YY switches 5th grade trip from China to NYC

[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.

+1. We will do a China trip on our own, likely with other YY families, but we are still bummed.

[Anonymous]

The cost worked out to about $7,000 for parent and child.

[Anonymous]

If they just move it to middle school, why is it a huge deal? also, as teenagers the kids could raise their own money. save it for 10th grade.

[Anonymous]

Lots of reasons that 'moving to middle school' isn't ideal solution -- kids have been promised this trip for years, not all will go to DCI (should YY kids who go to other schools after YY be allowed to participate in a 'DCI trip?).

But $7,000 is a LOT of money for a public school trip. The school may have other costs it would like to ask parents to contribute for.

[Anonymous]

well, it sounds like it wasn't working as is.

[Anonymous]

FIFTH graders going to China for a school trip? Holy hell, now I've heard it all.

Where do you go from there in high school? A ticket on a Virgin Galactic flight to space?

Although I will say, $7000 is pretty reasonable for parent & child! I'm impressed they were able to get the costs to that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Cool, I didn't realize you were a close personal friend of mine and my family! Because you must be, otherwise how do you have even the faintest clue what we do and don't do here? You didn't just, like, jump to a major conclusion that simply because we were looking forward to a trip to China in a few years, we don't do ANYTHING with local Chinese celebrations and events and cultural opportunities in the DC area... or did you?

Yeah, you did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of reasons that 'moving to middle school' isn't ideal solution -- kids have been promised this trip for years, not all will go to DCI (should YY kids who go to other schools after YY be allowed to participate in a 'DCI trip?).

But $7,000 is a LOT of money for a public school trip. The school may have other costs it would like to ask parents to contribute for.

Promises? Please. Take your kids on your own or have them attended DCI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Cool, I didn't realize you were a close personal friend of mine and my family! Because you must be, otherwise how do you have even the faintest clue what we do and don't do here? You didn't just, like, jump to a major conclusion that simply because we were looking forward to a trip to China in a few years, we don't do ANYTHING with local Chinese celebrations and events and cultural opportunities in the DC area... or did you?

Yeah, you did.

meh, whatever. The bottom line is you made it sound like a trip to China is the only way a child could possibly use Mandarian.

[Anonymous]

I feel bad for the parents who planned to go. One of the things that appealed to me about Yu Ying was this trip to China. I have mastered three foreign languages and I can say nothing is more rewarding and encouraging than speaking that foreign language fully immersed in the country where the language is spoken. A trip to NY is just not the same--almost a mockery--and the school should have just done away with the trip idea altogether. Also I wonder if groups of YY families doing their own trips will create a stratification socially at the school, but that's life I suppose.

[Anonymous]

The stratification is already there because not all kids are able to attend. The fundraising is only covering a third of the students' costs this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Cool, I didn't realize you were a close personal friend of mine and my family! Because you must be, otherwise how do you have even the faintest clue what we do and don't do here? You didn't just, like, jump to a major conclusion that simply because we were looking forward to a trip to China in a few years, we don't do ANYTHING with local Chinese celebrations and events and cultural opportunities in the DC area... or did you?

Yeah, you did.

meh, whatever. The bottom line is you made it sound like a trip to China is the only way a child could possibly use Mandarian.

DP, whereis Mandarin spoken in the States. I thought Cantonese was the dialect spoken in California and NYC. TIA

[Anonymous]

I'm bummed. my kid is in the fourth grade and we had planned on sending him with one parent. I was against this fifth grade trip when it was sprung without notice on the first fifth graders who participated. However, in the last three years, I accepted the fifth grade trip and saved accordingly. Typical YY, they make abrupt decisions and then have parent discussion groups after the fact. We will still go to China,but it will be a typical tourist Vacation with an English speaking guide. That is definitely not the immersion trip experience of the earlier kids.

I am glad that they made this decision before the fifth grade my dcschool lottery closed.

[Anonymous]

Whoa, you'll leave the School over this??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoa, you'll leave the School over this??

dP. I agree this was handled shockingly poorly but typical for YY admin. I wouldn't leave over this but maybe it presents an opportunity for the school to have an open conversation about how decisions are made, communication, and parental involvement.