Alak El

The elementary school wing of Alak School is separated from the high school by the main office and the access hall is kept off limits to older kids by the almost always-closed doors. The one classroom of junior high kids is also down this hall and both programs operate as de facto entities – the principal is not welcome here and his suggestions during faculty meetings are often met with rolled eyes, sighs, and a thinly veiled contempt. The one thing these teachers want from this principal is swift and effective discipline for those few students whose behavior transgresses what can be tolerated in a classroom. These teachers have learned not to expect that level of support.

Yet both programs seem to be as successful as one can expect in a village school.

As with each grade level in this wing, the combined 7th and 8th grade students have just one teacher all day long. This consistency provides two immediate positive results: kids are expected to follow the same rules for their entire school day; and there aren’t an additional 6 times of chaos and mayhem that occur when the students switch classes. Teachers have each organized a fairly effective discipline program in their rooms and it helps that the students, however less so for the junior high and the occasional younger hooligan, are still young enough to respect authority. It’s an authority that has stringent behavioral expectations combined with genuine care and understanding. Lessons tend to be traditional, not in a native sense, but in the workbook drill and kill sense. Yes, teaching to the test has now defined what we do in American classrooms everywhere. But lessons here are generally well organized, and extensive individual help is given to students in need. Computers are often used, resources seem adequate and engaging activities do get interspersed throughout the week. A lot of the kids are learning to read, write and compute within an acceptable range for their age.

It’s curious that there is no playground – in or out door here. Kids are taken to the school’s only gym for recess and for the few months the pool wasn’t closed for repairs or for the lack of lifeguards (some 6 teachers and one community member are now qualified), could splash around if their teacher took them. The junior high teacher often has beach walks and other hikes. Sometimes these outings are planned and can include lessons on the natural world. Sometimes they are offered as rewards for completing other class work, and sometimes they are given when there is a spontaneous recognition that everyone just needs a break. As any walk begins, the teacher has long-ago given up trying to prevent his students from running home or to one of the stores to stock up on junk food and soda pop to fuel the 30 minutes or so they will be outside. You have you choose your battles.