http://www.solentiname.com

Hello, not sure who reads this, if I should write in Spanish or English. I came to visit Solentime in June of 2004. I was doing a photography project for my thesis in college. Now, six years later I am interested in returning. This time I want to stay for longer and volunteer in whatever I have the skills to provide and is needed.

I would love to hear more about what is goiing on in the community from anyone reading this. 

Thanks!

Leticia*

Tags:

Hits: 2304 | Read more...

Tags:

Hits: 5827 | Read more...

Tags:

Hits: 3188 | Read more...

We are in Managua with great news to report:

8 of the graduating class of 16 have enrolled in University in Manuga or Leon. We are very proud of these students who have been attending the Prep Class for the last three months. Their work is not over yet, but it is on the way. We still have to prepare for the Entrance Exam, but the first step is extending the opportunity so that they can participate, and 8 have signed up to attend University. More news later, but we wanted to share this news now. 

Tags:

Hits: 3744 | Read more...

EBS Baile:

     Our first session of EBS Baile starts this weekend!  We are incredibly excited to begin this program in living memory of Elena Bright Shapiro.  Three teachers are coming to Mancarron from San Carlos in order to teach traditional Nicaraguan folklore dancing.  We met Rómel, the main instructor in San Carlos Tuesday, and he seems incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about dance.  He along with the two other instructors will arrive Friday night, and begin with an introductory class.  The lessons will continue all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a performance Monday evening for the community.  We are holding the classes in the main auditorium of Hotel Manarrún.  They were nice enough to provide us with this room for free.  We can´t wait to get started with the program, and hope to provide you with an update early next week! 

Tags:

Hits: 4314 | Read more...

CPU

We just wrapped up our second session of Clase de Preparación Universitaria (CPU), and we are excited to report on another very successful week!  After much success during our first pilot month, we were a bit anxious to see whether or not such level of success would continue throughout the four remaining months in the school year.  Incredibly, we had near perfect attendance from thirty-two students.  For a variety of reasons, we had three students who were forced to drop out of the second session, but luckily we received three new students – two from Mancarrón and one La Venada. 

In response to our students’ evaluations from September’s session, we decided to make some changes and additions to this month’s course.  First, we hired another professor from UNAN León to instruct a course on Spanish grammar.  According to our students, the two subjects in which they struggle most are both mathematics and grammar.  We are very happy to inform you that our new Spanish professor, Yessenia, was absolutely wonderful.  She brought with her a strong motivation, passion for teaching, and a very intense teaching style that was well received by her students. 

Perhaps the biggest addition we made this session was our new entrance exam prep class that was instructed by both of our UNAN León professors.  Our students met every morning for three hours in the Ernesto Cardenal library.  Out of the thirty-two participants, we averaged between eighteen and twenty-two students attending the voluntary entrance exam prep class ever morning.  After their intensive morning session, the students ate a quick lunch and returned to English, Math, and Spanish classes until 5:30 p.m.  We were very pleased, once again, with the outstanding attendance of our thirty-two students. 

The last and possibly most important addition that we made this session was the creation of our advanced S.P.I.D.E.R. class (Students with Persistence, Independence, Dedication, Education, and Respect).  We created this group in an attempt to provide our sobresalientes with an opportunity to receive more challenging, advanced college prep classes.  Given our large attendance, we wanted to ensure high level of instruction for those students who are bit more motivated and serious about attending university. 

Our next CPU session is planned for November 15^th and we will or course be sure to keep you updated.  Peace and all the best

Austin and Caroline

Tags:

Hits: 4104 | Read more...

 Our first session of EBS Baile starts this weekend!  We are incredibly excited to begin this program in living memory of Elena Bright Shapiro.  Three teachers are coming to Mancarron from San Carlos in order to teach traditional Nicaraguan folklore dancing.  We met Rómel, the main instructor in San Carlos Tuesday, and he seems incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about dance.  He along with the two other instructors will arrive Friday night, and begin with an introductory class.  The lessons will continue all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a performance Monday evening for the community.  We are holding the classes in the main auditorium of Hotel Manarrún.  They were nice enough to provide us with this room for free.  We can´t wait to get started with the program, and hope to provide you with an update early next week! 

