Tuesday, April 8, 2014
We went to bed about 8:00PM and Nora woke me at 9:00 PM thinking
it was already morning and we were late for school. She was VERY tired.
Helvia and Alexander picked up and drove us to school. It’s
a high school and what a different atmosphere than the school framework I’m
used to. We were greeted at the door by
a group of students, one being wearing a boa (snake) around his neck. I think
we earned some credibility when we both petted the snake and didn’t freak out
when we saw it. Glad Nora like snakes, since the snake attended her classes,
either around his neck or in his backpack.
First if all it is such a relaxed loving place, hugs all the
way around. The kids love it there and want to learn. They love the teachers
and the teachers care so much about them.
The school doesn’t have many rules, its very relaxed and they are
treated like responsible adults. Nora taught a class all day, no discipline
problems, in fact I don’t think discipline is am issue. They are also grouped by interest, not age or
grade. I spent the day with Helvia, Justo’s right hand person who organizes
everything. We went to the park they reclaimed and which id a beautiful place. Mott
built them a playground in a day,
something like they did in Mabou. I visited a school nearby they partner with
and saw their garden and saw the beginnings of a garden in a reclaimed vacant
lot. That would be a fun class. The
students graduate with a grade twelve and cover all the standards and write the
standardized examinations just like any other school. In the evening we took a
walk to the town square.
Pictures coming when I get to a faster internet connection.
