eSibonisweni + Saint Mark's

Game On!

2011-06-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

Khaya reports that eSibonisweni recently held netball and soccer matches against Khulangolwazi Primary School. "It was the first time for us to play...on a new netbal and basketbal court with another school," he writes. Before the matches began, there were drama performances from both schools, and everyone witnessed "amazing talents."

Water to Flow into eSibonisweni

2011-05-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time coming, but the water-pump project is finally nearing completion at the school. Khayalihle, assistant to the administrators, writes, "We are about to finish our project to get water from underground. I feel great because that will be the end of water crisis in our school. We will be able to water and mantain our soccer field and water the garden."

Maintenance of the soccer field and garden were of real concern due to the extreme lack of water pressure on campus, and our intern Zack last spring spent a lot of time puzzling out how to fix the situation. As the pictures show, the garden was thriving during our visit, but its health was due to the labor of teachers and community members who filled buckets and carried them throughout to water it. During our visit, one group worked hard to devise a drip-irrigation system that several of the older boys at the school helped to install.

Khaya also reports that he, administrator Simon Gumede, teacher Bongani, and a new teacher named Miss Nsele are now responsible for maintaining the garden.


That's Simon Gumede on the right, an administrator at eSibonisweni and one of the caretakers of the garden

Lisa Becker Skype Report

2011-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Teacher Lisa Becker has been Skyping with some eSibonisweni teachers regularly on the weekends! She recently talked with Simangele, Nomusa, and John.

The news…

One of the reception year teachers, Pearl Mdluli, may come on as another mentor to the Girls’ Scholarship Program. If you haven’t already, please visit the Web page for the eSicabazini Girls’ Scholarship Program.

We are still puzzling through getting 3G cards for those who were here in January to improve our connectivity; there remain significant obstacles to getting regular Internet access on the eSibonisweni campus.

We were all saddened to learn earlier this year that John had been moved by the ward (large district office) to another school due to lower enrollment at eSibonisweni. This was the first time he’d talked with Simangele and Nomusa since the start of the school year. Although he misses his colleagues, he is enjoying teaching music at his new school. Watch again the video of his students performing a song he wrote.

TRIVIA NIGHT 2011

2011-02-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

Trivia Night is coming up on March 4. This is an annual fundraiser for the eSibonisweni Primary Orphan Program, or ePOP, and it has become a rip-roaring event. Hosted by the seventh and eighth graders, participants include sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students and families; alumni; and faculty members. The questions are devised by trivia master (and Saint Mark’s media specialist) Chad Forrester and may involve singing and dancing. So, if you fall into any of those categories, get your team costumes together and come prepared for loony audience participation at any moment.

You don't have to pre-register. Cost is $20, payable at the door, and the event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

This is our sixth annual Trivia Night, and we know it will be as successful as events past. Supporting ePOP is also a great way to celebrate again our South African delegation. This program was dreamed up by teachers at eSibonisweni as a way to address the pressing needs of some of their students. Let’s support the teachers in their efforts to improve the lives of their learners.

The winning team from 2010. That trohpy is ridiculously huge.

Girls' Scholarship Web Site

2011-02-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Go here now: www.girlscholars.org.

This school year, we have gained so much traction in our partnership with eSibonisweni Primary School, and we are striking again while the iron is hot.

One of the most important initiatives to come out of our visits to the school is the Girls’ Scholarship Programs, started by Saint Mark’s parent Lynn West, who also serves as the U.S. director, and managed by three experienced mentor teachers at eSibonisweni: Simangele Ntshangase, local program head; Khanyi Mkhize, treasurer; and Nomusa Khanyile, secretary. Lynn and Fernanda Pernambuco have created a new Web site with loads of information about the GSP, as well as the reasons why it is so crucial to focus on increasing educational opportunities for girls in particular. Fernanda and her husband, Zach, worked on our behalf for three months at eSibonisweni in 2010, in advance of our last delegation visit.

