Back 2 School Nites are happening all over the US and UK. It's a time for parents to go to the school where their students spend a lot of their time and see what they do and meet the teachers. It might go by a different name, like Open House, but it is still a common thing that most everyone knows about. Well here in Southeast Asia, its a foreign concept. LOL.
One of my second graders painted a picture for our school and she "presented" it. It is very beautiful and is going to be displayed for everyone to see, forever!
Our school had its first back to school night yesterday, Friday 28 August. The parents were invited to school from 7:30-8:30 to see the classrooms and meet the teachers. We had been planning this night for about a week and really no one had any idea about how it was going to go. Were the parents just walking to all the classes? Staying in their child's homeroom? Are teachers moving classes? Do we need to present something? Many of these questions were answered differently by 4 different people. So we went into it not really knowing what to expect.
Parents began to arrive at 7 and at 7:30 we began with an assembly. Jean, the principal's wife, introduced the night and then David, one of the Board of Managers and our director, talked a little about the school in the South and where we see our school in the future. At 7:45 students and parents were released to their classrooms. They were moving in and out. Kids running everywhere.
At 8:00, David came into my classroom and asked me to talk. So I did the English TPR to get everyone's attention. Then I presented a little about the English department and asked the parents to ask questions. I only had 3 parents ask me questions about English. Since I don't speak the local language it can be difficult to communicate, but I did have our interpreter with me :).
At 8:30, when this shindig was supposed to end, the parents began to make their way to the buffet tables while all the kids ran around the foyer. The one time they were allowed to because we weren't supposed to be the ones disciplining them.
This night was also for the teachers. I feel like I got a chance to see our coworkers outside of school but still inside. It was nice to see them acting like young adults taking selfies with each other and taking pictures with us. I really am praying we have some opportunities to hang out with them more outside of school. I already have started building a relationship with our interpreter. I am really excited to see what God brings to this relationship! She has already invited us to her wedding in March :).
Back to School Nite with my friend, Ngan, and her friend. Really excited to see where this relationship goes!!!