Caye Caulker Ocean Academy
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Projects, News, and Photos
Read posts by month (below) or by area of interest: Academics, Community Involvement, Conservation projects, Grants and International Recognition, Professional Development, Sports. See photo collages by clicking the "photos" button.
August 23, 2010 - First Day of Classes
Belize Natural Energy Trust Grant: We are very pleased to partner with B.N.E Trust to build much-needed additional classrooms. Our student body is now close to 60 registered students! The B.N.E Grant is for $27,500 USD of matching funds. Thank you BNE for supporting island youth.
5 Students get full entrance scholarships: The Caye Caulker Village Council and San Pedro Water Taxi offered 5 full scholarships to students entering Form I at Ocean Academy. The students are Xena Latchman, Sophia Diego, D'Arcy Lopez, Osmin Arana and Lidy Pineda. Congratulations and welcome!
3 new teachers join staff: A warm welcome to Mr. Jose Colli (I.T., Graphic Design and Football), Ms. Jeanne Link (English and Creative Expression), and Mr. Wilber Carballo (Math and Volleyball).
Interact club hosts guests from Alberta, Canada: Guests from the Salisbury Interact club in Edmonton West, Alberta, Canada visited with the Interact Club of Ocean Academy on August 26. Teens from both clubs and Rotarians from Belize enjoyed a chicken lunch and beach volleyball game, hosted at Anchorage Resort.
Global Greengrants online voting contest: Thank you to all who voted for our entry, Shop Green Belize, in a bid to win $1000USD for student projects to combat climate change. We came in 4th place with almost 1000 votes. We didn't win, but we really appreciate all the social network support and positive comments.
Composting Project: An enthusiastic volunteer from Baylor College, Nathan Robbins, got Ocean Academy's composting project off to a good start this summer. Thank you also to Village Council for their grant to buy materials and hire student workers. Backyard Farms Austin published a short article.
July 2010
National Winner and Youth Role Model! Congratulations to Jaison Hernandez who won 5th place in the national selection of youth role models, by the community policing Du Di Rite Ting Awards. Jaison, along with Ocean Academy's 5 regional winners, was recognized at a cermony at Old Belize on July 14th. Jaison won $400 and, when he graduates from Ocean Academy, he has won his tuition for a 2-year Associate's Degree (Jr. College) at St. John's College in Belize City. We couldn't be more proud!
Interact Club of Ocean Academy Helps Sue's Preschool: One of the first activities of the new volunteer club was to help decorate the community centre for the Sue's Preschool graduation ceremony. Interacters came out on their first week of summer holidays to help create a special day for the preschoolers and their families.
Kids Helping Kids: Mackenzie Yaryura, Sarah Stevens, Meg Rivera from Southeast High School and Julia Nordhausen from Nolan Middle School in Bradenton, Florida, are fundraising for Ocean Academy, forging cross-cultural e-friendships, and raising awareness about education needs in Belize. The grade 9 girls are in the International Baccalaureate, and presented their fundraising activities at the Future Problem-Solving Conference and won the state fair. June 10-13, 2010 they travelled to Wisconsin to represent Florida in the international conference and won 4th prize. Both Mackenzie and Meg have already travelled to Caye Caulker to visit Ocean Academy and donate school supplies. Read a front page newspaper article about these amazing youth volunteers in Florida. Read their project report and fundraising ideas that they submitted for the competition.
June 2010
International Friends of Belize Scholarships: Congratulations to Mercedes Requena, Jaison Hernandez and Lilly Aldana who each won a $1000Bz scholarship from International Friends of Belize. More than 50 students applied nationwide, so it is great honour to be selected.
With Community Support, Students Shine at Awards Ceremony: Students, staff and community members gathered Friday June 18th to celebrate Ocean Academy’s end-of-the-year awards ceremony. Students, led by Form III's Ramir Villanueva, arrived early to transform the Caye Caulker Community Centre into a beautiful reception area decked out with lights, balloons and glittery decorations in the school colors of blue and orange.
“Good Conduct Awards” for receiving fewer than four demerits during the school year.
“Good Conduct with Distinction” was awarded to Lilly Aldana for no demerits during the entire school year.