Two classes of female scholars have now gone on to Dumangeze, the high school nearest to eSibonisweni. The local area is commonly known as eSicabazini, so the program has been renamed eSicabazini Girls' Scholarship Programs now that we are supporting girls at the high school level.
One of the learners who visited us here at Saint Mark’s in January is a scholarship recipient. Slindile has just begun high school at Dumangeze, and we will be following her progress and that of the other scholars. Kudos to the mentor teachers as well. They go above and beyond in their work with the girls and show impressive commitment to the GSP.

The Web site is an exciting development in the life of the program, so visit, share it, spread the word!

To parents of Saint Marks School

2011-01-24T10:55:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful time with you, you gave us a smile, you gave us joy and your gave us new hope. We have seen your total commitment in teaching and learing as parents, I have learnt, that, yes indeed parents can make a significant contribution in teaching and learning. Your teachers are so passionate about teaching, teaching is in their veins, keep their veins running, your investment in education mean a lot to us, because it is not only your investment, but it is for the whole world.

Viva parents of St Marks school Viva!!!!!!

Khaya

Passport to South Africa

2011-01-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

All our teachers and students enjoyed another spectacular Passport Day. This is an annual event for Saint Mark's, during which we visit a particular country or region. We learn about the people, languages, music, dance, traditions, arts, crafts, and natural features of the chosen destination. We've been to Native America, around the Black Sea, to the Middle East, and to Brazil.

In 2011, we capitalized on having the delegation here from our South African partner school and let our guests run the show! They worked hard until the last day to get their lessons and stories ready. And, as noted by our Passport Day chairs, Jenny Peng and Lisa Der Legge, "It takes a village," and our community rallied to get it all organized, from the food to the rotation schedule.

Sausalito-based watercolorist Gabrielle Moore-Gordon graciously allowed the reproduction of some of her artwork to illustrate our Seven Pillars of Character. With the design of parent Cornelia Fauser, we had beautiful posters around campus.

Here's to another amazing Passport Day!

Moeketse (center), Aaron (right), and a third professional drummer set up at the front of the school and set the beat for the day.

Singing for us

Drumming workshop


Making bead necklaces

Telling stories


Teaching about the region Maputaland

Wayne Getz, professor of environmental science at UC Berkeley, presents about the animals and habitats of Southern Africa, and about the tension between human development and habitat conservation. He was assisted by alumna Alexa Stevens '06.

Snow Day!

2011-01-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

The group was treated to a weekend in Tahoe, thanks to the family of fourth grade teacher Donna Young. They lucked out with beautiful, sunny weather and loved the change of pace from their busy days at school--and who doesn't have fun sledding and throwing snowballs?

Sugar is Sweet

2011-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Last week the visiting eSibonisweni learners and their Saint Mark's buddies learned how to use XO laptops to draft reflections on their first week together. The Saint Mark's students were fascinated by the tiny, lime green XOs with their innovative operating system, Sugar. The eSibonisweni learners bravely expressed themselves in English, using "best guess" spelling. The photos captured using the XOs' built-in cameras say it all!

Hi. Our names are N. and D. During the first week we went to many clases including P.E.

N. and D. are 12 years old. I visted grade 6 with D.

N. and D. like to play football (soccer). I like Esibonisweni and Saint Marks. I have many friends at Saint Marks. N. and D. like to draw cars. We like apples.

Hello are names are T., L., and J.! We have had a fun time this week! On Monday, we had sembile. in pe we danced, ran. drew. played with friends. played basketball.we went on the spinny thing.me and Ashley sat in Ashley's house

HI MY NAME IS S. AND J . SO.LAST WEEK WE START WITH MATHS HISTROY ;ENGLISH SPINISH.SO WE AJOY TO LEARNING ABOUT ENGLISH AND HISTORY I AJOY TO SEE THE BIG BRIDGE.I LIKE THE FOOD IN SAINT MARK SCHOOL AND TO SOCCER.IM WEL TO BE HOUS OF AIR. SO THE THINGS I AJOY FROM JOHANIBARG TO ATLANTA STATET TO MOVE EROPLAIN.I LIKE ALLMOST EVERYTHING.

Hi our names L. and K. My favorite part was waka waka dance. i had fun with Ms. scott. i enjoyed drawing and meeting all the people.

