� Friday, October 20th: NO SCHOOL (D�a de la Revoluci�n)
� Tuesday, October 31st: Halloween Party
� Wednesday, November 1st: NO SCHOOL (All Saints Day)
Dear LIFE Community:
It�s been a great first month here at LIFE. We are all happily settling into our routines, while also planning new events and activities. For example, our after-school program is in full swing. Check out all our new course offerings such as Chess, Mayan Studies, Children�s Choir (Musical Theater), Hip-Hop/Jazz Dance, Culinary Arts, and Basketball.
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THANK YOU
First off, a big thank you to Wendy Stauffer for hosting our professional development day at Villa Sumaya. It was wonderful to work in such a relaxing environment. Thank you also to parents and students for their kind contributions. If you could use some pampering yourself, take advantage of the Hotel�s special offer for LIFE families throughout the month of October!
Further thanks go out to teachers, parents, and students for your help and participation in the October 1st Parade. The rainbow theme beautifully reflected our school�s diversity. To see the stunning pictures, courtesy of Jennifer Easter and Tom Boice, please go to our website or ask us to show them to you on our school�s computer. http://www.lifeschoolweb.com/photogallery.html
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NEWS
For those of you who have access to the internet, I have created an online calendar that shows all upcoming events, holidays, and vacations:
http://www.calendar.yahoo.com/lifeschool_director
Vote for me! In the spirit of teaching our students to become global citizens, we are reinitiating our student government this year. Election season was kicked off with a mock teacher election at last Friday�s assembly. Also, one of our former student presidents, Che Lindken, visited the upper grades to share his experiences and tips. Thank you Che! In the upcoming weeks, students will be campaigning and preparing themselves for the elections on October 27th. Good luck to everyone!
Do you like to watch movies? Starting Monday, October 23rd, we will start renting out our collection of videos and DVDs for Q5 a week. Thanks to Jaime Zaccagnini�s numerous contributions there is a wide variety of movies for children as well as adults to choose from. If you have movies at your home that you are willing to contribute to our lending library, please bring them in this week! We will give you credit for an equal amount of rentals.
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ABOUT LIFE
Last but certainly not least, I would like to introduce some of the important people who quietly support LIFE School behind the scenes. We are very lucky to have you!
Most of you know Eunice Minchez. She has been our fantastic secretary for the past 6 years, always welcoming parents, students, and teachers with a smile. She is the main communication point at the school. Trained as a bilingual secretary, she skillfully moves back and forth between both languages as well as cultures. Aside from her many duties at LIFE, Eunice also finds the time to study for her law degree. If she�s not working, studying, or taking care of her little brothers, Eunice likes to play basketball, swim, and read.
Victor Marroquin has been our trusted guardian for nearly two years. He is an avid gardener making sure that our campus is always green and blooming. When he�s not working tirelessly in cleaning and maintaining the entire school, he enjoys playing soccer with the children. Victor�s wife, Blanca, is our chef and �lunch-lady.� Always kind and patient, she serves delicious and healthy snacks as well as full meals.
Students have to wait until 9th grade to get to know Lidia Churunel, our wonderful accounting teacher. Always with a smile, she comes in three times a week to give this required course. In addition to basic accounting, the class also teaches daily math as well as important life skills.
Jim Cameron joined our team as a volunteer this September. He comes in every day to work in the library or wherever else he�s needed. He�s a man of many talents including having been a chef for many years. Aside of generously providing his support to LIFE, he also has a day-job supplying meat and Italian products to local restaurants, business, as well as individual clients.
Carlos Tzul has been a quiet supporter for many years. Aside from being our computer expert and rushing to our rescue any time of the day, he has also helped LIFE in many other ways such as with international shipments. This year, he started teaching Karate in our after-school program on Fridays. He states that he loves teaching the class because he learns so much from the children.
Paul and Anne Dunn first visited LIFE School two years ago. Last year, they returned to offer their support. They have since become our official mailing address in the States, have done fundraising, and have also provided us with treats such as sending New Yorker magazines. We look forward to learning from their vast experience in the non-profit sector, when they are coming to volunteer with us this January.