2010 honor roll for maintaining an academic average of 86% or higher.
Corporal Geban presented regional winners of the community policing “Do Di Rait Ting” award to Lilly Aldana, Danny Marin and Michael Blease (Mercedes Requena and Jaison Hernandez were awarded earlier in the year). These awards recognize youth role models.
Community business owners rewarded deserving students with 22 tuition scholarships ranging from $50-$400, redeemable at Ocean Academy. Students and staff would like to express a big thank you to the Caye Caulker community for their ongoing support of educational opportunities for the island youth, and recognition of excellence.
Congratulations Danny Marin
Bahia Convenience for Attendance and Punctuality
Neil and Molly Bradley Award for Tourism Skills
Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form III
Congratulations Mercedes Requena
Chocolate's Conservation Award
Iguana Reef Visionary Award
Juan Karim Math Excellence
Hilda Marczak Memorial for Community Activism
Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form II
Congratulations Lilly Aldana
Lazy Iguana for Attendance and Punctuality
Oceanside for Effort in Math
Raggamuffin Tours "Spirit of Ocean Academy"
Seadreams Hotel for 2nd Highest Academic Achievement in Form II
Village Council "Spirit of Caye Caulker"
Congratulations Clifton Burgess
Frenchie's Award for Aquatic Excellence
Congratulations Estrella Jimenez
Belize Diving Services for Communication & Presentation Skills
Congratulations Arturo Allen
Joe Habanero's Caana Award (Great Improvement)
Congratulations Jaison Hernandez
Amanda & Scrumpy Award for Community Involvement
Cayeboard Connection Internet Award
Congratulations Angel Fuller
Caye Caulker Condos "Aim High"
Iguana Reef for Attendance and Punctuality
Seadreams Hotel for Highest Academic Achievement in Form I
Walter Marczak Memorial for Form I Science
Congratulations Michael Blease
Seadreams Hotel for 2nd Highest Academic Achievement in Form I
Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professsional Student Conduct in Form I
Congratulations Carl Burgess
Seaside Cabanas for Citizenship
Congratulations Carring Chen
Cayeboard Connection Internet Award
Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professional Student Conduct in Form I
Congratulations D'Arcy Lopez
Caye Real Estate for Academic Determination
Congratulations Elmir Arana
Juan Clemente Marin Memorial for Work Ethic
Tropical Paradise Hotel for Professional Student Conduct in Form I
Congratuations Dylan Ceballos
Caye Caulker Properties for Sale & RE/MAX for Entrepreneurial Skills
Interact Club of Ocean Academy Charter Ceremony: Representatives from our sponsor club, Belize City Rotary, travelled to the island to officiate the ceremony. Interact (International+Action) is the youth branch of the Rotary Club association. 9 founding Interacters from Ocean Academy pledged to abide by the Rotary motto of "service above self" and accepted Interact pins, charter documents, banner, and bell. The youthful club members have many plans for community service, such as visiting the elderly, tutoring primary-school kids and reading to preschoolers, assisting the Humane Society care for stray dogs and cats, and continuing beach cleanups and mangrove restoration projects. For more photos and information click here.
May 2010
Building Expansion: Tremendous progress is being made in expanding classroom space, thanks to our generous donors We now have a small counselling suite downstairs that doubles as a cooking/snack prep room, a Principal's Office, and a small downstairs classroom space. Fundraising continues towards our goal of $55,000USD for upstairs expansion of 3 new classrooms and a small lab in preparation of September enrollments and the start of our adult education night-school program.
April 2010
Shop Green: Co-Founder Joni Miller has been working with students at Belize's Galen University the past 4 months through a course she co-taught: "Applications of Sustainable Development". One of the projects is called Shop Green, and involves marketing reusable shopping bags. The Galen student group created a market survey, educational display and located a local bag producer. A local couple in San Ignacio makes the bags.
Profits from bag sales go towards environmental activities of the Interact clubs of Ocean Academy (Caye Caulker) and Sacred Heart (San Ignacio). The Interact Club students of both clubs will continue to sell the bags, educate their communities about the benefits of plastic bag reduction, and keep the project going. Joni has entered the Shop Green Project in a competition - Leveraging Business for Social Change - and you can read more project details on their site. Coming soon.... a link on this website to purchase the bags using PayPal and have them delivered to your home.
