In his application to become a 2009-2010 BECA teacher, Brian Schmitt wrote, "I want to stretch myself in the classroom and think creatively."  That desire, shared by his 7 new colleagues, was swiftly met with an impressive Summer Institute that began in mid-July.  Under the leadership of Julie Schillreff and Sarah Amman, BECA's new teaching cohort developed the tools and skills necessary for the upcoming school year, which begins on August 24.  Continue reading.

Glenin Jehovany Paz has been awarded a Bilingual Bachillerato Program (BBP) scholarship that will enable him to attend SERAN, a highly regarded bilingual school in San Pedro Sula. Glenin is expected to complete the bilingual bachillerato degree in 2011, and plans to pursue a career in engineering.

The BBP was founded by BECA teachers in 2007 to help ensure that high-achieving graduates of San Jeronimo Bilingual School can pursue their career goals by continuing their education at bilingual high schools. In awarding Glenin the scholarship, this year's BBP Selection Committee noted that his application revealed his strong academic potential, ambition, maturity, and desire to give back to his family and community.  Continue reading. 

Second-Year Teachers Boost SJBS 

 

Every BECA alum will tell you that if they were able to teach their kids all over again with the knowledge they accrued during their first year, they would be twice as effective on the second go around.  Three teachers will have that chance this school year as Rebecca Bush, Jenna Foster, and Tim Douglas all agreed to remain with BECA to teach for a second year in Cofradia.  The BECA Board consciously pushed for more returning teachers when they convened this past Spring to discuss BECA's program. Continue reading.  

In mid-July, BECA launched its first-ever online fundraising campaign to meet its 2009-2010 budget.  The campaign, dubbed Classroom Sponsors, allows donors to learn about each class and then contribute to the one(s) of their choosing.  The new online interface includes bios on current an past teachers, statistics on each class, and YouTube videos of the classes in action.  In the past month, BECA has raised approximately $6,000 from the online campaign, which represents about one-quarter of the campaign's goal.  If you have not yet donated to BECA this year, we urge you to do so now.  We also ask that you take advantage of the "Giving Circles" features, which is a quick and easy way to get your friends and family to support our program.  As our program grows, so too does our budget.  In this economic downturn, BECA must rely more than ever on its grassroots network of alumni, friends, and supporters.  Take a look and donate here!

BECA Classroom Sponsors Giving Levels

When you donate $100 or more, you will be included in the appropriate giving level below. You will also receive thank you notes from SJBS students during the school year! All contributions will be acknowledged in our 2009 Annual Report.

Top of the Class:     $5,000 or more
High Honor Roll:      $1,000 - $4,999
Prefect:                     $500 - $999
Hall Monitor:            $250 - $499
Line Leader:             $100 - $249

You can donate securely via PayPal or send a check directly to BECA's mailing address listed at the bottom of this newsletter.  Check out our website to learn more.  Contributions are tax-exempt.