Staff Blog
The fourth quarter of the school year was about to start and we decided to move up some students who were academically progressing to a new grade level. I was delighted, excited, and yet a little bit nervous thinking that I would have a new student who is intelligent, gifted, and of course, well-loved by everyone both in school and in the shelter.
The first few weeks were filled with many things to adapt to, and I prayed that the new student would not be too overwhelmed by the change. Slowly, with the help of the responsive classroom approach we implemented, it supports the student to have an easy transition to a new environment.
In our school, we usually do our morning routines such as greetings, group sharing activities, reading of the morning message, and praying before we start our classes. One of the best memories of my journey with this boy was when he first greeted me with my name as his "new teacher" and hugged me. He even asked me about my morning. He was so excited!
The first day with him was not as smooth as I hoped for. There were a few bumps. This was the reason why we observed him in the classroom and modifications were made to suit the student's needs. He would always choose to be the first person in the line, but I explained that we have our rules on "taking turns," and he already had his chance. When I checked on him outside the classroom the next day, he sat on his spot and patiently waited for others to come. I realized that firmness and consistency are two powerful tools to achieve successful classroom management.
Another classroom scene that made my day was when we had our group sharing. Knowing that younger students are visual learners, I added fun pictures to make our sharing more interactive and to get their attention. As I flashed some images on the screen, I heard him laugh as if he was being tickled. It went on for a long time, and it certainly gave his classmates a stomachache laughing with him which caused a little bit of chaos in the class. So, I gave him 30 seconds, and he did stop. It was effective, then we began with our sharing. Since that moment, we've been working on calling the name of the next sharer. He was very observant and quick to realize that he needed to do the same to his classmates. To our surprise, he was able to call the next sharer without his classmate's help and use the phrase "Popcorn, student's name." Everyone in the class was shocked and happy, telling me, "Teacher Lyrah, have you heard him saying popcorn? He learns so fast!" Truly, success happens not just because of one person working as "the teacher," but it includes the students and peers who help one another and have a common goal to lift each other up.
Moreover, I have noticed that he is gifted and very clever. I had set aside things each morning and prepared different materials that he would need to stay focused in our class. These things will be given after each class activity. It was essential to remind him that he needed to finish his tasks then he could use what is prepared for him. Well, being firm with expectations and setting classroom boundaries are challenging at times; however, at CCHS we always do it with love and care.
He appeared to be adjusting into our classroom setting over the next few days. He also loves to participate when being asked. Though, he needed some reminders from time to time for him to stay on track. There was one instance in the middle of our discussion he stood up and asked for his dinosaur books. We stopped, and most of his classmates reminded him to ask permission every time he stands or wants to have something. He did go back to his seat and asked permission. But it was not time for him to read a book yet. So, he participated in our reading first and answered all the activities. Then he got the book for him to enjoy. Another strategy that was very effective to him was giving him a time frame before he could get his desired reading materials. These things didn't come easy, it requires hard work, patience, determination, cooperation, and above all, love. We made a lot of classroom modifications to cater for his needs and the rest of the class.
To be successful in the classroom, as teachers, we need to set clear classroom boundaries for our students.
As Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."
Visitors and Volunteers
One thing I've been able to witness this year is how often visitors are able to use their skills and abilities to help give back to CSC. So many times people don't just visit CSC, they also volunteer at CSC.
Here are some photos from the past year of family and friends that have visited and volunteered at CSC.
1. Gordie, one of CSC's board members, recently came to see CSC in action. This is a picture of when he led a Bible study for the older boys and girls at CSC about having a positive self image.
2. My family visited CSC in February. My mom taught the kids origami and led a workshop for the teachers. My dad did a pottery demonstration and then led an art activity where the kids made clay fish (or sharks or piranhas).
3. When Lindsay's family came to visit her dad, Allen (or Dr. Mork, in this picture), helped out by seeing some of the kids that were sick.
4. Our friend Angie recently came to visit Lindsay and I. She's an elementary school teacher back in Minnesota. She volunteered to help the preschoolers who had a lesson on clowns. She jumped right in. I love this pictures!
What an honor it is to have such incredible people visit and volunteer at CSC!
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A True Calling
Last week I had a friend visiting here in Cebu. Marlys Healy, the co-founder of CSC, took us on her standard "city tour" so my friend could experience Cebu a little bit more. It doesn't matter how many times I've been on that city tour with Marlys - I love driving around and seeing this city through the perspective of CSC.
There was one moment that will always stick with me from this particular city tour. Marlys stopped outside of a building to tell us a story of some kids who had come to CSC from that side of town, and she was mid-story when she happened to turn around and see these three kids on the other side of the car. Immediately she stopped telling the story and brought our attention to the kids sleeping on the concrete.
What will always stick with me from this moment seeing her get big tears in her eyes looking at these three through the car window. We all just sat there for a minute taking in this sobering reality. She even had to stop telling her story for a minute, which, if you know Marlys, is pretty significant. :) But what is so astounding about this is that Marlys has lived in Cebu and worked with kids in these very difficult situations for 35 years. And the fact that she still feels so much compassion that it moves her to tears after so many years is simply incredible.
I praise the Lord for Marlys and her true calling and deeply compassionate heart for ministering to children in need.
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Fried chicken & festivities!
We had some visitors here recently. An adoptive family had returned to show their son where he came from so many years ago. Those visitors are such a blessing! Our childcare workers are always touched to see the children they once fed and bathed return happy and healthy and grown. This family went above and beyond, however. Their son decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with all of the kids at CSC. He and his family arranged to have the Jollibee birthday brigade come with balloons, food (SO much food!), games and prizes! Check out how much fun was had!
THE FEAST!!!! There was fried chicken, spaghetti, Yum burgers, peach mango pie and Coke!
THE GAMES!
This game was particularly hilarious to watch. The kids started in a circle and then had to be the quickest to get into groupings of various sizes! There was plenty of scrambling and frantic behaviors! Other games involved singing a song, being the first to bring up a requested object (I gave my phone, a hair clip and a 1 peso coin for the cause) or saying "Jollibee," holding out the "bee" for the longest amount of time. Let's just say some of our kids can hold a lot of air inside their little bodies! ;)
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of THE Jollibee!
EXCITED SMILES ABOUND!!
And he's HERE!!!!!!
You would never know these two are archrivals---Joemar with his McDonald's hat! :)
Cool dudes!
Clearly my camera was one of many, but you get the idea!!! :)
Thanks to all visitors everywhere! Your presence here is a blessing to the kids, to our workers and to the staff.
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Happy Resurrection Day!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" -1 Peter 1:3
There have many different activities at CSC over the last few days to remember and celebrate Jesus' resurrection! He is RISEN! Praise the Lord!
On Wednesday, we had an Easter program at school! We sang praise songs to the Lord, watched several performances, and played some games related to Easter and Jesus' resurrection. It ended with announcing the winner's of the coloring contest! Here are the winners!
On Sunday, many of our kids performed in the morning church service. Below is a picture of them up on stage. It was hard to get a good picture because they were so far away. Almost all of the kids in white are our kids!
After the church service, each of the houses had their own Easter egg hunt. The kids had so much fun searching through the bushes and around the yard for the eggs! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that event!
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Carts, Carts, Carts
Carts are a popular and useful means of transporting cargo in the Philippines. In Cebu City they are used for hauling just about anything, from fruits, vegetables and meat, to hardware, wood and household items. Some families live on their carts. Carts can be seen on streets and sidewalks - everywhere that people need to transport goods at a reasonable price. Of course, the toddler cart at CSC transports the most precious cargo!
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