S. and A. We had lots of fun this week. We like ice cream and basketball. We ate vanilla ice cream and played basketball at recess and we went to the 7th grade boys basketball game. We like puzzle. The easy. We played football(soccer) We danse in PE.

S.: My fraind T. and Daisy. I lake Music. I Miss Esibonisweni Primary School.

T.: I am having fun with S. She is really kind and fun to be around. She is a fast runner. She can make friends fast.

We Are Together!

2011-01-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;TT

My best day in America

2011-01-13T14:56:00.000-08:00

Ngikuthokozele kakhulu ukuyovolontiya esontweni lase Glide. (I liked our volunteer visit to Glide to serve lunch) bekuyiphupho lami elikhulu kwamaningi enginawo(it has been my biggest dream among many)

I also had my time with top music producers in america

WHO NEEDS P.E.?!

2011-01-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Volunteering at Glide

2011-01-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Today members of the Saint Mark's community and the teachers and learners from eSibonisweni volunteered to serve lunch at Glide in San Francisco. It was a great way for them to learn more about the various communities in the Bay Area, and it was a fabulous opportunity to create friendships based upon helping others together. The photos and captions, courtesy of parent organizer Kelley Warner, document a little of the experience. Thank you to everyone who helped make this wonderful day possible!

I think the kids are much like the kids here - they don't get the full impact of what they are seeing/doing, but they got what they could. It's just amazing how some of the playfulness is just pure human nature. Three of the boys were next to me - we were moving the food trays along the runners and two of the boys were putting salt and pepper packets on the trays. They turned it into a game - zooming the tray past as fast as possible, so the salt & pepper guys were trying to "hit their mark". So very funny. Nomusa has that infectious smile - the fellow in charge, David, immediately told her that she would be his greeter. She greeted each lunch goer (client) and gave them their trays with that amazing smile. I saw her get very wide-eyed when she saw some of the clients that were coming through. She noticed that one fellow went through the line 5 times.

I think the teachers really enjoyed it. I had a great conversation with Zodwa on the ride home, and she really loved Glide. She is Methodist at home, and she made this connection that she gives money donations at her church for work that the Methodist church does to feed people, and she said, "I helped feed those people today."


We drove down to the wharf via Lombard street - so fun. Then we got down to Fisherman's wharf, and they saw live crabs, and some of the teachers tasted cooked crab and liked it, but commented on how much work it was to get out of the shell. Then the kids had a blast at the Musee Mechanique. Carol's friend that owns it greeted us at the door and introduced the museum to them. Then he took them to his favorite exhibits, and Carol had pockets full of quarters for them to try everything. It's so funky and fun. The kids favorite, hands-down, was the driving video games where you feel like you are in a race car, and the grab-it machine where they tried to scoop gum balls. Some senior citizens were there (I think part of a tour group) and a couple of the women were so taken by the kids they gave them a bunch of money for the machines so they could watch them have fun playing! As we were driving home two big container ships were passing under the Golden Gate! So we had a discussion about what is a ship and what is a boat.

Massage Time!

2011-01-12T21:08:00.000-08:00

Mel is a trained massage therapist. Simangele and Zodwa were happy to let Mel "practice"!

Khaya Using Chopsticks

2011-01-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

We had Chinese food at Donna Young's house and everyone learned to use chopsticks. Khaya is now an expert!

John and Nomusa 5th grade music.MOV

2011-01-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Technology can reduce paper work

2011-01-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

Today we had a meeting with Saint Marks's technology experts. 4 computers are donated for all teachrs of eSibonisweni, with the aim of strengtening friendship between these schools. The most important thing for this setup is to connect learners and teachers for both schools. Now teachers are learning to use these computers. As a group from eSibonisweni we are out of words to show our appreciation, I think the most important part is to make use of this wonderful opportunity, this would be our biggest word of showing our appreciation.

