[etni] Fw: Teaching in the South

From: "Ask_Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
To: "ETNI" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:51:15 +0200
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Esther Revivo - estherrv@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Teaching in the South

One can never fully comprehend an event until going through an identical 
situation. However, I wanted our colleagues nationwide to get some idea of 
the scope of the challenges in preparing our pupils for the upcoming Bagrut 
examinations. I am sure that I speak for many others here in the South when 
I say we are living a surreal existence at present. Those who lived through 
the Second Lebanon War doubtless know exactly what I am talking about !!  I 
am not in Netivot as on Thursday our English staff traveled up to Maale 
adumim (no capital a on this keyboard; sorry!) to our Ullpana's sister 
school for a day of study. On Sun.-Tues., our 10- 12 graders will be hosted 
by Ulpanat Tzfira. The media announced the resumption of studies at schools 
with proper "migun," something our 40 yr. old campus lacks. So, I decided to 
spend Shabbat in Jerusalem, as I find traveling terribly difficult health 
wise. Once we finish at Tzfira, I will be homeward bound, G-d willing.

I want to thank the Ministry of Education for their consideration of our 
pupils' difficulties at present. I am extremely grateful that the winter 
Bagrut exams have been put off for a month. However, even so, study must 
somehow be accomplished to enable the weakest pupils a chance at passing 
their modules. Last week when my rakezet and I spent 8 hrs. in the classroom 
until 4.00, it was understandably difficult for our girls to concentrate on 
English studies. One girl has a Givati brother in Gaza; another had her 
house damaged by a shell. Merav, a Sederot pupil (who can see Gaza from her 
living room window)  is a strong 5 pointer; yet she complained, "Ha'morah, I 
have read the first line of this unseen 4 times already. I just can't 
concentrate and get into it!!!"

 Many schools such as ours are teaching their pupils through their schools' 
web sites. Once again, this is not an ideal situation as pupils have 
e-mailed that they have to help entertain/ babysit siblings. Others find it 
simply too hard to concentrate on school work what with sirens and running 
to their "protected spaces." They worry about parents, as well, who must 
work despite the war. (i.e. at posts such as on their town council or 
medical clinics.)

We can all only hope that this campaign/war ends swiftly  and we can return 
to normalcy. I pray that normalcy will ensure that the Western Negev will no 
longer be on the receiving end of rockets for once and for all!

Esther Revivo
Ulpanat Tzvia Sedot Negev



-----------------------------------------------
        Call for Articles
      The Etni Rag needs you

** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org 
   or - http://www.etni.org.il **
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
[etni] Fw: Teaching in the South

Other related posts:
