First day in Rio Branco

I arrived at 1:30 a.m.this morning. After a few hours of sleep I went to an auditorium for the state selection of the school and principal of the year. By the way, this is the principal who will do the exchange next year. I was "wowed" by the experience. I sat with the governor and vice governor as well as the state secretary of education and lots of stare officials. I felt so honored when they presented the US flag and sang our anthem just for me. I felt like Michelle Obama! I was even asked to speak to the crowd.
The ceremony was moving. It is so obvious that everyone values education and schools. The ten finalist schools had videos of there projects. They were all extemporary.
Now, after a bountiful and delicious lunch I am off to visit a school. Can't wait to see children and talk with teachers.

Flight Problems

Yesterday I left home for the Atlanta airport only to find a delay in my Atlanta-DC flight which caused me to miss the international flight.  United Airlines was unable to re-book me until two days later.  So I hopped right back on the shuttle and came home to wait until Monday.  My colleague from North Carolina made it to Dulles but is stuck in DC for two days.  I'm certainly glad I was able to get back home for the delay.  My contacts in DC and in Brazil have quickly begun the process of rearranging schedules and flights in Brazil.  Hopefully I will be on my way on Monday.
I had a little excitement as I went through the Atlanta airport security area.  Just as I was going through security,  alarms went off.  All TSA agents ran to their security positions and ordered passengers to "freeze".  Only after a few minutes did we understand it was a drill.  It was an interesting process to watch.
Hopefully, I'll have news from Brazil in a couple of days.  Stay tuned.

On my way

I am on the way to the Atlanta airport for a flight to DC. I meet other US principals there and we leave for Sao Paulo later tonight. I'm looking forward to the experience and seeing friends again.

Heading to Brazil this week!

I leave for Sao Paulo on Saturday.  After the weekend in Sao Paulo I will be in Rio Branco, Acre for a week and then travel to Manaus, Amazonas for the following week.  I'm really anxious to see the US principals as well as the friends from Brazil. Stay tuned for regular updates.

Our last weekend

It is hard to believe that it is almost time for Amim and Conceicao to leave.  This has been such a wonderful experience and I have learned so much about Brazil and the schools there.  I'm anxious to visit.  On Saturday we did lots of shopping.  I believe Amim will be happy to be back in Brazil and away from shopping with Junia, Conceicao and me.  Conceicao says we take him with us so he can carry the bags! We had lunch today at Sticky Fingers - famous for ribs.  I'm not sure how the ribs compared to the ribs in Brazil but both Amim and Conceicao said they were delicious.  On Saturday night I had hoped to introduce the group to US children trick or treating.  Unfortunately, my neighborhood posted a sign announcing that we would celebrate Halloween on Sunday night.  (In the past, when Halloween fell on Sunday, we have trick or treated on Saturday night.)  Even without trick or treating, we had fun grilling hamburgers with friends Angie and Tommy.

At Sticky Fingers

Here is Amim.  Conceicao didn't want her picture posted to show how full her plate was.

On Sunday, Junia, Conceicao and I attended early mass.  I then went to my office and Junia and Conceicao took a walk downtown.  The weather is beautiful today.

Friday Visits to Graysville and Ringgold Primary and Elementary

Friday was a fun filled day and busy day.  We started the day at Graysville Elementary where my friend, Principal Paula Crosby, greeted us with her cowboy hat on.  It was Western Day at Graysville as the children celebrated Renaissance Day.  A welcome sign as we drove in told us we would be very welcome at GES.  It was a beautiful fall day and Amim, Conceicao and Junia were able to spend some time outside with the children, parents and staff.

What a great reception!

Entering the front of GES

Media Center at GES

The Principal is a Cowgirl!

Amim, Conceicao and Junia were treated to a Brazilian luncheon at Ringgold Elementary.  The chef was Dr. Burgos and I hear the food was outstanding.  After touring some special needs classes at both the elementary and primary school, the group returned to the district office.  While I finished my work, they had an opportunity to visit some of the local shops in Ringgold.

Kim Erwin, Principal, welcomes the group to Ringgold Elementary

Brazilian food!

Thursday we visited PLC and Ringgold Middle School

This morning we went to the Performance Learning Center and Principal Lamar Brown showed our visitors around.  They were very interested in these programs because, like in the US, addressing the high school drop-out problem is an issue.  The PLC offers very individualized programs for students who want to graduate in a non-traditional setting.  The Vocational Supervisor at the PLC, Mr. Towns, helps students produce amazing products and he presented our guests with copper flowers which were beautiful. After their visit, Dr. Brown took the visitors on a quick tour of the Chickamauga Battlefield.  The museum next door to the school has a helicopter mounted in front that proved to be a perfect photo op!

Dr. Brown welcomes the group to the PLC

Under the helicopter

After leaving the PLC, we stopped to sample some food from the Krystal - quite the Chattanooga institution.  While we tried many of their menu items, the favorite of the group was the chicken sandwich.

Krystal lunch

We spent the afternoon at Ringgold Middle School where we saw a Renaissance pep rally with the middle school students.  All of the students were wearing blue and white for a spirit day.  It was fun seeing the students excited about celebrating good grades, good attendance and good behavior.