A day of firsts

I would say that the first day of school is fairly universal regardless of the country in which is it experienced. This past Monday, our students were quite eager and ready to meet their new teachers. We even had students who squealed at the sight of their new classroom.

Today was a day of firsts. Although the older grades (Kindergarten - Third Grade) had already met their teacher and seen their classroom for the 2019 school year, the Pre-Schoolers experienced school and this environment for the very first time.

In November, I will be responsible for my own group of Pre-Schoolers before they start real curriculum in January 2019. To get the students comfortable with me, this whole week I am assisting the Pre-K teacher as she transitions them into this new routine of school. Interacting with these new students, gave me a fresh set of eyes to what life is like at home. Here is how our first day with them went.

After breakfast, it was time for the students to brush their teeth. We called each child`s name, gave them their new toothbrush and a bit of toothpaste. Most students, with their wide eyes stared at the foreign object in their hand. It became clear to me, that these children had never brushed their teeth before. I pulled out a chair and one by one I brushed each student’s mouth. It was hard for me to distinguish which teeth had fallen out and which teeth had been worn down to a nub. Some students winced as I brushed back and forth, it appeared as though the bristles felt sharp in their tender little mouths. This day was not only their first day meeting their teachers and classroom, today was the first day these children brushed their teeth.

I noticed a group of Pre-Schoolers forming by the classroom sink. Looking up from another stubby toothed mouth, this time their wide eyes were directed at me. As I walked towards the foamy mouths huddled around the sink, I turned on the water. This caused the group to jump back.  Not only did these students not know how to spit out tooth-paste, but these students had never seen running water before.

Yes, the first day of school is universal regardless of the country, but here at the Colegio Esperanza the first day of school means the start to a new life! A like where students can be creative, and where students are not distracted by their empty belly’s or their cavity filled mouth’s. Here, school is a way out of their usual life circumstance. Here, students are learning more then just math, english, they’re learning healthy habits and virtues. For some children, habits like brushing teeth and values like respecting others are never introduced before becoming a student at Colegio Esperanza. With these new kiddos and a fresh set of eyes I am reminded of  how blessed I am to be experiencing these firsts with them.

These new interactions on Monday brought me to this verse :

Proverbs 22 : 6

Start children off on the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

My prayer is that the influence of this school will stay with the students for their whole lives. I hope that many years from now my PreKs will not only still be brushing their teeth, but that they will know how loved they are by a great big God.