Journal #1

Today I had my interview at Esek Hopkins Middle School for my service learning project, drove up to the school assuming there was a big flashy entrance or even a sign on the building for the school and which door to use. I had come to find out there is no big flashy sign/ entrance for some reason that bothered me. Why did all of the doors to the school look exactly the same why isn't it easier to access the school, and if i had a problem finding it how do immigrants parents of the students feel/would feel? I was embarrassed I walked around the school opening teach door till i got to the side of the building and found the button to get buzzed in. I buzzed, and walked up to the main office and say a sign first in spanish then in english saying the office. I sign in let the secretaries know who I am and why I was there and they began to thank me, and I that point I literally did nothing.  I met with Carina Monge. Carina is the culture coordinator and a community Liaison.  She is always on fire and always moving. Our interview was 10 minutes, mostly just walking around the school to each office and meeting with the principal alongside most of the staff. I had a great time meeting everyone, and seeing a diverse staff and faculty. The signs where in spanish and english everywhere I looked, and that gave me a comforting feeling because Carina explained the school is 50%+ Hispanic/Latino students and how many do not know the english language all to well. As we walked around I saw students in the hallways passing us by speaking in spanish to Carina and Carina responding back in spanish. That in its self is some thing I had never seen, bilingual students being allowed to speak in their mother tongue.. It was surreal, I immediately stopped Carina, and asked if speaking in spanish was allowed even if the students were not in their ESL class room.. which she laughing replied "of course honey why wouldn't they be".