Escuela Bilingue Honduras

School has officially started for the Torres boys and what a process this has been!  We knew school started on the 9th after the Chirstmas break so last week we went to try and register Jordan.  There were reception type staff there (Spanish speaking only) and they told us we had to come back on Monday.  We went back on Monday and met the Principal and the English Coordinator who pretty much gave us no information.  We did manage to arrange for testing for Jordan which would take place on Tuesday and we asked about a program for Everett, met that Coordinator and were told we could get all of that information on Tuesday after Jordan's testing.  Tuesday we had to drop Jordan off for two hours (tear) and when I came back to get him I talked with another administrator who explained to me that they needed to have a meeting with both parents about the paperwork.  The meeting had to be scheduled for Wednesday.  I convinced them to let Jordan and Everett both start school on Wednesday and they did.  At the meeting they suggested  we hire a lawyer to assist us with all the required paperwork  (we can use the Base Legal dept so it works out fine).  Official records such as the Birth Certificate and School Report Cards not only have to include the state's official seals on them but they also have to have an Apostille which is a certification done at the U.S. Department of State's office that says the document is "entitled to recognition in the country of intended use" at the meeting we signed formal contracts promising to initiate the process obtaining this paperwork and try to have it completed within 60 days.  Whew - what an ordeal!

School day was very stressful.  Boy boys were a wreck.  Jordan more so than Everett... he was super nervous about everything and hated the uniform he had to wear.  The English Coordinator who he tested with, Laura (pronounced Lao Da) made a great connection with him so he felt at ease when he saw her.  Jordan ended up making some fast friends and realized that all of these kids DO speak English just not so perfect.  The majority of the classes are taught in English and all the teachers are English speaking.  The Principal and Office Staff; however are not.  There are 3 classes that are taught in Spanish:  Social Studies, Spanish and Values.  Jordan won't be tested in any of these classes but will have to attend them sort of like an audit situation like we have in the states.  The school is set up like an open mall type building and during recess and lunch they have free reign of all the spaces - can you imagine?  Recess is scheduled in the morning at 8:40 and during this time the kids are allowed to eat a snack from home.  I packed Jordan some cookies and a water what the heck right?  Cookies in the am just because it was allowed!  At lunch time I received a call from Laura saying he had no lunch!  She put Jordan on the phone and he told me he had eaten the sandwich and the rest of the lunch I had packed him at snack time!  I had given him 100 Limps just in case he needed to buy something so that's what he ended up doing.  Lunch was some sort of chicken, beans, plantains, etc. and cost 20 Limps which is about a dollar.  Most parents bring their kids lunch.  They walk up to the gates right before noon with a plate of something covered in foil that they have just cooked.  We won't be doing that..... Both boys ended up having pretty good days.  Everett seemed to have a great time.  He only goes until 11:30, and Jordan came out with a smile.  He had lots to say about just how different things were.  This morning they both went off with a smile.  Today I will be working on getting all the cash together to go pay for their registration fees and their books.  Some has to be paid in American Currency and some in Limperias.  All of it has to be paid right at the school's bank and then you take the payment slip back to the school.  Jordan can't be issued his books until I get that part done.  School starts promptly at 7:00 am!  If  you are late you have to miss your first class and sit in the counselors office.  Needless to say  - Jose will be taking them to school!