Wednesday through Friday were packed full of activities to celebrate the schools' anniversary, from dawn until dusk. Wednesday was a health fair where each presented different fruits and vegetables that help different parts of the body. Jessica's 2nd grade class was so cute! They we're talking about the eyes so the kids dressed up as carrots and gave their little talks and fresh carrot juice to the audience. I was surprised how many students from other schools came! But one of the professors told me that if one of the schools has an open house, all the other schools go and support. All the schools in Ecuador have the same holidays, teacher conference days etc. across the board now. Before it used to be very lax so now the government has really cracked down on the education system here.
In the afternoon I caught a taxi with Giuliana to meet a professor who was in charge of the cultural part of the talent show on Thursday. None of the streets here have names so you just tell the taxi driver a landmark and they know where to go. For example, the street where I live has a little store called "Susy Due". So whenever I catch a taxi I ask them to take me to "Susy Due". The advantage of going in a taxi is that it's only $1 no matter where you go, since town is so small. No one here owns a car,
Not because they can't afford it but because its inconvenient. Everyone bikes or motorcycles their way across town. So even though I can't run everyday I'm staying very active biking all over town.
Thursday morning we rehearsed for 4.5 hours with the kids for the talent show before we spent the afternoon decorating the high school for the show. I participated twice. Ronald, Jessica, Ronald and I started the show off with special music and then I raced back stage to change into my provincial outfit. I represented the Bolivar province (somewhere in the highlands, no one knew where) and I had a blast getting dressed up and seeing all the other kids in their outfits. The 5th grade teacher wanted to show the different provinces because each one is so unique and an important part of Ecuadorian culture that most kids don't know. One of the moms is indigenous herself and when she saw me dressed up was so happy! In general the professors and parents were very happy to see me looking so Ecuadorian.
Two days of festivities without school really helped me start bonding with the kids and i began to learn their names. Now the other kids help me out if I don't know someone's name.
Friday I was exhausted and worried about teaching English again. But a lot of the little kids didn't come because of the talent show the night before and smaller class sizes and knowing the kids names made a world of difference.
After class finished all the students went to the city hall for a special ceremony. The students were so loud that Pame asked me to play Pirates of the Caribbean while we all waited. I tried my best by ear and didn't think it came out too well when the whole room burst into applause. The kids loved hearing something familiar! Next I played the titanic theme with the two Ronald's and the girls all pulled out their phones and some even started crying (Hispanics are very expressive ;). It was amazing to see the power the music had over the students.
When it came time to sing the national anthem Ronald lead out, as the music director. I was cracking up with Jessica though because of all things he barely came from Colombia three months ago and was so nervous! I barely know it myself (thanks to watching Ecuadorian soccer games) so I hope I learn quickly.
At the end of the program with the city mayor and staff the principal told the students they needed to go home and share with family and friends disaster prepared skills. Next week they have to give reports on what they did. The last Friday of the month all the schools have to do natural disaster drills. It's required by the government we've since the earthquake in April.
No comments:
Post a Comment