American student home-stay 23rd – 26th June 2011 Have fun, and help Simon Balle School raise £3000 In 2008 Simon Balle School re-established links with the ‘People to People Ambassador Program’. ‘People to People’ was established by President Eisenhower in 1956 and encourages and supports young Americans to undertake educational and cultural travel with the aim of building international links and friendships. Last year over 40 families from Simon Balle School hosted young Americans for a couple of days and this year we are again looking for host families to participate. In addition we are seeking hosts for the accompanying 6 American adults. Students visiting this year are 13 to 15 years in age.
Please participate if you can! Last year our participation in this programme resulted in us receiving nearly £3000 from the ‘People to People’ organisation, which was used to support the redevelopment of the library The itinerary for the American students is: • •
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Thursday evening, 23rd June 2011 – arrive at Simon Balle School. Welcome Party in the library. Students to be collected by host family at 6.00pm and spend evening with host family. Friday 24th June, travel to school with their host. Hosts will continue with their normal school day but American students will be provided with a separate programme of activities organised by the school and Parent Staff Association. The afternoon will consist of sporting activities and a BBQ which all hosts and Parents are invited to. The American students will then travel home again with their host at the end of the school day and spend the evening with their host family. Saturday 25th June – spend the day with the host family. Families can choose whether to do their own thing or meet up with other host families. There is no need to do anything special – a family BBQ, walk along the river, local school fete, all are fine. The American visitors will have had a very full itinerary and most are usually very happy to have the opportunity to take things at a slower pace. Sunday 26th June – American students depart from Simon Balle school early Sunday morning (last year it was 8am)
The home-stay provides a unique learning experience for both the American students and host families, with many host families participating in the scheme more than once. Some children strike up real friendships and have arranged reciprocal visits. During their stay American students will require their own bed, but this can be in a shared room as long as the accompanying person is of the same gender and age range. If you can support us in this very worthwhile activity please either complete the slip below or email me on pooleyj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk. There will be a meeting for those families taking part nearer the time where you will receive details of your visiting student. If you are unable to attend we will contact you with details.
James Pooley Staff representative on the PSA
American Visitors 2011
Please mark as applicable and return this slip to Mr Pooley via Form tutor or email pooleyj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk Parent’s name:
Child’s name:
Telephone contact:
Form:
Email contact: (Please provide a home address if no email address is available, so we can send you further details by post)
I am able to host an American Student this June, Please contact me with further details I would prefer: boy/girl I cannot host this year but please contact me next year.
preferred age: