Here in my little town the elementary school started two days earlier than the Middle School and the High School, on Monday the 12th. There are less than 200 students, with two classes at each grade level, first through fifth. The "principal" also teaches one of the fifth grade classes and the "head custodian" (have to get the translation for his title as this doesn't sound right?) is kind of like the receptionist at the front door, answering phone, answering parents' questions, ringing the bells for merenda and end of the school day, etc. My son is in first grade. They made an exception and let me stay around the classroom the first day (because he speaks little Italian) but by day two (yesterday) it was adios mama (or ciao!--go home, tutto bene here). He survived and only cried a little, towards the end of the morning when he thought the day should have been over but on it went! What follows are my very first impressions and will no doubt change as time goes on:

The classrooms are spartan by US standards. Desks in rows across the classroom, teachers' desks up front. A smallish blackboard for writing and another one with squares, like graph paper for math(maybe 3 x 5 feet each).

Very striking to me is the lack of children's literature. No books in the rooms, no library in the school (nor in our town). No puzzles, easels, maps, calendar, etc. either. Teacher did not read aloud to children.

No morning meeting time regarding the date and the weather, news of the day, schedule, etc. The children spend two hours at their desks, have snack/ go outside, then two and a half more hours at their desks. Makes for a long day for the little ones. At snack time hot pizza, water, soda or a Nutella snack can be bought. It's brought in a basket from the bar across the street.

No specials (art, music, physical education). No playground. After eating their snack the children do go outside for maybe 10 minutes to sit on a curb and sing a few songs. No running, sweating of getting dirty! (Dante asked me what the smock was for if they didn't paint or play?)

No nurse. I suspect no one is on Ritalin!

Teachers yell and yank, much like an exasperated mother might do. The kids don't seem to be upset by it though, and even my son, Mr. Very Sensitive, doesn't react, though they haven't yelled at him or pulled him around personally yet. (Don't know how I'd feel about that!)

There is a computer room with maybe 10 machines. I don't know how or when it will be used. Teacher confessed kids will know more than she does.

Kids seem very kind to each other and friendships are emphasized as very important to make and maintain. I don't think there's much if any bullying and teachers and parents would be right on top of it if there were. The kids, even the "big" ones in 5th grade are sweet!

The material covered at least in the beginning of first grade here is covered in Kindergarten in the US.

One difficulty has been that my son's teacher has been out sick (or maybe waiting to see if she got a job at another school?) so all 40 first graders have been in one room with a teacher new to the school, as well as the math and English teacher helping out. Not an easy situation.

In any event, as difficult and draining as it is for my son (somewhat overwhelmed by all the new language coming at him), he looks happy when he comes out and proudly shows his "bravissimo" paper to his grandfather in the evening.

Wow, thanks for the detailed, very excellent first-hand account of your child's first day at school! I appreciate you're recognizing that your impression will change with time; of course it will. I imagine the teacher will read or have reading circles once they get in the regular routine of things. As far as budget for libraries/maps/books/playground equipment, etc.....don't know what to say about that. I guess the old-school, traditional academic approach is what is being taken?!

Usually classrooms get more "furnished" with time. Maps and other stuff belong to the school, bugt they will be brought in as the need arises, than switched over to the other classrooms. Many things will be made by the children themselves: posters showing the basic rules of Italian and mathematics (we made a big one with the three Donald Duck nephew, who in Italian are called Qui Quo and Qua, and the rule "Qui, quo, qua l'accento non ci va", and many others) and drawings. In the following years they will probably do individual and collective reserach jobs that will result in the creatin of large cardboard displays with the results, with big colorful titles, handwritten or computer written text, drawings and photographs (either otiginal or cut out from the sources they will use).

Regarding books, our teachers organized the parents and asked them a small contribution, in modern therms it could be 10 euro each, to buy books that were made into a class library. They collected the money, than either picked the books themselves (1st and 2nd grade) or had us pick them at the bookshop (3rd grade on). The books were arranged on a shelf and we could (or had to) pick a book per week. At the end of theeyar, each child was authorized to bring one or two books home, so that the money the parents provided were not lost. In case the teachers don't start the practice themselves, you may suggest this to other parents, buy the books and led them to the school, or donate them if the principal is willing to use them to create a school library.