Thank you guys
Khaya

Words of Welcome

2011-01-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

A Student Recalls An Early Meeting Opportunity

2011-01-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

On Friday, January 7, I went to dinner with my mom, Kendal and Kendal’s mom at Applebees at North Gate Mall.While we were there we saw Mrs. Becker, her husband and four of the South African students and three of their teachers. We introduced ourselves and spoke to them for a while. They had just gotten off the plane and were hungry. Their flight was over 14 hours ,and they told us how only one of the teachers had ever been in an airplane before. They looked exhausted, but excited. When I asked one of the students what he thought about San Rafael, he said, “It is very nice, but cold." - Wally

Are We There Yet?

2011-01-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

Lower School Welcomes eSibonisweni

2011-01-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

My Day with Samke

2011-01-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today was the day Samke came to Saint Mark's school, and I enjoyed having her around. When she arrived in my classroom after her school tour, everyone greeted her and some people hugged her. We had fun talking at recess with a group of girls from Saint Mark's. She is quite fast at running and energetic. During our 5th-1st buddy activity, she was enthusiastic, and she spoke some English. She practiced a lot. When she used a red marker, she wrote the word "red." When she used gray, she wrote "grey." I learned that gray is spelled differently in South Africa.

Samke and I are the two girls in the center of the photo (from Saturday night). Samke loves the Izzy drinks that we have in our hands. - Talia

A Day of Fun Without End....

2011-01-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Sanele and Sbusiso have been staying with us and the fun never seems to stop--it's like Groundhog Day. After a big experimental breakfast where we continued to learn what they like to eat (no, it's not chocolate ice cream), Sanele and Sbuiso tried their hand at jumping on a pogo stick.

We then had enjoyed a lovely mass before heading off to Muir Woods where the sun shone long enough for the boys to hug a redwood and see the tops of some pretty tall trees. We also saw a few coho salmon swimming up stream to spawn.

We were then off to San Francisco headlands for a beautiful view of the city before meeting up with the rest of the group at the Exploratorium.

I enjoyed watching Khaya try to make some big bubbles at the Exploratorium. He was having so much fun, he went into a hall of mirrors to try and clone himself so he could stay a little longer--or maybe it was so the clone could go in the Tactile Dome.

Let's just say, the journey through the Tactile Dome is no longer down my alley, but that's ok since I had a lot of other adults to spend time with while the young and/or more daring ventured in. Hats off to Simangele, Nomusa and Zodwa, you were all braver than me!!!! The children (and John) really seemed to like the Dome.

After the Exploraturium, we indulged in some great Chicago style pizza and then headed to House of Air--a room full of trampolines where the boys jumped around and had a great time perfecting a flip. They did it!!

Not surprising, the boys fell fast asleep last night dreaming of their first day of school. They were up early the next morning in anticipation of a great day at Saint Mark's. Based on the welcoming parade and the assembly in the gym, I bet they have a great day.

eSibonisweni Visitors Explore San Francisco

2011-01-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

What a day for our visitors! We started with an incredible and uplifting experience at Glide Memorial, then off to the Exploratorium for an afternoon of discovery (including the daunting Tactile Dome). We ended our long day in San Francisco with a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge and a drive to the top of Marin Headlands for awesome views. Our day was filled with excitement and laughter!- Lisa Becker

San Francisco Incredible Day!

2011-01-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Khaya is having his first ever "popovers" - for Mel and I, our parents taught us to make this breakfast, and they learned from their parents. We spent the morning in the hot tub (jacuzzi) talking about politics, then talked about learning english at school.

The experience at Glide was amazing; maybe someone else will post pictures. There was music, singing, hugging and an incredible sermon. The pastor welcomed the South Africans and everyone in the congregation cheered. The sermon was about moving past just "helping" others; it was about seeing yourself in all others. It was about love, relationships and true connection. The pastor finished by making a reference to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. It was, in a word, perfect. Our guests loved the experience and it generated a lot of conversation.

Next we went to the Exploratorium and the Tactile Dome. The Tactile Dome is a special building. You go inside and there is complete darkness. You have to feel your way along tunnels, up ramps, down slides and around corners until you come out without seeing anything! You can't get lost because there is only one way to go, but it is still scary the first time you try. The staff let our entire group stay together, and every one of our guests went through at least once! We traveled through the dark in small group and cheered each time a group came out on the other side!

