Hi everyone,
I need your help. The kids are having such a hard time adjusting to school. I know it has only been 2 weeks. However, in that time, they are getting bullied by other kids, watching their teachers hit other students for misbehaving, and they do not appear to be learning anything. Everything they are learning so far seems to be at least a couple of grades (or more) below where they should be. Jensen's math teacher gives them an assignment, and then leaves the room for the rest of the period. Jensen is the only one who knows how to do the work, so she ends up helping everyone in the class. In Dustin's math class, his teacher has hit a student for misbehaving, and has sent Dustin to the office because he forgot to do one math problem. At lunch time, the kids sit in a classroom to eat their lunch, and other students throw balls at them and hit them over the head with hula hoops! Not to mention that neither one of them will use the bathrooms there because they are so disgusting.
In most cases, I think I would pull my kids out of the school without a second thought. However here, there are not really any better options. My only other option is to home school them. I am reluctant to do that because I feel that a big part of this experience is to learn how to deal with adverse conditions, and learn how to deal with people from other countries and cultures. They are definitely getting exposed to many cultures at this school. The school is predominately Indian, where most of the teachers wear full saris to school, and many of the children wear head coverings. There are Congolese children, children from Belgium, Zambia, South Africa, and England, as well as children who are Muslim. They wear the school uniform, but wear long pants and long sleeves under the uniform, as well as a head covering. My children are definitely the minority! As far as I know, there is only one other little girl there who is from the US. Her dad works with Bill, and I am good friends with her mom. They are from El Paso, TX.
I'm also reluctant to home school because Jensen needs the structure and the social stimulation of school. She does not do well on her own--she is not super motivated, and will only do what she needs to do to get by, especially if she is not challenged.
So, I am asking for opinions! I know there are a lot of educators who read my blog, so I am especially reaching out to you for your opinions. I'm looking for suggestions, ideas, comments, anything!
Thanks!
Laurie
5 comments:
I'm so sorry you and your children are having these difficulties.
It just so happens that I'm acquainted with two United Methodist Missionaries at the Mulungwishi Mission in Lubumbashi.
Lori and David Person can be seen at http://umccongo.blogspot.com/
If you haven't met them, tell them that a member of Bonnie's writers group happens to know them from Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church, when they came for a presentation of their mission some years ago.
I don't know how much religion you'll get from them, but I'm sure they would try to help you in any way they can -- maybe even put them in their school -- if it's more suitable than the one they attend. Referrals, advice, etc. are a possibility, too.
Give it a shot. Good luck.
Best wishes,
Mark Dunn
Sherman Oaks
Hi Laur,
I'm especially upset to hear about the hitting and I'm eager to read the ideas and suggestions you receive.
Love, Mom
Oh how dumb! Jensen and Dustin are some of the sweetest kids in the world. Well as you know I am not one of the educators, but I do understand the conflict. When Johnny was about Dustins age he did not have any friends at school. It was a really bad year. In fact Paul had a couple of bad years too. Back then there were not any choices like Charter schools. It was either the public school or home school, and home schooling was just taking off. After what I thought was much diliberation I chose to leave them in the public school rather than home school. My personal feeling now after many years of hind sight are, that those years in school where they were unhappy and their situation was not the best was not good for them. I wished I would have taught them at home. I think with the way your kids read you would just have to supplement with some math. I am not sure any of us need an education in bullies. I know that sounds kind of strong and of course you know your children better than anyone else in the whole world. I hope that you will find an answer to this problem soon. In the meantime please know we are thinking of you wishing you all te best. Thank you again for your blog.
I agree with you that there are lessons to be learned about social differences and they havent been there that long yet....so the reasonable thing to do would probably be to leave the in a little longer. However it's hard for me to be resonable about my niece and nephew and I want them to leave that mess!! It must be extremely hard for you and Bill to watch. I guess there's no easy solution.
I still volnteer at the Academy and I've had several of Jensen's old teachers (and the nurse) ask about her and I'm sure they would be willing to help if you ended up home schooling. They're also offering some online class choices now (Jodie's taking one) Why don't you email some of the teachers and Mr. Crispin to get their thoughts. If you like I can pick things up(I start back on the 15th)
Give D & J hugs and kisses from Auntie Carrie.
Go with your gut. The fact that they won't go to the restroom would seal it for me. Yes they are supposed to be learning to "deal with adverse conditions" but not at a risk to their health and safety. I agree you know your children best of all. If you think they can triumph over adversity, give it more time. But if they are so miserable it is affecting who they are, look to other options. I admire your for calm strength.
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