuela Americana Official Quarterly Newsletter. Its objective is to keep the Escuela Americana Community informed about news, events and happenings of Escuela Americana as well as other articles of interest. PHOTOGRAPHY Gilberto Campos Paulina Ortiz Carmen de Núñez Parents, students and staff contributions We invite all Community members to contribute articles. Please submit them to the Communications Office. Escuela Americana Calle y Colonia La Mascota, Final Calle 3, San Salvador, El Salvador Phone: (503) 2528-8300 Fax: (503) 2528-8321 www.amschool.edu.sv ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mr. Ken Templeton - General Director Mrs. Patricia de Zaldívar – Operations and Finance Director Mrs. Amy Swiatek EDITOR Carmen de Núñez 50