Sisa

So an e-mail came around stating that an exchange student needed a place to stay in a hurry, and I figured, what the hell. No, there was more to it than that but within the past two weeks we've gone from a 3 kid, 3 dog, 2 cat, 2 bird household to a 4 kid, dog/cat/bird household. Sisa, from Slovakia, has joined us! More on that later.

Everyone keeps asking if we're crazy. What if she steals, smokes, does drugs, strangles us in the night? So far she couldn't be easier or more friendly. I'm becoming downright protective, hence this note today to her dean. More later....

Dear Mr. O.,

Can you let me know Sisa's latest grades? I think she may have failed a class and I'd like to know about it, unless there is some rule forbidding host families from getting that personal with their kids.

Sisa is doing very well in our home, and I am optimistic about giving her a positive US experience. However, I am concerned that I didn't hear from even one teacher when I sent them the e-mail introducing myself and telling them I'm Sisa's host mother. Not any sort of verbal comment saying they'd be in touch with me, or they care about exchange student experiences--nothing.

This, along with a recent situation I won't share as it has hopefully been resolved....makes me uncomfortable regarding some teachers' views of exchange students and how they should be treated. Is there any possible way you can communicate to the teachers that this particular exchange student is extremely committed to improving her life and her future through the exchange experience? She is shy and may not convey this outwardly, but it is definitely the case. She was kept from classes for an entire week NOT because she didn't want to go, but because her host mother was not up to the task of keeping her and she was stuck in Cypress with the exchange agency rep, away from the school.

Being the mother of a mentally impaired, autistic child (Mackenzie) I am acutely aware that teachers are very busy and cannot always give extra time to all the kids who are different. I respect every single teacher I meet because they've devoted their lives to our kids. On the other hand, in the case of an exchange student who is intelligent and willing to learn, and is a world away from family and friends, just a bit of additional explanation, consideration, follow-up and similar, minor tasks--communicated in a respectful and considerate manner--would surely impact that person's life.

Please confirm that you have received this note, and you will communicate with your teachers. Thank you!

Best regards,
MaryJane