Haze situation and school closure

School closure for primary and secondary schools on 25 September 2015.

Ok. That makes sense since the PSI is really high and is in the very unhealthy zone. But wait, only the primary and secondary schools? What about the other schools? Some people may say that poly students are big enough to take care of their health. Fine. But what about the preschools?


Now, preschool children are more prone to sickness than primary and secondary school students. I know some parents may say that they are unable to find alternative arrangements, but just like what some minister said, ' the schools will be closed but parents may still send their child to school if they can't find alternative arrangements', and then let parents take the risks. But, sadly, the people of the early childhood organization is not even mentioning about 'closure' of the preschools. At the very least, they can protect the young ones by saying that schools will be closed BUT they can still send their child to school if there really isn't any alternative arrangements by them. At least, I am sure that upon hearing news that the school will be closed for lessons, many parents will keep their child at home.

I do not mind working tomorrow even if there is no children. Just like the primary and secondary school teachers, we still will have to report to work as usual. But, I sincerely hope that parents will keep their child at home as there are news going around that the haze will worsen tomorrow. Just for the sake of our future generations' health, please do take care. And also, to all working adults, take care and drink lots of water!


M31!$$@

Work...

Heyzz..

It has been a long long time... like seriously..the last time I blogged was probably during my secondary school days...believe it or not, I am now working, or rather, teaching, serving my bond with my work organization.

Having worked for 1 year 8 months, I admit, there are ups and downs. I have changed to two different centres. The first was a childcare where I worked from April - Dec 2014. I then changed to a Kindergarten since then till now. Why did I change school? Because there were some misunderstandings between the HR of my organization and the 'higher' ministry. Now...because of them, I had to leave behind my children in the childcare and move forward to the new centre. Luckily, this new centre is in the same area as my previous one. So I still get to see some of my children at times (if I'm lucky enough). 

Working at new places is a tiring process. We have to LEARN, UNLEARN, RELEARN (quoted from my CEO I think). This three words are big...really big...the CEO said it as though it was so simple...along the line of...learn what you need, discard those you don't need or that is irrelevant and finally, learn all over again.
If you ask me from my humble experience, I would say that there is much more to it than it seems.

LEARN - learn the ropes of your new job. In my case, it included learning how to shower for the children in the childcare, learning how to make milk, how to teach a child. Now some of you may say, aren't you supposed to know how to teach since you have been studying for the dip in Early Childhood Studies? Answer: yes. But is theory really that similar to practical experience? NO. I experienced things that I would never dream I would have. Having little 'terrors' in my classroom. Making a mess of things, biting teachers, throwing chairs at teachers, punching, pulling, screaming, tearing your register book, pulling down teacher's blouses to show to peer's grandfathers, etc. You name it, I probably would have experienced it in my 1 yr 8 mths experience. Learning to handle these children was a headache. Having to call the parents almost everyday and writing the incidents into the log book till it seems as though it was you at fault..I mean..me. Was I a good teacher? Did I do something wrong? I have no idea. It was when I communicated with my colleagues that I learned that the boy was already behaving like this even before I entered the school. And it was the boy's behaviour that made the previous teacher left. Thus, when I, a newbie, entered the school in April, I was 'thrown' to that class... The infamous class consisting of 4 heavenly kings, 7 princesses and other mortals...Oh well...
Aside from those miserable incidents, I did learn much more good stuff from the childcare. I learned to work with other teachers, I learned to love my class. I learned to decorate and set-up my classroom and many much more.

After learning so much from my first workplace after graduating from polytechnic, I received the bad news... to be transferred to a Kindergarten nearby...NOOOOO!!!!

UNLEARN - I thought to myself...oh boy, do I have to unlearn everything? nah...looking on the brighter side of life ( I hope), I think I can just add on more learning to what I have learnt. So far, I have unlearned some stuffs, for example, showering the kids, making milk, etc. But I guess it is not so much of unlearn, but rather, putting it at the back of my memory. I am sure I will be able to retrieve it for use in the future. 

RELEARN - Getting used to a new workplace was never easy for me. I do not like to talk to new people. To me, the first few days of work was totally life draining. At this kindergarten, I could go on for the first 5 days since 26 Dec not talking to anyone. Just sit in the classroom, think about how to change it ( I'm sharing it with another teacher), and stare into blank space. Or wait for the other teacher to give me some things to do. I was being a total introvert during those days. I had to relearn on how to communicate with these new people. Don't get me wrong, if I know you for quite some time, I will probably be able to talk to you non-stop. Hahahas. Back to relearning, in this new environment, I had to relearn many things: Communicating, working with new types of people, learning the school values, vision, mission, core values, learning to adapt, etc. 

And the cycle continues, I had to learn new stuff too. 

Although it was a tiring 9 mths at this new place, I am proud to say that I have taken part in achieving SPARKS for my centre. WE MADE IT! I was only working in this centre for about 3 months and then my Principal mentioned that we will be going through Sparks.. hohoho..it was like a late Christmas horror present for me...WHAT?? SPARKS? What am I suppose to do? Who will be coming to observe me teach? Why do we need to go through Sparks??? T.T These questions ran through my mind. But before I could think through properly on any of those kind of questions, I found myself busy doing work...Daily lesson plans, weekly plans, changing them, improving them, preparing for lessons, etc. I was so busy at work at that time, that right now, thinking back, I wonder how did I get through all those? Hahahahas... it was definitely a great experience boost! 

Right now, into 9 months at this new place, I dare not say that I am fully happy here. I need an environment that is happy. My dream place...DREAM...

I shall end this post with 'DREAM' and leave my not so happy experience with me, in my heart...


DREAM
M31!$$@