During the school year, I would say the center we are at houses around 100-150 children. It is hard to know for sure because many of the high school students are boarded at school during the week. High school here is demanding. There day starts at 6:45. If they do not live at the school, they leave at 9:45 at night, otherwise, class goes until 10. Crazy! I know many studies speak of how China outperforms us, but I am thankful my children have some down time in their life.
With about 150 kids here, you might think it would be crazy, but its not! There are only three teachers here plus the director. Could you imagine having that many kids for three people? These children are so well behaved. I've only seen one kid hit another kid once. It was just a 10 yr old boy scuffle.
Every morning of the year, the bell rings at 5:50. The kids wake up and clean their room and the bathrooms. If there chores aren't done, they don't get breakfast. Breakfast is at 6:30. The kids then have quick chores after breakfast. There are no reminders telling them it is almost time for school. They know and are responsible for getting themselves out the door and to school.
At lunch, school children go home so the kids walk the 1/2 a mile to mile back to the center to eat and do the lunch chores and then back to school.
When they get home in the afternoon, they are responsible for coming in, taking a shower, hand washing their clothes, hanging them to dry and helping with any dinner chores that need to be done.
They eat dinner at 6 each night and at 7 a bell is rang to begin study time. Kids go to any common room and they freely help each other. It is nice to see. You can tell they genuinely care for each other.
With about 150 kids here, you might think it would be crazy, but its not! There are only three teachers here plus the director. Could you imagine having that many kids for three people? These children are so well behaved. I've only seen one kid hit another kid once. It was just a 10 yr old boy scuffle.
Every morning of the year, the bell rings at 5:50. The kids wake up and clean their room and the bathrooms. If there chores aren't done, they don't get breakfast. Breakfast is at 6:30. The kids then have quick chores after breakfast. There are no reminders telling them it is almost time for school. They know and are responsible for getting themselves out the door and to school.
At lunch, school children go home so the kids walk the 1/2 a mile to mile back to the center to eat and do the lunch chores and then back to school.
When they get home in the afternoon, they are responsible for coming in, taking a shower, hand washing their clothes, hanging them to dry and helping with any dinner chores that need to be done.
They eat dinner at 6 each night and at 7 a bell is rang to begin study time. Kids go to any common room and they freely help each other. It is nice to see. You can tell they genuinely care for each other.