Can anyone help me help this kid? Sorry L O N G post!

[SKY]

I assume you are talking about the Luis Hess School. Why not talk to Mr. Hess directly? He lives across the street from the school and is easily found. I am sure he would listen to your problem attentively.

[BushBaby]

An excellent & optimistic start J-D!!
Something I forgot to question earlier & has not been raised here yet is ......
"Does the girl have a Birth Certificate - a DOMINICAN Birth Certificate"?

If that is the case then perhaps the plan of attack could be expanded to the local press if an initial (& fairly friendly) approach to the director/administrators of the school fails. I am confident that with 60 or 70 indignant posts on DR1, 20/30 e-mails suggesting the school rethinks it's policies for accepting applicants for pupils, & your assurances as to attendance & 'God-Fatherly' supervision of the child AND her 'home providers' that a positive result will obtained without the use of El Faro &/or Puerto Plata Digital but ............ it would be good to know you(we) have the interest of the press in following this up!!

More power to your 'Swiss knife' young Sir - may you keep it operational for many a year!! ~ Grahame.

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by Chip

I don't believe the issue is where this girl "comes" from but rather will she be able to keep up with the studies, be punctual, not miss a lot of classes, be respectful, cleanly dressed, and have a ride to and from school, have food to buy lunch or some other means to eat, etc. - in other words not a problem for them in any way shape or form. Also, they will want a contact with an adult to resolve any issues and to meet with them to review "la nota", the grades.

I'm certain if you can adequetly explain to the Director that this girl will be a good student and you will be responsible for all of the aforementioned items, they will let her attend.

I think that what I offered when talking to the secretary is to find a creative solution. I can budge when I see something will not work. She is respectful and I think she could be a productive student. After all, she is picking up things from the other one coming home from Sosua Int'l every evening reporting some of the new things she learned.

The problem I have it, that I can not present my case when I'm being turned down with a) an inexcusable "explanation", when I was not heard and they have not even cared to see the child and b) the office apparently not interested in meeting me.

I am seeking to meet the director and if he really thinks he can state that una nina de estas, is not worth being given the chance of the better education they say the can provide, he should at least not miss the chance to look me and her in the eyes and repeat that.

While I am not the one who takes a "NO" easily, I am not looking for confrontation but a solution... a constructive one that will lead to a good result. I can not control everything, that's why I call for a chance. However, I believe strongly enough in it to consider spending my summer and/or some money to bring her up to par, so I think a chance would be an equitable reward while the "explanation" for the denial given is just plain appalling.

As I stated in the opening post, I am willing to have her prepared or prepare her myself for 1st grade if I am given a fair opportunity. Actually I was expecting that they would at least care to direct me as to how to that best. Their recommendations however so far has been to dump her into the public school system of her neighborhood.

Una de estas nina que no tiene ni familia:

... J-D.

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by SKY

I assume you are talking about the Luis Hess School. Why not talk to Mr. Hess directly? He lives across the street from the school and is easily found. I am sure he would listen to your problem attentively.

I was just researching the school on the Internet and while they don't seem to have a web site, some articles about Mr. Luis Hess (the founder) having turned 99 last year popped up. I was thinking about asking if he still was around (he should have met my father and mother while they were here and the case would have been settled before it even came up ).
I am somewhat unsure about bothering such a senior person with my pet peeves but then, he might enjoy helping(?).

A good idea... Thanks! ... J-D.

[linamia]

JD,

I commend you for your effort. Let the director know that you are willing to be her "Padrino". Also advise him going forward you are her family, any concern they should address you.

I hope you can secure a meeting with the director and have him meet her, Perhaps then he won't be so quick to deny this young lady a lifetime opportunity, (Shame on them, for even speaking those words!)

I have an ahijada in DR and believe me when I say that there is no greater satisfaction than knowing that you have helped paved the way for someone to obtain their dream. My ahijada is now in college and on her way to become fluent in English.

This little girl is adorable.

[Lambada]

JD, the first hurdle seems to be getting to see the Director. Might there be people reading DR1 who are parents of children in that school? Could they act as a conduit for getting you in to the Director? By stealth if necessary i.e. if he says he doesn't want to see you, you enter on the 'coat tails' of another parent or group of parents who are due to meet with him. Any school public events coming up where you can 'bump into' the Director? Any local social scene he frequents where you can again accidentally meet him?

I think once he meets you & realises what a fine upstanding, responsible, citizen you are you are part way there. He might think that because the child has no 'family' you are a bit of a waif & stray yourself - the moment he sees you he'll know different.

