April 11, 2011

I spent my day at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Public School for the equivalent of our grades first through eighth. When we first arrived, we were reminded that today was the day that the eighth graders (Standard VI) had gone to the high school to take the first part of the PES which is the equivalent of our EOG/EOC's. In the cantina, I had a very healthy and delicious smoothie!!! There are approximately 800 students at the school with an average class size of approximately 29. The concrete soccer field is an important gathering place for the children. It is also important for the community as we will be attending a parents vs. the teachers soccer game on Friday evening of this week. In the Infant I and Infant II classes (our 1st and 2nd graders) I was immediately amazed at the fact that almost all of these children are TRILINGUAL. I was next drawn to the vendors who stand outside the fence and sell the children snacks. At the first bell, all 800 children line up outside of their classrooms in a male and female line. It was awe-inspiring. The children are so respectful of their teachers. They rise when a teacher enters the classroom. I am still figuring out the entire Minister of Education and also the Standards that are utilized in place of our grade-levels. The teachers' plan books are monitored by the minister's representative. The children, in addition to the core subject, take religion, Spanish, creative writing, and Health and Family Living. They all speak English which is truly unique for a Central American country. My biggest take away from today: no matter how different we or things may be--- we are all remarkably the same. Same successes, same challenges, same hopes, same fears..... The teachers and children at this school were amazing and displayed a tremendous work ethic. BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: More with less; quality not quantity. The San Pedro Roman Catholic School will be an excellent partnership school for CFE, JCE and JCMS.