NHS Welcomes A Sister School

By Eliza Hallabeck

Students, faculty, and staff at Newtown High School saw a culmination of effort come together Monday, February 2, when delegates from NHS’s sister school, Liaocheng No. 3 Middle School in the Shandong Province of China, visited the school.

The rear gymnasium at NHS was decorated with blue and gold N’s, hanging round rice paper lanterns and standing walls hung with student artwork for the event. A line of culinary students stood ready to cook and serve food to those in attendance for the Welcome Ceremony for the four educators and ten students from Liaocheng No. 3 Middle School.

“It’s amazing to see that it’s finally come to fruition,” said Assistant Principal Jason Hiruo, who traveled to China with NHS social studies teacher Martha Parvis last April to forge the formal agreement between the two schools.

The morning, which included a breakfast of assorted donuts, bagels, and personalized omelets, had members of NHS’s String Ensemble playing for the crowd and NHS singers group performing.

“I’m really happy they are here,” said NHS senior Renee Rushefski, a culinary student who was preparing food for the event.

Renee said she thinks the opportunity is exciting, and she is happy to see underclassmen eventually have the opportunity of visiting China.

NHS senior Samantha Kent sat at one of the tables in the gym with two students from China, Niu Yibin and Fang Yixian, who are staying at her home for the week. When the delegation arrived on Sunday, February 1, they were brought to NHS and introduced to the host families.

On Sunday evening Samantha said her family brought the students to her synagogue, on a personal tour of Caraluzzi’s with the store manager, and they watched the movie 13 Going On 30 in English at night.

“Our students are going to be gaining much from meeting the students from China,” said Superintendent Janet Robinson, “and I hope that the Chinese students will gain much from visiting Newtown High School.”

Dr Robinson said asking questions during the delegates’ stay is important, so Newtown can make sure they are comfortable and the visitors can know much about NHS when they return home.

Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele was also present at the school for the ceremony, along with members of the Board of Education, First Selectman Joe Borst, and Legislative Council member Pat Llodra.

During the ceremony Mr Borst presented the visiting delegates with a framed photograph of Newtown’s 100-foot flagpole.

“It’s given to you with our best wishes,” Mr Borst said. “We’re not centuries old like China, but we are 300 years old.”

Mr Borst said he thinks it is great for families in town to be hosting the delegates.

“We’re now becoming partners with China,” said Mr Borst, “as part of moving toward global peace.”

Board of Education Chair Elaine McClure said she was proud to see the event come together at NHS.

“To have this all come together, and to have this gymnasium look like this,” said Ms McClure. “I feel like we are in a restaurant.”

Throughout the week the delegates will be following a schedule of events until they depart on Saturday or Sunday, February 7 or 8. Host families have been encouraged to bring the delegates around and share aspects of the community with them. Scheduled events include an outing to New York City, a tour of Yale University, and a visit to the Danbury Ice Arena.