If you can't get in to see him the nice way, then maybe use people of influence you know in the community. How about getting Vladimir on side? (the Mayor). But I would agree with doing everything the constructive way first before you exert any pressure.

What an asset you've turned out to be! More power to your elbow!

[drloca]

Originally Posted by J D Sauser

I was just researching the school on the Internet and while they don't seem to have a web site, some articles about Mr. Luis Hess (the founder) having turned 99 last year popped up. I was thinking about asking if he still was around (he should have met my father and mother while they were here and the case would have been settled before it even came up ).
I am somewhat unsure about bothering such a senior person with my pet peeves but then, he might enjoy helping(?).

A good idea... Thanks! ... J-D.

There was a recent post about Mr. Hess celebrating his 100th birthday this coming October. ( I will try to find it and post the link for you if successful).

I truly commend your efforts. For those of us that can appreciate the importance of an education, this is really very frustrating.
I hope that with all the outpourings of support you appear to be receiving, your efforts will be met with successes and she will be enrolled for the next school year. Best of luck.

BTW, she is a little angel

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by Lambada

JD, the first hurdle seems to be getting to see the Director. Might there be people reading DR1 who are parents of children in that school? Could they act as a conduit for getting you in to the Director? By stealth if necessary i.e. if he says he doesn't want to see you, you enter on the 'coat tails' of another parent or group of parents who are due to meet with him. Any school public events coming up where you can 'bump into' the Director? Any local social scene he frequents where you can again accidentally meet him?

I think once he meets you & realises what a fine upstanding, responsible, citizen you are you are part way there. He might think that because the child has no 'family' you are a bit of a waif & stray yourself - the moment he sees you he'll know different.

If you can't get in to see him the nice way, then maybe use people of influence you know in the community. How about getting Vladimir on side? (the Mayor). But I would agree with doing everything the constructive way first before you exert any pressure.

What an asset you've turned out to be! More power to your elbow!

I am flattered all over... Ma'm.
I see that the thread is, like most, mostly being read at an over 10 to 1 ratio to actual posts. Part of my hope was and still is, that somebody might just drop a word somewhere and I wouldn't be surprised to hear my phone ring with a friendly invitation to spend some time in El Batey .
As I said and you so correctly read off my posts, I seek nothing else than fair and open minded constructive discussion aimed at finding a good solution.
Yes, I understand your thinking, someone may have thought I might just be one of those naive extrangeritos hanging 'round the bars on either side of that school seeking for the love of my life, but those few who know me, know that's hardly the case and this was indeed one more reason I am trying to present my case personally there.

One or two people have already offered to e-mail them and I hope that if they do so, they will do it in constructive manner and not spam them with hate mail and I have even received offers of monetary help... it's unbelievable but true.

Look, I can't safe the world, but if we safe a child from ignorance and a trashed future...

Let's build up some pressure and maybe direct their interest to this thread... while they don't yet seem very e-minded (no web site), I think that most of what they can read here should get somebody to reconsider.

Btw, should somebody accidentally have lost my little business card, my number still is:
829-221 0286
and in this case it's a 24/7 line since it left me sleepless this night (que tenia un pique!).

... J-D.

[drloca]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2LeftFeet
I wish that the exhibit had all this info especially about Luis Hess turning 100. Great info.

I'm going to go back again and see it again.

The following post is by Rumble2005

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hess while in vacation in April.
At 99 yrs. of age he is a remarkable man. My wife and I talked to him for hours about his 60 + years in the DR.
He is a real hoot !!!
It was the most memorable part of our vacation.
If we can swing it , we will return in October for the 100th B'Day of this great man .

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by drloca

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2LeftFeet
I wish that the exhibit had all this info especially about Luis Hess turning 100. Great info.

I'm going to go back again and see it again.

The following post is by Rumble2005

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hess while in vacation in April.
At 99 yrs. of age he is a remarkable man. My wife and I talked to him for hours about his 60 + years in the DR.
He is a real hoot !!!
It was the most memorable part of our vacation.
If we can swing it , we will return in October for the 100th B'Day of this great man .

I am usually not shy or anything but I would feel kind'a funny approaching this man out of the blue and unload my problem(s) upon him without having been introduced properly. Maybe I'm bit old school, but that's just me.
If someone here knows him well enough to feel he/she would considering introducing me, it would be my pleasure to present myself to that person first.

Thanks! ... J-D.