New school

 

1st day at school

  Prisha started her new school at NJIS where they follow the Advanced Placement which is the US curriculum. It just happened I feel as earlier while moving to IB school here in Jakarta, we had done enough research to make sure she finishes with IB. But looking at her focus on Art we had got encouraged to move her to this school. A dear friend in India encouraged us as her son is in US and he felt it would help Prisha enjoy what she loves better as she can choose her subjects early in life. A dear friend and my constant support in the US has been hearing my every struggle and we decided that perhaps this is the plan from above.
    Her first day at school had her excited yet very nervous. Starting afresh isn't easy as you have to face a whole new bunch of new faces and adjust with them. Carrying the bagggage of GMIS with us was a lot too. She has learnt to be more cautious about people. Its interesting to note that we both have learnt to read people very well. She reads eyes, faces, body language and is able to say what could be going inside of the person's head. In a way its great and some days I am afraid as she looks at me and I feel she has seen my soul. As a mum I am trying hard to mask my feelings a lot. I can't hurt my kids with my fears and make them weak.
    The teachers were informed about her condition and the kids were prepared for her. She was welcomed warmly in class and for the first time in 2.5 years she was sharing a table with a bunch of kids. They all sat and included her in everything they did. I was waiting for her messages from school yet there were hardly any. Mum's heart palpitates and at the end of the day I went to pick her up. She

With the head of the school

stood there beaming and we drove back home. She was happy and for the first time in a long time I saw no lines of stress on her face. She did find the studies different and having joined mid session it was likely to happen. The first two days went very well and it was a relief to see her happy. New uniform and style of studies was exciting. There were a lot of firsts! She did PE after a long gap, she was doing art too, she was having friends to support.....her first in 2.5 years! She related an incident when she disliked it when she could not hear what a boy said in class to her and she looked up confused and asked him to repeat and he said it was ok and was going to move on. A girl immediately told him to just simply repeat instead of walking away. For the first time someone was standing up for her !!! She was so thrilled. She realized the friendliness in school. The teachers were smiling and cheering always. The kids were inclusive though they had their class mates as friends. Being a small class she did find it difficult initially, she missed the cheer and bounce of classroom she has been used to. But she was happier with less noise and atmosphere of the class. She did feel she had to get used to the new teachers and their accents but she added that a week....and she would get them. I know her well and know how hard she works, so no doubts in mind on that.
    She has 4 days a week after school activity with art, dance and maths. She enjoys being there. The long hours from 7:30 to 4 seem to be just fine. She enjoys her school and is getting used to the slower pace. The teachers are observing her and feel she is smart and very focused. Her English assessment was done in class and she felt she is excellent with her concentration and has the best hearing in class!! Her listening skills are good as she knows she needs to concentrate a lot more than others. She loves studing and does her homework which is well spaced out.
     She was informed in class that there would be speech competition and anyone could participate. She promptly informed me and wanted to do it. I was excited and her teachers were so thrilled. They hugged her and cheered. This just boosted her spirits! What more does a child want? The other day there were earthquakes and she was very nervous. The school was evacuated and being her first time and new school she was nervous and shivering. She informed me later that every teacher was asking her if she was ok and were very caring. As the school was left early and I wasn't aware and would have taken an hour to reach....the head of the school and his wife gave her company through out the hour. This shows the value for human emotions and fears and its all that we parents need.It made us feel secure as well. For her birthday I had baked Onion tarts and all her teachers were so happy and grateful. Their little extra praise and kind words made her feel happy and excited. Is it too much to ask? Is it so difficult? It just made our life so comfortable. Though its a lot of work for me to travel 1.5-2 hours each day to pick her up, seeing her less stressed and happier makes me want to do it. Its tiring but she is happy and makes me happy too. She has less stress, fewer pimples and fewer tummy aches. Life for now seems easier for her and we have to just wait and see how this chnage is, or else its going to be another journey to find a newer place which aids her growth. Few more years and this shall be all behind us. As of now....we are happy we are an NJIS family!