For a handful of reasons, we decided to put Brayden in to bilingual school when the Thai school year started in May. We wanted him to have some structure, feel settled here, know some friends, learn some Thai. It could have worked out beautifully but unfortunately we have encountered some drama and issues with the school just about every week since day one.
Little things at first, things that the school just needed to work on since it was new, like making sure he had his own desk and making sure the bus didn't forget to pick him up. Then it was issues with him not learning anything and being bored. He is at the highest grade level for the school and it seemed like they were not even ready to teach where he was already. Education standards vary greatly here compared to the states. Then the drama continued with his teachers saying inappropriate things like "You are a bad student.", even if he just got one answer wrong. The teacher's limited English was the cause but it affected Brayden to be called bad over and over. Some issues were cultural, like the Thai way of discipline. It is normal for them to scare children in to obedience. But telling a very aware missionary kid that if they don't do this right, then they will have to go to a darkroom with devils and ghosts(??)...well,it is not acceptable. Every week there was something we were working through and it only got worse. Our trust in the school was fading, with the academics, with the discipline, and Brayden wasn't enjoying it like he was. The manager called us one afternoon because Brayden didn't want to go to back to class. Turns out that Buddhist monks visited his classroom and wanted to bless the children by sprinkling water over them as the knelt down on the floor in front of the monks. Still after knowing our preferences regarding such things, they still were confused at why Brayden did not want to be with his class that day. Things kept arising, like Brayden being selected to compete in a speech competition for his school and he began preparing to find out just days before the competition that someone else was going to represent the school instead because the rules say that Brayden was not eligible because he was American. Major detail that would have been helpful to know before you get a six year old excited. Over and over, there was disappointment and tears. Then last week, we had to deal with why the DVD player on the bus plays horror movies on the way to school. We were wondering if this choice was the right one for Brayden. So, on Monday when Brayden came to me upset because a teacher said "This class sucks." and it made him feel stupid, we knew it was time. It just seemed that our goals for him going to school were not being met and we saw no hope of change in how the school handled things. The tuition was too much for what we were getting and I wasn't willing to babysit the school and see Brayden continue on the way it was. So, tomorrow is his last day and it is also our first day in our new house. So, it will be two changes at once.I hope it is a smooth transition.
Homeschooling is necessary for me now and I must admit, it is not my specialty. But I will make it work. I just have to get my mind wrapped around it. Maybe we just need a second chance. I introduced homeschool to Brayden in the midst of our preparation for Thailand. We homeschooled on the road at all twenty something locations over this past year. It was an unsettled time for us and at times it was a a little to a lot stressful. Maybe once we get settled I could do it better and make it more exciting and fun for Brayden and for me!
Me, John and Brayden talked about naming our school, giving it a mascot, and school colors. I thought it could be fun to create something together and let Brayden feel like maybe he was apart of something even if it was just him and soon Aslan. My idea was pretty basic...Lambert Academy (Lions). Brayden hated the word academy. He was wanting Lambert Family School. We wanted the mascot to be a snake, but mommy (me) said no. John peeped in and said since Khon Kaen doesn't have a christian school, we should name it Khon Kaen Christian. Brayden loved the idea. His next suggestion was for the mascot to be the lizard. (when people ask Brayden what his name is in Thai, he usually answers "Phom chuu Jingjok."...My name is lizard) People here have long beautiful birth-given names but most people go by a short nickname like "Nueng", meaning "one"..because he was the first born. Or "Gung" because she likes to eat "shrimp". So Brayden calls himself "Jingjok" because he likes to catch lizards.) Springing off the lizard idea we mentioned "Tokay". The Tokay lizard is a big blue with red spotted lizard that is known for biting and it lives in the tree tops and makes a the sound of its name..."To-kay". So, it's offical. Brayden's new school, the one that John is the principal of and I am the teacher of is called... Khon Kaen Christian Tokays!...and it's colors are turquoise and red like the lizard! we plan to make id cards and t-shirts! It was a fun night.
Let's hope the excitement continues for everyone. I can do this because I have to. Just wish I was a few more people. Harder housekeeping with no ac, studying Thai myself, homeschooling Brayden with an inquisitive two year old running around. Whew, I need lots of grace!
