School

School for the kids has been an interesting little journey. We had no real expectations of what it would be like for them once we got them into school - except that there would be a steep learning curve and we should probably expect some hiccups. In the conversations that we had leading up to getting them started, we assumed that Jaxon would have an easier time than Lily - as she is just a little needier : ). As it turns out, we were wrong.

One thing to note before I get too far into this - when we placed the kids in school we were faced with the question of which grade to put them into. In America Lily would have been in 3rd, Jaxon in 2nd. If the school year were on the same calendar here as the US, it would have been easier - just put them in the grades they are supposed to be in. But, the the school year begins in April, which is when students begin their new grade. If we had put them into 2nd and 3rd, they would have each had just one month of that grade before moving up. We decided to start at 1st and 2nd, so that they could have easier work while adjusting. Then, this coming April, they would begin 2nd and 3rd.

Lily doesn't love school here - not like she did in America. But, she is coming to like it very much. She and Jaxon are somewhat celebrity like. We hear their names in conversations all the time and people we don't know, know them. She likes this status. She has made a few friends and does her best to communicate with them using had gestures and occasional help from a translator. She has a fun bartering system set up with her teacher. Lunch is served in the classroom everyday. Each student gets exactly the same thing. Most of the time there is a soup, vegetables, and milk. The main dish varies between a rice dish and a fish dish, sometimes curry. Lily's favorite part is the milk. She and her teacher have worked out that if she eats half her veggies, she earns a 2nd milk. Kind of cute.

Jaxon, Mr. Outgoing, has struggled. I can put on my fake child psych hat and list all the various reasons for his behaviors and struggles, but, I won't. Bottom line, he is being somewhat of a tool. It is all completely justified, at least I feel that way. I don't like the decisions that he has made, but I understand them. He decided that rather than go with the flow, he'd try to tread against the current. Rather than quietly observe class, do what work he could do, absorb some of the language, he gets up and walks out to use the bathroom 10 times a day. Rather than doing the easy first grade work that is put in from of him, he draws, takes peoples' hats, throws erasers, daydreams. He has not made friends as easily as Lily either. All of this makes me sad, but not angry. I know there is an end in sight and that he will get it one day and all will be well again.

We received a call from the school in regards to Jaxon. Not sure what to expect, Jason and I attended a meeting with 5 or 6 staff members and volunteers to discuss and plan. I have to say - I was a little amazed. First we were given the run down on his antics. Next, I assumed the apologetic parent role, offered theories as to why these things were happening, etc. Here's the amazing part - the school staff and volunteers apologized to us. Over and over. They felt badly, saying that they were not doing a good enough job with him and that his behaviors were their fault. This would not be amazing to anyone familiar with Japanese culture, as it is the norm. But to my Western eyes - wow. After the meeting we had a come to Jesus talk of sorts with Jaxon and we have seen an improvement in his behavior.

So, today, the kids finish their school year. They will have a two week break and then begin the new school year in April. Here's the great news - the staff has decided to move the kids up - not to 2nd and 3rd, but to 3rd and 4th. Apparently my little ones are smart! They feel very proud of themselves. We are proud of them too.

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