School Daze

Summer has passed and we're back to the daily grind! I spent the first day of school at my primary school worksite Chantimelle RC (Roman Catholic). It was so wonderful to see all of the friendly students and teachers again. Just look at all these adorable, smiling faces!

While I was catching up with the 5th grade teacher Ms. Frame, one particulary animated student named Jamal passed by bouncing up and down while wearing a sheet of bubble wrap over his face. "Eh, Jamal, Carnival done pass already!" a teacher commented, laughing. We have all come to understand that Jamal is the physical embodiment of Carnival and J'Ouvert is everyday for him. Rock on, Jamal, rock on.

Soon after the principal rang the bell, the children gathered for the weekly assembly. The students sang songs (religious ones, the national anthem), repeated several mottos, prayed, and listened to the principal welcome them back and speak about expectations. Then she said, "We have a few new people with us today." I straightened up, waiting to be introduced yet again as their "Peace Corps". Surprisingly, she mentioned some different people on the other side of the crowd! It felt so good to have been promoted from the new teacher to one of the old group. In one particularly awesome moment, as I was limin and talking with Ms. Frame, my friend Ms. Baptiste passed by us. After I said, "Good morning," Ms. Baptiste turned, laughed, and replied, "I didn't even see you there! You look like a teacher!" I must have had a puzzled look on my face because she clarified, "In that you blend in with everyone else!" Whew! I hoped wearing dress pants and shoes in the tropics would be enough for me to pass the formal work dress code!

While she could have also been indirectly commenting on deepened summer tan, I do feel very accepted and integrated at this school.

We are starting a SEN program (Special Education Needs aka Resource Room) at this school for struggling readers. Since it is a small school, the class will take place in the library. I really wish I had a "before" picture of the library aka the storage unit of the school for the past decade.

The room in progress, children playing homemade reading games during break

I spent the day working with teachers in their classrooms and cleaning the library (the latter being against my principal's wishes since she wanted everyone to help with the cleanup effort). We managed to fill 3 large garbage bags and make space in the corner for the classroom. A small, but significant dent. The 6th grade boys loved helping move furniture and textbooks, acting all tough. Minimal cockroaches. All in all a good day!