| Gilles Ribaux(教育局教育处处长)： |
| I had the chance to meet with Isabelle and Serge yesterday and they told me about how wonderful the visit had been. Both of them certainly deserve the credit for having made this happen in their schools at a very busy time in the school year. Your willingness to make changes and to allow the trip to be modified somewhat so that it could still take place was appreciated by all of us and was certainly another major factor in the success of this event. Both Serge and Isabelle told me that they would enjoy another such visit at some point in time so if other trips are planned for the Townships in the coming years, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
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| Chantal Beaulieu(教育局局长)： |
| I heard the trip was a great success and that Chinese students impressed everyone. I think the greatest thanks should go to Gilles, Isabelle, Serge, their staffs and students for making this a great experience for all. |
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| Michael Cristofaro(西山中学校长): |
| I just wanted to thank you again for providing so many of my students an opportunity of a lifetime. Our Prefects summed it up by describing it as the best event that they were asked to participate in this year. They were very proud to show-off their school. |
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| CSC Canada的评价(概括): |
中国大连辽师第二附属中学代表团在2008年1月的访问，给大家印象深刻，在他们返回中国后，大家仍然提起他们，非常难忘，希望继续交流，开展合作：
1.人数比较多，学校组织的非常好，从头到尾
2.节目比较多，学生素质非常高，从能力到行为，从学校到家庭都这么认为
3.中国校长的魅力，掌声是最多的，从舞台上到舞台下
4.不要断了联系，从现在到以后 |
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| 报纸之一（有三份报纸，一个电视台报道） |
| School notes: “Kids to Kids” at Westmount High |
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| Recently students from Second Middle School of Liaoning Province’s Teacher’s College visited Westmount High as a cultural exchange to promote international friendship. As part of their day-long visit, the 45 students from Dalian in northern China treated students to a performance of song, dance and theatre. |
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| A “Kids to Kids” project, the trip was organized by Can-Share Connection Inc.(CSC) and School Board Since 2004, this organization offers learning activities that support UNESCO’s “education for international understanding” and goal to encourage “friendly relations between peoples and states having different social and political systems”. |
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Face-to-face
The students, accompanied by principal Shan Hua, were warmly greeted by Westmount High students and principal Michael Cristofaro. As part of a “face to face” exchange, the visiting students shadowed their peers, and participated in class activities. As well, some demonstrated the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. |
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| However, the highlight of the visit was definitely the performance — enjoyed by both the performers and enthusiastic viewers. It was an opportunity for those from Dalian to introduce their culture through martial arts dance and traditional instruments, as well as practise their English-language skills through songs and drama. But perhaps more importantly, there were promises of friendship. |
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Web outreach
In addition to school trips, the “Kids to Kids” project offers “share online” learning activities. The website (www.k2k2k.org) features writing competitions like “Kids to Kids – Colorful Eyes”, sponsored in part by the Dalian Peninsula Newspaper. It also includes an online art gallery for students to post their favourite creations. According to organizer CSCand School Board, when teachers here suggest a topic or theme, they pairs the class with one in China and students communicate via email. Schools also post exchange requests — currently one Chinese school suggests a trip to Canada to plant trees on International Earth Day. |
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| Each year, organizer CSC brings on average 60 students to local schools for cultural, language or science events. Sponsored by a municipal government, this is the second time CSC has brought students from Dalian to Westmount. Last year Roslyn School greeted elementary students from that region, sent English-language storybooks to their new friends and some Roslyn students exhibited their artwork in Shanghai. |
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| CSC also arranged for Roslyn staff members Linda Aubé and Debbie Hanley to teach English in Beijing for four weeks last summer. This year, Montreal schools are scheduled to begin their first visits to China. |
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Education for International understanding
The goals of international education are lofty — to increase understanding, communication with and respect for all peoples, including domestic ethnic cultures and those of other nations, and to promote “international solidarity and co-operation”. According to social scientists, for positive relationships, contact between different cultures requires certain conditions — an equality in status, the existence of common goals, and intimacy of interaction. |
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| If so, cultural exchanges, like those sponsored by CSC and School Board, meet the criteria. But more importantly, these activities promote self-esteem and encourage students to learn about other cultures and, at the same time, have fun. |
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