Tags:

Hits: 4203 | Read more...

Hello Alianza Members!

We just wrapped up our second session of Clase de Preparación Universitaria (CPU), and we are excited to report on another very successful week!  After much success during our first pilot month, we were a bit anxious to see whether or not such level of success would continue throughout the four remaining months in the school year.  Incredibly, we had near perfect attendance from thirty-two students.  For a variety of reasons, we had three students who were forced to drop out of the second session, but luckily we received three new students – two from Mancarrón and one La Venada. 

In response to our students’ evaluations from September’s session, we decided to make some changes and additions to this month’s course.  First, we hired another professor from UNAN León to instruct a course on Spanish grammar.  According to our students, the two subjects in which they struggle most are both mathematics and grammar.  We are very happy to inform you that our new Spanish professor, Yessenia, was absolutely wonderful.  She brought with her a strong motivation, passion for teaching, and a very intense teaching style that was well received by her students. 

Perhaps the biggest addition we made this session was our new entrance exam prep class that was instructed by both of our UNAN León professors.  Our students met every morning for three hours in the Ernesto Cardenal library.  Out of the thirty-two participants, we averaged between eighteen and twenty-two students attending the voluntary entrance exam prep class ever morning.  After their intensive morning session, the students ate a quick lunch and returned to English, Math, and Spanish classes until 5:30 p.m.  We were very pleased, once again, with the outstanding attendance of our thirty-two students. 

The last and possibly most important addition that we made this session was the creation of our advanced S.P.I.D.E.R. class (Students with Persistence, Independence, Dedication, Education, and Respect).  We created this group in an attempt to provide our sobresalientes with an opportunity to receive more challenging, advanced college prep classes.  Given our large attendance, we wanted to ensure high level of instruction for those students who are bit more motivated and serious about attending university. 

Our next CPU session is planned for November 15^th and we will or course be sure to keep you updated.  Peace and all the best

Austin and Caroline

Tags:

Hits: 954 | Read more...

Our Mission

Elena was a compassionate, honest and trusting young woman who cared deeply for others. She and her family have always been sensitive leaving our world a better place than we found it, and help individuals overcome odds and obstacles and live their lives to the fullest.

Solentiname Solidarity Alliance, with the support of Elena’s close family and friends, has established a memorial fund to honor the life of Elena Bright Shapiro. The Alliance is incredibly honored to be involved in creating a living memory of Elena in Solentiname Nicaragua. It gives her family peace to know that dance lessons are being provided in Elena's name to continue her commitment to dance and their family's personal ties to Nicaragua.

The Elena Bright Shapiro Memorial Fund will be sponsored by the Solentiname Solidarity Alliance which will administer the collection and distribution of donations under its charter as a 501 C-3 (awaiting final approval) nonprofit organization. Funds collected will be managed by a committee of family and friends to assure that all funds are used directly for the objectives in the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro. 

You can make a donation to the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro by sending a check to Regi Bright, 318 Barracuda Place, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411; or by using your credit card or PayPal account on the secure website of Solentiname Solidarity Alliance.

The Objectives of the Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro are to: 

•To have a monthly workshop of dance in Solentiname. 

•For local dancers to participate in performances in Solentiname, as well as regional, national and international festivals, competion’s and cultural exchanges.  

•To broaden the art of dance in Solentiname by hosting professional instruction in classical ballet, and other forms of contemporary dance. 

•Solidarity and cultural exchange

•To make available, as possible, scholarships for motivated dancers from Solentiname. In the spirit of Elena

The Fundacion de Baile Elena Bright Shapiro is guided by the Vision and Mission of the Solentiname Solarity Alliance. The Vision of the Alianza de Solentiname (Solentiname Solidarity Alliance) is to affirm a shared membership in one human family and commit ourselves to work for justice and peace, honoring the dignity and strengths of each person guided by the principle of consensual decision making. 

The Mission of the Alianza de Solentiname is to be a collaborative partnership of the people of Solentiname and other organizations to promote social and economic justice through alternative models of sustainable community development and activism. Our Vision is different than the conventional charity model; our goal is work for independence, self- sufficiency and sustainability within our community, steering away from continued dependence on external donations and outside assistance. Our mission statement guides our programs by recognizing the delicate nature of the culture and community. We strive to empower local residents, as partners with a sustainable approach to their project work that recognizes the long-term impact and viability of their efforts 

Tags: donations

Hits: 1254 | Read more...