One of our first groups made it through to the sound of loud cheers.

Doing something new together always brings a smile!

After the Tactile Dome, we toured around the science activities. In this one, a camera takes a picture of you while a balloon inflates to startle you. You can see your face right while you are being surprised!

Another experiment with light and color.

Our guests are running in circles to make a tornado from the steam!

While the children stayed with some of the parents inside, the teachers came out to go walking on the Golden Gate Bridge. It was getting near sunset, and the day was gorgeous. We planned to take many pictures!

On the Marin side, the cameras were snapping.

If you look closely, you can see the rays of the sun passing through the bridge.

We walked out to the first tower (behind us). We saw seals in the water and kayakers coming back from the ocean. We almost never stopped laughing and talking together.

After the bridge, we drove up to the top of the Marin Headlands to look down on the bridge and see the sunset on the Pacific Ocean.

The end of an incredible day! Khaya was in bed at 7:30 PM.

Two Peas in a Pod...

2011-01-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

It is inspiring to me that two women from two different continents can meet for the first time and be instant friends. I was excited to meet our guests because I've been anticipating their arrival for so long. I met Zodwa Sithole, Third Grade teacher from eSibonisweni, Saturday morning and formed an instant bond. We chatted as if we were old friends catching up after being apart for a while. Last night, I sat with her for quite some time. We shared family stories and ways of life. I was amazed at how different our lives are, but at the same time we are so very similar. We are teachers and mothers. We love life, even its challenges. We are full of energy and aren't afraid to show it! It is very clear to me that we will learn so much from each other as she joins my classroom for the next couple of weeks. We ARE two peas in a pod!

Saint Mark's School is fortunate to have such energetic, lovely guests from South Africa. I am beaming because I am part of such a wonderful community. I can't wait to see what the next couple of weeks holds in store for all of us!

-Julie Fritz

Jumping into Partnership

2011-01-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

It Definitely Pays To Dream

2011-01-08T22:20:00.000-08:00

It definitely pays to dream, because occasionally dreams really do come true! For many years now I have wondered what it would feel like to reciprocate the warm and generous welcome we always receive when we visit eSibonisweni. Tonight, at the first gathering for our guests from South Africa, I watched with great joy as our Saint Mark's community opened its arms to the teachers and students from South Africa and realized that at last this was truly a partnership with both sides giving and both sides receiving. I was overwhelmed by the strong friendships that are already forming among faculty from the two schools, and I watched with interest as students from the two schools found ways to circumvent the barriers of language and communicate without words. At the taco bar one of our students managed to warn a visitor that the salsa was spicy, and the SA guest replied with a "thumbs up" sign that that was OK. Global communication at work! Tomorrow will be another adventure-packed day for our guests, but above all I am really excited for Monday when the whole group will arrive at Saint Mark's. Then I will truly feel that the circle has been closed. Sleep well, friends, and wake up ready to take on San Francisco. -Jennifer Getz

First Day

2011-01-08T17:07:00.000-08:00

Khaya says: Everything from today was good. I've seen a new page, something that I have never thought about. I am enjoying California for the first time in my life and it is very exciting for everyone. We are hoping to see even more exciting things. I slept well after all the travel. It was very quiet - a very good environment. People are so friendly and the natural beauty is very amazing. I saw redwood trees which are very tall. Houses are built on the sides of the mountains, which is amazing.

Dave says: Khaya got home last night at 9:00 - he went to bed pretty quickly and then we had breakfast in the morning. We met Zodwa and Simangele along with Donna, Lisa, Tom and Julie for coffee. Then we made a plan to hike in the western part of Marin County where there is a path through the forest. It was cold and a little rainy, but still gorgeous. Zodwa and Simangele met their first horse, owned by some people who had a ranch near where we hiked. We had lunch in Fairfax, and are just about to go to dinner with everyone. We have been talking about our different environments and cultures and learning a lot about each other's lives.

