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MARCH SCHOOL REPORT

March: The Paula McNight School (En Busca De Una Sonrisa), was
full of positive activities for the children, because we celebrated
one of the most significant months of the year; the winter finish and
the beginning of the cycle of the life with the spring that everything
renews.

March 11th: The kids took part in a mini marathon race organized by
the official store Señor Frog's with a distance of 500 ms and kids of
4 and 5-year-old were very happy. The event helped to promote an
active and healthy lifestyle for the children.

March 16th: The Ministry of Public Education, organized an event
where all the children of the school zone participate in different art
and cultural activities. These activities represented from all around
the State of Sinaloa's . The event took place at Bosque de la Ciudad.
The children made beautiful piñatas that they did by themselves. It
was a very special day for everybody.

March 21st: We celebrated Don Benito Pablo Juarez Garcia birthday,
who is one of the most important people in Mexico for his
contributions to the political life of this country. As well we also
celebrate the spring beginning with a parade in which the friends of
the Las Canoas RV Park took part with 12 vehicles, where they
moved the children and some parents of family. We had a local fire
truck lead the parade throughout the neighborhood using it's siren
to attract people from their humble homes. All the children were
dressed up in costumes of flowers, bees and little spring animals.
The children had a great time and the experience teach them a lot
of knowledge.

Reported by: María Elena de Quintero.

The Paula McNight School (En Busca De Una Sonrisa) is run entirely
on donations and it is only through the generosity of groups and
individuals like Friends of Mexico and Las Canoas RV Park that allow
us to continue and grow.

A BRIEF HISTORY

1997: MARIA ELENA AND HER DAUGHTER, ELY, collected food,
clothes and shoes with their friends and distribute it in the area of
Amplication Valles del Ejuido, one of the poorest neighborhoods
in Mazatlan
1998: The Quinteros rented a small house feeding up to 150
people a day and also offer day-care. They also started teaching
classes of math, Spanish and English to children and some adults.
It was at this time Paula and Jim McNight got involved.
2004: Was to be the last year that the McNights would be coming
to Mazatlan. They had become deeply in involved with the school.
Unfortunately, Paula McNight suffered a heart attack that almost
took her life the day they were suppose to leave. The McNights
had so touched the hearts of the Quinteros and the many children
that they had given so unselfishly of herself that Marie Elena and
Ely promised they would start a school and name it in Paula
McNIght's honor.
2005: In August the 1st official school year 2005/2006 started at the
"INSTITUTO EDUCATIVO PAULA MCNIGHT'' and in October of 2005
Paula McNight came from Pennsylvania with her family for the big
inauguration of the school that now bears her name.
2006 In July the 1st classes of "INSTITUTO EDUCATIVO PAULA
MCNIGHT'' graduated and in August the new school year began. It
was at this time the Quinteros were introduced to JACQUE
DEMMER and "FRIENDS OF MEXICO'' who offer their unconditional
support to "INSTITUTO EDUCATIVO PAULA MCNIGHT'' especially
from "TED AND KATHIE CARNIE". Their support has greatly helped
the school develop to what is it today.
2007: Presently the school has 1 classroom for 3rd grade and 2
classroom for 2nd grade kindergarten teaching 60 children. The
school continues to grow and is a vital part of the community. The
new school year will see 4 classrooms with over 80 students.

SERVICES NOW PROVIDED INCLUDE:

Kindergarten for grades 2 and 3 for 60 children.
Day care before and after school for those that need it.
Cooked breakfast every morning.
Afternoon school for older children that have had little or no
education.
Summer school.
Field trips as funds allow
Medical assistance at Balboa Hospital.