A Tiring, Travel-filled, Taco, Tuesday

Waking up this morning was a little tough, just because everyone was soooo tired. For breakfast, we had the typical bagel with cream cheese or eggs, but instead of going to KIPP Gaston, we would be going to KIPP Halifax. It was described as being a “nicer school” by the KIPP Gaston teachers, with better facilities and infrastructure. We arrived way too early at the school, as usual, and were assigned different teachers to help. We were able to sit with the teachers while the students ate breakfast, and help the teachers with activities including completing reading and writing learning centers, spelling, and making sentences. The kids were so cute! Most of them were very well behaved, but it is very difficult to handle a class of a dozen young kids and make them all learn! After working in the classroom, we realized that the teacher turnover rate also influences the campus at Halifax. At about lunchtime, we headed back to KIPP Gaston to sit and eat with some of the students. Helping teachers and tutoring young kids was surprisingly very exhausting, so many of us weren’t too social during lunch. Some of us were able to sit with the Gaston students and learn more about the daily life of a typical KIPP student. After lunch, we headed back to the Primary School and the High School to help with making billeting boards, file graded papers, and tutor students in different subjects. At 4:00, we headed back home, quickly making dinner before the basketball game at 7. It was Taco Tuesday, so a nice Mexican spread was made by Lekha and Sara, the head chefs, along with the many sous chefs with beans, rice, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, corn, lettuce, and both real chicken and tofu chicken. Overall, the dinner was extremely good and everyone was left feeling stuffed. After dinner, we headed over to the basketball game to watch the High School compete with a rival school. UNFORTUANTELY, the body varsity team lost 50 to 63, but it was interesting to watch the game and see the enthusiasm of the fans and cheerleaders. After the basketball game, we still had to do reflection. We watched a video talking about vulnerability, and the importance of being vulnerable in order to make strong connections with others. Many surprising points were brought up, but it was interesting to see how such a simple action could completely change ones interactions with other people. Overall, although the day was exhausting, there were many very interesting and educational experiences. We are excited to see what else we will learn!