WEB NEWS RELEASE
COLLEGE PARK, MD (February 2011) Thirteen teachers, two administrators and 18 sixth grade students from Nankai University Elementary School of Tianjin Province, China visited Paint Branch Elementary School (Paint Branch) and participated in an exchange of culture, ideas and language at an Educational Summit entitled One World, One Dream on January 20-21, 2011.
Since the partnership between the two schools was established in 2009, Chinese culture and language instruction were introduced into the Paint Branch curriculum, thanks to collaborations with the Confucius Institute and the University of Maryland, including the College of Education. A teacher sponsored by the Confucius Institute has worked with Paint Branch students during the last two school years. The program encourages students to focus on global perspectives, language development and cultural appreciation of the Chinese language and culture.
Paint Branch students practiced their Chinese phrases with the Nankai University Elementary School student delegates who attended classes with them during their visit. Paint Branch students also learned the Chinese New Year Song, which they performed at the Closing Ceremony on January 21, 2011. The chorus from Hyattsville Middle Schools Creative and Performing Arts program also gave a special performance during the closing ceremonies. Their two songs included the traditional spiritual "Let My People Go" and "Deo Dicamus Gratias," a choral piece in Latin.
During the closing program, a friendship agreement was signed by Li Shu-hua, Principal of Nankai University Elementary School, University of Maryland representative Gloria Aprecio and Board of Education member Peggy Higgins, further solidifying the partnership between the two schools.
Students from Nankai University Elementary School also performed during the closing ceremonies. They delighted the audience with a Chinese folk dance and a medley of classics to choreographed routines that included a dance set to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and a rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was evident they really enjoyed their visit at the school with the students.
One female student from the Nankai University Elementary School served as the representative for her class and poignantly spoke about their experience visiting with the Paint Branch students.
Good afternoon, teachers and students. Yesterday, we got a warm welcome. All of us were so excited. And, we went to the classroom and had lessons with American students. We felt the teachers are kind and careful. All the students of Paint Branch are friendly to us. They helped us and talked with us. We are interested in science and math class, but reading is really difficult to us. We want to learn English harder in the future. At last, we would like to thank you all the teachers and students. And wish our friendship forever."
Ironically, the visit from the Nankai University Elementary School students coincided with President Hus visit to meet with President Obama. Although the students were not invited to take part in the official state dinner, they were graciously provided with dinner by the PTA, where they engaged in discussions on similar topics regarding the U.S. and Chinas plans for future achievements.
Paint Branch students are engaging in year-long classroom explorations using a project-based model. Paint Branch Principal Dr. Jay Teston explains, Project-based learning is an instructional methodology designed to engage students and to make the curriculum come alive for the school. Our students become active participants in their education and have enjoyed learning about China, its people and culture.
The Educational Summit was the second meeting of the two schools. Last spring, a delegation of 50 Paint Branch students, teachers, administrators, and parents visited Nankai University Elementary School and experienced first-hand, the teachings students in China had learned throughout the school year. They hope to visit Nankai University Elementary again later this year.
Paint Branch Elementary has a long-running partnership with the University of Maryland. The University of Maryland/Paint Branch Partnership is developing a community engagement model that harnesses the resources and expertise of the University of Maryland and the community of College Park to make Paint Branch Elementary a premier school within Prince Georges County. The partnership is overseen by an Advisory Board made up of stakeholders from the University, Paint Branch Elementary and City of College Park communities. The partnership is managed by The University of Marylands College of Education, the Office of the Vice President of Administrative Affairs and Paint Branch Elementary.
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For more information on the College of Education, visit: www.education.umd.edu
or contact
Halima Cherif, Assistant Director for Communications, at: hcherif@umd.edu
