This week we had the opportunity to visit another Italian elementary school in our search of the "perfect" one for the girl. I'll tell you, the thought of all of this makes me physically sick. I have so many worries (as I am certain all parents do) for this little girl. It's not about selecting the "right school," as much as it is selecting the "right school for Maddy." Well, that, and hoping we can have a coveted spot in said school. We are on a lista d'attesa (waiting list) for our current first choice. (Enter helicopter parenting mode. . . I know. Listen to me. Give me a break, right?)
The latest school felt good. Traditional, classic, but good. Maybe not perfect, but good. A nun stopped by and immediately took Maddy for a tour & chat session as we waited for the principal. The principal (a lay man) was extremely friendly and welcoming as he guided us from lunch room to chapel to classroom. The lunch room reminded me of something from a Madeline book with tables in straight lines under vaulted ceilings. I didn't see a library, but he did show us the computer room, which neither impressed nor interested me. The building is old but well-kept -- thus charming to us. I didn't here the yelling that folks speak of as common in Italian schools.
One thing in particular that is bothering me is the two hour lunch break -- 30 minutes break, 30 minutes lunch, 60 minutes break. In a school day that goes from 8:30 to 4:30, kids need breaks, obviously. I didn't hear of too many organized activities during those breaks?!! What on Earth do those kids do? There is a expansive play area outside, but not much in terms of playground structures. And when it rains? Does it matter? Perhaps 90 minutes of unstructured free play is a good thing for growing minds. No lo so.
Today we visit another school during their annual Scuola Aperta (Open House). This one seems to be the most coveted of all = cold day in hell before we get a spot. On a previous attempt to visit, we couldn't get pass the (not-so-friendly) nun manning the door. Today they open the doors for all of us wanna-be's to come and visit; I don't feel very hopeful, which is just as well. Honestly, I don't understand the hype surrounding this little school, but everybody unequivocally agrees that this one is the "best." Best in terms of. . . .not real sure. I am on a mission to discover this today, which, with the language and cultural issues, is no easy task & so I wonder if it's even worth my efforts.
Oh well. C'est la vie.
7 comments:
Good luck Dana, hope you find the right school for Maddy!
PS recess in the Italian schooling system has always been an issue.
I so feel you! Even speaking the language here I still feel like I'm *missing* something. I had no idea all the time and thought that would have to go into making the school decision. Or that I would have to EXPLAIN my choices over and over to seemingly educated people who only seem capable of group think. Can no one see that there could be some schools that work for one child while another could work just as well for a different child? And I'm talking PRE-K!! With that said, my little guy starts at his new school tomorrow! Eck! I'm so nervous for him. He doesn't comprehend yet that he'll be out of the house M-F all day. Good Luck!
If it helps, I feel the same way about American schools!!! I think if you're out of your native land it's always confusing. As long as Maddy has your total support (which she obviously does) she will do well wherever you decide to send her!!!!
good luck.
Thanks for the encouragement. Ugghhh....
Dana
Good luck with all this. School issues are already worrying me, and my oldest isn't even five. I think they (meaning, school systems all around the world) make it way too hard to figure out. Here's hoping your little Maddy finds her perfect fit!
I wouldn't be too worried about the two hour break. When we lived in Switerland last year, my boys also had this two hour break. I am not sure if children in Italy are allowed to go home during this time, but in Switzerland they are. Anyways, we made the decision for the oldest to eat his lunch at school and he loved it. They also didn't have very much play equipment, but they used their imaginations and created games. My son misses this since he only gets 17 minutes of recess here in the states. It is a total shame and no wonder why so many kids are diagnosed with ADD. Really they just are not getting enough free time to play. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I am sure all the schools where you live are pretty good; especially compared to the states. Just think that most American children by the time they are finished are three years behind the rest of their western conterparts. If we are not careful, there will be no jobs for Americans because children in China and India are willing to work much harder and smarter.
Good luck. I just wrote about kids and school choices yesterday
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