The New York Community Schools work with families and pupils from 0 to 5 years. These of course are the most important years in any child's life so the schools work with parents from when they are pregnant until the official school starting age of 5 years old. The community schools operate from 8am to 10pm (in some schools) and some schools run on Saturday too.
Tomorrow we split into two groups. I will be visiting Salome Urena de Henriquez School in Washington Heights, an area at the north end of Manhattan. Manhattan (often known as New York City) is a long thin island and in the middle is Central Park. The park is 2 1/2 miles long and half a mile wide - a precise rectangle. Manhattan is one of 5 boroughs that make up New York. The other boroughs are Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Bronx where I'll be visiting on Friday afternoon.
I have just received the final schedule for my visit on Friday to Hunter College Elementary School also in Manhattan, and the school that we'll soon be partnering with. I'll meet the principal then watch lessons in 1st grade (year 2), 2nd grade (year 3) and 6th grade (year 7).
I'm really looking forward to getting into a school and talking to children and teachers.
If you are not sure what 'jetlag' is, Google it. Feel quite tired tonight.
