Wednesday: Student Interactions

Wednesday March 23^rd 2011

Today was a pretty interesting day. We went to the school like we have been doing for the past 2 days. We got to school a little bit early and like expected we all were divided into 4 groups and went straight into our specific assigned classes. I am in the group 2 with Natasha and Jennifer. Today we went to a reading class but none of us really knew what we were supposed to be doing because we signed up for the science group meaning that we were supposed to be working with the science teachers. Nevertheless, I had the chance to meet an awesome kid, I don’t really know how old he is but I guess I will find out tomorrow. I was so impressed by that kid, he was in the class with a bunch of loud kids but he managed to stay quiet and do his work. I had the opportunity to talk to him one on one and he told me a lot about himself.

He is a 9^th grader who is really involved in and outside of school. He is in the ROTC program, program that I really didn’t know but he told me about what they do and how he joined it. He has a part time job and he plays both basketball and football. He is also coaching the football team and they won second last year. He will also be having an internship this summer due to his program. Just to hear about this kid and all he does made my day. He had a pretty well planned future unlike most college students so I think we can actually learn from him; just to be in 9^th grade and yet doing this much.

Anyway, overall I had a great day, I was tired when we got back and I think we all were but I am sad that tomorrow is our last day at the school. We are all sad that tomorrow will be our last day seeing the kids and reaching out to them and telling them about college. I AM REALLY GLAD THAT I DID THIS SERVICE AND I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT AT LEAST ONCE!

Exhausting Excursion

Today was unexpectantly exhausting. We were once again separated into our period groups. Some of the group members like Peter and Lizzie found themselves unsatisfied with their role in the classroom. A lot of us actually realized that we weren’t very proactive in the classrooms. It was more of a panel discussion about college-a repeated representation about what college life was like as opposed to learning about their lives as high school students.
In contrast, some of us started to form some individual relationships with some particular students and these students opened up to us in unexpected ways. It got very emotional during reflection several of us opened up about our frustrations with teachers and our emotional investments into the students’ lives and our fears about what was going to happen to them.
Another group of us were able to work individually with each of the students on revising their essays on the Odyssey. We found that it was great to have that one-on-one attention with each student and found they are much more intelligent than some of the school staff give them credit for. We were able to ask them questions so they made even more analytical, structured arguments. When we were finished in the classroom, we tried to work on the mural but had some difficulties deciding on the layout, the availability of colors and the major quote we would use.
Finally we were able to have dinner at Mastery charter school where we had a very informative talk about how Philadelphia public schools are dealing with funding issues, drop out rates and graduation rates. We also spoke about how charter schools go into school and take over by revamping the facilities and reorganizing the school staff. The main question we walked away asking was why these teaching techniques, and the teachers themselves, can’t just go directly into the public schools in order to improve them? Still, the conversation was very informative and it was good to be able to get both sides of the argument.

Vid's Naive First Day of Service

Only word that can describe my experience on the first day of service would have to be: Naivety. I went into it thinking it wouldn't be too bad. Not as bad as the fellow ASbers described it. But boy, was I proven wrong. The school literally looks like a prison, the only light available is from the glow of the yellow florescence. To foreshadow the physically and emotionally exhausting day we were about to have it had to rain. Creating this absolutely morose mood. We got assigned to Ms. Carter's, honors english. These are the best students, the creme de la creme, but they only have a 7th-9th grade reading level. Isn't that just on-grade level. They are graded on a ridiculously inflated scale. One assignment being worth 3300 points! So semi-decent on two of these assignments can hopefully get you the D you are looking for and bounce you to the next grade level, even though you haven't mastered the material yet. Now remember these are the honors kids. But they are learning about what a conjunction is. AND, BUT, OR etc. We learn that in elementary school. It is just ridiculous.
There were two things that really did upset me just a tad bit. The lack of respect between the teachers and the students as well as the unstructured day in the morning. The students and teachers act like they are friends, as if the teachers really know what it is like growing up in an urbanized public school system. They don't have that perfect balance between being a friend and a mentor with being a educator and an authority figure.
So this morning they have this thing called lockdown. Where they were just sitting there doing nothing. We were asked to play games with them the whole time. FOR 2 HOURS! We could of done something productive and fun, not just sitting around trying to figure out cartoon characters. It makes no sense. And when we asked if we could do something on Thursday, the teacher was just like" yeeaaa. Whatever, it is fine, they like to play games." As if they were too dumb to do something productive or they were too lazy or they just wouldn't want to, even before they were asked. The main thing I learned today was that these kids are having opportunities being taken way from them everyday even before they are given the chance to see what is available. Hopefully in the next week we can get something together so they can see some opportunities that are available for them.

ASB Philadelphia: Day 1

Today was a whirlwind of a day. I started the day not knowing what to expect. There were feelings of nervousness and excitement as well as even a little bit of fear. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was thrilled to be starting the day. As we all piled into the car, despite the fact that we were tired, there was a clear array of emotions. We walked into the school and awaited the arrival of the students patiently before heading to our assigned classrooms. The second the kids began to pile in, I was hit with my biggest rush of excitement. I could hardly wait to talk to them and get to know them in order to star making the positive impact I came here to make. I quickly learned that the kids are full of heart, passion, and potential, but lack some serious motivation. It was their lack of motivation that struck me the most throughout the day. I talked to many different kids, those who told me they planned to sleep for a living and those that planned to be doctors, but they all shared the common lack of insight to the future. Each has the potential for the future we hope for them, but may be lacking the support to get them there. While there are some fantastic teachers, I'm not sure a few great 9th grade teachers are enough to keep each of these students motivated through four years of high school and push them into wanting to attend a university. It all comes down to wanting to build a better future for yourself. but so many don't seem to think its  possible. What can we do to motivates them? Is it something we can start working to change this week, or is it something that needs to be changed in the school? These are the questions running through my head as I end this day and I very much hope to reach the answers as we spend more and more time with these students.

Sunday: New In Town

Day 2 started out in your typical "new-in-town" fashion.  We went grocery shopping, and loaded up on a lot of food to last us throughout the week.  Grocery shopping with 12 different people, while interesting, tends to prolong the grocery shopping process by 30 minutes. Nonetheless, it was a successful trip!  Our next stop was South Street.  The street was full of several different stores, ranging from bookstores to extravagant clothing stores.  Our visit to South Street ended with a look over the pier, which was both relaxing and fulfilling. 

After 2 hours of relaxation, we met up again to watch the movie, Waiting For Superman.  From our reflection after the movie, it was clear that the movie had a huge impact on everyone. (The tears shed during the movie were also indicative of the heaviness of the material presented in the movie).  I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.  To hear the different statistics, and to follow the students through their educational journeys illustrated further the problems within the American educational system.  The low graduation rates and discouraged students that plague urban school systems is heart-wrenching.  I believe that the movie fueled in us even more the desire to go into the high school tomorrow morning and make a difference in the lives of the students we interact with.

The night concluded with us being serenaded by a European Choir.  They sang "Kiss the Girl" from the movie Little Mermaid in exchange for our remaining pasta and sauce.  They were extremely energetic and social--a perfect way to end the night.  As we lay down to rest for our big day tomorrow, we discuss relationships! Let's just say, all girls have guy problems!!


Anisha