Weekly Update

I want to think positive from this month on. Positive about my students being able to reach their school level by June, and Advance level by December. I really want to help them excel in school.

Around 10 students have signed up to join the communication diary circle. I've targetted those who have not reached the school level and have joined more than 6 months.

Little Hindustani boy, Viwen, still comes in the centre twelling me how important this year is to him. His fixed line : "Teacher, do you know, this year is my UPSR!! It's important. I cannot do my homework everyday!!!" Being slightly authistic, and is now doing work 1 year ahead of his school level, he's allowed to do less pages and allowed to come in and make that kind of complain.

Ketul (Daniel), have progressed so much. It took him more than 6 months to recognize numbers from 1 to 10. Thinking that he's only 3, we never gave up. Now, in one look, he could tell all the numbers up to 100. He's starting his English this month he's able to sit down for 15 minutes to complete his Maths nowadays. A real treat for us!!!

Jeremiah, Ginger and Joshua have graduated from the Pre Kindy Class. They're given an option to join the big class. They've all started their Addition 1-5.

Life goes on...

My longest serving staff will be leaving me next month. At first I felt my world was going to fall apart. She handles my higher level maths.

Now I feel happy. I remember what my fellow instructor from Phillipines said, when you lose someone, you'll get someone better. And in the 9 years I've been running the centre, I've been faced by that many times. This time, I feel the same.

Pose, smile, pose

Yesterday, I started giving out the medals and certificate from last year's achievements. It took us so long to give them out this year because of the renovation and my J-Cam (J stands for Jurassic!!!) finally decided to retire. I managed to borrow one of the staff's camera and will be using it for the whole week. I can't wait to finally deliver all the medals.

Yesterday, quite a few got it for the first time. I simply love the glowing faces. I made them wear the medal throughout their class. Some said they're too shy, but I knew they wanted to, because in the end all did. I heard a few saying they want it next year.

Surprise visit!

Last Tuesday, I expected 3 new students....but 6 came to start their free trial, and one unexpected visit from an old student who have stopped 4 years ago. He's of course bigger. From the day he stopped, I never stopped thinking about him. He had learning difficulties and at times had to be warded to drain out the fluid in his head. I was told children with this kind of sickness don't usually live for very long. I kept wondering if he's still around and I nearly cried when I saw him at the door on Tuesday.

I asked him if he can remember me, and he smiled and nodded. I was soooooooo HAPPY!!!

In the beggining, when he first joined, I had difficulties in pronouncing his name. You try it in one breath..... ArfakhsyadZ .... that's his name!!!!!!

:)

Today....

Me: Inesh Siva Ramanathan!
Inesh: (while frowning) how do you know my full name?
Me: Because I'm your Mom!
Inesh: really????

Me: Ok! Emma, I'll see you next time. Say bye to Inesh.
Emma: (standing up extending her hand) Bye Inesh. See you next time. (They shook hands)
Inesh: Emma! You're so adorable!!!!

~~~~~~~~~Emma is 4 and Inesh just turned 5~~~~~~~~~

Free Trial oh Free Trial

This time around, we hardly prepare for our free trial. Not many calls, and not many inquiries. So far, 3 of them will not be joining free trial but enrolling for May!! My manager thinks it's weird...but that's reality in my centre.

I saw happy faces.

Today, a few of my students from Monday came back for their 2nd class for the week. Most of them came straight to me with their papers to show me how fast they have done their work. I see a lot of smiles as some of them managed to complete their work in less than their targetted time.

I hope my student-instructor meeting will show a lot of progress in them. If it works, I will see more than 60% of the students going up to Advance Level.