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.