Earth Day April 22: The entire student body, staff and volunteers joined marine biologists and volunteered with the FAMRACC Mangrove Restoration Project on the north island (Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker). Despite the hot sun, all worked hard to collect beach trash, clear interpretative trails, and water mangrove seedlings.
Caye Caulker Village Council Elections: We are proud to congratulate our Lifeskills and Sprituality teacher-aide, Ms. Marilyn Alarcon, on her election win of a councillor's seat with the Village Council. Mr. Alberto Villanueva Jr., former chair of Ocean Academy's Board of Governors, won the Chairman seat.
March 2010
Apprenticeships: Masonry, Electrical Work and Carpentry: Cornelio, Christian, Rudy and Artie spent their first weekend of Easter Break...working and learning! The students assisted Dane Dingerson and his crew in the construction of a downstairs Principal's Office, Counselling Office, and student cafeteria area. In addition to a working wage, the boys gained valuable worksite appentriceship skills.
Ross Sheppard Highschool Volunteers: Interact Club students from Edmonton, Alberta spent the week, March 24-28, volunteering on Caye Caulker. They joined our high-school sports day competition, assisted with a weekend sports camp for primary school children, painted downstairs classrooms and offices at Ocean Academy, and did a beach cleanup with the mangrove restoration project. The Ross Sheppard Interact club was the inspiration for Ocean Academy to form it's own Interact Club, and we were thrilled to welcome these students our school. After volunteering on Caye Caulker, the group volunteered with Eden Primary school in Cayo on the mainland.
Holland College Volunteers Organize Island-Wide Sports Camp for Children: 2nd-year Sports and Leisure Management students from Prince Edward Island, Canada, spent the week March 23-28 volunteering on Caye Caulker. They organized a weekend sports camp for over 50 primary-school children and helped paint downstairs classrooms and offices at Ocean Academy.
Rotary Club of Spruce Grove, Alberta, supports Classroom Expansion Project: Rotary members generously donated $500 funds. Sharmayne Seal, of Rotary Belize Literacy Project, travelled to Caye Caulker to present the donation, and added her own matching contribution.
"Do The Right Thing" Award: We are very proud of Form II student Lilly, for winning the February regional award for the "Do The Right Thing" community policing award. Each month highschools are invited to nominate one deserving student who is a role model for youth doing positive things in their community. Lilly will be eligible for scholarship prizes in June when all nominations are judged nationally.
International Reading Association's Grant for Literacy Projects in Countries with Developing Economies. $2500USD was awarded to print, publish and distribute an anthology of Ocean Academy student poems, memoirs, essays and stories. We will let you know when the book is ready for purchase. We are very thankful to the International Reading Association for their support of Ocean Academy students.
Volunteer instructor, Ashley Williamson, Attended a workshop for Adult Literacy Facilitators (March 22-23). The training session was held in Belize City and participants received a certificate to recognize their training in effective teaching skills and strategies for adult learners. Ashley will instruct English-as-a-second-language and computer night classes for adults at Ocean Academy.
University of Vermont (UVM) Volunteers (March 19-21). Students painted and laid blocks for our downstairs office construction project, and also did a beach cleanup on the north island mangrove reserve. This is UVM's second volunteer trip to Caye Caulker, and we look forward to welcoming them back next year.
Ocean Academy co-founder and Principal, Heidi Curry, gave birth to Persephone May Curry, born at 4:45 AM on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 7lbs 8oz, in Waco, Texas. Persephone means "Greek Goddess of Spring". Ocean Academy students, staff and supporters send their very best wishes to proud parents Heidi and Haywood and big sister Alma, and a loving welcome to Persephone.
Congratulations to 5 newly certified Scuba Divers (March 6): Congratulations to students who earned their PADI Open-Water certification in Ocean Academy's P.E. Aquatic Tourism class: Mercedes, Clifton, David, Bryon, Estrella. The owners of Belize Diving Services, Chip and Danielle Petersen, generously volunteered their staff time and equipment. Experienced diver Patrick Savage and Belize Diving Services staff member Pablo volunteered their time to instruct the group. Ocean Academy just opened up another classroom: the underwater world of Caye Caulker.
