Year 2 in Jamaica!
It seems amazing to me that I have been in Jamaica for over a year! I continue to work with my at- risk students at school- and have seen some progress in their decoding and phonics skills. Just as important are positive changes in behaviour. Now that I know the students and the school better, I think I expect better behaviour from my students. I continue to struggle with how to run the library in a better fashion, and so have invited a grade 2 class and the grade 1 class to come up for class library time recently. Some adjustments still need to be made, but I think this format will lead to more opportunities to share some wonderful stories and teach some library skills to all the students not just the ones who come up at lunch time. This will be my new challenge! Another challenge is to work out a better computer room system that gives more children computer time.
Sports Day competitions are held in March and April around Jamaica. We had our school Sports Day at a neighbouring school’s field. The school had been divided into 3 “houses” – and each house had entries into all the races. A variety of race distances were offered- 80 yd for under 9 year olds, 100 yd for under 11, under 13 then 200 yd races for all except the under 9’s, 400 yd and a 800 yd. Then 4 x 100 relays. The only field event was the cricket ball throw. The kids were excitedly cheering on their teams and the winning team (house) only won by 2 points! The winning kids went on to a district competition between 4 schools, and then a few went on to the St. Ann parish finals. Winners there go on to the National Stadium to run. Breadnut Hill won 2 bronze medals at the parish finals; pretty good I think since our school doesn’t have a field to practice on nor any teacher willing to coach the students. Most kids ran their races barefoot. Jamaicans are rightly proud of their international track stars and the students want to emulate them.

May 8 & 9 I travelled into Kingston for two wardens’ meetings. We had an interesting discussion about 2 surveys recently done in regards to Peace Corps Jamaica. We heard about sustainability and the frustrations on some volunteers’ parts about expectations to write and get grant money. I found this curious and sort of naive and idealistic: even in the United States’ YMCA world, grants are useful and necessary sources of money that local communities cannot always generate. More important is the commitment and investment the community makes that goes into the grant request. I just think of the Habitat for Humanity philosophy of sweat equity and “lending a hand up not a hand out.” And I am pleased with the community support for “my” summer camp program. I currently have 7 boys registered for the 12 camp spots. I have been worried about this aspect of the program as signing up in advance is not usual. Jamaica is also suffering from the high gas prices and Ocho Rios is losing cruise ship berthings to the new pier in Falmouth. So Breadnut Hill families are just making ends meet.
Ann, our PC safety and security person, reminded us of personal safety behaviours and about the upcoming hurricane season – June 1- November 30. Be prepared- with food supplies, with radios and batteries and candles etc. We have quite a system in place; from alert stage to evacuation if necessary. Now my job as warden is to hold a St. Ann parish meeting for all the volunteers (12) living here and pass on the information.
I am looking forward to a visit from my son Chris arriving on April 26th for a week! We have a number of fun activities planned as there is no school for the week after Easter. I feel so fortunate that he will be my 3rd family visitor! I am also looking forward to the safe arrival of grandson #2 due around May 4th.