While we are bringing this phase of construction to a close, we will be trying to focus on increasing enrollment and improving our existing facilities. There are several areas that we feel we need to zero in on in the next 2 years:
1. Staff Development - In order for us to begin to offer College Degree programs, we need to have Lupita (our Director) begin her Doctoral Program. At the same time we need to encourage more of our current staff to complete Masters level programs. It is probable that Lupita (Right) will begin her PhD program next September.
2. Improved Classroom Equipment - This year we were able to alter our classroom structure so that we have workgroups of 5 students, each with their own computer for research and developing their team projects. We are hoping to be able to purchase equipment like LCD Projectors for each room and Notebook Computers for each teacher in order to get everyone on the same "technological" page and to be able to standardize the use of specific computer programs and technology (for teachers & students).
3. Afternoon Programs - The new neighborhood that we have been talking about for the last year or so has finally begun to materialize. There are approx. 1000 houses in the neighborhood across the street from us now. Folks are slowly starting to move into the houses. At this point there are maybe 100 families actually living in the neighborhood... we expect this to increase to over 500 before the end of the school year... probably more by the end of the summer. We are looking at resurrecting our children's soccer program, starting an English Institute and possibly an afternoon school program for students that are studying in the "open" school system (sort of a GED type program).
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Continued development of Mexican leadership, especially with regard to the pursuit of "Upper-Level" Degree Programs.
2. Wisdom to discern how to proceed as we look at starting the afternoon projects.
3. Funding for the school and increased enrollment in the Senior High School next year. Hopefully, this will be the last year that we depend on an external subsidy for “operations” at the school. We also need to finish paying for the construction of our Library building.
4. New American Staff. Byron, Noah & Julie are all considering their options for next year. In January (next month) they will be letting us know whether they will be staying on for the 2006-07 school year.
