Volume 1, Issue 9
Preserving Our Heritage. Creating Our Future.

We trust you enjoyed your Easter break and are excited to see you all again!

As a reminder, we will continue with virtual classes as "Week B" on the schedule.

We will communicate with you and your parents this week as we make plans to begin the “little by little” phasing in of face-to-face instruction with small groups of students for short periods of time, starting with students with the greatest needs for graduation and promotion.

With more than 80 per cent of Belizeans professing Christianity, Easter is the single longest public and Bank Holiday – from Good Friday through Easter Monday. This is a 4 day holiday when residents decamp to neighboring Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Chetumal in Mexico, or take to the local beaches, river or nearest bathing pool. Schools are closed for a full week starting from the Monday before the Easter weekend. Government, public utilities and banks shut down at midday on Holy Thursday, for four and a half days making this one of the slowest periods for commerce. The weather is usually very hot, but at times a straggling cold front moves in over the Yucatan Peninsula bringing in clouds and pleasant temperatures.

Good Friday is one of the most peaceful days in the country. Minimal traveling is done on this day as most folks either stay home to be with their families or go to church. Radio and television stations broadcast religious programs, including live coverage of the Pope’s Good Friday Message and the procession around Rome’s Colosseum to mark Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death on Good Friday.

The sale of alcohol is prohibited throughout the country on Good Friday, a day when solemn religious activities are held including all-day church services and processions re-enacting of the Passion of Christ.

The most colorful and tradition re-enactment of the Via Crucifix is held at the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen in western Belize. There, after an evening mass, the Good Friday procession winds through the streets of the little town where the central streets are decorated with beautiful Alfombras De Acerrin (sawdust carpets). This Semana Santa (Holy Week) tradition boldly projects the Spanish and Basque traditions of Western and Northern Belize and is growing in popularity as more Belizeans in these areas embrace their Latino Culture long repressed under British colonial rule. Re-enactments of the Via Crucis are a growing practice and attraction in several villages in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts.

Holy Saturday it is off to the races! Belizeans are nuts about cycling. The annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Race, a grueling 140 mile pedal race, runs from Belize City to San Ignacio-Santa Elena in the west, and back to Belize City. It causes the country to shut down for another day – well, at least most of the day. The race takes up the entire Western Highway paralyzing traffic from 5 in the morning until 2pm, so travelers are well advised to make their plans accordingly. The first cross country cycle race was held in 1928 and was won by Elston Kerr. The race has its roots in colonial era Belize when poor people had to cycle from village to village to watch cricket and football matches due to non-existent public transport and terrible roads. Following the race, most municipalities have fairs and dances.

Easter Sunday is observed with mass celebrating the Resurrection of Christ and is a time when families get together, visit each other, share meals or have picnics. It is a time when Christians proclaim their faith and strengthen their ties to God. In the afternoons, many municipalities hold football games and fairs.

Easter Monday is when the Easter celebrations begin to wind down. There are still a few fairs being held throughout the country including one at Burrel Boom in the Belize District which also hosts horse races. Almost all municipal towns host fairs and afternoon dances to close off the long weekend. Tuesday it is back to work and start to think of the next long weekend for another opportunity to enjoy this wonderful country we all love.

https://belize.com/easter-traditions-in-belize/

Clergy and Christian faithful cross the San Ignacio – Santa Elena bridge in Western Belize during Easter activities.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Positions: Science Teacher, Head of Sciences (STEM) Department, Assistant to Administration, Art Certificate Course Teacher

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
If I have 30 minutes of spare time I usually pick up a book and read or I do a puzzle, such as a crossword or sudoku. Right now I am reading No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod and The Dracula Tape by Fred Saberhagen.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
The chore I hate is laundry. And I actually like washing dishes.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 14?
I would tell my 14 year old self to stop fearing everything. Don't be afraid to take a risk, don't be worried about what other people think, don't be afraid of making a mistake.

What advice do you have for kids who are struggling in school?
To students who are struggling in high school, I say hang in there. I know these are extremely difficult times but try to focus on a positive aspect of school. Seek out support from teachers, family and friends. I believe in you and I want to help you believe in yourself. Set small goals and celebrate the completion of each goal.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
If I could go back in time to meet someone, I would go to 1769 to meet William Stark, an English physician and scientist. He had an amazing level of commitment and dedication to his scientific studies that led to his untimely demise. . I would love to know how he was so driven and whether it was brilliance or madness.

The OA Library will be facilitating the Book Club this year. All students are welcome to participate.
Use this link to sign up for the OA Readers Book Club.

https://bookclubz.com/clubs/22803/join/83b7ac/

Help us to stock the OA Library with books that YOU would like to read.

1. Go to www.Amazon.com and search for "young adult books".

You can add words to include searches for your interests, ex. fantasy, mystery, suspense, romance, sports

2. Click on a book and read the description.

3. Continue until you find a book you would like to read.

4. When you have found a book, enter the information about the book you chose in this form.

(You must be logged into your OA account to access this form.)

Book Choice Form

Are you in need of a financial sponsor for this school year to help with your school fees?
Please message Ms. Saira Reyes (reyes.saira@oaseatide.com) to make an appointment for you and your parent or guardian.

You can help increase AmazonSmile donations to Friends of Ocean Academy by shopping at

Smile.Amazon.com/ch/46-3776428
(Share this link with your friends & family.)

AmazonSmile is a way for customers to support their favorite charitable organization every time they shop with Amazon.

Shoppers who start at smile.amazon.com will find the same Amazon they know and love, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the price of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice.

AmazonSmile has donated over $200 million to charities worldwide!

Joni Miller, Dane Dingerson, Heidi Curry

Email: admin@oaseatide.com
Website: OceanAcademy.education/
Location: 1 Ocean Academy Drive, Caye Caulker, Belize
Phone: +501-226-0321
Facebook: Facebook.com/CayeCaulkerHighSchool
Twitter: @OceanAcademyHS