Penpals!

In the week before Christmas, A received a letter from a student in her grade at the school she will be attending.  I was very excited and couldn't wait for her to read it (it was in "school English").  She was very nonchalant about it and seemed put out that I wanted to read it,or at least know what it said.  She did write a response a couple days later, but other than knowing she included a picture of herself, she didn't reveal what she said in the letter.  And I didn't push it.  Must we endure this teenage - you can't make me enjoy this experience- attitude for the entire 5 months?  I would LOVE to make a personal contact with someone who could help me ease into the social situation a little more.  I got a bit of revenge, however when one of her friends was over and I asked if A had told her about the penpal.  "That's so cool!"  said the friend!! HA!

Just after Christmas, R received a letter as well, this time from the entire class she will be joining! Her response was much more enthusiastic and she talked about what the letter told her about her new class.  It was written in simple English as well.  The letter named their "English teacher", which must mean that they receive regular english instruction.  Yea!  Also included was a picture of the class.  Very reassuring to see that they all seem to dress like kids around here, so there aren't any scrambles to find more appropriate clothing.

R took her letter and the picture to show her teacher after returning to school yesterday.  Her teacher made a copy and I hope that there will be a classroom penpal exchange.  She hasn't written her own reply yet, though.

A received a letter from another girl the same day as R.  I didn't even bother asking a thing about it, though I am dying to know!  Since she didn't share with her best friend, I am sure she won't mention a thing to her classmates or teachers.  However, I did suggest to her teacher a month or more ago that it would be a fun project for the class to create a movie (they have been using that medium for a lot of research reporting lately) showing the life of an American Teen from the unique perspective of our unique school community.  Her teacher was enthused with the idea!  A, not so much.