School Visit #2

Next we traveled to an elementary school, or as they would say in  Brazil, a fundamental school.  We were warmly greeted by the staff and students.  This is a Partners is Education school as well.  The  principal was very proud of the students' progress on state test scores..  Their academic achievement was some of the best in the state.  The students come to school for either a morning or an afternoon session.

The teachers greeted us and put on a small program.  This boy played a recorder solo for us. He is with the principal.

The students have a garden that they grow vegetables in. They follow the entire lifecycle of the  plant.  It is then served in the cafeteria.

There were lots of religious icons in the schools.  Here is St. Peter.

Maybe this pigeon drives the bus...(that joke is for those of you who have read...Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus).  There is lots of open air spaces, so the birds are in the school.

Artwork

We had some fun with the students during physical education.

I was very humbled during this visit.  The school does not have the tools that we do, but they are so proud of their accomplishments.  They showed us their "book room" which is similar to a library.  They had 5000 books for around 400 students.  It was a fraction of  the number of books we have at our school.  Yet, they are so proud of it and they do amazing things with the students.  Often we  spend so much time complaining about what we don't have that we forget how lucky we are to have what we do.The affection between students and teachers was amazing.  Lots of hugs and kisses.  

This school was exemplry in so many ways. The staff was so dedicated, the children were so excited to  learn...and they even play "I have...Who has!"   (My students and colleagues might know what that is. )  It was an incredible visit!!