Visiting our schools

Wednesday has come, and we finally get to show off our own schools. We arrive at the hotel to pick up our partners but discover that a problem has arisen: Ishii-san has been having problems with his eyes and needs to see a doctor. The traveler's insurance carrier is consulted, and they recommend a trip to the local hospital emergency room.

Since Saint Charles High School is the first stop of the morning, and Ishii-san is one of the junior high school teachers, it is decided that all but myself and Ishii-san will go over to the school, while I drive Ishii-san to the hospital. He demurs a bit, saying that he will take a taxi, but I insist that I should go with him - he is my partner, and it is important that he have someone else with him to help with any details or issues that might arise. So, we head for our various destinations.

Fortunately the nearest hospital is less than 2 miles away - there are advantages to living in a smaller town. We get in to see a doctor rather quickly (our timing was actually pretty good - just as we were finishing up, several ambulances arrive from an accident scene and the ER quickly fills up). Some special eyedrops are prescribed, and we are out in about an hour.

We make a stop at the pharmacy to fill the prescription, then go back to the hotel so that Ishii-san can change into more professional attire. Back to the car - we get to the high school in time to see a couple of the classrooms and have a short conversation with the others (who have had a complete tour already).

Then we head for downtown Saint Charles to meet the mayor. This visit goes quite well: our partners have gifts to present, and Mayor York also presents some mementos to each teacher. We take a quick tour of the City Council chamber and then go back to our cars.

Lunch today is at Golden Corral, a local all-you-care-to-eat buffet. After we manage to find lots of good things to eat, we head for Jefferson Middle School.

Students had been invited to join the tours at both schools, but only my daughter arrived for the morning high school visit. I have better luck when we get to Jefferson; 8 of my orchestra students are waiting to help with a tour. We see several of the classrooms, including most of the specialty classes, and rooms where the students pursue core studies. They also show off their lockers (which are not nearly as messy as I expected them to be - the school has new lockers, and the students really are trying to take good care of them this year), and demonstrate the favorite reading chairs in the library (rocking "Bubble" chairs) and the climbing wall installed in the gymnastics room last year.

Our partners go back to the hotel to relax for a bit, then join us for an informal dinner at Joy's parents' house. While we are there, Miki (who has worn a traditional kimono to the gathering) brings out a portable tea service, and gives a brief demonstration of the elements of the Japanese tea ceremony. Joy is presented with a special tea cup and a hanging for her school. I am delighted to see the tea ceremony performed, not only for Joy but for my daughter as well - she has heard me describe it from my past visit, but this gives her the opportunity to learn about some of the important details in the ceremony.

Home for everyone - tomorrow will be not quite as early, but we have much to see and do then.