Dr. Bondar's Science Blog Interviews Co-Founder (March 6): Dr. Carin Bondar is a biologist and conservationist who is excited by the environmental and experiential education offered at Ocean Academy. Dr. Bondar interviewed co-founder Joni Miller and posted the article on www.drbondar.com. The blog features cool science jobs, interesting scientific facts and anecdotes, videos and even "Nerd Corner" (where you will find Joni's interview!).
Students Honored at Awards Ceremony (March 2): Staff, students, parents, volunteers and community members gathered to celebrate and honor student achievement. Sgt. Lesllie Wade of the community policing unit awarded Mercedes Requena and Jaison Hernandez "Do The Right Thing" regional award certificates and t-shirts. Mercedes was also applauded for winning the National Youth Award for Environmentalism. Members of Ocean Academy's new Interact Club were named and recognized for their community volunteering efforts. The lovely afternoon concluded with treats prepared by the Staff Social Committee. You can read more in an article published by The San Pedro Sun.
Honor Roll students: 86% + average in semester 1
Generous Donation for Upstairs Expansion Project: Ocean Academy was designed for upstairs clasrooms, and a recent transfer of 13 new students at Christmas, and a large Std. VI entry class next year, has made this expansion a priority project. We are very grateful and excited to receive our first donation towards the expansion project. A humble donor pledged $10,000USD and requested anonymity. The donation is a great first step towards our fundraising goal of $55,000USD to build the 3 upstairs classrooms.
Generous Donation for New Computers: Kriss Keel encouraged students to study hard, and learn new technologies, when she made a donation to Ocean Academy on behalf of the Church of the Incarnation, Great Falls, Montana, USA. Church members fundraised $3485USD for the purchase of new computers.
February 2010
Donation of School Supplies (Feb. 17): In a surprise visit to Ocean Academy, Minister Manuel Heredia and Minister “Boots” Martinez presented 42 bags of educational materials. Accompanying the Ministers were the Vice Chairman of the Caye Caulker Village Council (Mr Robert Blease) and the Chief Engineer in the Ministry of Works (Mr. Novelo).
Artists and Students Beautify Campus: Ocean Academy's computer lab wall has a great new look: Mayan glyphs that have student names hidden within the symbols. Visiting artists from Baltimore and Washington D.C. - Matthew Gifford and Sonia Keiner - invited students to design and paint their own mural glyphs. In the centre, based on a famous quote by Gandhi, it reads "Be The Change You Wish To See". The result is an outdoor art gallery right on campus. Click here for photos of all the individual glyphs.
"Plants of Caye Caulker" book launch (Feb. 7): Ocean Academy is honored to receive a copy of this newly launched book. Ocean Academy student volunteers helped paint signs identifying native plants in the mini-reserve. Our book copy will be of great interest to science students. Authors Dorothy Bevridge and Jacob Rietsema inscribed our school copy with these words: "For Ocean Academy - fostering environmental and cultural learning. Thank you for your volunteer work with CCBTIA".
"Do The Right Thing" Award: We are very proud of Form II student Jaison, for winning the January regional award for the "Do The Right Thing" community policing award. Each month highschools are invited to nominate one deserving student who is a role model for youth doing positive things in their community. Jaison will be eligible for scholarship prizes in June when all nominations are judged nationally.
January 2010: A NEW YEAR
New Acting Principal: We are pleased to welcome Ms. Hilda Marin as our Acting Principal (and best wishes to Heidi Curry on her maternity leave). Ms. Marin is from Caye Caulker, taught previously at Palotti and Muffles High, was a Nun, and extensive experience as a bank manager. Ocean Academy is in good hands!
New Full-Time Volunteers: Ms. Charlotte is a retired teacher from Alberta, Canada and a teacher-trainer with the Rotary Belize Literacy Project. She will be leading English classes. Mr. Garry is also a retired professor from Alberta, Canada (NAIT) and will be leading computer classes. Ms. Jackie from NYC volunteered all of semester one, and likes teaching so much, that she is returning for the rest of the school year. She will lead a world history class and coordinate afterschool tutoring programs. Erin is from Australia and is an afterschool tutor.
