Today was my first day as a substitute for CPS. They sent me to a school where 80% of the instruction is in Spanish.

What?

I'm not necessarily questioning their methods or languages of instruction, but I am questioning why CPS sent me there. So when I informed the assistant principal that I don't speak Spanish (well), she said, "Shame on you." She goes on to lecture her beliefs about how we should be more like Europe and be multi-lingual.

Shame on me? I'm fluent in two other languages besides my native language. Fluent. Neither of these languages is Spanish, however Spanish wouldn't have helped me one bit during the three years I spent in Haiti. It also won't help me buy sausages at the Polish deli on the corner or understand a mass in the Russian Orthodox Church down the block. The day Spanish becomes necessary for me to survive is the day I will re-learn it, much like I went out of my way to learn Creole in Haiti and Portuguese in Brazil. Until then, I'm sorry, but last I checked, speaking Spanish wasn't required by law in this country. Come to think of it, speaking English isn't required by law here either. That school definitely demonstrates that.

listening to: Death Cab for Cutie.
in my sink: 2 cups, 2 spoons, 1 bowl.