Poetry Section

Homesickness

I looked up at the sky with tearful eyes,
Watching the sun set and then rise,
My gaze was fixed on the sun and clouds,
Where clouds covered the sun, forming a musty shroud.

When no one's insight and I'm surely alone,
I look up to the night sky and think benevolently of home.
A sun ray shone - I never knew
that this is the sky my home lives under, too.


Surroundings

There's flowers and bushes - plenty of green,
The finest scenery ever to be seen.
Rolling hills and air refined,
In addition to how the sun radiantly shines.

Rules and Systems

Because Sibao promotes independence and industriousness, it is the students that clean the place, instead of janitors. Its system may seem foolhardy, but anyone could become accustomed with it: there are separate dustbins to sweep into, certain brooms and specific cabinets (in which to store brooms), all divided by grade. Besides that, the places in which to sweep are divided by the lines created by the floorboards. Students cannot use the wrong mop

Food, Meals

At Sibao, they provide enough food to satisfy any appetite. Of course, though, food is limited, and therefore we can only get approximately one or two pieces of each, with the exception of soup, which evidently can't be divided into pieces (it's in a big pot). Students are required to get every single type of food lest they have allergies or other acceptable excuses. Vegetables, meats (three layered meat, beef, and chicken), fish, rice and soup are the usual types of food. Sometimes, however, pancakes and jelly sandwiches are made for evening snacks, which are eaten daily.

Scenic Pictures And Fun And Games

Daily And Weekly Schedule

MONDAY: Wait for School Bus Pick-Up at 6:50 AM (Hualien City). Arrived School at 8:20 AM

TUESDAY: Stay at School

WEDNESDAY: School Ends at 1:30 PM. Board School Bus at 1:30 PM. Arrives at Hualien City at 3 PM (To Be Picked up by our Mom)

THURSDAY: Wait for School Bus Pick-Up at 6:50 AM (Hualien City). Arrived School at 8:20 AM

FRIDAY: School Ends at 3:30 PM. Board School Bus at 3:30 PM. Arrives at Hualien City at 5 PM (To Be Picked up by our Mom)


EVERYDAY AT SCHOOL:
6:30 AM - WAKEUP TIME
7 AM - BREAKFAST
8 AM - OUTDOOR SWEEPING
8:30 - START CLASS
12:00 PM - LUNCH
12:30 PM - 4:30 CLASSES
4:30 PM - SHOWER
5:30 PM - DINNER
5:30 - 9:00 PM - STUDY TIME
9:00 - 9:20 PM EVENING SNACK
9:20 - 9:30 PM EVENING HYGIENE (BRUSH TEETH, WASH FACE, SET UP BED)
9:30 PM - NIGHTS OUT

Room And Board

Sibao provides 3 meals a day for students. Since Sibao emphasizes independence, students are required to watch their dishes, bowls and utensils after each meal. The seating in the dining room is arranged and assigned.

Boys and girls are housed on separate floors. 6-7 students sleep in each room. Much as it sounds like quite a lot of students, room is ample.

Students also cleans and sweeps the floor and bathrooms daily (and, surprisingly, without a word of complaint, though, in my - Jocelyn's - opinion, they seriously need to mind their own business, since I experienced a few nasty commanding words to stop daydreaming and work).

The Sibao School

Nicknamed the "Forest School" by virtue of its location, Sibao School is the only public boarding elementary school in Taiwan. There are only around 60 students from grades 1-6 (average grade size=10). With a full-time faculty of 11, the student-teacher ratio rivals top liberal art colleges in the U.S.

There is a rigorous admissions process as students are admitted based on test scores as well as intense face to face interviews. Deviating from rote memorization (which is prevalent in many contemporary schools), Sibao strives to teach students independence, critical thinking, team work, and appreciation for nature. Classes are conducted in a seminar setting where students are expected to participate and challenge ideas of others. The learning philosophy of Sibao is as "Western" as many American peer schools.

Dedicated and compassionate, the faculty staff act as surrogate parents throughout the week, creating a strong bond between them and the students. Students and teachers study, eat, play games and sleep at the same dormitories. Learning to be independent is a given at Sibao. Critical thinking skills as well as bonding skills are rehashed daily.