BSR 2009 China Tour Information Packet As presented by Dale Kinnear, North HS Principal

Purpose of the Presentation: 1. History of the Sister/Friendship City Relationship with Jiangmen China 2. Brief “first draft” itinerary of our 2009 Trip 3. Trip Cost 4. Student Commitments 5. FAQ

1. History of the Sister City Relationship: • Our trip to China represents more than a school band trip. It is a shared cultural

experience between two official sister cities.

• Riverside currently has 6 sister cities:

• Sendai, Japan (1957)

• Cauatla, Mexico (1968)

• Ensenada, Mexico (1976)

• Jiangmen, China (1997)

• Gangnam, Korea (1999)

• Hyderabad, India (2000)

• In 1994, with the help of La Verne University professor Dr. John Jang, Jiangmen initiates an America Friendship City relationship with Riverside through the World Affairs Council.

• January 1995, a Riverside area delegation lead by Honorary Chairmen Kelly & Duane Roberts, John Jang, and Marylin Jacobsen conduct the inaugural visit.

• May 1997: Mayor Loveridge leads a second delegation to Jiangmen and signs formal

documents to officially establish the Friendship City relationship.

• January 2000: 12 principals and district administrators from Jiangmen visit Riverside

Unified School District.

• February 2000: Mayor Loveridge and Mr. Kinnear with the Chinese Party Secretary

• July 2000: Jiangmen Middle School #1 Choir visits Riverside

� It should be noted, that it is called “Jiangmen Middle School #1”, but it is what

we think of as a high school. It is called a middle school because it lies between

primary education and college. Jiangmen Middle School is also very selective,

and gets its first choice of students who attend. They are all college bound

students that are high achieving. Other Chinese students will attend other Middle

Schools.

• August 2000: Teachers from Jiangmen visit North High School.

• October 2000: Mr. Kinnear and other North teachers lead a group of North HS students to China, where they meet with the Chinese Consul General An Wenbin.

• April 2002: The Blue Star Regiment makes it’s soon to be “first visit” to China.

2. Blue Star Regiment’s 2009 Excursion to China (March 31 – April 12, 2009)

• We will begin with monthly meetings to update all current information. These begin in February of 2008, and will take place at our regularly scheduled booster meetings, which are the second Thursday of every month at 7:00pm.

• These meetings will increase as next school year begins to bi-monthly or weekly meetings. These meetings with include updates and information as the trip planning progresses, and once school starts we will have mandatory meetings that will include not only updated info, but also education and classes regarding China (basic, language skills, customs, social/economic information, traveling abroad, etc.). It is expected that all students learn a great deal about China in this process, in order to get the most out of the experience.

Itinerary Version 1

• Tuesday March 31, 2009 – Depart from LAX on our overseas flight to Hong Kong. The flight will depart appox. 11:30pm.

• Thursday April 2, 2009 – Arrive in Hong Kong, board a ferry that will take us

west on the China Sea and up the North River to Jiangmen.

• Once in Jiangmen we will recieve a warm welcome at Jiangmen Middle School #1, and meet our host families.

• Education Experience: In Jiangmen, our students will have many opportunities to experience the education system in China, including touring the schools, and experience some classes with their home-stay students.

• Students will find that: � Instructional Day is appox. the same length as in the US � Class sizes range from 50-60 per class � Students remain in the same classroom all day while teachers move from

class to class � English is taught heavily, and is a requirement for admission into Chinese

Universities.

� Schools are very, very selective � They use chalkboards, not dry-erase boards � They all wear a school uniform (including teachers) � Students are quiet, but they are not always on task (sort of like North)

� Our students will observe the “Flag Raising Ceremony” that happens

every Monday morning. This includes the students lining up in perfect lines at 7:00am, with no instruction from adults, and has 100% attendance, perfectly on time. They then raise their nations flag, sing their national anthem, have an address by the student body president with the week’s message, and then go to class.

� The facilities have recently been rebuilt (not for size, just because they

needed a new one) � Schools are built up, and are multi-storied (there are also no elevators, but

lots and lots of stairs!) � They have an observatory, Arena, and a guard gate. � There is no AC, only fans � The students are in charge of cleaning their own school (there are no

janitors!)

