NICE Parent And Community Organization Established

A Parent and Community Organization has been established to assist the rapidly expanding Newtown International Center for Education (NICE) program in the Newtown School district, according to a press release from the organization, which calls itself NICE PCO.

The NICE PCO has three main objectives: To inform with a three-way communication between the district, parents, and the community; to involve and engage the community; and to integrate and cross collaborate within and outside of the community.

According to the release, the NICE PCO will support and celebrate all international programs currently associated with Newtown schools: Newtown host families; the student ambassador program; professional development experiences for Newtown educators; program development in international communities; educational benefits of real world experiences; international perspectives; the importance of language acquisition; global literacy; technology literacy; and new families to the NICE PCO.

The organization plans to grow a base of enthusiastic international-minded parents and community members to provide a unified voice, support schoolwide and community events through direct or indirect participation, provide scholarships to expand participation to more students/teachers, and encourage outside community members to share their expertise. The organization also plans to identify or make available real world professional development opportunities for teachers, facilitate the depth and breadth of programs to all schools by assisting in the creation or implementation of opportunities, and expand corporate and university partnerships to provide career opportunities for our students and NICE members.

A board has been established to move this organization forward with Desiree Galassi assuming the role of the president, Po Murray as vice president, Cindy Lapp as the treasurer, Carol Wakeman as the community outreach chairperson, Ian McIntyre as the database manager, and Evelyn Hufziger as the website coordinator.

“The NICE program is a unique program that is not offered elsewhere in the State of Connecticut. We are on the cutting edge of global education and I am very excited to help build this organization that will assist the NICE program,” said Ms Galassi.

Ms Murray said, “The NICE program is highly successful due to the tireless and dedicated efforts of the numerous administrators, teachers, and students. The program is expected to expand with more partnerships in other Asian countries and Europe and with more involvement at the elementary schools, Reed Intermediate School, and the Newtown Middle School. It is time for parents and community members to assist.”

A delegation from Newtown’s sister schools in China arrived for a weeklong stay February 3. During the delegation’s visit, a Chinese New Year Celebration performance was held at Newtown High School on Saturday, February 4, sponsored by the Connecticut Chinese Association, NICE, HuaXia Chinese School, Danbury Chinese Alliance Church, and the Western Connecticut State University Student & Scholar Association. A Potluck Dinner was also held on Wednesday, February 8, in the NHS cafetorium for families of NHS, Newtown Middle School, and Reed Intermediate School students to attend.

“We are very excited to welcome the Chinese Delegation this Friday [February 3]. We hope the public will join us for some of the community activities planned for the week,” said Ms Lapp, before the delegation arrived.

NICE PCO will use multiple methods to inform the public. “We are looking forward to reaching out to the numerous community groups to spread the word about this organization,” said Ms Wakeman.

NICE PCO expects to build a website shortly, and there is further information about the NICE program located off of the school district’s website at www.newtown.k12.ct.us/NEWTOWNINTERNATIONALCENTERFOREDUCATIONNICE/tabid/9022/Default.aspx

Anyone interested in becoming involved in the NICE PCO can contact Ian McIntyre by e-mail at IMcIntyre@alinabal.com.