'Sister School' Students from China Visit Los Altos

Oak and Almond elementary schools welcomed and shared their classrooms and homes with students from China this week, part of an exchange that started with a visit by Los Altos principals in October. 

“The students are learning about our culture, education and forming new friendships,” said Terri Stromfeld, Almond Elementary School principal.

Almond Elementary had an assembly Monday morning to welcome the 12 students from the Yucai School (pronounced "YOO-tsye") in Hangzhou, China. It included a welcome speech and gifts from Almond school.

The students from from China, who had only arrived the day before on a trans-Pacific flight, performed a sprightly selection on the erhu, a stringed instrument, showed off some kung fu, and interpreted a leaf in a dance. Young Gan Huadu led a large group of American students in a Tai-Chi Chuan martial arts demonstration that had kids giggling, as they strove to keep up with the moves. In the afternoon, the Yucai students performed for the Oak School students.

This is the first trip to the United States for the Yucai students, all 10- and 11-year-olds.

The Almond and Oak school principals visited the Yucai School in October.

“During our stay, we visited classrooms, met with students, parents and administrators, and enjoyed student musical and theatrical performances," Stromfield wrote in a newsletter to the school. "The Yucai School exemplifies academic and social excellence, proudly establishing ‘a solid foundation for the happiness of every child.'” 

Oak School Principal Amy Romem said they all prepared for the visit with the help of some Oak sixth-graders who speak Mandarin Chinese at home. Every morning at flag salute, students and teachers practiced a new phrase in Mandarin—such as, "Ni hao ma," for "How are you?"—so they would be able to say a few words to make their guest feel comfortable.

During this past week, the Yucai students each buddied-up with an Almond or Oak student for the school-portion of the day, and students' families hosted the Yucai students in their homes. The students were accompanied by teacher Yu Guojian, English teacher Chen Yahong and the school's vice-principal, Xu Zhengpin.

“This is an exciting trip for them and for the students here,” said Bill Cooper, president of the Los Altos School District Board, on the day the Yucai students debarked from a bus and onto the Almond campus.

Joe Chan, a fifth-grade teacher at Almond Elementary School, said he had two students from China in his homeroom class, as well as having taught three others in other classes during the school’s rotation periods. Chan said the program went very well.

Chan said the week-long visit gave the students an opportunity to share American culture and to learn about the mainland Chinese culture. The students all got along and were very excited to share their town and days together.

“Many students commented that even though these students were limited in English, they enjoyed communicating with them. One student noted that it was ‘so cool that even though they come from a different country, we are able to relate to each other!’” said Chan.

The exchange students will say “goodbye” to their new Los Altos schools Friday and head down to the Los Angeles area to go to Disneyland. Chan added that the schools hope to continue the program, or some sort of international exchange program. The exchange did not disrupt the normal day-to-day instruction at either school, according to Alyssa Gallagher, assistant superintendent of instruction.

“It’s programs such as these that make the Los Altos School District a wonderful place for students to grow and learn,” said Chan.