|
|
|
|
|
|
Dearborn Park International Chinese Dance Team Performs
On November 16th the Dearborn Park Chinese dance team performed at the opening ceremony of the Confucius Classroom at Pathfinder K-8 School in Seattle Public Schools. This performance also celebrated Confucius Institute Day 2019. The teams consisted of students from Dearborn Park International School and they performed the traditional Chinese Dragon and Lion dance.
Many of these students are also learning Chinese language and culture through the Dual Language Immersion Mandarin program at Dearborn Park International School.
|
|
Oban & Dia de Los Muertos Celebration at McDonald International
For the third year in a row, parents from the Japanese and Spanish programs at McDonald International brought traditions from two cultures together into one school-wide event, Obon and Dia de Muertos. Both holidays are about honoring and remembering those who have passed away while reminding celebrants of the joy of life.
In the week leading up to the event, Ofrenda and Bondana were set up in the cafeteria stage. Both included offerings to the dead, such as flowers, fruits, and vegetables and other items. Families were encouraged to bring pictures of their loved ones who passed away to be placed on the Ofrenda. At lunch time parent volunteers discussed Obon and Dia de Muertos with students.
During the event, participants enjoyed a potluck, singalongs, crafts (sugar skull decorating and goldfish kendama toy making), face painting, and performances. The potluck included traditional Pan (bread) de Muertos and Mexican hot chocolate. Japanese first graders performed a Bon Dance, a traditional dance which is a main part of Obon festivals in Japan. Spanish Kindergartners performed "Skeleton Dance." Lastly, a local Mexican dance group graced audiences with their traditional dance. The cafeteria and gym were decorated in Mexican paper flowers and pennants and Japanese lanterns. All in all, the event was a great success, with the event space packed with families.
|
|
Language Credit Testing at Ingraham
On November 13th, about 60 Ingraham students gathered in the library after school to take language competency tests in 15 different languages. This is the third year that Ingraham has offered world language credit testing to students. Some tests are computer-based while others involve a written test and a speaking proficiency test taken on a phone call. Students can earn up to 4 high school credits. This fall's tests at Ingraham were in Amharic, Arabic, Bisaya, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Mandinka, Nepali, Polish, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrinya.
Several SPS schools now offer language competency tests and the Seattle World School does Saturday testing once a month. Students who earn 4 credits earn the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. The next testing date at the Seattle World School is January 25th. Click here for registration info.
|
|
Mr. Toilet Visits Chief Sealth Intl. HS
On November 26th, the entire 10th grade class at Chief Sealth International High School gathered in the school's auditorium to watch a 90-minute documentary film: Mr. Toilet: The World's #2 Man. The film features, Jack Sim, a global sanitation activist and founder of the World Toilet Organization, which is based in Singapore. Mr. Sim was in Seattle with Lily Zepeda, the filmmaker, for the Seattle premiere of the film later that evening. After the film, students lined up to meet and take photos with Mr. Sim.
|
|
Educator Workshop: Empowering Refugee Students
Join World Affairs Council’s Global Classroom hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center for an engaging educator workshop exploring refugee issues. Isra Chaker, one of the ten young leaders featured in We the Future, the current exhibit at the Discovery Center, will discuss her work as an activist supporting refugees and the curriculum she developed with OxFam to support educators across the U.S.
Luis Ortega, Founder and Director of Storytellers for Change, will moderate a discussion with a panel of local organizations who support refugee students, including a student and a teacher.
When: January 23rd, 2020 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Where: Gates Foundation Discovery center (440 5th Ave N)
Registration is through World Affairs Council. The workshop fee is $20 and includes food, 3 FREE clock hours, and an in-depth resource guide. Validated parking is available. Click here for more details.
|
|
Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program
IYLEP provides an opportunity for 10 United States high school students to join Iraqi counterparts in a four-week program aiming to develop leadership and peacebuilding skills, foster relationships among youth from different backgrounds, and to promote mutual understanding between the people of Iraq and the U.S. This program takes place domestically in the U.S throughout different program locations in Vermont, a host community, and Washington, D.C. IYLEP is a fully funded program, covering travel, lodging, food, and all program activities.
