There’s a jewel in the center of Jocotepec that is unknown to many Lake Chapala area expats.
It’s the Escuela Para Niños Especiales or School for Special Children.
Here, 90 students are provided a quality and caring education by a devoted and well-prepared staff. Under the direction of principal Salvador Macias Cuevas, the school works with children who have learning issues that prevent them from being taught in traditional classrooms.
Some have Downs Syndrome, others serious learning deficits and some are on the autism spectrum. No matter what the learning issues are, the staff works to ensure that each child has the best chance for a productive future.
On a recent Tuesday morning, the principal hosted a parent meeting. In the United States, such a meeting would have been viewed as successful if five to ten percent of the parents attended. Here 75 percent of the parents came and participated in the discussion and planning. The principal told them about the hopes for the coming school year and what the staff was doing to improve the programs. He then asked the parents what the conscription fee (a voluntary fee that schools request to assist with the cost of supplies) should be for the coming year. He suggested a 150-, 250-, or 300-peso fee. After the parents discussed what could be bought for the school and their children and understood that this was a voluntary donation, they unanimously approved 300 pesos and many happily paid the fees on their way out of the meeting.
The school educates children from kindergarten through an equivalent of sixth grade. Given the learning difficulties that many of the children have, it may take them longer to reach the level that is set for each of them, so the ages may be different than in traditional classrooms. Once students have mastered their expectations, the next pathway is to either regular (secundaria) school or to a school-to-work experience. One can imagine the difficulty of finding adequate working environments given that the Lakeside area doesn’t have large chains such as McDonalds or box stores. But with the work of teachers dedicated to this program, many of the current 23 “alumni” students are being able to continue their education at appropriate job sites.
The early learning program is improving through Cuevas and his kindergarten staff’s work on sensory integration. The young learners spend time in a specially developed sensory lab. Parents come and learn how to provide their children with important therapies. It might mean becoming comfortable with having “messy” hands or getting an appropriate leg massage for better motor skills. Each child has a plan that is monitored by the teacher and learned by the parent.
The school receives funding from a variety of sources, including the federal and state government and the accredited charity, The School for Special Children. Through the fundraising efforts of this charity’s volunteers, the school is able to pay for the food and kitchen staff so that all students have a free lunch each day. The facility is maintained through the funds raised, including the salary for the gardener and the needed, continual repairs. Other funds are provided to help pay for the driver and gasoline required for the bus that travels from San Antonio Tlaycapan to Jocotepec to pick up children.
It’s amazing how much good is done with the funds from the Home Tours, Behind the Walls books, December fashion show, Chili Cookoff and more. But without the bazaar and consignment store in Riberas del Pilar (across from the 7-11), the needs of the school could not be met. With new needs for the workshop program, such as hand tools, wood supplies, and paint, and the need for more technology and related materials, the charity is set to increase the funds provided to this jewel of a school. One suggestion that the charity has received from numerous supporters is to change the name of the bazaar from Casi Nuevo to something that more clearly lets people know that the profits go to support children with special needs. It’s hoped that all the creative Lakeside people will send in some ideas for a new name; the winners will be treated to dinner at Tango in Ajijic. More details coming soon.
Recently the school staff and the Jalisco Secretary of Education recognized the contributions of the charity and presented the board of directors with a framed certificate to honor the years of support and contributions. What’s even better is knowing that the dedicated staff makes great use of every contribution to improve the lives of these very special children. Their smiles make all the work worthwhile.