Pass the Apples; We're Skipping the Blackberries

2011-01-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

When Sanele and Sibisio arrived, my brother and I showed them around our house. After that, they wanted to take a shower. It looked like they liked the warmth of the shower. Then, while we were waiting for my Mom to cook dinner, we played some video games. Sanele and Sibisio really enjoyed playing FIFA 2007 on the Play station 2.

This morning, they woke up with a slow start and took a shower and also tried on some ski clothes. Later when they had breakfast, my Dad asked them to taste a variety of fruits to see what they like the most. We concluded that they like apples the most, then bananas. They did not like blackberries nor blueberries. Now, we are heading to my basketball tournament in Sacramento. I can't wait to spend more time with them! - Michael Dunne, 7th Grade

Our eSibonisweni Guests Are Finally Here!

2011-01-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

It's been a very, very long journey for our eSibonisweni friends! It all started this past summer during our Saint Mark's School delegation visit. Several of us meet with the five lucky eSibonisweni teachers under a beautiful tree at their school. We sat and planned out their upcoming visit, including all the exciting plans for Passport Day. The five teachers were elated about coming to America and Saint Mark's School. After patiently waiting six months, the day finally arrived for the five teachers and six learners to board the plane for their long journey. With our stomach churning with excitement, several of the Saint Mark's community members waited with welcome signs at the security gate to finally see our South African friends. Their flight was suppose to arrive at 11:00 am, and as we waited and waited, our eSibonisweni friends did not come (only most of their luggage). We eventually were able to get some information, and found out they were now on standby for eleven people. We waited for a couple more hours, not knowing if anyone would be on the next flight. Finally around 1:30, five of our visitors arrived excited, but very tired from their travel ordeal. The other six guests were still stuck in Atlanta. Fernanda and Zach (the couple who spent three months working at eSibonisweni) and I stayed at the airport, and waited for the next flight to arrive around 5:30 pm. We still did not know if any of them made it on the flight, and the next flight in was not arriving until around 9:30 pm. At 5:15 Fernanda, Zach and I again waited at the security gate anxiously anticipating six smiling faces. We were in luck, we saw our friends walking towards us (all six together)! After greetings and hugs, we were finally all together! What a journey for everyone!-Lisa Becker

The "unexpected" travelers have arrived.

2011-01-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

As each American delegation arrives at eSibonisweni, the learners there sing a song that repeats the words, "We are together." I can hear the song ringing through me as I write. Yesterday was not an easy journey for our guests. They were searched and delayed in Atlanta, so they missed their connection. Security found them suspicious, apparently, as they repacked some bags in the airport. Well, I suppose they are unexpected travelers and that may push a security button or three! Eleven people flying internationally for the first time, many "traveling" anywhere, really, for the first time, must be quite a group to watch negotiate Atlanta's enormous international terminal. I hope that they will rest, eat, and then be generous enough to give us the play-by-play of their arrival.

Siyanemukela - Welcome!

2011-01-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

Just as our guests are getting ready to board their plane (if not already) to California, we unveiled our Welcome poster at school yesterday.

We are very fortunate to be introduced to an internationally acclaimed watercolorist Gabrielle Moore-Gordon, who has graciously allowed the reproduction of her original works of art for the banners we are making to decorate the school for our guests. A native of Zimbabwe, Gabrielle began painting animals because of her concern for the ongoing fate of wildlife as well as the plight of the people in Africa. How appropriate it is that we have an image of a magnificent elephant, as the eSibonisweni school is located adjacent to Tembe Elephant National Park. Reminds me of Isilo, the largest "tusker" whom we were lucky enough to sight on our safari through the national park summer 2010.

Time Flies!

2011-01-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures done for the art project conducted during Saint Mark's 2006 visit to eSibonisweni. These two were done by two of the students arriving here on Friday. They were then in the third and second grades. The artworks, organized by our library assistant and support teacher extraordinaire, Hewitt Jackson, were turned into calendars and note cards that were sold back in the United States to benefit eSibonisweni.

When do I sleep? "Freaking out" is keeping me up!