• Host Families – While in Jiangmen, the students will house with host families. These families in Jiangmen have students in Middle School #1. The Chinese officials select them through an application process, and our students will be placed with them in groups of 2, so they are not alone. This is the portion of the experience most of the students who went before said was the greatest experience of the trip, and one that they would do over again. The host families will house, feed, and transport the students, and will take nothing but the best care of them. The students said they were welcomed with open arms, including members of their host families sleeping on the floor so that they could have the nicest beds. Others remember their families driving 2 hours one-way, in order to get the student Pepsi and Doritos so that they felt at home. This direct cultural experience is one-of-a-kind, and is the type of cultural exchange that makes this trip so special. The home-stays only occur in the city of Jiangmen, later in the trip we will be staying in hotels. However, the adult chaperones that come with us on the trip will be staying in hotels while in Jiangmen as well.

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• Other Cultural Observations/Experiences: Our students will also have the opportunity to observe other cultural differences such as

� Language Barrier: Is dictated by age, the younger generations all speak English and will jump at the opportunity to talk to an English speaker in order to practice their own English skills. Older Chinese citizens do not speak as much English.

� Food: the native food is very different from what American’s think of as “Chinese” food. You will experience things not common to us like chicken’s feet, beef tendon, jellied chicken blood, and other assorted goodies ☺ despite how it sounds, much of it is very good! Just don’t ask what it is first!!

• Parks: cities are very crowded, with small houses, so open spaces and city

parks are extremely important. They are very well kept and honored.

• Toilets: the Chinese toilets are very different from the European style

toilets we use. You might want to practice.

• Musical Exchange: While in Jiangmen, we will have multiple

opportunities to perform in various venues. These will include school facilities, open parks, and the Jiangmen Arena. The BSR was greeted with huge crowds and standing ovations at all the venues last time, including a sold-out, standing room only performance at the Jiangmen Arena with over 6,000 people in attendance. We will be joined at must venues by other musical groups from the area, and find out that music is truly an international language. We will put together an approximately 45 minute show of music and movement that will be staged on a basketball court.

• Sights: we will also experience the sights in and around the Jiangmen area.

• • At the conclusion of our time in Jiangmen, we will be thrown a farewell

party.

• We will then say our usually tearful and hard goodbyes to our new friends.

• Tuesday April 7, 2009: After our 5 days in Jiangmen, we will board an aircraft and fly to the Forbidden City to continue our sightseeing in China.

� We will also visit Tiananmen Square

� We will have the famous Peking Duck

� And of course visit the Great Wall of China

� We will then enjoy our time in Beijing, doing more sightseeing and taking

in events and shows including the Temple of Heaven.

• Friday April 10, 2009: We will return to Hong Kong for our final days in china

� We will visit the famous markets

� Enjoy a traditional hot pot meal

• April 11/12, 2009 – Return to LAX

3. Trip Cost o All Trip costs are purely estimates at this time. Exact cost will not be known for a

few months, as flight costs and other areas begin to come into focus. o We are planning large amounts of fundraising to help all students who want to

attend pay for the trip. o In Mr. Kinnear’s exact words: “I will feel terrible, if a student wants to go, works

very hard to fundraise, and is not able to go because of money.” o We are making an early estimate and have tried to guess high. It is our belief that

through working for good deals with airlines, and fundraising, the cost will come down, but this is our first estimate.

• Our original estimate for this trip is: $2,300 � This includes basically all expenses such as: Air, food, hotels, ferries,

busses, taxes, visas, etc. � Things not included: Souvenirs, gifts, McDonalds

4. Student Commitment • We expect the following from the students and families that will travel with us on this

trip. 1. Attend all Seminars and Rehearsals at North (dates and times will be determined) 2. Read – there is rarely a day that goes by without something about China in the

newspaper, we will be asking students to read and learn as much as they can about China, including keeping a journal while on the trip.

3. Grow as a Person: we hope this experience will help the students not only grow as performers and see the musical world, but help them grow as people. Traveling abroad will be a life-changing and eye-opening experience for them.

4. Help Others: help others in the classroom, on campus, in the community, and on future trips for the band, and for visitors from China.

5. FAQ � The most commonly asked question is: “Will there be fundraising?”

o Yes – our budget community will be prepare a large list of fundraising ideas, and then setting up a fundraising schedule to provide as many fundraising opportunities as possible. It is our hope that a large amount of the trip fee can all be earned through fundraising.

