TRAVERSE CITY — Six Traverse City Area Public Schools administrators traveled to China the day after local voters rejected a $100 million bond proposal, a trip that's expected to cost taxpayers roughly $7,000.
Those attending conferences and meeting with Chinese education officials include TCAPS Superintendent Steve Cousins; Associate Superintendent Jayne Mohr; West and Central high school principals Joe Tibaldi and Rick Vandermolen; Katie Bonne, International School at Bertha Vos director; and district Communications Director Alison Arnold.
They left for Beijing Nov. 7 as part of the College Board's 2012 Chinese Bridge Delegation, said Paul Soma, the district's chief financial officer. The TCAPS contingent is scheduled to return Thursday evening.
TCAPS delegates hope to develop relationships with Chinese schools and educators that could lead to sister-school partnerships, large student exchanges and Chinese cultural programming at TCAPS, Soma said. Such developments would improve the global awareness and competency of the district's students.
"We don't live in a world of, 'you grow up in Traverse City and stay there'," Soma said.
Most of the district money spent on the trip went to getting TCAPS administrators to and from Chicago, their international flight hub, Soma said. Some of it also went to conference fees and costs.
China's Hanban Institute covered roughly 70 percent of the trip's bill, including international airfare to Beijing, lodging, group meals and travel inside the host nation.
The Hanban Institute, a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, provides Chinese language and cultural resources to educators across the world, the institute's website states.
TCAPS' International School already has a sister school in China: Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School, located in Beijing. International School students can use tools like Skype to communicate with youths in Beijing and learn about their culture, Soma said.
TCAPS board President Kelly Hall said the district is trying to develop a Chinese exchange program that would involve up to 100 students.
Chinese officials visited TCAPS schools in February, and about 30 Chinese students are scheduled to enroll in the district and live with local families this January, Hall said.
TCAPS administrators in China this week should build upon that foundation by networking with Chinese school officials, she said.
"It's my hope they come back with some solid exchange agreements we can start to implement," Hall said.
Bonne went as one of TCAPS delegates because of the International School's sister-school partnership. Cousins, Mohr and the high school principals participated because they are some of the district's highest-ranking officials, an important distinction in Chinese culture, Soma said.
"It shows them we are serious about this relationship," he said. "We wouldn't be well-received if we sent over the CFO."
TCAPS sent Arnold as a participant because, as the district's communications director, most subsequent interaction with Chinese officials will occur through her, Soma said.
More than 3,000 American educators have participated in the Bridge Delegation program since 2006, according to a program handbook.
TCAPS district voters on Nov. 6 swamped a district millage request that asked for $100 million to renovate, rebuild and equip several school buildings.
Region
Related Photos
-
Stephen E. Cousins
TCAPS goes to China
Six administrators go overseas day after elections
-
-
Traverse City steps up parking enforcement
Barb Meredith recently had an expensive downtown Traverse City breakfast, but not from anything on the restaurant’s menu.
Continued ... -
Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature reached a budget agreement Tuesday for next fiscal year that doesn’t include an expansion of government health insurance for low income-adults and puts Michigan’s unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education.
Continued ... -
TCAPS contract talks continue
Traverse City Area Public Schools educators picketed outside the district’s main office building in a display of opposition to TCAPS administrators’ proposed collective bargaining contract.
Continued ... -
Panera Bread is on its way
A Panera Bread franchise likely will rise in Garfield Township despite what some planning officials consider a stale project design.
Continued ... -
Woman retraces father's steps to Indian marker trees
Dennis Downes traveled 200,000 miles over three decades, a journey to locate Indian trail tree markers around the Great Lakes, including two in Traverse City – one at the Civic Center and another at a Washington Street residence.
Continued ... -
Police looking into assault find 960 pot plants
Investigation into a domestic assault complaint led Antrim County authorities to a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation and nearly 1,000 plants.
Continued ... -
Man gets prison for heroin possession
An Antrim County man found in possession of about 20 packets of heroin will spend at least 18 months in prison.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
Chad Culver, the school's principal, spied the large mammal on Monday about 9 a.m. when he looked out his window as he met with a teacher.
Continued ... -
Property owners sue over flooding
A group of Boardman River property owners filed a lawsuit over removal of the Brown Bridge Dam, saying their property values dropped when the river’s water levels rose.
Continued ... -
TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
The city’s electric utility will spend up to $15,000 on a piece of property it hopes to never own — just in case public opposition foils its preferred location for an electrical substation.
Continued ... -
Teens admit to lewd elevator act
Traverse City police are investigating a report of sexual contact between two teens in a Traverse City Central High School elevator.
Continued ... -
Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
A former Munson Medical Center worker recently settled a lawsuit that alleged her civil rights were violated when she was fired from her job at an HIV-AIDS clinic.
Continued ... -
Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
Garfield Township residents can dispose of yard waste for free starting later this month. No-charge waste passes will be available at Garfield Township Hall starting today through June 4.
Continued ... -
Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
Continued ... -
TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
Continued ... -
Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
Continued ... -
Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
Continued ... -
Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
Continued ... -
A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
Continued ... -
Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
-
New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
Continued ... -
Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
Continued ... -
Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Continued ...
-
