It is still very new to me, Erin, to have both boys in school (outside the home). Even more so is the experience of schooling here in a different culture. There were a few things I knew when they started, such as which days require which uniforms and that their finger nail length would be checked. What I did not know I could not have guessed from my own personal experience attending school in the States as is quite different.
When I first enrolled the boys I was hoping, but not expecting, to receive some sort of handbook from the school or at least some oral instruction about more than just the uniforms. Instead it seems all information is given to the students, indirectly orally or via a letter, or through admonishing. For example, Caedmon started school with a Mohawk. After the first two weeks we cut it off. Then one day as I picked the boys up, one of his teachers made a comment that she told all the students that initially Caedmon had a soccer player's hair cut, but now he has a "school boy's" hair cut. I am terrible at understanding indirectness so I still wonder if his Mohawk hairdo was not ok for school.
Other things I have been learning, which again I wish I could learn from a handbook of rules and regulations, have been that when nail length is checked hands get slapped if the nails are too long or dirty and then the child is told to "clean and/or cut them." Because of the majority belief system here the boys are taught Arabic sayings for before they study and eat, and for afterwards as well. This has been a great teaching opportunity for us with our boys to help them understand truth and explore the meaning behind actions.
Another new experience was a Parent gathering, announced via letter sent home with Caedmon. Every month parents, really just the mothers, gather for a monetary lottery (about $5 entry each), snacks, and a presentation on something related to child upbringing. We all met at the school during class time for an introduction as to the dates and purpose of the gathering. I hope this will be a good way to get to know other parents.
Unfortunately lately there have been some unsettling things I've been learning about schooling here. We learned from our grade school neighbors and their parents that kids are vaccinated at school. My concern arose when everyone we talked to was clueless about which vaccinations are given. Apparently letters or information are not sent home to the parents prior to or even after the vaccinations are given. One neighbor said the schools didn't want to "frighten" the kids by sending home a note prior to the event. Thankfully this occurred before anything of the sort was done at the boys' school. We were able to discuss the matter with their teachers, and with Caedmon and Whitman as well. Apparently at the boys' school only measurements are taken. Which again no information was sent home after the boys' weight, height, and head circumference were measured, and then they were given a nutritional supplement (in the form of porridge). I have to remember to be THANKFUL that our boys do not have any allergies! The worse was yesterday when we learned Whitman's class (3 year olds) used matches for an activity. They were putting the matches in a bottle, maybe for counting purposes but I am still really unsure.
We aim to be culturally sensitive and appropriate, but at the same time protect our children from things that are in our control. This balance is something we constantly, but more so this week, seek wisdom in. More than anything I am so surprised by the things I take for granted, whether it is something I consider common sense or the manner in which I expect things happen. Being half way around the world I am still amazed at how different things can be.
