Last Friday we were able to hang out with three of our friends - Alejandro (4 years old) and Valerie (9 mo old) and their nanny Emily. We took them to the fair! It was very fun. It was quite funny to see 7 of us running around trying to take care of only 2 kids - we were having a great time playing "pass the baby" and seeing how many rides we could put Alejandro on. Alejandro was very pleased to be the center of attention and pretty much get whatever he wanted. The fair was a lot like a typical fair in the states... only different :). There were food vendors - cotton candy and french fries - unfortunately no corn dogs, horse stables, vendors, and rides! We did the bumper cars which was fun. (Emily thought we were crazy). The rides were a little sketchy but nothing happened and it was fun. We then ate at an outdoor restaurant.
Saturday we visited the Teen Challenge (drug rehab program) that the church runs and saw the future site of the orphanage that should be opening up very soon - they are just waiting for permission from the government. The orphanage is completely set up - beds, blankets, silverware, couches... just need the kids. It was neat to be able to see it.
School seems like a breeze this week compared to last week. Last week there was so much to do with grades and bulletin boards and plans etc. But this week is just teaching :). Last night (Tuesday) we got a call saying that all public transportation is striking so we didn't have school today! Yippeee! We were very excited. Today I was supposed to be the second time that my class was in charge of chapel. The first time we didn't have school on my day because of the hurricane - and now today there was a strike. So... I have yet to actually do chapel - although I have spent many days of stressing and working with my kids - trying to create a drama and teach them songs etc. But... haven't done it.
So instead of school today we slept in, went to school for an hour or so and then went to downtown to do some shopping. It was nice, although I think it will be more difficult to go to school tomorrow now that we had the day off today.
Friday we do not have students - we have parent-teacher meetings from 7 am to 2:30 pm. I think it will be a very long day of speaking with parents. Fortunately most of my kids are doing well in classes - I have 7 kids on the honor roll this quarter which is fantastic! I have very intelligent kids (even in their second language!). I'm going to brag now - we did a mock spelling bee with the other 4th grade class and did it by points - my class against hers - and my class won by 9 points! :) Yes, I am a proud teacher!!!! I also have 7 kids that failed multiple subjects of the quarter.
Bilingual schools are very expensive and it is an honor for students to come to these schools. The parents sacrifice a lot for their children to come. I have 4 students that one of their parents is in the states - they haven't seen their parents in a long time. One of my students fathers came in yesterday to explain why his son wasn't in school (if they don't pay for the month the student cannot come into school until they pay - so this student missed 3 days of school). He said that he was financially tight right now and so he SOLD HIS CAR to pay for his sons tuition for this month. Wow. They are so dedicated to education and making sure their children have the advantage in life of speaking English. They sacrifice not seeing their children grow up to move to the United States to make enough money for their children to go to school. (** If anyone needs a good book to read that discusses S.A's and C.A.'s going to the U.S. for jobs - read "Enrique's Journey" - Great book! ). I am continually amazed at how education is valued so highly here!
3 comments:
Hi Guys~ We really enjoy reading your blog and learning all the interesting things you're doing!
So, is the transport strike over yet? (I spose if it wasn't, you'd still be on vacation :)
Do most of your students' parents speak English or will there need to be some interpretation? I'm not sure if they do the parent-teacher conferences in Korea, but I'm going to check on that! Hope all goes well!!
Take care guys :)
and education there seems to be valued as it should be everywhere. being back at dvc has reminded me of how much we take education here for granted - especially when we are in the "lower" types of schools (junior college, or CSUEB).
We had an interesting discussion in my class the other day about the difference between being "educated" and being "intelligent" - seems like these kids (and their parents) are striving for educated, which generally takes a lot more work than just being smart.
i'm glad you guys blogged again, i love hearing what's going on. i can hear you laughing on the bumper cars and picking out the color of cotton candy. must've been fun. wish i could be there with you!
miss you tons, love ya more.
I am sorry your parents have to sacrifice so much. What a statement to their children about how important their education is. What a statement to the rest of us about sacrificing for what is important to us (for example, raising children).
We love you so much.
Mom and Dad
Post a Comment