INSTITUTO GUADALUPANO

Instituto Guadalupano

Yesterday was the first day of private (Spanish) school for the kids. We live approximately 5 minutes from a small private school called "Instituto Guadalupano". Great little school. Small classroom sizes and wonderful teachers. We decided to enroll Syd and Josh as “listening” students. Basically, they're auditing the classes - they don't get marked on any of the work they do. They attend for half the day and are required to take an active role in the class. We want them to have more intentional exposure to the Spanish language, Panamanian culture and to meet other kids. The school day starts at 7am and finishes at 1:30pm. But Syd and Josh only attend from 10am to 1:30pm. They fit in homeschooling before heading off to Guadalupano.

All the schools in Panama have very specific uniform requirements. When I registered the kids a few weeks back I assumed I could buy the uniforms pre-made. Not the case. That would be too easy. For Sydney’s skirt I had to buy the material at the school, the zipper and buttons at another store, then find a “costura” (seamstress) to make the skirt. After 3 fittings, at each of which the skirt was so tight Syd could hardly breath, it finally fit (kind of). I had to make some final alterations on my own. But after 3 visits, I was done. Joshua had to have pants made since the off-the-rack pants here do not fit him at all. I had to buy the material at one store, and then find someone to sew them. I approached the woman who was making Syd’s skirt, but I was informed that she never does pants. The man who lives behind her sews the pants for the boys. One great thing about the “pant-maker” was that we were able to tell him exactly how Josh wanted the pants. No pockets in back. No pleats. Deep pockets. Loose fit EVERWHERE. Josh’s pants fit fairly well, so only one trip was necessary to get those made. The skirts cost $4 each to have them made. The pants costs $7.50 to have made. They both have two sets. The process of getting the uniforms took around 2 weeks.

The kids trying on their uniforms.

Dropping them off on the first day was really tough. No muffin mixers here (as they do at Glendale)! The first day of any school is always a little nerve racking, but not speaking the language and looking so different is always a challenge. Syd is in junior high - Grade 7, and Josh is in Grade 5. Junior high students attend classes at the front of the school. Elementary student classrooms are located in the back of the school. All of Syd’s friends are in the elementary division so she only sees them after school.

I had to take this picture quickly. They were embarassed.
Sometimes simple things can be such a challenge. For example, this morning Syd wanted to order Jell-O at the cafeteria, but did not know the name for Jell-O. We asked 7 kids if they spoke English. All of them shook their head, “No” and walked away. Finally, the "lunch-lady" told us to ask the English teacher for the word we were looking for. Simple things, like ordering Jell-O, can be a little complicated when you don’t speak the language. “Gelato” was the name we were looking for. So Syd finally was able to order her cup of purple Jell-O. And it only took 7 minutes and 25 cents.

Josh’s take on his first day (yesterday) at Spanish school - “My class is so loud. They are crazy!”. This morning, he actually ran to his class and never looked back. I am very proud of them both and encouraged them that managing this anxiety was great practice for future “first days”. What I said and how I felt were very different. What I really wanted to do was pick them up in my arms and take them back to our safe little home school room. Instead, I left, leaving my sweet children to fend for themselves knowing that these experiences are good for their character development. Let's be honest, for my character too.

This is the school cafeteria that serves a variety of deep fried foods, drinks, snacks and, of course, Jell-0.

Until I blog again.
Linda