Over the years, the mission of the School for Special Needs Children (formerly School for the Deaf) in Jocotopec has broadened.
One of lakeside’s oldest non-profit educational programs, the school now has a much more diverse student population. Only 20 percent of the students at the school are hearing impaired these days. The vast majority of the students struggle with a range of mental and physical disabilities.
Assisting at the school has always been as rewarding as it has been challenging. With the variety of students, that volunteer challenge has increased. For example, the school enrollment includes children with Down’s syndrome, autistic spectrum syndromes, seizure disorders and paraplegia. And now in addition to the hearing disabled students, there is also a blind student.
With this new diversity, the new board realizes that a new logo is needed to reflect the new direction of the school and new name: Escuela para Niños con Necesidades Especiales (School for Special Needs Children.)
The new board is encouraging local artists and graphic designers to submit designs into a competition to select a logo for the school.
Artists must be sure to carefully read and follow the requirements in order to have their work considered. Entries must be submitted via email to Logo Competition Coordinator Karen Richardson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before August 30.
The members of the board will narrow the field of entries to the best six submissions. The artists who have created these entries will be notified so that a display can be mounted at the Ajijic Cultural Center. The public will be invited to judge the final entries. Voting will take place at the center from September 15 to 20. The winning entry will be announced at a September 25 event. The artist of the winning logo will receive a prize of 1,000 pesos.
For more information in English, contact Karen Richardson, Logo Competition coordinator, at karenr.ajijic@gmail. Maritza Freyslinger, vice president of Operations for the School Board will help with information in Spanish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..