The U.S. students are full participants on the program and have the opportunity to share their own culture with the Iraqi participants while learning more about their counterparts’ cultures and way of life. Through teambuilding activities, dialogue, skills and theme-based workshops, living in dorms and with host families, and meeting teenagers from all over the U.S. and Iraq, participants will gain skills needed for their future education and professional goals.
U.S. students will participate in:
- Leadership training
- Cross-cultural communication and exposure
- Skills development
- Networking opportunities
- A unique and authentic exchange program
- Civic and social responsibility workshops
- Teambuilding and group work
- Cultural awareness and sharing opportunities
Go to https://iylep.org/ for more details.
|
|
Spain for Sophomores - Apply Now to the Washington World Fellows Program
Applications are now open for Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib’s Washington World Fellows program -- a global leadership and college-readiness fellowship aimed at fostering the next generation of leaders in Washington state! Applications will be open until January 13th 2020. If you have questions, contact the Lt. Governor’s office at waworldfellows@gmail.com or (360) 786-7700.
Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib launched the Washington World Fellows program in 2018 as the state’s first global leadership program for high school students. The fellowship seeks to empower motivated high school students through travel and education by offering a life-changing study abroad experience and college readiness program to fifteen exceptional students each year.
Starting in the summer following 10th grade, the Washington World Fellows participate in a six-week study abroad experience in León, Spain, where they earn college credit by studying the Spanish language at the University of León, immerse in Spanish culture by living with local homestay families, and learn about Spanish history firsthand through guided field trips. When students return home, they participate in two years of rigorous college preparation, including SAT and ACT test support, and have access to a number of unique leadership opportunities.
|
|
Travel to China or Japan with YMCA Global Teens
KOBE, JAPAN
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WEST SEATTLE & FAUNTLEROY YMCA
TENTATIVE TRIP DATES: July 26th- Aug 4th, 2020
AGES: Entering grades 10 - 12 in Fall 2020
PROGRAM FEES: Financial Assistance is made possible thanks to program sponsor: DELTA Airlines
The trip will consist of a group of 10-15 teens, along with 2 YMCA trip leaders. After the group is selected, students will attend pre-trip gatherings focused on team-building, leadership development and cultural competency trainings in preparation for their trip. On the trip, each student will experience Japanese language, life and culture and connect with local youth through their three day trip to YMCA Camp Yoshima, visiting historic Kyoto, touring Kobe and a home-stay with a Japanese family from the Kobe YMCA. Students will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to see, hear and discuss directly about the personal impact of war. In addition, students will helping to feed the hungry with a service learning project with the Kobe YMCA. 2020 will be our 54th year of Student Exchanges between the Seattle YMCA and Kobe YMCA.
ACCOMODATIONS: A mix of hotels, YMCA Camp Yoshima (enclosed cabins) and home-stays with a Japanese family connected to the Kobe YMCA (typical Japanese family home or apartment).
SHANGHAI, CHINA
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COAL CREEK FAMILY YMCA
TRIP DATES: July (exact dates will be available in Feb, 2020)
AGES: 10th - 12th graders (in Fall 2020)
PROGRAM FEES: Financial Assistance is made possible thanks to program sponsor: DELTA Airlines
Global Teens selected for this program will participate in pre-trip gatherings at the Coal Creek Family YMCA engaging in cultural competency learning and preparing for a service-learning experience visiting Shanghai, China. Curriculum includes self-reflection, community events, and a service-learning project focused on Health promotion. Participants will also learn parts of the Chinese language and culture, and dive deep into social justice conversations about global health and well being.
ACCOMODATIONS: The group will stay at the Shanghai YMCA hotel.
|
|
2020 World Citizen Essay Contest
Each year the World Affairs Council hosts the World Citizen Essay contest for third through twelfth graders. The goal of the contest is to promote discussion among students, teachers, families, and community members about the ways that individuals can effect positive change in the global community.