� “Is the trip cost due now?” o No – trip payments will start being due once a final price is set. This will not

be for several months. Then, the trip money will not be due in one sum. There will be a payment schedule set-up to help families pay for the trip over time. However, you can pay it off all at once if you want to.

� “Do we have to commit right now?” o No- we are currently trying to get an initial read on how people are interested

and what their interest level and concerns are. This initial count will allow us to start planning accordingly, and help us to narrow down a fee (much of which is dependant on group pricing where size makes a difference). All we ask right now is that you fill out a “China Interest Sheet” and return it to the band office so we have an accurate count, with all of your contact information. This is not a commitment, you can change your mind either to go, or not to go, later on. This form is available on the China Page of the BSR website (www.bluestarregiment.com). There will be a date set that is the official down payment date, but this is a little while away.

� “How much school will the students miss?” o The students will miss 3 days of school sine the majority of the travel is over

spring break. They will miss the 3 days that lead into spring break, but this will be worked out with their teachers (with the help of Mr. Kinnear) early next year.

� “Who all is going on this trip?” o Besides the students (we hope to take around 100-125), all parents are

welcome and encouraged to attend as chaperones. You will have to pay a slightly higher fee than the student cost, since you will not have a home stays, and will have extra hotel costs. There is no limit to how many parents/families can come along, the more the merrier. We expect to have a large number of parents experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip with their children.

o Mr. Kehl and Mrs. Schive, along with the majority of the BSR Staff will attend. Also coming along is North HS principal Dale Kinnear, and RUSD Superintendent Dr. Sue Rainey.

� “Is it safe to go China?” o Yes – travel to China is safe, and no, you do not need any extra shots.

� “How long is the flight?” o Approximately 14 hours

� “What paperwork do I need to go to China?”

o We will have seminars devoted strictly to this issue once the trip is officially set, but you will need a valid Passport, and a visa. On the BSR’s last trip, Mr. Kinnear collected the money and paperwork for the visa’s, and then drove to LA himself to take care of them and bring them back to another seminar meeting to make it easier on the individuals going. He also exchanged money both here at North, and on the trip, and we will collect and hold the students passports while in China so that they do not get lost. All of these things made the trip easier and simpler for the members and adults traveling, and we will do the same again this time.

� “Should we send students to China given the current political situation?” o That is a decision you must make for yourself and your student, but it is our

opinion that that is why we should go. Many of the students who went with the BSR last time still have email and phone relationships with their home stays and Chinese friends. This type of cultural exchange directly between people can help remove the fear out of political situations. Creating relationships in peace between people, especially using music, can create a lasting bond of friendship that will hopefully last a lifetime. That is why so many of the students in the pictures are making peace signs along with their Chinese counterparts. We see this as an opportunity, not a negative.

� “How do the instruments get there?” o All of our instruments and guard equipment will be checked onto our airline

flight with us. We will not be able to bring our front ensemble, so there will be a creation of a cymbal line, or those students will play other instruments.

� “Our guard members and dances able to come?” o Yes – all eligible members of our program, band, guard, and dance are invited

to come. � “What do I have to do be eligible to go?”

o You do have to meet some minimal requirements in order to go. You must:

• Be a member in good standing (no unexcused absences, no fines, no discipline problems)

• Fully paid your trip costs, and any BSR band fees

• Attend all rehearsals and seminars

• Be academically eligible by maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA

• Have been in band for the full year (transfer students will be excluded from this rule on a case by case basis)

• Proven to be respectful, courteous, and well-mannered people who will represent our band, our school, our city, and our country at the level we expect.

� “Where do I get the latest information?” o There will be China information available at all BSR Booster meetings, which

are held the second Thursday of each month in the band room at North (rm. 504) at 7:00. You can also get the information on our website at www.bluestarregiment.com. Go to the site, click the “NEWS” button at the top, and right at the top it says “2009 China Trip” and below it says, “click here to download the latest information.” All information and forms will be available there 24/7.

� “Who do I contact if I have questions?” o There will be a China Trip Coordinator established for you to direct your

questions to at a later date. For now, please direct questions to Mr. Kehl by emailing him at akehl@rusd.k12.ca.us or calling the band office at 951-788-7311 x1504 (emailing is always better). The China Coordinator’s contact info will be posted on the BSR website once it is available.