2011-01-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Over the years of partnership between Saint Mark's and eSibonisweni, I really and truly believed we were attempting to develop a relationship where we gave and received equitably with our partner school. I also wondered what that give and take would really look and feel like when and IF it happened.

Today, I have an answer - at least one that resonates with me, personally.

A little context - we are "freaking out" at Saint Mark's. The last couple of months have required hours of planning on the part of innumerable administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers. I don't know who is losing more sleep:

The South Africans who will step onto an airplane for the first time to visit a community with different resources, norms, flushing toilets, and financial resources that they so generously share with them year after year. They truly have no idea what to expect, despite our best efforts to make little YouTube videos to introduce them to host families, etc. They may only see those videos at the airport internet cafe before boarding the plane.
Saint Mark's Director of Special Programs who worries about whether the visitors will get the flu when they are here and lose an opportunity that they may never have again, and whether Saint Mark's teachers feel overwhelmed by all they are doing to prepare, and whether the traditional food for Passport Day will taste just right (so maybe she should make it all herself), and she worries about whether the guests have rehearsed their entertainment for Passport Day. This is their moment to shine, and she want things to be just right for everyone.
Saint Mark's Director of Technology who wonders how best to impart enough technology education and support to the visitors, so that when they return to South Africa they can begin to work on collaborative projects with our teachers here. She needs to learn and teach the Sugar operating system that is on the XO computers, figure out how it interfaces with Mac's operating system, and answer all sorts of unexpected questions and concerns about both the technical and pedagogical aspect of teaching and learning with technology across continents and within very different circumstances.
The scheduling team who wonders when will everyone tell us when they want visitors in their classrooms and what they'll be teaching when. We only have a few days to figure this all out, and we want everyone at Saint Mark's to be able to connect with our visitors. And, we want the visitors to have the experiences they want to have when they visit here.
The partner/mentor teachers at Saint Mark's who will have guests in their classrooms for ten days with innumerable goals, questions, and a real desire to learn and share.
The Saint Mark's teachers who will have buddy students in their classrooms with limited English skills and a desire to participate and learn. These teachers are worrying about what to do when they give a test or teach a lesson that involves skills that the guests may not have. Plans have to be made for these moments. True to form, Saint Mark's teachers are losing sleep over this.
Parent volunteers who have planned housing, clothing, activities, welcoming and closing activities, church trips, snow trips, Passport Day for the entire community, etc. They ask, "Is there a warm coat for everyone? Gloves? A toothbrush? Toiletries that they may not have brought and have no money to buy here? Are all the presenters for Passport Day lined up? Is the lunch for 400 organized? Is the benefit woman's breakfast figured out?"

The list could get a little longer. If I have left you off the list, you should be a little more vocal about your "freaking out." Had you been, I would have added you. Lest I misrepresent anyone, not everyone mentioned on this list has told me that he/she is "freaking out." I just know how hard everyone is working, and I suspect that means a few hours of less sleep and, at the very least, moments of panic.

Now, to my epiphany! One of the gifts of this partnership to our community is that it offers us the opportunity to reflect upon our sleepless nights. I argue: this visit may actually allow us to put much of what we think we should be doing in our daily lives into a broader perspective.

Should we be "freaking out?" When South African teacher Janine Kaptein (who teaches in Cape Town in a township) visited Mike Fargo's classroom two years ago, she asked a question that really caused me pause. To paraphrase, she wondered why we Americans run around so much. She said, "It feels so competitive. When do you just sit and talk? Listen? Observe?" She was exhausted from all the scheduling we did to make her visit "Perfect!"

So, while we should obviously plan and schedule and think about making the most of this incredible opportunity, we must also sit back, relax, and let things unfold naturally. We actually don't really know exactly what will resonate with our guests, where they'll want to probe further, and where they will want to skip ahead. We have to be flexible, open to change, and make time to sit and talk. And this is a lesson that can stay with us beyond the closing assembly when the leave on January 21. - Stacey Kertsman

Lower School Celebrates South Africa!

