school social

We had a busy school day of meetings and planning - then a school dinner planned from 4:30 on.  The dinner was held in the cafeteria and patio - but with the long tables cleared out and round tables brought in, along with a DJ and umbrellas - it created a nice atmosphere, but very casual as we all had just finished work.

The school has over 60% of an international teaching staff - and a high turn over over the last couple of summers between the coup and  administrative changes - but this year, the turn over brought a larger then usual South African contingent.

I sat with them today.  They were all eating with their forks in their left hand and their knives in their right hand.  I mean it.  All six of them.  It was so distinct and cultural and a little bit cliquey - so I had to try it too.  It always makes me feel like a dainty eater.

I sat across from a veteran at our school - in terms of our school  and international staff - 7 years was a lifetime.  He is overweight and charismatic.  A pre-school teacher or coordinator of some sort - and comic and social relief to any group he joins.

He was complaining about the pre-school interviews they had been conducting.  Apparently our school, in spite of it's price, is competitive to get into - and so entry is based on what skills the children have and have not achieved.
"Rachel, yours is fine. (He knew Tomris was starting this year) But, I mean, some of these kids don't even know their colors, or body parts, they can't do a puzzle or matching.  What are these parents doing with their kids?!"
Shit.
"Ummm... maybe they're super busy... and haven't noticed they missed major (or basic) milestones in development.  (More pathetically) Maybe... they are just trying to survive."

(2 hours later)
Me: Tomris!  What color is this?
T: Red.
Me: This?
T: Pembe
Me: In English?
T: I don't know
Me: That's okay (Turkish will do?).  What about this?
T: I don't know
Me: Yellow!  Come 'on Tomris, don't you know this color?
T: No, I don't know it.  I forgot.

Shit.  My kid doesn't know her colors.