Our host school in Hyderabad, Jubilee Hills Public School, received us with great ceremony. As we arrived, the Indian version of ROTC was performing a drill. After we met the principal of the school we were ushered into her office, where our host, the curriculum coordinator Sree Devi, greeted us. We were escorted with school dignitaries into the auditorium by the young cadets, and everyone (including the 2400 students, K-12) sang the national anthem. Sree Devi led us onto the stage, huge flower garlands were placed around our necks by the Head Girl, and our foreheads were adorned with vermilion. Each of us lit a wick on the ceremonial lamp. Our host introduced us, and then had each of us approach the microphone and say a few words about where we are from. We were also presented with boxes, each of which contained a welcoming plaque.
The designation "public school" is misleading to Americans, since in India it actually means a privately-funded school. JHPS receives no government funding at all. Students pay for their tuition, transportation, and uniforms.
Our visit coincided with another occasion, Vanamahotsav, or Forest Day, which celebrates trees, promotes tree conservation and forest regeneration. The Head Boy and Girl (who are elected by the student body and lead the equivalent of our student government) gave speeches, and there were a student dances at a variety of grade levels, beginning with older students performing a classical dance. They had clearly worked very hard at practicing and were very well coordinated. I was impressed that even middle school boys participated enthusiastically in dances about the life cycle of a silkworm and the life cycle of trees.
Our visit also coincided with the school science fair, and after the opening ceremony we were invited to view the student projects, which were set up in a series of classrooms. The students were attending their exhibits, ready to explain them. I was highly impressed with their command of scientific knowledge and academic vocabulary. They were extremely articulated and well-versed in their subject areas.
Dana and I went to an English department meeting later that day, and shared instructional practices with the teachers there. On the whole the teachers at JHPS were very reserved that first day; later in the week that they warmed up to us, when they discovered that we were not there to try to change their practices, but rather to observe their methods and demonstrate our own in the classroom.
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| With our host, Sree Devi |
Our visit coincided with another occasion, Vanamahotsav, or Forest Day, which celebrates trees, promotes tree conservation and forest regeneration. The Head Boy and Girl (who are elected by the student body and lead the equivalent of our student government) gave speeches, and there were a student dances at a variety of grade levels, beginning with older students performing a classical dance. They had clearly worked very hard at practicing and were very well coordinated. I was impressed that even middle school boys participated enthusiastically in dances about the life cycle of a silkworm and the life cycle of trees.
Our visit also coincided with the school science fair, and after the opening ceremony we were invited to view the student projects, which were set up in a series of classrooms. The students were attending their exhibits, ready to explain them. I was highly impressed with their command of scientific knowledge and academic vocabulary. They were extremely articulated and well-versed in their subject areas.
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| The principal, Lakshmi |
Later in the week, when I showed students the video I put together from Crystal Lake Middle School, with interviews of Ms. Phillips, Ms. McCrary, Ms. Rice, Ms. Matias, and Ms. Ruiz, they really enjoyed it, and many were curious about the robotics club and competition. (Not to mention the part I borrowed from Ms. Sessler's video, with our principal "Harlem shaking" at a pep rally.....they loved that!!!)
Dana and I went to an English department meeting later that day, and shared instructional practices with the teachers there. On the whole the teachers at JHPS were very reserved that first day; later in the week that they warmed up to us, when they discovered that we were not there to try to change their practices, but rather to observe their methods and demonstrate our own in the classroom.
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