Thanks Alice for filling me in on how his class will eventually look a little more colorful! And also, a good idea regarding the class library. Once I know who is in his class, and exactly how to say this great idea in Italian, I will start asking around! A group of Moms meet at the "bar" across from the school right after the kids go in, to have a coffee and chat. It's such fun. At dismissal today two moms of kids in Dante's class were asking me how it was going, how did he like school, how long we've been here. They definitely know there's an "americano" in "la prima" and that I'm his mom (well, it is obvious!). I must say they are very friendly.

Dante went to school with just Dad this a.m., walked in with a lump in his throat but was doing fine, and came out happy. Can't ask for more than that on the third day! I'm so happy and relieved. 2nd teacher STILL isn't in, and won't be until next week. (Thyroid problem I hear).

There was some discussion at the "coffee klatch" this a.m. from one of the mothers on the mother's committee as to whether or not I'd be interested in applying for the native-speaker English position with the 5th graders later this year. I guess just the 5th graders get that to better prepare them for the Suola Media? With my teaching background, I am interested as it would be part time, during the school day and a great chance to integrate myself into the community more. We'll see! I'd need more details and I'm sure they do too!

It would really be great. You may also talk to the principal, proposing to do a few hours with the younger kids too, for free (maybe just 5-6 hours near the end of the year), if you are only after social integration. But this could be made into a money-earning part-time job too! Maybe not this year, but if you are staying longer (sorry, I can't remeber) you may use this year to learn how the whole system works (I mena, the school system and the way English is thaught), than offer yourself to schools with a specific program for children in the last three years of Primary schools and in the three years of Medie.

It's what Luca does with his creative writing program. He started out with just a few classes in the medie (11-14 years), and last year he had about 30 classes to teacah to (8-16 years) and had to train a colleague which next year will deal with some of his classes. Basically he has this standard program, with a basic there that changes every year (its been travel literature, love, fairy tales, etc.). He has made himself known, and each year he contacts several schools, during the fall, presenting his program. Shcools have budgets for these side-programs and he gets paid about 25 euro per hour (famous teachers ask up to 50 euro per hour), plus a small gas reimbursement for the most further away schools. You may do something similar with English. ^_^ anzi: $_$

Alice,

I am asking this without having done my "homework" first (I just read your post), but how prevalent is it to do what amounts to freelance teaching (be it in English or other subjects) in the scuola dell'obbligo?

I tried doing something like this in the US and found there to be a lot of red tape (maybe it was specific to the school system in Vermont).

I am not sure that I understood your question. Maybe got lost in the intricacies of English (so much for those who say that English is an easy-peasy langauge!), but I will try to reply.

Since about 5 years italian public schools have acquired the right to hire freelance teachers to teach specific and off the regular "schedule" things. These special lessons can be about nearly anything that is instructive and attuned with the age of the students and the kind of school. For instance, primary schools could hire a teacher that proposes a project mainly connected with play (still educational!), while scientific-geared high schools will hire teachers with programs on, for instance, astronomy or geology.

Projects will be offered to the schools, but once the program has been accepted by the school principal, it will not be automatically launched. Only as the teachers of the subject connected to that particular program are interested and ask to have that program integrated in their lessons it will be launched.

These programs take place during the reuglar school hours, and they are connected to a specific subject (History, Mathematics, Phisics, Italian, etc.), and the teachers are actually renouncing to a certaina mount of teaching hours in order to have their class to take part to these programs, so they are not usually very long. Usually a single project lasts 4-8 lessons. Also, the frelance teacher is not allowed to express any evaluation of the students; since the regular teacher is always present (s/he's after al in charge of the class!) s/he will observe and be able to incorporate her/his observations in the final judgement of the students.

