"Arbol" by Yaneris

Yaneris reads us her one-page comic:

Notice how when Yaneris conferences with her teacher, they discover a misunderstanding.

"Pollito" by Reyna

Reyna reads her comic, "Pollito," in our partner classroom at La Garita, San Ramón:

"El Salto" by Isael

Isael reads a page from his comics in La Reyna, San Ramón, Matagalpa, Nicaragua:

Welcome to Milena's Classroom

Meet Milena Argeñal, HSR Comics Exchange partner teacher from La Garita, San Ramón, Matagalpa, Nicaragua:

Report 2 (2010 HSR Comics Delegation to San Ramón)

Here are some more images from Friday´s workshops:

Students drawing and sharing their personal introductions:
These students really enjoyed mixing fiction with autobiography to tell stories about their community:
Our partner teacher Donald passes out booklets of "Historietas San Ramóneñas" at the end of the workshop:
Students eagerly read through this 24-page booklet of comics by their neighbors and peers...

---

And now, some notes on our progress thus far in completing the objectives of this year´s Comics Delegation:

1. Deliver letter of introduction from Henniker Community School to teacher(s) in potential partner schools (initiating student-to-student comics exchange program) -- We´ve visited our top candidate school but both the director and the 4th grade teacher were not at school on that day. We met the students and described the project to them; the next step is to sit down and talk with the director, and pending permission, deliver the intro letter to the teacher. That should happen by Tuesday, when we visit the school to do an afterschool program.
   Also, as we develop a more two-sided collaboration with a partner art teacher, we´re planning to rely on his art classes as a focus program for our planned student-to-student exchange.


2. Return to Henniker with response letter from partner teacher -- Pending meeting with partner school.


3. Identify convenient channel of communication between San Ramón and Henniker (for transmission of student artwork) -- One partner teacher has offered a local art school office as a transmission point. (They have a scanner, digital camera, and email connection.)
   
4. Identify potential student translator groups at the high school level -- English instruction seems to be somewhat tenuous at the public high school level, and we anticipate relying on student translators in NH for the bulk of the translation work. This week we plan to speak with the Ministerio de Educacion and explore what might be possible.
   
5. Initiate planning for 2011 NH student delegation to SR -- Our potential partners in this enterprise will return to SR this week from another brigade, and at that time we will arrange a meeting.
   
6. Communicate support plan for Women´s Legal Defense Fund -- still pending arrangement of meeting.

Report 1 from San Ramòn

The 2010 Comics Delegation to San Ramòn is under way! We have scheduled a full slate of Comics Workshops over the next two weeks as we initiate exchange programs between classrooms here in Nicaragua and back home in New Hampshire.

Planning our workshops with our co-teacher Donald...


Our first workshop in comunidad La Reina...


Starting our personal introductions...

Taking suggestions from the group....

Henniker Despedida: 2010 Comics Delegation

HSR held a despedida (going away) party for the 2010 San Ramón Comics Delegation, which will spend the next two weeks in San Ramón, drawing comics with students and organizing exchange programs.


We folded, stapled, and cut lots of mini comics to share with students... Stay tuned for news!

HSR Comics Delegation Video

Library Books for San Ramon

HSR Comics Exchange Delegation

We're posting notes and photos from our HSR Comics Exchange Delegation to Nicaragua here:

http://www.marekbennett.com/comicsworkshop/category/comics-workshop/henniker-san-ramon/

SCHEDULE: Comics Exhibit & Delegation Reception Weekend

Here's our official schedule for this weekend's public events; please spread the word, and we hope to see you on Friday and/or Saturday night!

FRIDAY, 30 January ~ "Planting Hope" delegation arrives via Boston.

• 12:30 pm = Delegation arrives at John Stark Regional High School (JSRHS)
  
• 2:30-3:00 = Delegation travels between JSRHS & Henniker Community School (HCS) (Check in at main office)
  
• 3:00-5:00 = Delegation meets with Comics Exchange students & Marek Bennett (HCS FACS room)
  Introductions, tour of HCS, drawing activities, preparations for evening.
  
• 5:00-7:00 = Pizza dinner at Sonny's Restaurant (Main St.) (HCS families & teachers welcome to join)
  
• 7:00-9:00 = COMICS EXCHANGE EXHIBIT & DELEGATION RECEPTION (HCS Cafetorium) -- Free and open to the public!Comics readings, signings of original new mini-comics, presentation by the "Planting Hope" delegation, celebration of arts and community! [HSR blog post] [press release]
  
• 9:00 = Delegation goes home with host families

SATURDAY, 31 January ~ Delegation Tours Henniker

• Morning = Breakfast with Host Families
  
• 10:00 am = Delegation meets at Tucker Free Library*
  
• 10:00-12:00 = Tour of Henniker (Library, Historical Society, Historic sites, important municipal sites, businesses, etc.)
  
• 12:00-4:00 = Corn bread and chili lunch and sledding party at Depot Hill
  
• Evening = Dinner with Host Families
  
• 8:00 = DANCE PARTY at Daniel's Restaurant (Main Street) -- Free and open to the public! [HSR blog post]

SUNDAY, 1 February ~ Delegation departs for VT

• 9:00 am = Potluck Pancake Breakfast at Bennett Road
  
• 10:30 = Entire delegation meets at the Bennett's house, & departs for VT
  

Comics Exchange Exhibit & Reception: Friday, January 30

Come celebrate the the arts in our sister communities!

Comics Exchange Exhibit

&

"Planting Hope" Delegation Reception

Friday, January 30th, 7-9 pm
at the Henniker Community School (Western Ave, Henniker, NH)

• Read (and collect) the comics we've created about Henniker!
• Learn about our ongoing Henniker-San Ramόn Comics Exchange (Winter-Spring 2009)
  

• Meet the "Planting Hope" Teen Delegation from Matagalpa, Nicaragua
• Learn about Henniker's sister community of San Ramόn, Nicaragua

Please join us in this town-wide celebration! If you would like to help prepare and clean up for this event, please email HSR. We are looking for community assistance in preparation, refreshments, and clean-up.