The next decade....what's in store?

Twice in one week

Last Monday I went off property in the afternoon. I drove back into the car park, and met a fella who was going to be having a 4pm interview with me.

We walked into my office building and I went to take him to the office where he would fill out his forms (same room we had Summer School in), while I quickly ate my lunch. As I approached the door, which was closed, I heard chatter. I couldn't imagine that NPH, whose office is next door, had so many people in with her.

Lo and behold, I opened the door only to find Mr D, Mr T and Mr PM in there playing cards! They saw the look of shock on my face, but they just said hi and continued playing cards.

So what happens now?

I don't know. I go into a period at work where I am really busy. But I can't let at least two of these kids fall by the wayside (Mr T and Mr Prime Minister).

Met someone from the Social Services ministry to whom I was telling the story of Mr T, and he said call the mother, explain to her all what the counsellor has said, and ask her if she would be willing to take him (not "send" him) to counselling.

It has to be done. An employee told me that he sees Mr T on the beach regularly, being disrespectful, mouthing off to people and cussing all kinda obscenities. He definitely more interested in street education, than classroom teachings.

But I will not make him end up in prison. Must get him on a right path.

Summer School: Graduation Day

When I started teaching all of the 41 students last year October, I thought I would have been involved with them for just the semester. It turned out to be the whole school year, and for some, that would have been enough.

But when I would give them projects to write, and I saw the low level they were at, I decided that I had to do something about the ones which have great potential, and were somewhat intriguing.

First I chose Mr T, because he was always giving trouble. "I'm going to adopt you," I told him, from about the 3rd lesson. He wasn't interested Then Mr Prime Minister caught my attention because he would always tap me on my hand when I was trying to teach, to get in a point (which most times was not related to the lesson!). Next Mr D came to the forefront because he would just look right through you when you were speaking to him. Mr KF also came into the picture because he was always late, and day dreaming. The 5th Kid became one of my helpers at school. "Run and give the Principal this envelope. Put back up this video camera in the case for me." Always did what I asked him.

So it was this motley crew which saw the school term being stretched into Summer, taking up far more time than I had anticipated. But like a proud mama who nurtures her kids throughout their school life, at the end of it all, I was thrilled to have had this experience.

Here's how today went.....

Summer School: Session 6

Every week, the kids would ask what number session it is. I had told them there would be 6 sessions, and that if they behaved well, we would go out to a restaurant.

At Tuesday's session, Mr Prime Minister sought to clarify how many more lessons there were. Today is the last lesson. "But Miss, ah thought you said the 30th was the last?" OK. Today is the last lesson. Next week, it's fun week.

Then Mr T said "leh wi have Chinese nuh Miss?" The conversation then turned to Chinese people eating dogs. I dismissed the talk of Chinese by saying we'll be having burgers or chicken and fries. "Yesssss!" So they are looking forward to that.

Now to the last lesson....

The drive home after Summer School 5

I know.....Friday gone long time. But ah busy busy busy. Lots of pots on the fire. Anyway, I saw the one who drove me to tears on the way home this evening, so it reminded me that I had not updated this.

When the swinging like a merry go round started, I told them it was time to go. But then I kept dilly-dallying until about 30 minutes passed. Mr D, in his typical "I don't care if it offends you" manner, said "it's time to go." I told him we would soon leave. He hissed his teeth and walked through the door and said he was leaving. I called him to come back but he ignored me. What's new?