Today started off pretty much like any other day: getting our breakfast, lunches packed, and all that jazz. We got to school and I finished up with getting the lessons together. School began a little after 8:00, as usual.
About an hour and a half into the school day, one of the parents came in and said he needed to take his child "for a little bit." Off he went. We carried on with our class. The other students were practicing making their letters, working on the sounds that go with the letters, and then played the "Penny-Nickel Exchange" game (which they totally LOVE) during math after our usual math routine of calendar, making tally marks, counting by 2s and 5s, and so forth.
Lunch time rolled around and the student came back in different clothing, but only to retrieve the backpack and homework for the day! Come to find out, we have a "third world parasite" on the island. In fact, the main island has been invaded by it as well! Tomorrow it is mandatory that EVERY student be tested for this parasite. Not just on Culebra, but on the entire main island of Puerto Rico!! Apparently, it's not a pretty parasite to have. Another of our students had it earlier this week and missed three days of school. With an IV. I have to be honest: I have no clue what a third world parasite is, but even the sound of it is scary! There were words thrown out about where it got here or how it gets passed about, which I tried to block, like "feces" and "fecal matter." All I can say is, "YUCK!!!"
We have been told that we need to sanitize everything, that no one should go barefoot, share drinks or snacks and that hands need to be washed especially well and frequently. I was kicking myself for not packing my surgical gloves...
So tonight we're just laying low, trying to stay away from anyone who might infect us. I'm so thankful that so far we have been free from sickness...except home-sickness, that is!!
Thank You, God, for keeping us healthy! And thank You that this is something that has been caught in the early stages!
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