Mr. Yento delivered me safely to the school where I met with Mr. Wisnu and other office management. Remembering names on a good day is hard for me, but suffering jetlag and learning names from different cultures, most I’ve never heard of before, made it quite difficult. Everyone was very forgiving and aware that Americans probably have a more difficult time adjusting than others.
A tour of the school revealed a beautiful paradise inside the middle class part of Jakarta (Southside). The architecture is amazing, leaving way for a cool breeze to cool you between buildings. It has the feel of a tropical paradise hotel with its different levels and corridors. Around each corner reveals another gorgeous surprise. They found a great way to make the outdoors part of the building. I will feel very comfortable here. The teachers are very friendly and very willing to help… and more importantly, include me into their ‘family’. Mr. Wisnu confirmed that I will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade mathematics, but will not have a homeroom. He felt that since I arrived so close to school beginning that I wouldn’t have enough time to get my room ready for the students, so I will go to the children. After a brief debriefing, Mr. Wisnu sent me home with Ms. Meena, my housemate, to rest and get used to the 12 hour time change.
Monday (11th) was only for new students. We had an orientation for them and their parents in the assembly hall. It was fairly formal with a slide show to express what the school and parents should expect from each other and was followed by an introduction of the teachers and staff. I then retired to my room to finish getting it ready for Tuesday (the first day of school) and to get my lesson plans completed.
I was hired to teach 3rd and 4th grade math. Then, it was announced that I would be one of the 4th grade’s homeroom teachers in addition to the math classes. So, I have been blessed with 23 4th graders. This is one of the largest classes in the primary. They are all truly a blessing for me. The classes are designated by name: Love, Hope, Harmony, Faith… My class is Honor! I like it! I am also blessed with a class teacher (aide) that stays with my Honor class all day. His name is Mr. Kristyo. We call him Mr. Kris. He takes care of a huge portion of the classroom for me. I teach, grade assignments, and record them. Mr. Kris takes care of the room itself and checks the communication books each day and lets me know if a parent has sent a note to me. It works out very well and allows me to do what I enjoy; teach.
The children here come from very good families and most are more spoiled to material things and travel than any of us were able to spoil our own children. Yet, they are all very friendly and so willing to please. It is expected in this society to make good marks and to make a bad one is considered a dishonor to the child and the parents. Just like the US, some are more studious and eager to learn than others. But all are a delight. (Ask me again in 6 weeks) J
Meena and I live in a house in Bona Indah where several of the other teachers also live. The school bus (large van) picks us up each morning and takes us to school. This isn’t a safety issue; it is a benefit from the school. We don’t have to supply our own way unless we want. If we need to go in early, then we take a cab and pay for it ourselves. If not, then we take the bus and have a fun stress free ride to school and back home. We are picked up at about 6:30AM and get to school around 6:45-6:55AM. The ride itself is very interesting. It starts out fairly slow, because we are stopping every block or so to pick up another teacher. Then, the ride begins. Traffic is heavy (EVERYWHERE) and the motorcycles weave in and out of the cars and buses. The roads are confusing to me here. Because traffic is so heavy, the driver takes ‘back roads’ to get there. They are very narrow and two cars barely fit side by side; one going each way. On top of that, there are the little vendors Right On the Road that sell the ‘street food.’ So, sometimes (many times) the driver is right up next to the street food vendor. Sometimes I am fearful that he will hit them. Everyone seems to find a way to get out of the way.
I am beginning to notice the same people getting ready to start their day just as I am. The ones taking their little ones to school, the ones out sweeping their store fronts, and the ones who are weaving in and out of traffic just like us to reach their destination each morning. We see many homes being decorated for weddings during this time of the year. August begins the Ramadan Dhan (40 days of fasting), so they are getting married now before it starts. They decorate with very beautiful drapes around the front of the house. I think pink and white must be in season this year.
Once we reach school, the guards great us at the gate and welcome us in. They are very friendly. The teachers sign in by finger prints here. The unit is on the wall and we sign in with our index finger each morning and sign out when we leave. We have until 7:15AM to do whatever morning things we need to take care of then off to teachers’ morning devotional. I love this time together. It is a Great way to start the morning. Homeroom starts at 7:45AM – the beginning of a full day. My schedule changes from day to day as far as which math class is first, but I am getting used to it. My two 3rd grade classes are usually in the morning, leaving my 4th grade for the afternoon. Morning assembly, for the children is on Monday and Wednesday; homeroom is on Tuesday and Thursday; and Chapel on Fridays. They also have P.E., vocal, band, Mandarin, French, Art, and a few other extra subjects to enjoy. School is over at 2:45PM unless they have after school activities, then their day ends at 3:30PM. Teachers leave at 4-4:0PM, but on Fridays, we are released at 3:30! It will be a good year!
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