New students: The start of the new semester saw an enrollment of 12 transfer students in Form I. We are excited to welcome our new students to Ocean Academy and have split our Form I into two groups in order to continue to offer small class size and individualized attention.
New building plans: This increase in our student body, plus projected enrollment for next year, means that we need to build new classroom space for next school year. We will be posting a budget soon on this website and soliciting donations to our building fund. We're growing!
December 2009
"Social Change Through Peace Games" International Partnership: Ocean Academy has been selcted by the Belize Deputy Minister of Education to collaborate with Northeastern University's initiative called "Social Change Through Peace Games". The organization Peacework is coordinating the project. Eliie is the intern who will arrive on Caye Caulker in January to lead a program that aims to address issues such as self-esteem, relationship building, personal change, leadership and individual rights.
"Do The Right Thing" Award: We are very proud of Form II student Mercedes, for winning the November award for the "Do The Right Thing" community policing award. Each month highschools are invited to nominate one deserving student who is a role model for youth doing positive things in their community. One student is selcted per region. Mercedes was the November nomination from Ocean Academy, and will be eligible for scholarship prizes in June when all nominations are judged nationally.
Christmas Extravaganza Talent Show (Dec. 5): The Extravaganza is an opportunity to provide entertainment for the community, showcase student talents, and fundraise for the school. Children's Games in the afternoon included a fishing pond, balloon dart game, dice roll, playdough station, arts and crafts and snack sales. Tambola is a popular games to win prizes in Belize - and this year did not disappoint. In the evening, the audience enjoyed poems, guitar, songs, a cultural fashion show, dance contest and a slide show. The following weekend Ocean Academy students celebrated the end of classes with a banquet and dance. Thank you to all involved!
Coaching Professional Development (Dec. 5-7): Volleyball coach Andy travelled to the Dominican Republic for a Beach Volleyball Clinic IV. He was certified by the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation (North, Central American and Caribbean). Ocean Academy students continue to benefit from highly trained teachers and coaches in all subject areas.
November 2009
Ocean Academy student awarded National Youth Award (Nov.27): We are very proud of Form II student, Mercedes, who was awarded the National Youth Award for Environmentalism. 10 Belizean youth from across the country were selected for honours by Youth For The Future and the Minister of Education at an awards banquet in Belize City. Mercedes is only 13, yet has been active for years as President of the Environmental Club, apprentice to marine biologists, leader of beach clean ups, and a young leader in the field of environmental activities.
Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, Visits Caye Caulker Schools (November 18): Min. Faber spent an hour touring Ocean Academy, appreciating student performances, and speaking with teachers. Students entertained the Minister and guests from the Ministry of Education with poems, and a guitar club performance. In turn, Minister Faber delivered an inspiring speech.
Beach Cleanup of North Island Caye Caulker (November 15): Students Yvon, Yvonne and Irene accompanied teacher Joni and marine biologists from FAMRACC on a boat to the north island to clean beach trash from the nature reserve. As with the Coastal Cleanup Project last month, students learned that plastics dominate the trash they collected. Students also weeded the beachfront in front of the Ranger's Station to prepare for a furture volunteer campsite. FAMRACC is the Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker.
Standard VI Students Studying on Saturdays: Starting November 7, students from Standard VI (gr.8) at the primary school are invited to come to Ocean Academy's Saturday School and PSE exam prep. 27 students eagerly signed up for the first session of Computer Skills and Math Made Fun. Following sessions will teach English writing skills, Science experiments and hands-on Social Studies projects.
Principal Heidi Curry Guest-Speaker at Education Conference: Baylor University and St. Paul's Episcopal Church sponosored Heidi to travel to Waco, Texas and lead two sessions at Baylor University's Poverty Conference. Students and Faculty from across the USA attended.
