The week preceding Easter was our first four-day week since Christmas, so we weren't about to let it go unnoticed! Esther, Lindsay, and I planned a school spirit week and the kids, though quite confused by the idea at first, soon took to it like flies on a mango ;)
It was a little embarrassing walking into staff prayer dressed like this on Monday morning... but I wasn't the only one who turned some heads! (this was for backwards day). We even had the kids who are home-schooled join in on the fun.
Harry (4th), Caleb and April (Freeman and Shelly's youngest), Kai and Leo (5th) and Eli (6th by grade level, but 17 years of age) - showing off their backward clothing for all to see
And here is my little class. They didn't want to come to school dressed like this (too embarrassing, I guess...), so they all proceeded to turn their clothes around IN the classroom, after they got there! I'm not sure which is more embarrassing ...
They were most excited about this day. They wore their backpacks backwards, walked backwards to prayer, sat backwards in their chairs ... the day was a good addition to our ESL curriculum as well, as I'm sure ALL of my kids will remember what backwards means now ;)
Tuesday - Gangster Day. Poster designed by Mr. Illioney's class. Miss Esther fits in quite well, doesn't she!?
The whole group of gangstas, lookin' kool for the camera.
And... Miss Lindsay's 3rd grade class showing off their Hats for Hat Day.
And Miss Esther's 4th and 5th graders =) My students made the poster. Not bad, eh?
And Thursday was pajama day! We had a half day, before school dismissed for the Easter break. It was a great way to end the week on a more relaxed note...
Friday morning chapel. The kids LOVE this time of corporate worship. Illioney leads on guitar, Leo and Samuel play along, and the other students sing and dance their hearts out. They also love to play along on their rhythm instruments. You can see Ethan (far left) brandishing his 'drum' and stick high in the air ;)
And here is a nice shot of the teachers. Illioney St. Fleur (middle and h.s. teacher and school director), Helena (teacher from 2 years ago, visiting with us for a month), Claudy Cherubin (2nd grade teacher), Miss Laura (that'd be me), Miss Lindsay (3rd grade), Rhodes Gephart (preschool), and Esther Dodge (4th and 5th)
During the months of March and April, we hosted a series of two parenting workshops for the families of the Liberty Academy. Many of the adults present were not moms or dads (there were uncles, cousins, tutors, friends...), but we were still thankful for this opportunity to share with them some solid, Biblical teaching about important topics such as respect, obedience, and discipline. It was also neat to connect with the parents who came - I met Valens' mother for the first time, as well as Mario's tutor (who is now helping me with Mario's spelling and reading!) and Christelle's uncle. It helps me to know how to better pray for them too...
When my mom and dad came to visit over Easter, my first two guitar students planned a mini-concert for them. It was so much fun just to sit back and listen to them. To hear how far they've come, and to worship with them as we sang along. Just a few weeks ago, they were even invited to play on a local radio station! That made me proud =)
It was also fun to have mom and dad here to take action shots of me in my teaching. Here, I am reading a diary of a sunflower to my students. For part of our plant unit, we planted sunflower seeds that Stu sent down here in a care package with my parents. They have been doing very well in the climate here (as long as my students remember to water them in the morning!), and it is fun to see these kids learn to care for and respect the natural world. Something that definitely isn't encouraged or modeled in many Haitian families.
It's also been fun to do this with them, because when I come home this summer, Stu and I plan to plant a garden full of sunflowers as well. For our upcoming wedding =)
My students were thrilled to get some small gifts from Sandi Harnish (from my church). They especially loved these sticker books... I remember the days of sticker BOOKS, from the mid-80's. Wonder if they'll ever come back? ...
You can also see my mom here, in the background, taking a look around the classrooms. It was such a treat to have them here! They even spent an afternoon sharing some stories of Africa (Tanzania and Lesotho) with my students plus the 3rd through 5th graders.
Valens kind of surprised me in his eagerness to meet and love on my mom and dad. He talked about April 14 for weeks ahead of time (we had written the day of their visit on our calendars), and when my dad first walked into the classroom, Valens made a beeline for him and gave him a HUGE hug =) He also made sure to tell my mom, before she left that room, that she was very 'bel!" Beautiful.
Finishing up a unit on the seasons. Each of the students made one of these posters and then picked their favorite season (in this case, not an actual favorite, but the one they wish they could experience ;) to write a short paragraph on. I was so proud of their hard work. Especially when they shared the posters with Miss Lindsay's class and had their very first experience of public speaking in English! They did very well =)
Back in March, our older students threw a party for the L.A. students (4th grade and up) and teachers. They thought a bit bigger than their budget, which made for some awkward 'fundraising' attempts, but all in all, it was a fun event. My favorite part was the pudding pie ;)
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