John's Next Step

We incorporated careers in this week’s classes. The theme for the week was “Dream Big. I could be anything!” After morning prayers I introduced the theme on Tuesday (as Monday was a holiday). Morning prayers I started by showing the students a picture of the most important resource on the island – my camera was turned on selfie mode and the screen was large enough so the students could see themselves. They loved it. I believe the people are critical resources to the world, much more than money. I’m fortunate at this point in my life to be able to be a Peace Corps volunteer and put that belief into action. I believe people are created different but equal – each has the potential to excel. If the world is going to thrive and if we are going to solve our problems we need as many people as possible pursuing their potential. Most poor people are poor because of circumstances beyond their control not because they are lazy. All people need help along the way. The problem...

This was the week for the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment – so it was crunch week for the 6th graders. During the first term, the students and their parents selected their top 5 secondary schools that they would like to attend. They can choose any school on Grenada and the two smaller islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. This test will determine if they get their top pick. There are public and private primary and secondary schools in Grenada. Even though my school is a Roman Catholic school it is part of the public system so the students will almost certainly go to a public secondary schools. All primary students, public or primary, take the CPEA at the same time. The teachers and students have been working hard to prepare for the test. Some students looked a little stressed on Tuesday. The teacher let the students relax on Wednesday. The students also received prayers from a protestant minister and the priest. The test covers four areas: math, language, civics,...

Peace Corps volunteers live in their communities rather than in protected compounds. Therefore, it is easier for the volunteer to become part of the community in at least a small way. In addition to teaching in Ghana, I was part of a family group, several community groups, and was involved in many village activities. I learned so much about myself and others in those experiences. Such experiences have ripple effects in the life of the volunteer and in community members. Peace Corps is about world peace and friendship and that mission is accomplished one day at a time on a person to person level. And so I was eager to attend a community meeting this week. The meeting was about the water supply. The water supply here is not great, but far from horrible compared to some places in the world. The water pressure is not great from my tap and I understand it varies depending on the topology of the house within the gravity fed system. Since arriving in December, the water has been t...

We are a very small school. So we are at a disadvantage compared to larger schools with a better probability to have some very good students in athletics and some very good in math, English, and other subjects. Still we try. The competitions are good for the students regardless of winning. Recently, the school got some awards at the parish (county) level. Getting trophies is good encouragement. Three 6th grade girls participated in a literacy buzz competition. They worked together to create a story about a haunted house, presented it, held a persuasive argument, and answered literacy related questions. The judges said the story was very good and overall they placed third. Nice job girls! Congrats girls The 4th and 5th graders worked on poems and posters to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. The school got first place for the number of entries along with second and third place trophies. Nice job everyone. 4th graders.  Who's that behind the plaque...