Immersion Celebration

I'm not gonna lie. We have no love for graduation ceremonies. Working in youth ministry, however, has given us the opportunity to sit through a LOT of them. Michael has an even greater disdain for them than I. He only attended his high school graduation because his mom required him to and he skipped his college ceremony altogether.


Well, one of the perks of Spanish Immersion school is that a lot of the traditional school ceremonies have been adapted or changed completely. We managed to escape Kindergarten without a graduation ceremony. What we found out, though, was that the students instead celebrate their 18 months of immersion by "graduating" to the next level of Immersion.

The week prior to the celebration I heard from a parent who sat in on the staff meeting that the staff was arguing over the importance of calling each child by name and giving that child the ACTUAL certificate vs. giving a blank paper and handing out the certificates later.  I knew right then how much I could look forward to this event.

We were all set up to skip it altogether. We had plans to go to a friends house for dinner and I had talked to the teacher. She said that they were practicing a little dance, but that it was no big deal if we missed. I told her that I would ask Annie about it. That was Thursday morning.

By the time that I picked up Annie from school Thursday Afternoon, she had been voted "Outstanding Student" by her classmates. Her teacher pulled me aside and said that it would be a good idea for her to attend. She had clearly talked to Annie about the fun "celebration" and that it would be more special that visiting with a friend.

So, we rescheduled dinner and attended. The first hour was filled with Professional Gaucho Dancers. They were not on a stage, so we couldn't see most of the impressive footwork, but there was fire involved.

Then the students sang & did hand motions to one song.
Annie and Martin, a boy that we carpool to St. Louis Children's Choir with, were selected to present a short statement of thanks to the parents. Martin read the Spanish version. Annie repeated in English.  

Then they wasted no time to get onto the presentation of certificates.

First was the Outstanding Student Award. Annie was the first to receive hers. Of course, they pronounced her name wrong. I'd feel offended about this, except for the fact that all the staff speaks in heavy Spanish accents, so even "annie" sounded like "a knee." So, They said, "A knee, met" and there was no response. Then they tried again, looking right at her, "a knee, met." She stood up and about 5 classmates stood up with her. The staff asked them to sit down, she sat too. After a bit of sitting and standing, Annie was able to actually get her medal.

Next, The head of school and the founder each gave a short (1 min) speech and they called each child by name to the table. (You will have to forgive the picture as we were seated far away and the lighting was poor.)

The ceremony was over... EARLY!

We got in the car and I commented to Michael "There was Professional entertainment and ended early! What more could you ask for?"

I don't remember his response exactly, but I am sure it involved not having a squirming 2 year old on his lap.

Either way, Congratulations to Annie: 

Notes:
I believe that after this milestone the students are asked to speak ONLY in Spanish while at school. The certificate represents the 18 month immersion milestone.

The Outstanding Student award was granted to one student in each class. It was voted on by both students and staff for a student that was respectful, friendly, spoke Spanish, wore a uniform, was a good example, etc. The medal was presented to each outstanding student.