NHS Welcomes A Delegation

From Its Chinese Sister School

By Eliza Hallabeck

A delegation of 17 Liaocheng Middle School Number 3 representatives arrived in Newtown February 17. Since then, the group has been welcomed in several special events at Newtown High School designed to welcome its sister school from Liaocheng, in the Shandong Province of China.

The delegates are staying with host families during the visit. 

The delegation arrived at the school on Thursday, and was welcomed by an early morning pep rally, which included performances by the NHS Color Guard.

After the pep rally, the students, teachers, and administrators in the delegation had a tour of the school before attending a Welcome Breakfast Ceremony held in the school’s rear gym.

Music for the breakfast was presented by school’s String Ensemble and the NHS Singers. Culinary students, under the guidance of culinary teacher Brian Neumeyer, provided the meal.

During the breakfast Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson, First Selectman Pat Llodra, and Board of Education Chair Lillian Bittman spoke to welcome the delegates.

Dr Robinson looked back on her trip to Liaocheng in November 2007. After the trip, Dr Robinson said she felt like a rock star because of how well she had been treated while there.

A few months later Dr Robinson began her position as Superintendent of Schools in Newtown, “And I was so excited that Newtown High School was interested in continuing the relationship that I had started.”

All relationships, like the sister school relationship, she said, require torch bearers, people who are willing to lead the way.

Social studies teacher Martha Parvis and Assistant Principal Jason Hiruo made the first trip to Liaocheng as representatives of NHS that following spring, “And they have really been torch bearers to keep this relationship going,” she said.

The relationship that has grown since is a wonderful one, Dr Robinson said.

“We are happy to have this relationship,” Dr Robinson continued, “and 28 of us will be going to Liaocheng in April. We are looking forward to it, and will do everything we can to continue this relationship.” Those making the trip will be paying their own way.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said she has seen great progress in the relationship also. She thanked Dr Robinson, Ms Parvis, and Mr Hiruo for their efforts in forging the connection.

“There is a deeply held philosophical belief at the national level of government about making the Chinese people stake holders and partners in an interconnected world,” Ms Llodra said. Continuing later she said, “We share that view in Newtown, and we know our students must be prepared to be citizens of the world.”

She asked the delegates to return to the Shandong Province with Newtown’s best wishes for a long and prosperous sister school relationship.

Board of Education Chair Lillian Bittman also called the relationship wonderful when she spoke during the breakfast.

“I’d like to just talk to you today as a parent, who is so excited that Dr Robinson has had the vision to bring a different culture into our high school,” Ms Bittman said.

To the students in the delegation, Ms Bittman gave a special welcome.

“To the children who are here from China,” she said, “I want to say welcome and embrace it. Have as much fun as you can.”

Chinese exchange teacher Ding Hong had the delegates visit one of his classes later in the day, when students presented projects on the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

On Saturday, the visitors to the school were also invited to partake in a Chinese New Year Celebration, which welcomed residents as well. Food was served in the school’s cafeteria and a special event was held in the school’s auditorium.

During the stay the delegates will also be brought on trips, one to Yale University, and will see different activities at the high school, as when they attended the school’s semiformal Snow Ball Dance on Friday, February 19.