Also, the school's budgets are quite limited, so usually each class of children/kids don't take part to more than one or two programs per year.

Finally, it must be said that many of the teachers and principals are quite unintersted in these programs. Many see them only as useless stuff that cuts off good lesson hours. So, there are schools and individual teachers who never use them.

My understanding of how things are done in the States (well, I know NYS best, but I believe they are all similar) is that there might be money in the budget, or through the Parent-Teacher Organization, to bring in a speaker or an author or animals or some such thing, but usually for only a few hours, if they are to work directly with the children. To teach on an on-going basis you are getting into the territory of "teacher certification" and "teacher union". The only exceptions to this I believe is when a district has advertised for a postion but can not find a certified teacher, at least they used to be able to hire someone without it, and then offer on-the-job training. With all the "Learning Standards" and intensive testing now going on to see if students are up on grade level or not, fewer hours are available for the extras and most states are requiring that teachers be "highly qualified", as defined by that state (usually as Masters degree and Certification). That's why I was shocked when this woman suggested I teach...I'm not certified in Italy! She said no problem.

Diane, it would be aproblem if you were to teach in a public school as a regular teacher. As a "free lance" you are not really teaching, you are invited by a teacher and under the teacher's responsibility to hold a cretain number of lessons _with_ the teacher. The teacher can susped the program with you if she feels you are not up to the standard.

Jane started her first (half) day of Italian second grade today, so here's another sort of "first impressions" account:

We stopped by the school yesterday just to try to acclimate ourselves with how things work here in Italy, and we got lucky because the English teacher was there to help explain everything to us. Jane is in one of three second grades, each class with about 20-22 students. The school day is from 8:20am to 4:20pm, Monday through Friday. The school building is a very gracious old building with a wide stone staircase, high ceilings and quiet gardens in the center of the block (for recess) - with a view of the rear of Santa Croce. Although the actual classroom is on the small side, it is filled with light and I'm sure it will come alive once the kids and their schoolwork fill it up.

Best of all we met the teachers. Jane's class has one permanent teacher, a woman with a friendly smile (who doesn't speak English). There's also another male teacher but I'm not sure he is just in Jane's classroom, perhaps he goes back and forth between the different classrooms - I'm not sure yet. Then there is the English teacher who teaches the second graders for 2 hours every day. The teachers all were so nice and reassured us that everything was going to work out. They were sure that, given a month or two at school, Jane would have no problem learning Italian and fitting right in. We asked whether they thought we would need special tutors or language classes, but they kept saying she would just learn from talking to her friends - they said to wait a month and see how things go.

From the looks of her first day, I think they're right. Jane came out of school with a big smile and she was whispering something to one of her new friends. Its sort of a relief that there are about 3 or 4 kids in her grade who speak at least a little English - so Jane could do a little chatting on her first day. Maybe these same kids will be the ones to teach her Italian - I guess we'll see in time. But now we're off to a little party at the local playground - a First Day of School Festival.

Ellen, this is exciting! Wish we were there with you right now. I'm also anxious to read your report on the PdiS.

Ellen, well things seem to be going well by you. That's wonderful!

Dante reports that every day this week has been a little different. Just when he thought he figured out that after snack they go outside, yesterday they didn't! Instead, they went into an empty classroom and watched a video! One day after singing the songs outside on the curb they all got up and did jumping jacks. And one day, I was thrilled to hear, the teacher read them a story. They are still managing without a teacher, so next week, when she is expected back, I am sure things will change again. They have changed his seat a few times too, which he now takes right in stride. Yesterday one of the little girls went through his "astuccio" (pencil box) asking in Italian "how do you say this in English". Dante felt so smart, first because he understood her, and secondly because the answer was oh so easy! He even said the day didn't feel quite as long (they've all been 8:30-1:30). We're making progress...oh and as a stay-at-home mom for the first time (with my child in school)...I'm adjusting too. Time to hit the Italian books and the exercise tapes and do some creative writing too! Yippee!

