Having fun with the Kids

Well today I was taken by surprise when I was called upon to help teach a class full of thirty 2 & 3 year old. I was talking to potential members in the office when someone came up and said they needed help because the instructor is not coming because she feels ill. This was the first time this class was ran so many parents were upset that they brought their kids to a class the instructor didn't even show up for. I felt horrible because I know if I were to bring my kid to a class I paid for and it was ran by two people that didn't know what the hell there doing, I would be pretty pissed off. Some of these people paid $5 some people paid $30 for this class, regardless things should have been handled differently. I don't blame the PRC, I blame the women that didn't give and advanced notice that she wasn't coming in. I know I would get fired if I pulled that shit. But all and all it was a fun experience. My supervisor said that when my clinical gets changed from Tues and weds to Tues and Thurs I will be able to help teach a community outreach class on Wed morning.

Descent Day @ PRC

Today I spent more time talking to families that were wanting to sign their children up for new spring classes. It was a little hectic, because today was the first day of the semester. It was an overall fulfilling experience except for this one family that came in to sign up for the community outreach program. In my mind everyone could come in and sign up, but I quickly learned that's not the case. If you're considered low income you can do the community outreach program, but their confined to only one class. The fee is $5 per class for the semester. The normal going rate if your not low income is $220 per class. That is a huge difference, and a great opportunity for parents. If a parent wants their child to take more than one class they need to have whats called a scholarship. I didn't know that their were only a certain amount that are given out. The parent was so happy we could get her children into classes and there is no way they could afford these classes without assistance. I really felt like shit to have to let them know that we had no more scholarships to give for the classes she wanted. They came in at the time the class started and the child was just standing outside the classroom watching all the other kids sing and dance "it was a music class". He was so upset because he couldn't join in. I was kind of pissed off, in my eyes I don't see what the problem is with having a few extra kids. I'm aware and prepared to do this again to another family in need, but I think it's a bunch of bullshit.

1st Day of Service Learning

Well today was technically my first day of my service learning experience. My tasks for the day were less than spectacular. Tomorrow is the first day of the new spring classes so my job was to call teachers and parents of the children attending classes to let them know if there class was running as scheduled, some classes were cancelled because a too few participants . I will be doing my service learning at a great organization that is close to my home. http://www.parentresource.org/ The Parent Resource Center specializes in structured classes for children of all ages. They also have birthday parties, children's concerts "which I will be working at on one Saturday," and a outreach program for low income families. This program is special because it gives the child a chance to participate in fun and educational activities that the parents couldn't normally afford without this assistance. Tomorrow I will be starting my first full day of activites with a shift from 12 - 4. Wish me luck!