Getting into a routine

This experience will make me a better school psychologist. First of all, I can appreciate how difficult it is to simply juggle 4 children's home-school communication, lunches, and homework. Secondly, I now know first-hand what it is like to spend one hour on a simple science concept learned in school...or another hour on a worksheet that might take other students 10 minutes. The amount of patience and encouragement it requires to avoid shut down and to get optimal work out of them is HUGE. We are trying to remember how exhausted they must be. The language and new routines themselves are tiring. We want to focus on the basics and the most important things. The fact that they love school so much is such a plus. We are so proud of their efforts and progress!

Last night Pierre was able to contact his older brother by phone in Haiti. It is the only number we have that is going through at this time. He was able to talk with all 4 older siblings as they sat together somewhere in Port-au-Prince and asked Pierre questions (about the cold, food, and friends) and gave him instruction (to obey parents, eat what he is given, and not ever quit school). His brother was able to tell me in English that they are so happy for Pierre, and then he thanked me repeatedly. I asked Pierre to tell his family that WE are the ones who are so happy, and that we love Pierre so much. It was great to hear Pierre talk so fluently in Creole still...and to laugh as he explained that he is not cold...that he has lots of jackets! We're grateful for technology and that he has the ability to stay in touch with his birthfamily.