Board of Education News:  Programs That Make a Difference

 

 

At the December 14, 2006 meeting, the “Program Highlights” section focused on our continuing exchange with China.  Board member, Kathleen Ryan, was part of the 21-member Connecticut-Shandong Leadership Delegation who traveled to Shandong, China in November.  Ms. Ryan gave a PowerPoint presentation on her trip.  She showed pictures of various sites of interest, including the Great Wall and the south gate of Tiananmen Square.  Her favorite part of the trip was spending time at our partnership school in Shandong.  Most students in China currently attend school through grade nine, with only the “best and the brightest” going through grade twelve.  China would like to extend education for all students through grade twelve, but are facing challenges.  The level and quality of education is much different in the countryside than it is in the cities.  Ms. Ryan presented the Board with two gifts from the Shandong school – a blue souvenir banner from their middle school, and an album of stamps commemorating the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  Shandong officials very much want a student-teacher exchange.  Dr. Bernard said Coventry is committed to this goal as well.  The relationship we are forging with Shandong will be long-term.  Tune in to Munivision, Channel 13 to learn more about “Programs that Make a Difference.”