Essay Prompt:
Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is targeted by United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5. If you were hired by the United Nations to lead a project addressing gender equality by empowering women and girls, what would you do? Where would you work and why? Finally, what specific steps would you take to achieve your goal?
Logistics
- The competition is open to all Washington state students in the 3rd-12th grades
- Essays must be 1000 words or less
- Essays are due midnight on Friday, March 13, 2020
- Submit your essay via email to essaycontest@world-affairs.org
Please click here to learn more.
|
|
Free Global Travel for Teachers
Transatlantic Outreach Program
Travel to Germany for free next summer. From Berlin to Frankfurt, from Stuttgart to Munich, from Hamburg to Kiel, from Dresden to Schwerin, and from Weimar to Leipzig, each corner of Germany is sampled through sight, sound, touch, and taste!
Application deadline: January 28th.
Keizai Koho Center Teacher Fellowship 2020
Keizai Koho Center (KKC), in cooperation with the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), will offer "KKC Study Tour to Japan 2020" for U.S. and Canadian social studies teachers.
June 22 (Mon) - June 30 (Tue), 2020 (Tentative)
Primarily in Tokyo, the itinerary will be developed to provide vivid and enjoyable experiences with participants, which include:
- Visits to Japanese schools to interact with students and teachers,
- Meetings with scholars and experts on Japanese society and its education system,
- Visits to major Japanese companies and meetings with senior company executives,
- Home stay with a Japanese family, and
- Cultural and fun events.
KKC provides round trip air transportation from participants' home city to Japan, as well as accommodations, ground transportation and meals associated with the ten-day program.
Application deadline: January 15th
|
|
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program
The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program provides an opportunity for K–12 educators from the United States to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Fulbright DA fellows complete individual inquiry projects on a topic relevant to education in the United States and the host country, take courses at a host university, and share educational practices with colleagues.
The 2020-2021 Fulbright DA program countries and territories include Brazil, Colombia, Finland, Greece, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, and Vietnam. Learn about each one here!
|
|
WAGIN 2020: March 20-21 - Register Now!
Attention all middle and high school teachers, students and community partners!
Are there student groups or classes in your school or program who are learning about and taking action on global issues? Don't miss this great opportunity for students to share their projects and ideas with peers from around the world.
On March 20-21, 2019 (Friday/Saturday) a couple hundred middle and high school students will gather at Ingraham High School in Seattle. WAGIN 2020 is organized in partnership with Global Issues Network (GIN), a nonprofit that supports global issues conferences in Latin America and Asia. They have worked with a few independent schools in the U.S., but our conference is the first international youth conference of its kind in the United States.
In 2015, 2017, and 2019 Chief Sealth International High School hosted the inaugural Washington State Global Issues Network (WAGIN) Conference. See this West Seattle Blog article for highlights. In 2016, Ingraham High School hosted the 2nd annual WAGIN Conference, also called the ACT Conference. To see what WAGIN looks like, take a look at the 2019 website.
Here's what WAGIN 2020 will look like:
- The aim of the conference is to bring youth together to share ideas for taking action on critical global issues. Here is a list of the 20 global issues. We have added a 21st issue: racial justice. We are also integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals this year.
- All students who attend the conference are invited to present workshop sessions about action projects that they have carried out or that they plan to carry out (connected to one or more of the 21 global issues). All workshops are youth-led.
- Keynotes (2-3 per day). We are in the process of inviting some exciting adult and youth speakers.
- Throughout the weekend, students will meet in "Global Villages" - these are groups of 10 students, all from different schools, who will have small group discussions (facilitated by youth).
- Each team of students that attend (2-6 in a team) will create a 1-2 minute trailer for their workshop. These will be shown as part of a film festival throughout the weekend.
- There will be a Global Action Fair with nonprofit organizations who carry out work related to the 20 global issues.
- We are inviting schools from around the region to participate. We also hope to have students from Latin America attending this year (last year schools came from Mexico, Cuba and South Korea).
Detailed information about registration is posted on the conference website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
