PCI Parent Student Handbook 2012-13

School Organization

Panajachel Colegio Internacional is run under Guatemalan law as an ‘Asociacion Civil’. The Asociacion Civil is a non-profit organization administered by a Board of Trustees that oversees the school and works to promote its excellence. The Board hires the Principal of the school, who in turn, as an educational professional, hires all the teaching and administrative staff necessary for the smooth running of the school. There are no parents of PCI students on the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Trustees is not involved in the day to day running of the school.  The Boards principal responsibilities are to underwrite the financial stability of the school while working strategically to further the creation of a center for educational excellence.
 
The Parent Teacher Association at PCI is a vital part of the school organization and administration, and all parents will be notified soon after the start of school as to the time and place of the first meeting for 2012-2013 school year. While participation is not mandatory, the input of parents is vital to the success of the school, and all parents are urged to join.
 
The school is staffed and run by professionals in education. There are numerous part-time staff that PCI will employ through the coming year to teach subjects not covered by our core team. We are also very fortunate to have secured the professional advice of Ms. Jobi Dan’Sy, who has taught and run a school here in Panajachel.
 
Jobi, Master’s in Teaching

Jobi Dan’Sy holds a Master’s in Teaching from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont , as well as Bachelor’s Degrees in English, French, and Women’s Studies from the University of Massachusetts. She has taught school and/or theater in Panajachel for at least part of every year for the past 6 years and is very excited to be a part of Panajachel Internacional.


MISSION, VISION, & BELIEFS

Mission Statement

 
PCI’s mission is to serve the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala by providing an outstanding bilingual education — English and Spanish — to a diverse international student body in a challenging environment of educational excellence. We endeavor to guide our students to their highest potential by encouraging hard work, responsibility, critical thinking, social accountability, and independence in learning.
 

School Vision

 
We provide a balanced social, physical, and academic curriculum in an atmosphere of mutual respect, dignity and trust, thereby equipping our students to be productive citizens in the changing global society. We utilize advanced methods, resources, and technology in innovative and authentic ways to enhance learning and communication.
 
WE BELIEVE:
  • 1.We are a community of learners—students, faculty, and parents—working together to build a safe, supportive, and challenging environment for educational excellence.
  • 2.Student opinions and ideas are vital; students are empowered to achieve at their highest potential when they are actively involved and share responsibility for their own learning.
  • 3.A quality education enables students to make positive life choices in caring for themselves, others, and the environment.
  • 4.Independence of spirit is essential in exploring, communicating, and defending our beliefs.
  • 5.Diversity strengthens and enriches the climate and culture of our school; it helps us to recognize and appreciate the unique qualities and contributions of each individual.
  • 6.Multilingual learning encourages respectful collaboration and leads to better cultural understanding. 
  • 7.In order to grow we must embrace change, take chances, and be challenged by high expectations in a climate where ongoing improvements are valued and achieved.
  • 8.Education is a life-long process which offers great opportunity while imposing the responsibility of courage, integrity, and ethical conduct.
  • 9.The learning process is more important than the outcome; knowing how to find an answer or ask a question is often more useful than the answer itself. 
  • 10.Teachers, administrators, and staff will flourish in a community that provides opportunities to grow, develop, and learn together in all aspects of their professional lives.

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