Volunteer Teacher Jackie Attends CXC English Workshops: Held in Belize City over four days, the CXC English Workshops help teachers prepare Form IV students for their final exams.October 2009
Coastal Cleanup: Sunday October 25, Ocean Academy students and staff participated in the Ocean Conservancy's Coastal Cleanup Project. Our goal was to surpass last year's accomplishment of collecting trash along one mile of beach coastline. Data was collected about the trash and debris picked up and put into categories: recreational activities (ex. bags, bottles, food wrappers), ocean activities (ex. buoys, fishing line), smoking-related activities (ex. lighters, cigar tips), dumping activities (ex. batteries, appliances), medical and personal hygiene (ex. diapers, tampons). The motto of Ocean Academy is "Preserving Our Heritage, Creating Our Future" and activities like the coastal cleanup reflect some of our core educational goals.
Students Attend Interact Leadership Training in Belize City: Interact is the highschool level of community service clubs in the Rotary Club family. October 24th, Stephanie and Danny and teacher Joni represented Ocean Academy's interest in forming a Caye Caulker Interact Club. We joined students from San Ignacio and Belize City to learn about leadership, ethics, conflict resolution, volunteering, and how to create a successful Interact club.
Moon Handbooks Belize 2009 Features Ocean Academy: Turn to page 89 of the most recent edition of the popular Moon Handbooks guidebook, and you can read about how to give back to Caye Caulker - specifically about Ocean Academy and the Community Library. Ocean Academy co-founder Joni Miller edited the sections on Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Belize City. You can read more about the researchers on the blog "The Tranquilo Traveler" or read preview sections of the guidebook.
Ocean Academy wins prize for Best Float:Students and staff dedicated tons of volunteer hours to plan, build and deocrate a float for this year's Indpendence Day parade. This year's theme was "Diverse Origins, Common Aspirations, Together We Celebrate as Belizeans". Ocean Academy decided to build a replica of a Mayan temple in the jungle, and have students dressed to represent the diverse cultural groups of Belize. At the top of the float was a student in full uniform, wearing a graduation cap, to represent the shared aspiration of educational success. (The Belize Independence Day parade was postponed from September 21st to October 11th this year, due to swine flu concerns). A big thank you to Herbal Tribe Restaurant for their generous donation of a pizza lunch for the student participants.
September 2009
Teacher Joni elected to FAMRACC Board of Directors: FAMRACC is the Forest and Marine Reserve Association of Caye Caulker. Joni is pleased to assist with island conservation projects and goals. Joni's specific role is Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Fundraising. Ocean academy students are also very involved in FAMRACC's mangrove growth project, and marine biology surveys.
Marine Biology Night Snorkel: 2-5 nights after the full moon of September is the time for the spawning of Elk Horn Corals (Acropora Palmata). Mercedes, Clifton, Danny and Ms. Joni joined marine biologists Ellen McRae and Ali Cansino on a night snorkel of the North Cut Channel to observe and document this phenomena. Though we didn't see any spawning, Ms. McRae showed us that Caye Caulker's elk horn population is doing well compared to other sites. We also saw two squid, a nurse shark, lobsters, shrimp, many types of coral, and numerous fish whose colours were vibrant under the dive lights. Full article and photos. Find all related marine biology posts.
Teacher Higinio Tzul guest judge for the "Caye Caulker Big and Beautiful Pagaent": Mr. Tzul is Ocean Academy's new Vice Principal, and teacher of Accounting, Business, and Spanish. He was honored to judge the pagaent (Sept.5) and congratulates the contestants. Decorations were provided by Ocean Academy students. Teacher aide Marilyn Alarcon was a co-organizer, and the proceeds will go to support Carnival Parade.
Park Clean-Up for the Children: Saturday morning (Sept.5) Felix, Cornelio, Jorge, Monica and Mr. Tzul exchanged their books for gardening tools and trash bags, in order to clean up the childrens' park and playground.
First Soccer Match of the Season: Ocean Academy boys played Royal Club on Friday night, Sept. 4, and impressed the crowd with a 2-0 victory. They wore long-sleeved jerseys donated by Oak Bay Soccer Club (Victoria, BC). A donation of soccer socks, knee pads, balls, cones and whistles (Dan Neuman, USA) were also put to good use. They boys are looking forward to their next match.
