Holy Cross Students Have Inquiring Minds!

The following questions were designed during Mrs. Clauss’s computer classes at Holy Cross School in Rumson, New Jersey.  Special thanks to Mrs. Clauss for engaging her students and reaching out to me.  It was wonderful to hear from you, and you are welcome to visit my blog anytime!

Questions from 4A/Mrs. Bernadette Davis’s class

Are you really writing at 4 a.m. in the morning?

No, evidently my “Blog” time has maintained its American time.  I am actually 7 hours ahead of American time.  Therefore, while I am having dinner, you are probably just waking up and preparing for school.

What is a secondary student?

A secondary student is one engaged in one of the two levels of secondary education.  A students entry into secondary education is not based on age, but on academic achievement.  Secondary education ends when students pass their Form 6 National Exam and receive their diploma. Dependent of their test results; they may then be selected to enroll in a university.  Generally, the age of students are between 11 and 16 years old.

All secondary education must be taught in English (except Swahili class). For many students, English is their third language. This has made the secondary school teaching language quite controversial, with those in favor of English arguing that English is vital for preparing students to compete in a global economy, and those opposed arguing that not teaching in Swahili causes talented students to be left behind and detracts from students concentrating on the subject matter.

What do you eat?

First and foremost, I eat plenty!  My host and administrator at the school, Sister Yulitha, makes certain that I have 3 square meals each day.  My meals are very similar to what I enjoy in America.  I’ve been served a variety of meals made up of rice, cabbage, carrots, pork, chicken, potatoes, and even African style pizza.

Questions from 3A/ Mrs. Kathy McConville’s class

Do you cut your own hair?

I recently cut my own bangs, and let’s just say: I should keep to teaching!  If you were to look at me directly, you would think the room is tilting due to the unprofessional angle of my bangs.  There is very little emphasis on one's hair at the school; working on one’s inner beauty seems to cloud that concern.

Have you seen any wild animals?

To date, I've seen domesticated animals and varied birds that are scavengers.  Daily, I see a young man herding his family's cattle.  In fact, they were traveling along the same dirt road as me one day, and I had to walk against the herd with their long horns.  I was reciting the Our Father as I passed through them!  I have bats evidently that are nesting in the ceiling of my room, and they thump and roll very nosily through the night.  The other evening, I tried to coax a lizard off the ceiling and out of my room. In the process it fell on my head, and I freaked!

In order to see wild animals such as lions, tigers, etc., I will need to leave the city environment, and travel 2 hours east to the Serengeti.  Hopefully, when the school is on holiday from November 26th - January 7th, I will have that opportunity.  Yes, their school calendar is quite different than Holy Cross’s; they are actually at the end of their school year that once again ends on November 26.  The new school year begins January 7 with a month break only in June.  Honestly, not a bad schedule for America if you like to ski, but life on the Jersey shore would be affected!  I don't know about you, but I love my "Jersey Summer."

Do the children celebrate Halloween?

No, they are not familiar with Halloween, but they honor and celebrate All Saints Day with prayer and Mass attendance.  Last night during evening studies, we discussed Christmas and the Advent Wreath.  When I asked them what they would like for Christmas their responses were as follows:

- shoes and a shirt

- the chance to travel

 - prayer and to attend Mass

- time with their family

- a new notebook for their studies

Welcome back to the spirit of Christmas!

Do the students behave?

Don’t all?  Actually, the students are exceptionally well behaved.   Education is a privilege and is well respected.  During my lessons, the students are engaged and attentive.  They appear to be hanging on every word from their educators.  They thirst and desire knowledge.  They take tremendous pride in their work by making revisions and writing beautifully.

Did the power come back on?

The power is back on, however when you least expect it, it rolls right out.  Sometimes power outages can last several days, or hours or just minutes.  I’ve learned to keep a small flashlight in my pocket in the evenings in the event the lights suddenly go out.  Oh, that reminds me, I should purchase additional batteries…thanks for the question!

Questions from 1B/Miss Melissa Enna’s class

How do you take a bath?

I am extremely fortunate for I have a self-contained room with my own bathroom.  My shower has an on and off switch for hot water, but the weather is comfortable enough that a cool shower is preferred.

How do you get water?

The school is blessed with an ample water supply.  It has a well and a container that houses a reservoir of water if need be.  The water is not potable, it must be boiled if one chooses to drink from it, but it is fine to bathe in.  I have elected to drink from purchased bottle water as suggested by many.  Because I am new to the country, I am hypersensitive to the water.  In brief and in grade 1 terms – I have plenty of water!

Do the students have paper?

Yes, they have limited paper and do not waste an inch of it.  They are very cautious with their work as to avoid waste.  In fact, I administered a quiz the other day, and I elected to tear the paper in half to further conserve paper.  The students were grimacing in fear that I would be unsuccessful in tearing the paper properly.  Mission accomplished, and I have developed a renewed trust with the students due to my “paper-tearing” ability.  Trust me, I almost broke out in a sweat knowing how concern they were about the use of the paper.

Do they have their own books?

No, in brief they share.  Generally, the teacher is the only individual with a text, and subject related workbooks do not exist at all.  Could they benefit from having their own textbooks? – Most assuredly.  However, it doesn’t deter them from learning, which they most desire.

Are there police officers in town?

There are police officers circulating throughout the town. Their rifle/protective weapon is quite visible and swung over their shoulder; whereas in America, our officers generally keep their weapon in a holster and not as visible.

 If someone gets hurt - is there a hospital?

Most definitely, in fact, the organization that I am affiliated with, CMMB, has a volunteer, Jim Comes, presently at the Bugando Hospital in Mwanza.  In addition, there are varied clinics, and medical facilities that also act as medical schools in the area. 


Grade 8/ Mrs. Michelle Tomaino and Mrs. Anne McCullough's classes

You teach math?  Why didn’t you teach us math?

Really?  I was too busy with integrated language arts and history; besides my knowledge of math has a definitive line that does not venture into algebra!  No pun intended, but count your blessings for the knowledge and instruction that you receive from Miss Ciampoli, Mrs. Chadwick, and Mrs. Forsyth.  You are extremely fortunate to have them as your educators. 

What was the name of the rock in the lake?

The rock is named the Bismarck Rock. It is a weathered granite kopje and is the most photographed landmark of Mwanza.  Mwanza was the area first traveled by 18^th century explorers who were seeking the source of the Nile.

 What sports do they play at recess?

“Chores” ...yet all is not work on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4-5 p.m. the students play a lively game of “Football” – our soccer.

Male football scrimmage

Female football scrimmage

African pizza...delicious! Cheese, egg slices, red and green peppers on a bed of sauce

You asked!   Shower and toilet in one!