YY switches 5th grade trip from China to NYC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the work of learning mandarin for 8 years and the tutors and the tears... Leads to NY? I know families who've chosen the school because of this China trip and the opportunity for their children to practice the language in the country. Damn.

China still exists. They didn't do away with the whole country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the NY Chinatown trip will offer a good educational experience.

The school will partner up with various businesses in order to give the students a verbal and hands on experience with Chinese culture.

I thought most people in NY Chinatown spoke Cantonese.

[Anonymous]

Uh oh...

[Anonymous]

Is the China trip going to move over to DCI? It seems much more appropriate for a secondary school, plus older kids can be held more responsible for their own fundraising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a great relief for the parents of the school.

I'm sure that will be a common reaction, but as a parent at YY who is really disappointed, please don't assume to speak for the entire parent community. It never makes sense to make a mass generalization like "great relief for the parents of the school", and in this case I know several like me who were already planning and saving for this trip (kids in 1st and 2nd for us) and we were really looking forward to that amazing experience that they set up for last year.

I totally understand the decision, and it makes sense given the stress it's caused so many, but we had already been rallying parents in our grades to think of other ways to plan for this cost and we felt like we were going to pull it off. Going to China after 7 yrs of studying Mandarin is a FANTASTIC way to culminate the long journey, and while yes, families can always elect to go on their own, the set up for the YY trip last year was amazing and unique (especially the homestay with a family and time in the Chinese school going to classes). We are really sorry that's not going to happen, but we understand why.

[Anonymous]

I bet a group who still wants to go can arrange for an exchange and still do a home stay, etc. hang in there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a great relief for the parents of the school.

I'm sure that will be a common reaction, but as a parent at YY who is really disappointed, please don't assume to speak for the entire parent community. It never makes sense to make a mass generalization like "great relief for the parents of the school", and in this case I know several like me who were already planning and saving for this trip (kids in 1st and 2nd for us) and we were really looking forward to that amazing experience that they set up for last year.

I totally understand the decision, and it makes sense given the stress it's caused so many, but we had already been rallying parents in our grades to think of other ways to plan for this cost and we felt like we were going to pull it off. Going to China after 7 yrs of studying Mandarin is a FANTASTIC way to culminate the long journey, and while yes, families can always elect to go on their own, the set up for the YY trip last year was amazing and unique (especially the homestay with a family and time in the Chinese school going to classes). We are really sorry that's not going to happen, but we understand why.

What would be an even more fantastic way of studying Mandarin is to actually practice it along the way during the 7 years with the many Chinese people who live right here in the area. I think it's weird you are willing to go all the way to China to see and speak to Chinese people but you aren't willing to do it right here at home.

[Anonymous]

do they take field trips to chinatown in DC or philly?

[Anonymous]

I suppose the goal is to make it so that younger kids (5th graders) do a more local trip and then the older kids at DCI go to China. It would not be feasible to have a 5th grade, 8th grade and 10th grade trip to China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a great relief for the parents of the school.

How is it a relief? Why would you not want this experience for your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG! I'd be pissed!

Then take your won kids on your own time.

Would not be the same at all as traveling there with the school and classmates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suppose the goal is to make it so that younger kids (5th graders) do a more local trip and then the older kids at DCI go to China. It would not be feasible to have a 5th grade, 8th grade and 10th grade trip to China.

that makes total sense!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a great relief for the parents of the school.

How is it a relief? Why would you not want this experience for your child?

The process of fund raising has been miserable, onerous and burdensome. As reported by the principal, it has sucked the life out of the school. FWIW, one of my children will benefit and the other one is in tears about it right now. I do want the experience for both of them, but at the right time. If that time doesn't occur with school we will do it on our own with less stress and much, much greater enjoyment for our whole family.

[Anonymous]

Canceling the trip To China I understand... But replacing it with a trip to NYC's Chinatown is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

What was the price per child?