On September 11th 2009, Elena Shapiro, cousin of Alianza volunteer Austin Buchan, was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 20.  Elena was a beautiful, aspiring young woman who spent her entire life dedicated to the wonderful art of ballet.  Since the age of 10, Elena has worked meticulously in perfecting this art, working with a variety of dance companies including the Carolina Ballet, The Boston Ballet, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and Wake Forest University Community Ballet.  Her passion for dance was fueled by her entire family who have also devoted their lives to ballet.  Elena's mother, Brantly Shapiro, danced for a number of prestigious companies throughout the world, her older sister, Bibiana, danced until the age of 18, while her older brother continues to dance professionally in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

Apart from Elena's dedication to the arts, she comes from a family with a lifelong commitment to Nicaragua. Ann Bright, Elena's grandmother, traveled to and lived in Nicaragua as a volunteer and peace worker during the violent civil war of the 1980s. This same love and passion for those in need resonated in the life and actions of Elena. 

In an attempt to share her lifelong passion for dance and continue her family's commitment to Central America, the Alianza para Solentiname has created the Fundaciòn de Baile Elena Shapiro.  The funds received in Elena's name will be used to restart the youth folklore dance group of Solentiname, expand opportunities for youth interested in pursuing a life of dance, as well as introduce new, modern forms of dance.  Over the centuries, dance has proven to be one of the most unifying and culturally rich traditions of Solentiname, and we are honored to embrace this tragic event for the recreation of such an enriching Nicaraguan tradition. In the past, the Solentiname Dance Group attended workshops instructed by a professional teacher from San Carlos who is trained in the classical dance of Nicaragua.  In addition to revamping these workshops in folklore dance, the Alianza will be working to bring professional dancers from the United States to collaborate and train the young, aspiring dancers of Solentiname in other Classical and Contemporary Ballet.  At the end of these workshops, both groups will perform for the entire community of Solentiname, exhibiting the cross-cultural worlds of dance, all in the memory of Elena Shapiro.  

For more information about the Carolina Ballet and Elena Bright Shapiro -- please follow this link. 

Tags:

Hits: 1856 | Read more...

Effective Strategies for Alternative Education Programs

Aronson (1995) identifies from a number of studies the characteristics of successful alternative education programs.  The most easily recognisable aspects these programs included such features as there culture or climate, organisational structure, curriculum and instruction, and their links to other programs and services.  The creative design of programs to meet the specific needs of students and community necessitates that the way programs look may vary, however, these general features exist across the range of successful programs.  The outline developed by Aronson was identified from a variety of studies (Butchart 1986; Jacobs 1994; Kadel 1994; Kershaw & Blank 1993; Morley 1991; Raywid 1994; Rogers 1991).

Successful Features of Alternative Education Programs

Culture and Climate

• Students and teachers have the choice to participate in the program or school.
• Focus on whole student and their academic, emotional/social and behavioural development.
• Warm, caring relationships between members of the school community 
• Teachers act not only as teachers but as counselors, advisors and mentors.
• High but flexible expectations for students

Organisational Structure

• Small size - both schools and classes are small to foster a sense of community, and to enable personal interaction between teachers/students.
• Relative autonomy.  Most successful alternative education programs have some degree of freedom from standard district and mainstream school operating procedures.  Teachers and often students participate in the management and decision making.
• Comprehensive program including experiential education and vocational components to provide links between the school and the student's future life.
• Counseling programs are integrated into the curriculum of the school
• safe environment.  Clear behaviour expectations and disciple administered with fairness and consistency.
• Separation from the traditional school.  Programs achieve separation either by establishing themselves in a distinct area of the traditional school or by moving to a different location entirely.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Successful programs give teachers flexibility in designing strategies and methods that will work with their students.  Specific strategies include individual learning, cooperative ;learning, competency based learning, team teaching, peer tutoring, tutoring, teaching to multiple intelligences and an absence of tracking.  curriculum varies from a focus on basic skills to whose working on personal development and behaviour.

Tags:

Hits: 2617 | Read more...