Graduation week

A name was called. The graduate walked to the front of the packed room. Cameras and iPhones were held aloft to record the moment. The graduate hugged those who had taught her so much, posed for a photo with her teachers and then it was her proud parents turn to hug, cry and pose for photos with the graduate. The next name was called, surnames first: Olsson Ravicz, Gabriela Marisol. Our little girl is no longer a baby! She graduated from sala cuna, the crib room, to Medio menor, lower pre-school. Unfortunately the girl will be scarred for life as her's were the only parents not in tears.

And so we enjoyed graduation week in Castro. On Wednesday Lisa went in to Carpe Diem to take part in the graduation of the colegio's 12th graders. On Thursday evening we all went to Gabi's graduation. And then on Friday evening all four Ravicz's were at Carpe Diem for Roberto's graduation. And so we can say conclusively; children's passing from one level of school to another is honored and celebrated in Chiloe. Graduation time!

Roberto's graduation from kinder(garten) was very touching. All the parents sat in chairs on the floor of the gymnasium, other family members were behind in the bleachers (or in their parents' laps). When the kids marched in to take their pre-diploma seats on the side, Roberto strode tall, with a serious composure and his hands behind his back just as his teacher Tía Vivi had instructed, not a scintilla of what-am-I-supposed-to-do-now doubt. Mike and I just smiled and said to one another, 'He's got it!'

Tía Vivi (the head kinder teacher) spoke about the kids and got quite emotional as she bid them farewell after their two years with her in pre-K and kinder. As a gift to their friends in kinder, the kids in pre-K acted out the story of Christmas and peace on earth dressed as Bible figures and children from different countries. We watched a video of highlights of the year. Then, it was time for the capstone event. As each child's name was read, slides of the child from the beginning to the end of the school year were projected. Each child walked to the center. The Tías (Vivi, Angelica, and Marcella) came forward with the diploma and lots of hugs, kisses and photos. Then the parents came forward for more hugs, kisses and photos. After each kid was honored they took a seat in the front of the gym, under the school banner. We were really impressed at how well the kinder kids behaved through what was a 90-minute ceremony. Of course, once it was all over Roberto was back to chasing his friends all around the gym. Mike, Gabi and I took the time to chat with the other parents and give heartfelt thank yous to Roberto's tías.

The progress Roberto has made is very much a credit to the love and patience his Tías, in school and within our Chilean family, have showered upon him. The first months in Castro were more difficult than we had expected. Roberto struggled with the language communication gap. I think that more difficult than the new language was the new experience of being the kid who didn't know the answers. For Mike and I, the difficulty was what to do with a boy who was continuously acting out and melting down. Eventually we took our cue from the Chileans who never seemed to get upset with or discipline their kids (at least not where we could see them) but were very patient, almost indulgent. In October things started to turn the corner for Bert, and now in December we are back to seeing the familiar, happy, friendly Roberto – this time, the new and improved bilingual edition.

The first graduation of the week was Carpe Diem's Quatro Medio (high school seniors). A few things you need to know about them, the graduates had been together since kindergarten, as there are only 22 of them they have had every class together for those 13 years, they've had the same literature teacher for 4 years, the same math teacher for 5, the same biology, chemistry and physics teachers for 4 and the same English teacher for 8 years. When the kids call their teachers and their classmates' parents Tia and Tio, they really do mean aunt and uncle.
In some ways the ceremony was the same as a USA high school graduation: there were speeches by the Director, head of the parent's association and the student selected by her fellow graduates. Awards for the highest grade point, best musician, best athlete, best student in different subjects. But there were other aspects that gave insight into the differences: an award for the student who did the most to promote class cohesiveness, Before each student went up to receive their diploma they played a 3-4 minute recorded address each student had made. By far and away the common theme was thanks to parents, family and teachers for their love and support.

Towards the end a boy and a girl from Tercero Medio (junior class) came as well as a boy and a girl from Kindergarten for a candle lighting ceremony that symbolized the passing of the torch to the next class and the care for the youngest. Given how the Quatro Medio kids played with Roberto and lavished attention on the new kid in school, I've little doubt next year's Quatro Medio will take their care taking role seriously.

Then it was over to the school cafeteria for the most different-from-the-USA part of the graduation: the cocktail reception. Your eyes are not deceiving you, that is me with the two founders of the school, wine classes in our hands in front of the signs that read bread, main course, salad.
After about an hour of champagne, wine, mini empanadas and other savory treats we had cake and desert wine. The line up of folks in charcoal suit are the other teachers. Not owning a pant suit, I wore a skirt that ended at the knee. Much ribbing was dished out about the wild gringa flashing her legs. (You can wear the tightest jeans as low as possible with muffin top bursting out everywhere, but nothing that reveals knee. I beg to differ!) I seem to have been taken under the wing by a number of the teachers who have a real joie d' vive. I've never had so much fun at a high school graduation!

Stay tuned for breaking Christmas updates. A correction to our prior blog posting, Christmas is indeed in full swing!