Ellen and Diane, I am following all this was great attention and interest. Since we have made the decision for public school, I am learning a lot and mentally preparing.
Ellen--what happened about insurance when you went for your PdiS?

We just got back from dropping Jane off at school for her secod day. We wait outside until a bell rings then everyone rushes in the building. Some parents say goodbye at the door and some still take their kids up to the classroom. But no parents are allowed to stay once the class starts - even yesterday on the first day they made us leave right away.

Today there were some teary eyes from Jane and a few mentions that she didn't feel well. But she has always liked to pull our strings like that. I know it must be scary for her, but once class starts she'll be fine (as she was yesterday).

Jane (and Ken), I'm going to post my PdiS report in another thread now...

Ellen, I just read the PdiS--thanks for the summary of what we need. It answered my questions quite thoroughly. Now we can prepare, when we go over in February I'll pick up the forms so can fill them out at leisure. I guess we can make all our copies, etc ahead of time, too. Except maybe the entry stamp in passport. Hope Jane (what a good name!) has a good day at school.

Jane, you may want to check out the main site. First is the article on paperwork upon arrival http://www.expatsinitaly.com/arrival/paperwork.htm then for the PdiS http://www.expatsinitaly.com/arrival/permesso.htm

Cristina--I forget that you have it all! Of course, I have read all that and promptly forgot it was all there--and more. What I need to do is start printing it and make a book for a resource.
Just made our plane reservation for our pre-trip--February 22-March 9. Hopefully in that time we will make final decision on location, check out the schools and find a rental. Casey will not be with us and so we will be able to scoot around much faster.

Can't wait!

quote:

What I need to do is start printing it and make a book for a resource

I should have our ebook ready in the next few months so don't start printing yet!

I was contemplating not sending Dante to school today, but rather heading into Rome for the weekend (we haven't been there yet)on an early train. I felt six days might be just too much as they've been more stressful than usual for him, and plus I need to see a city. I mentioned it to Dante on our way home from school yesterday and he said..."but Mamma, we have school tomorrow!" I thought he wouldn't know. "How do you know that?" I asked. "Well, the teacher said that domani we were going to have a fake teacher!" We finally figured out that perhaps she said a substitute? In any case, he went happily skipping down the street this morning with Dad, leaving early to pick a bouquet. Even getting better about doing his homework, and not quite as exhausted when he gets out. We're thrilled and relieved that he's made such wonderful progress in the first week.

quote:

Originally posted by Cristina:
Jane, you may want to check out the main site. First is the article on paperwork upon arrival http://www.expatsinitaly.com/arrival/paperwork.htm then for the PdiS http://www.expatsinitaly.com/arrival/permesso.htm

Cristina - of course I used your site and read all the PdiS articles before we went too. Things do seem to differ at different Questuras though. Different sites I've checked also state different requirements. I guess that's why I seemed so unprepared when we finally went to do it - I was so confused that I waited until we got to the Questura to see their list of requirements before I got all my copies, etc. For example, no sites mention that we needed a copy of our credit card??? - maybe that's because we're here on a tourist visa and need to show we can support ourselves without working? Also, you say 5 photos are needed and we only needed 4. And we did not need any fingerprints (although we did need them in the states in order to get our original visa). This just seems to be the way it works, so I would recommend confirming everything at your specific questura location for your specific visa situation.

That is why it is so helpful when someone like yourself goes to the questura and goes through the process. What I have listed on the site are the basics but as you say every questura has their own additions, just like the consulates. Very frustrating!

If you get a chance, would you like to follow along the process like our area reps have and then I can add the Florecne Questura to the list? Here is the one that Sab did for Palermo to give you an idea http://www.expatsinitaly.com/regional/palermo.htm

Cristina - I'd love to do a Florence section for you - I feel like there's still so much to know, but I can write up what I know so far. I can't do it right away though, because I'm all tied up with my Kindergarten issues! I am searching high and low for a place to put my 5 year old - and nothing yet. Feel free to remind me though if I don't get to it within a few days. By the way - I think I'm addicted to your site!