Back To School, Back To School, To Prove To Dad That I’m Not A Fool

So what is the first day of school like when you have no idea of what to do? For me, I pretty much followed my partner teacher around like a lost puppy trying to figure out where I’m supposed to be at each moment. I got to school around 8, and went to Svetlana’s room. She was not there, so I waited around for a bit in Maria’s room, which is right next-door. Once I met up with Svetlana, we went to the schoolyard for the beginning of the school-year ceremony.

All the students were standing around the stage in semicircle. The fifth grade class was brought to the stage to be presented and welcomed to the school since they are new to the school. After the fifth graders were presented, a student performed a song about the school year, followed by the Moldovan anthem being played.

Doamna Ana then spoke for a little bit welcoming in the new school. Then she introduced me to the school. Doamna Ana asked that I prepare a 2-minute speech (one minute in English and one minute in Romanian) to introduce myself and what the Peace Corps does. First I spoke in English, explaining to the student who I was, where I’m from, and what the PC wants me to do this year. Then I translated it into Romanian. There was a little bit of giggling with my Romanian, but mostly stares in amazement. I don’t think they expected me to know Romanian. And when I finished my speech, the students cheered and presented me with some flowers.

After my speech, the mayor spoke for a little while. Afterwards, two high school students carried two fifth grade students around on their shoulders, while the two fifth graders rung a bell. I think it was some kind of ringing in the new school year. And my favorite part was the last song. One of the students preformed a song about the teachers and the school to the tune of Britney Spears’ “Oops, I Did It Again”.

The rest of the day was in the students’ homeroom class. The homeroom teachers (the diriginte) went over school rules and procedures. I stayed with Svetlana, even though I will not be teaching with those students. Svetlana also presented me, and we gave the students time to ask me questions; they mostly just stared at me.

School ended at about 11, and all the teachers went home…so I did too, not really knowing what to do tomorrow. I have a vague idea of which teachers I will work with tomorrow, and Svetlana asked me to talk to the students about why English is important to learn. Other than that, tomorrow will be another day of not really knowing what’s going on.