Children of Lake Atitlan
A SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM LOCATED IN SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA, GUATEMALA
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Children of Lake Atitlan Gallery
​To view photos from the photo gallery, click on one of the photos in the gallery.  This will begin an enlarged slide show of the photos in the gallery, along with an explanation of each photo. 

             Hover over a photo to see its caption.

Photo Galleries
After a month of home and virtual classes, the students returned to classes 3 days a week at the beginning of May.
Teaching and learning can be difficult with masks all day, along with social distancing and limited class sizes. But our students are still there...and still learning.
Including family members helps to build the relationship between the school and its families.
Primary teachers prepare a special Mother's Day lunch, a surprise that was delivered in a lovely basket to each mother.
These baskets, filled with a delicious lunch, were delivered to each mom with a child in the school for Mother's Day. Such a kind gift even brought tears to a few of the very needy moms.
May
Mothers' Day
Special Video:

San Juan La Laguna Is Happy

(filmed and directed by Franklin "Kincho" Cholotio, graduate of the New Dawning Christian School)

The original adobe buildings were the entire school plant from 1991 until 2003.
Where there was only the side of a hill to play, the basketball court dwarfs the original adobe buildings.
The basketball court was begun in 2001. The roof was added several years later.
Covering the basketball court made it a great place to have special programs, such as graduations.
The multi-purpose salon served as 3 classrooms for two years, until the second story of classrooms was completed.
The first 2 stories include 7 classrooms. The third floor will house the library, a computer center, and another classroom.
These two rooms will house the pre-school class, which still meets in the adobe classrooms, and the administrative office.
The playground equipment donation was a special treat for the children of the school.
When complete, the school library and the computer center will add a whole new dimension to education at the school.
The New Dawning Christian School

Take a tour by way of a slideshow...
The primary level director and teachers work together to organize classes that will be done through one-on-one contact and work packets while the town is on code red from Coronavirus.
Primary teachers take time from their many extra hours of needed preparation to celebrate the birthday of one of the teachers.
June
Mid-point of school year.
A VERBAL SNAPSHOT...ONE OF OUR STUDENTS

A shy fifth grader from a nearby village, Carlos was told by his parents that he would not be able to study in the school this year, due to financial restraints.  They sent him off to a local school, only to find that he was walking the three miles to continue in the school he loves.  Thanks to a sponsor, his transportation is being paid, and his parents are pleased to have him continuing in our school.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON RED ALERT.  STUDENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO STUDY IN PERSON.  THE YOUNGER CHILDREN HAVE WORK DELIVERED EACH WEEK TO THEIR HOME, AND THE OLDER BASICO STUDENTS HAVE A COMBINATION OF HOME STUDIES AND VIRTUAL CLASSES.
Basico (Middle School) students come to the school each Monday to turn in work from the previous week and pick up work for the coming week. Here, 7th graders, socially distanced wait in line for their turn to turn in their work.
Students turn in their work for each course, which is then given to the teacher of that course for grading.
Students report each assignment that is turned in to the secretary, who keeps complete records of all assignments that are turned in before giving the work to the teachers.
After receiving their work for the week, students at the Basico level also receive virtual classes for three days a week.
 July
WE CONTINUE TO BE ON RED ALERT.  However, vaccinations have begun, and the teachers received their first shot recently.  
Kathryn Beseth left life in Missouri to spend this school year teaching children in pre-school, kindergarten and grades 1-3 English. The decoration says "Thank you for your support, Kathryn."
CREPES! Maybe a first in San Juan La Laguna, the teachers prepared delicious crepes as part of the good-bye.
The celebration also included some fun activities prepared by the teachers. Good-byes are also a time for celebration.
Kathryn is also a sponsor of a child at the school, and that sponsorship also assists the teachers with whom she has worked during this school year.
Kathryn receives a gift from the school as a small remembrance of her year with us. Her gift to the children of the school, however, will continue to be received far into the future.
August
Good-bye for our English teacher.
Even though the anniversary celebration was only attended by staff, because of the coronavirus, the evening was still very celebrative,
The female Primary level teachers got into the spirit with matching outfits. Formality is very important to Guatemalans for special events. This day was no exception.
Everyone poses for the official photo for this special evening, followed by dinner to close the evening.
31st anniversary celebration
We invite you to watch this short video, made to share with those who were not able to attend the anniversary celebration.  
BECAUSE OF VACATIONS, WE DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS TO SHARE FOR SEPTEMBER.  BUT IN OCTOBER...GRADUATIONS!

October
End of classes for the 
     2021 school year.
Graduation for kinders
     and sixth grade.

Mom makes final adjustments to a cap and gown...first graduation must be perfect!
Mams wait proudly for the beginning of the ceremonies.
The stage is set, and the families are arriving for this special day. 16 kinders and 22 six graders are ready!
Administrative Director of the New Dawning Christian School Francisco Perez and Primary Director Lucas Quiacain await the beginning of the ceremonies.
Sixth grade students await the beginning of their final primary level activity.
Kindergarten students wait for their name to be called before taking their place in the graduation ceremony...the first of their educational career.
The court was filled with family in friends, practicing social distancing even on this special day.
As all over the world, family and friends await the egress of each child at the end of the ceremonies, greeting them with photos and hugs.
Kinders await the final class photo, surrounded by celebratory balloons.
And it's final. Ladies and gentlemen, meet next year's first grade class!
We are thankful for our pre-school and elementary teachers, for their tireless work throughout this sometimes difficult year.
November
End of classes for the 2021 school year.  Graduation for Basico students (Middle School, grade 9.)
Students who had the highest academic average have the honor of carrying the flags.
Graduating 9th grader receives her diploma from the school administrator, Francisco Perez Mendoza.
Henry signs the Book of Life, a tradition for each class that graduates from the school.
Students wait for their name to be called to receive their diploma, well deserved after studying for two years with covid19 as a classmate.
Another tradition is the passing of the flags from the graduates to the students who will graduate next year. Here, Mynor, valedictorian of the 8th grade class, holds the Guatemalan flag, which he has just accepted.
What could be better than a graduation photo with your mom?
Family and friends make graduation even more special.
After three years in which the form of education changed from week to week, these students persevered, and now they have their reward.
​   December              Merry Christmas.  Thanks for your support!
January 2022
Inauguration of the new school year
Primary students start their school year on January 17 in the morning, along with their parents.
After learning about the new school year and the form that it will take, students and parents enjoyed a chuchito and a drink before heading to their first classes.
Our new kiondergarten students faces their first day with anticipation, after spending most of their pre-school year in at-home classes. For them, being at school is almost new!
Basico classes begin in the afternoon of the same day, January 17. After almost a year of virtual classes, the students are thrilled to once again be at school with their classmates.
IN LOVING MEMORY

One of our beloved students,
Roberto Ponce, lost his fight
with leukemia in January.  His 
loving spirit will be missed.