December 21, 2007

Richard Levin, president of Yale University, commented, “I believe that for personal success in life, in a much more interdependent world, the capacity to understand another culture has to become one of the prerequisites of an educated person.” This is at the core of the Global Education Program’s goals. From Winterim trips to Greece, Spain and China to summer travel in London and Thailand to in-school cultural programs including our exchanges with schools in Sweden, China and Germany, Maumee Valley is aggressively addressing Levin’s call and we have much to look forward to as we grow our program and our interactions with other peoples and cultures.

Upcoming Events

• The second Speaker Series event, featuring David Archer, professor of geophysics at University of Chicago, will take place on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Professor Archer will discuss “Global Warming and Climate Change from the Deep Past to the Deep Future." MVCDS parents are invited to attend the Parents Association General Membership Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Room before Archer’s talk. Contact Karen Summerson with questions.
• The second community Book Club meeting is on February 20, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Heatherdowns branch of the Toledo Public Library. Global Education Program Co-Director Josh Lavetter-Keidan will lead a conversation about When the Rivers Run Dry by Fred Pearce. According to Booklist, “Pearce's powerful imagery, penetrating analyses, and passionate advocacy make this required reading for environmental proponents and civic leaders everywhere.”

Global Education in the Curriculum

Lower School
“Nihao,” the Chinese word for “hello,” was heard in the Upper Intermediate as 5th and 6th graders spent a morning with Yanshan University – Toledo College Director Zhang Wenli. To conclude the UI’s study of Ancient China, Professor Zhang shared her insights into China’s culture including national treasures like the Great Wall of China, Panda, kites and the Terracotta soldiers, the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and the Chinese creation myth. Professor Zhang taught students some simple Chinese greetings and how to count to 10. The UI sang three traditional Chinese folk songs to their guest “laoshi,” the Chinese word for “teacher,” led by Lower School music instructor Colleen Sieberg, and at the end the UI students thanked Professor Zhang by saying “thank you” in Chinese: “Xie xie!” Contact Global Education Program Coordinator Sara Card to learn more.

Middle School
The Maumee Valley Country Day School mission is to “enable students to become enlightened, compassionate and contributing citizens of our global community.” It is critical, therefore, that they understand the globe. Middle School social studies instructor Jennifer Thomas is helping her 7th graders memorize the locations of the world’s nation-states. To promote a better understanding of Latin American countries, for example, students created cartograms of the Western Hemisphere, comparing the gross domestic product of a country to the population of that country. Additionally, the activity gave students an appreciation of why people immigrate to the United States. Students then listened to the views of presidential candidates regarding illegal immigration and became Congressmen themselves to create a new immigration plan. E-mail Jennifer Thomas for more information.

Upper School
Upper School science instructor Ken Meinecke and English and history instructor Tom Cambisios taught a Winterim entitled “Dead Earth-Green Earth.” The course was an opportunity for students to do laboratory experiments that demonstrate how to measure environmental quality in soil, water and air based on samples collected from the Maumee Valley campus and other area locations. They also investigated different forms of energy production by visiting the Gavin coal fired electric generating station on the Ohio River, the Bowling Green wind farm, and a home in Lucas County using solar cells to produce electricity. In addition, students examined the sustainability of continued coal use by visiting a landfill containing coal-produced sludge and abandoned coal mines in Athens County. Finally, students chose a research topic on different environmental issues including organic farming, cosmetics, mega farms, alternative fuels, lighting, wind power, and global warming. E-mail Ken Meinecke with questions.

Around the Globe

• Maumee Valley would like to form a Sister School relationship with a secondary school in Spanish-speaking Latin America. If you have any contacts or ideas please contact Global Education Program Co-Director Jarin Jaffee.
• International students are enriching our community and the educational experience of our students. We rely on our Maumee Valley families to be hosts to these students. Please e-mail Director of Admission Vicki Koelsch for more information.
• Have a friend, relative, or colleague who would enjoy learning more about the Global Education Program at Maumee Valley? E-mail us with their contact information and we will add them to the distribution list.
• Check out our newly updated website including additional information on upcoming community events, student sponsored Issue Day, and our Sister School in China at www.mvglobaled.org.