Accomplishments
TEACHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Master of Arts in Elementary and Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Special Education – Joint program between the University of Alabama and Westhill University, established to meet SACS / AdvancED requirements for U.S. teacher certification as well as the requirements for the Secretaría de Educación Publica for the Republic of Mexico for certification to teach in Mexican schools • International Baccalaureate Teacher Training for Diploma Program o 6 teachers attended onsite training workshops in Mexico & the United States o 10 teachers participated in online training workshops o 10 teachers will participate in an onsite workshop at Westhill University • Three principals and the headmaster attended SACS / AdvancED workshops in Atlanta • Three principals participated in a tour of schools with the Georgia Independent School Association based in Atlanta, Georgia • Five administrators plus _____ teachers participated in a Master's program in International Education at the Mexico City campus of Endicott College, Boston
ASOMEX EVENTS
Westhill Institute hosted the following special events for the Association of American Schools of Mexico – ASOMEX:
• ASOMEX Principals Conference • ASOMEX Arts Festival • ASOMEX football Competition • ASOMEX Swimming Competition • Math Counts • Westhill Institute's boys basketball team won the ASOMEX basketball tournament Westhill students participated in the ASOMEX Debate event hosted by the American school Foundation
WESTHILL CARES – COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS
Students sponsor many events that support Hogar Dulce Hogar, a home for senior citizens,
and two animal shelters. Some of this support includes:
o Tutoring children after school o Halloween costume parties o Children's Day special events o Hosting Hogar Dulce Hogar children for Thanksgiving Lunch and the Westhill performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol o Kilometer of Sweaters – children from all Westhill campuses collected over 200 sweaters to help children be more comfortable in the winter months • Westhill Institute students raised approximately 10,000 MXP for UNICEF to help with the educational needs of less fortunate children • Westhill students help to raise money for Mexico's annual Teleton. • Assistance was provided by Westhill students for the victims of Hurricane Karl in the state of Vera Cruz
special events
Westhill Day 2011 – more than 1500 members of the Westhill community participated
in our annual international day of peace and understanding
•• Carpatos Elementary children participated in the Winter Festival, a production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol • Santa Fe Elementary children participated in a musical production for their annual Holiday Festival • Carpatos and Santa Fe Elementary children enjoyed several grade level camps and field trips • Westhill's students won their competition for Destination Imagination • A special week of Kindness to Animals was held with children from Santa Fe Elementary, Carpatos Elementary, and the Middle ad High School participating jointly
SPECIAL AWARDS
The Harvard Association Cultivating Inter-American Democracy Summit of the Americas
• Seniors Pablo Velasco and Fernando Porras participated in the Harvard Association Cultivating Inter-American Democracy Summit of the Americas held in Ecuador. Pablo was awarded first place for his participation and Fernando was awarded second place. Congratulations to these two outstanding Westhill students! • Grade 9 student Arzu Martinez participated in a special gifted and talented education project hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Congratulations Arzu!
ACCREDITATIONS
Westhill is proud for the great effort it is meant to have the following accreditations:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools /AdvancED
Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools (TAAPS)
Association of American Schools in Mexico (ASOMEX)
United States Embassy – Mexico United States Department of State / Office of Overseas Schools
Secretary of Public Education for the Republic of Mexico (SEP)
Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Candidate School: International Baccalaureate Diploma Program – Grades 11 - 12 (Full accreditation anticipated in 2011 – 2012 School Year)
Interested School: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program – Grades 6 - 10 (Full accreditation anticipated in 2012 – 2013 School Year)
Interested School: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program – PreK to Grade 5 (Full accreditation anticipated in 2013 – 2014 School Year)
Westhill Institute's students participate in the following organizations recognizing outstanding student achievement: National Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society
National Association of Student Councils
Destination Imagination
Westhill Day
Hosts 8th Annual Day of Peace and Understanding
The Westhill Institute community was especially honored this year to host the newly appointed ambassador from the State of Kuwait, His Excellency Sameeh Hayat, the ambassador from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Hussein Alassiri. The Ministers for Cultural Affairs from the Republic of Colombia, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Republic of Korea represented their ambassadors as well. The United States Embassy in Mexico was represented by the Hon. Keith Mines.