2011-01-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

The Lower School chose to celebrate South Africa for its annual "Celebrations around the World" event on December 10th. The activities the students engaged in have helped them to have a little better understanding about the people and the region. The activities are briefly described below:

Mr. Pincus talked a bit about the geography of South Africa and read a South African story.
Mrs. Sigler taught the students some South African dance steps.
The students created beaded bracelets after hearing about the tradition of beading in South Africa and learning about the bead code of the Zulus (bead colors have meanings).
They colored a flag of South Africa.
While viewing a video about life in South Africa, the students ate a snack of rice, corn, and orange slices (foods that might also be eaten by the learners at eSibonisweni). They ate the snack with their fingers instead of with utensils, just as the learners at eSibonisweni do every day.

It was a fun-filled, educational experience for all! -Geneva Conway

Anticipating the Unknown

2010-12-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

We have the visas, we have the air tickets, we have homes for our guests to stay in, we have “buddies” set up for the visiting teachers and students, we have transportation and entertainment scheduled, we have workshops and meetings arranged, and we even have some hard-to-get indigenous staple foods purchased so that our guests will feel comfortable.

Still, my mind goes round and round at night: What have we forgotten? What still needs to be done? What more can we do to ensure that the upcoming two-week-long visit is not only a success but also takes the fullest possible advantage of the opportunity to physically bring together these two communities that have worked and dreamed together for the past 10 years.

Four delegations from Saint Mark’s to eSiboniswseni have done much to consolidate our relationship, but those visits each involved only a small (while committed) representation of our extended school community. The upcoming visit by five teachers and six students from eSibonisweni finally offers the opportunity for everyone at Saint Mark’s to engage in a partnership that lies at the heart of Saint Mark’s commitment to global education.

What will be the results of the coming together of these two communities? We can anticipate the class-to-class projects that our teachers will plan together, we can anticipate the discussions and learning that will occur in both directions, we can anticipate that many members of our local community who were not engaged in the past will become interested and committed to this partnership; what we cannot know is the personal impact, both short- and long-term, that this visit will have on both the schools involved and on many individuals within each community.

I can’t wait to read the blogs of students, teachers, staff and families as they first encounter and then get to know each other, because until now there has been much imagining, but I am certain that imagination cannot possibly live up to the reality.

So today is Friday – one week to go and counting. - Jennifer Getz

I Am Because Others Are

2010-12-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Or, put a bit less succintly, “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (Zulu) or “a person is a person through other persons.” Although the concept of Ubuntu, encountered in many parts of Africa, is translated in a few ways, it generally boils down to the above. For me, it goes beyond the “No man is an island” aphorism. The latter suggests our interdepence; the former addresses our relationships. Nelson Mandela’s example from his youth is that when a traveler came through the village, that person didn’t need to ask for food—the food was offered.

The concept has had a lot of play in popular and political culture in the past five years, but I still think it’s a useful lens through which to examine ourselves and our actions every day. Who are we when that traveler comes to our village? As we take this next step in our partnership with eSibonisweni, I’m looking forward to seeing who we all are in this new context. —Jennifer Wolfe

Preparing the Seventh Grade for a Partnership Activity

2010-12-14T14:20:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks the seventh-grade has been preparing to learn from and with Saint Mark's special guests from eSibonisweni Primary School in South Africa. For my English class this means reading South African literature (My Children, My Africa by Athol Fugard), watching Molly Blank's documentary Where Do I Stand? on xenophobia in South African townships, brainstorming about the "unexpected surprises" about which they needed to warn guests from a very rural community, and preparing giant rain barrels for a joint art project that they will make in conjunction with the guests to our classroom. This art project will be part of a greater project to decorate for Passport Day to South Africa, but it will also serve as a platform for the students to all discuss a theme that pervades the text of My Children, My Africa and our social and emotional learning class. Despite being set in the violent upheaval of South Africa under apartheid, one of the simplest themes in the play to identify is one that middle schoolers can easily embrace: young adults with big dreams must often overcome odds to make those dreams occur. I cannot wait to hear my students and our guests discuss their dreams and how they plan to reach them. —Stacey Kertsman

PREPARING RAIN BARRELS:

Sand, prime, design Ndebele-inspired decorations