1st week of school

I wanted to share a few pictures and thoughts about my first week of school at Mongar Lower Secondary School (PP-8th grade).  This blog goes out to my old colleagues at Siuslaw Elem. School in Florence, Oregon.  The pictures are of the students doing "social work."  Every morning before morning assembly the students, sweep, wash, pick up litter, and generally clean their classrooms and the school grounds.  They even bring their own brooms from home.

Note the brooms the boys use

Everyone is given an area to clean and it is a very efficient process.  Can you image asking U.S. students to sweep the halls and wash the restrooms?

girls sweeping the courtyard

The first week of school has been dedicated to preparations for the 5th King's Birthday on Feb. 21st.  I have found myself in charge (with my special education partner Yeshey) of essays, poems, and pictures which will go on display at the parade grounds next Monday.  About twenty students volunteered to write or draw their sentiments about the king, while the rest of the 4th through 8th graders practiced marching for the festivities.  Charly has been helping everyday, thank goodness, because I can not help with the drawing.  I help them spell and help with correct English grammar.  Below are a few samples of their work.  They are all quite talented and write very flowery poems and essays.  One thing that is very obvious wherever we go in Bhutan, the people love their present and past kings.

Three great artists (Bhutanese symbols)

A poem about the King

Four Friends Picture 

I am looking forward to "regular" classes which will start on Feb. 24th.  The students are amazingly respectful.  As I walk toward my office, every student stands and says "Good Morning Madam."  I try to respond to them all, and listen to them giggle as I walk by.  My short curly hair and being a foot taller than most Bhutanese make me easy to spot in a crowd.  Charly and I are currently the only westerners in Mongar, but most locals are eager to say "hello" and give us a smile.  This is a great place to be a "filingpa!"

Oops!

I'm obviously still figuring out the glittches of this blog.....I hit the wrong button and it was gone and then when I did get it back, I couldn't edit or continue.  

Anyway we have been in Mongar for six days now and are very happy with our wonderful neighbors, fellow teachers, and many others we have met here.  Our only problem is the lack of water.  The tank above us is dry and there seems to be a problem with a neighbor above us who is blocking our tank.  The issue is supposed to be resolved tomorrow......let's hope.  

I have been in meetings at my school for three days now and the staff meetings are a hoot.  The principal speaks mostly Dzongkha (the national language), interspersed with English words such as "curriculum development," never missing a beat.  Many of the teachers can switch from Sharchhokpa (local language), Dzongkha, and English all in one sentence.  It is truly amazing to me.   I am looking forward to starting classes with the students next Tues. Feb. 15th.  I will be teaching Special Education classes from 4th to 8th grade.  Mongar Lower Secondary School is one of the pilot schools to start a special education program.  It was started last year by my Canadian predecessor Ann, who has set up a great program.  I will be doing workshops for teachers on basic reading skills, math manipulative's, and possibly a workshop on problem solving skills.

I am sending one more picture from the road trip that will give you a little idea about our roller coaster ride from Bumthang to Mongar.   Hopefully I'll not send another incomplete blog for a while.  

Tashi Delek!   Julia, Julie, Juhl

On the road to Mongar

The BCF crew miraculously loaded up two school buses in Thimphu on Feb. 5th with mattresses, stoves, water filters, and much more, as the skeptics (me included) in the crowd said there was no way that all it was all going to fit.  Our marvelous staff members from BCF Karma and Rinzin had no problem making it all work.  

 

BCF Crew at Dochula 

Our first stop was at Druk Wangyal Chortens at Dochula pass.  It was sunny and clear as we got our first look at the high Himalayan Mountains to the north.  We were all trying to soak up the incredible scenery as quite often the mountains are shrouded in clouds. 

Punakha Dzong 

Our next stop was the Punakha Dzong  which was built by the Zhabdrung in 1637.  We were luckily allowed to visit inside (thanks to Karma), while the monks were in residence.  The two picture below say a thousand words.

Our next stop was a great guest house where the proprietor (a former teacher) wanted to share our astrology
prediction for the Year of the Female Iron Rabbit.  Being a dragon he predicted I will have a pretty good year except I shouldn't do a lot of traveling.  I had to laugh as we were about to undertake a two day journey on the curviest, up and down, single lane roads I have ever encountered.  

The next night we were in central Bhutan in Bumthang.  At an elevation of 13,125 ft., Bumthang was very cold but our guest house had great wood stoves which kept us warm.  We had a great buffet dinner that night but the highlights for me were the gingered carrots and kewa datse (potatoes, cheese, & chillies).  

The road from Bumthang to Mongar is almost un