Educational Exchange with China Blossoms

Jack has the attention of three boys from Brewster when discussing basketball. The Putnam youths include Peter Budd, Lee Graboski, and Max Greene. ERIC GROSS The Brewster-Beijing connection is alive and well!

Last Thursday a contingent of educators and students from Beijing 101 High School in China visited Brewster High School for an afternoon of exchanging ideas, cultures, stories, songs, and even gifts.

The visit culminated a three-year international exchange that began in 2007 when a group of educators from Brewster and Mahopac traveled to China for two weeks by participating in a program that is part of a regional initiative to further educational, business, and cultural exchanges between the two super powers. All expenses except airfare were paid by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Superintendent Dr. Jane Sandbank recalled growing up as a child with the Cold War and the notion of Communists as the enemy: “It was Richard Nixon who first visited China and recognized the powerful influence worldwide a country with more than one billion people would have and the need to foster a relationship with such a nation.”

Four students become instant friends. The quartet includes (l-r) Maudie Carey, Michelle Salinger, Argy, and Lisa. ERIC GROSS Dr. Sandbank reminded the educators that “our children need to compete in a global economy with their counterparts from all over the world. You are less likely to go to war with a country where there is mutual interdependence and where people speak the same language and wear the same clothing, while cheering at the same sporting events and listening to the same music.”

Dr. Sandbank said the “politics and distrust of the past had given way to acceptance and trust.”

Fourteen teenagers and 10 adults arrived at the school’s district office for a luncheon and welcome.

Daisy Yao, director of the National Exchange Educational Program for BOCES, organized the trip. “This is so meaningful for both the Chinese visitors as well as our Putnam residents. The world is getting smaller and people must learn from each other,” she said.

The guests arrived during last Thursday’s snowstorm which Yao called “good luck. Snow means water and water in China means money—a lot of money will be coming to Brewster because of its kindness and generous people in the school.”

Roger Gross, a retired educator in Brewster who currently serves on the Board of Education, agreed that the opportunity was a “marvelous experience, since the Chinese students now have a better understanding of America in general, and Brewster in particular. Many of our fourth and fifth graders are now learning Chinese thanks to this exchange initiative. The opportunity has opened an entire new dimension in public education.”

Yu Xiaobing, Director of Student Affairs at the Beijing 101 School, thanked the Brewster District for its generosity and warm welcome: “You are new to us, but we feel as though we have known you for years.”

Student reaction was also positive. Kai Ma, a 15-year-old from Beijing, conversed with a number of the Brewster teens about a variety of issues, ranging from study habits to sports, and even favorite movies.

Maudie Carey of Brewster loved the interaction: “These people are so cool. really want to travel to China when I get into high school.” BHS senior Christina Berardi hopes to travel to China in the spring when the exchange begins another chapter. Chris Murray, another senior who visited China last year and served as a China Exchange Ambassador, told his classmate: “You won’t be disappointed.”