A delegate of educators from the Chinese Province of Anhui were welcomed
to the Port Jefferson School District to experience and learn about the
educationalopportunities in an American school. Port Jefferson was selected as one
of only two districts for its reputation as a highly successful school
district.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Casciano welcomed the visitors in the
Earl L. Vandermeulen High School library and introduced them to
district administrators during a welcome reception that included
Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusic performed by the middle school
orchestra students under the direction of teacher Christian Neubert. Dr.
Casciano’s remarks included a mention of the high school’s national
Blue Ribbon status, the numerous graduates of the district who go on to
attend some of the most competitive universities in the country and the
diverse backgrounds of the students who attend the schools.
“Our education is well-rounded with many courses of study to meet the
varied individual needs of our students,” Dr. Casciano said to the
visitors. He also thanked them for visiting the schools and encouraging
Port Jefferson’s educators to be reflective and constant in improving
educational opportunities for students.
Student leaders and administrators then guided the educators on a
comprehensive tour of the high school, middle school and Edna Louise
Spear Elementary School.
Organized by Stony Brook University, three Mandarin language translators
joined the educators as they witnessed interactive lessons, learned
about mindfulness activities, listened to chorus members sing, tried out
physical education equipment, watched students involved in art projects
and, through the translators, asked thoughtful questions about reading,
writing, life skills, and the high school’s numerous Advanced Placement
classes in world history, statistics and physics. The visit culminated
with a lunch and discussion on their educational perspectives and goals
with the school district’s personnel.