DISTANCE EDUCATION------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorandum of Understanding Signing CeremonyBetween Sa-nguan Ying School and Lodi High School

November 29, 2012

“Making The World A Better Place, One Exchange At A Time”

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Lodi High School and Sa-nguan Ying SchoolMemorandum Of Understanding Signing Ceremony

November 29, 2012

Welcome................................................Mr. Vince Breunig, Lodi High School Principal

National Anthems of Thailand and the U.S.Lodi High School Music Department

Distance Education Video.....................................produced by Sa-nguan Ying School

Welcome.............................................................Sarah Shimshak,

Member of Distance Education Class Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia

Opening Remarks..................................................Mr. Vince Breunig

Remarks............................................Mr. Phadet Pho-on, Sa-nguan Ying School Director

Remarks............................................Mr. Suphannachaht Plang-ngoen,

Sa-nguan Ying School English Program Coordinator and Student Exchange Coordinator

...................................................Keynote Address Ms. Sheila Briggs,

Assistant Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Signing of the Distance Education Memorandum of Understanding

............................................................................Mr. Breunig and Mr. Phadet

Exchange of Gifts

Closing Remarks....................................................Mr. Breunig

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Lodi High School & Sa-nguan Ying SchoolDistance Education Program

The purpose of today’s assembly is a formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the Distance Education Program between Lodi High School and Sa-nguan Ying School through 2015. The Distance Education Program is an extension of the Sister School status and student exchange program between the two schools. The idea for a distance education initiative first came about during a conversation between former Lodi District Administrator Mr. Michael Shimshak and Mr. Suphannachaht Ploeng-goen, Student Exchange Coordinator and English Program Director for Sa-nguan Ying School, during the first LHS exchange trip in 2008. Following an invitation from Mr. Suphannachaht and SY School Principal Mr. Phadet, Mr. Kohl spent the month of July in 2010 at SY School observing, teaching, and tutoring Thai students in grades 7-12. The objective was to become familiar with the learning styles and English skills of Thai students. During the 2010-2011 school year, members of the social studies departments from both schools collaborated on course outlines, course scheduling and implementing this ground-breaking initiative. As the year progressed, the proposal received support and approval from LHS Principal Mr.Vince Breunig, Director of Instruction Ms. Tiffany Loken, and the School District of Lodi Board of Education Curriculum Committee. This was followed by a unanimous vote of approval by the Board of Education to pilot the program for two years. The program was launched last year with Ms. Karnteera Ingkhaninan and Ms. Anderson team teaching The Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia to LHS students, and Mr. Kohl and Ms. Waraporn Promajairak teaching U.S. History to students of SY School. Upon completion of the first year students, teachers and administrators from both schools agreed wholeheartedly that the overall success exceeded expectations. The quality of instruction and learning, the bond between students and teachers, as well as the technology, all surpassed the level anyone had envisioned. With that, Mr. Phadet and Mr. Supannachaht recommended that the two schools seek an extension of the program. In October the School District of Lodi Board of Education affirmed their commitment with a unanimous vote to continue the program through 2015. It is widely believed that Lodi High School is the only school in Wisconsin and Sa-nguan Ying School is the only school in Thailand with students earning credit requirements while taking courses being taught by foreign teachers through distance education. Those involved appreciate the wide range of support the program has received. It is equally important to also acknowledge the vision of Mr. Shimshak and Mr. Supannachat for their effort in establishing the exchange program and their noble mission to make our world a better place; as well as Ms. Anderson, whose tireless effort within our school district, community and state has brought about the recognition that the future of our world rests much upon the knowledge and skills we all gain through global education.

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Good Afternoon,

! Welcome to Lodi High School where today we are celebrating the extens ion of our d is tance education agreement with our sister school in Thailand. This agreement provides students of Lodi High School the opportunity to learn about the Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia from a teacher in Thailand while at the same time providing the opportunity for students at Sa-nguan Ying School, in Suphanbur i , Thai land the opportunity to learn United States History from an instructor in the United States. What a great opportunity for student from both schools to learn more about our respective countries, cultures, and people.! To s ta r t today ’s s ign ing ceremony, I would ask that each of you rise for the playing of the Thai national anthem by the Lodi High School Band. At the conclusion, I would ask that you remain standing for the national anthem of the Unites States of America performed by Lodi High School’s Chorale.

! I am honored to be taking part in today’s program. ! I have a lot I would like to say, but we have a full program, so I will keep my remarks brief and to the point.! First, I would like to recognize the importance of our current exchange programs that we have with both of our sister schools in Thailand and in Germany. The focus today will be on the program with Thailand. Since our exchange program started six years ago, we have sent 32 students and 9 staff members to Thailand on three separate trips. Our most recent group of students and staff returned just this past Sunday. They were wonderful representatives of our school, our community, our state, and our country while in Thailand. I would ask this group to please stand and be recognized.! While we are recognizing our students, I would also ask that the students who are currently enrolled in the Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia class here at Lodi High School stand up and be recognized. ! What is so impressive about our exchange program with Thailand is not that we have continued to send

students every other year, what is impressive is the vision the Mr. Shimshak and Mr. Suphannachat Ploeng-goen had at the beginning. On our first trip to Thailand, these two v is ionar ies began to discuss how to make this exchange someth ing more powerful for each school . They both recognized that only a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f students would ever get to make this trip and wondered how they could increase the connection and learning that was occurring between the two schools. That is when the idea for this d i s t a n c e e d u c a t i o n program was born. This vision not only helped to draw the students from our respective schools c loser, but has a lso brought our staffs, our communities, and our countries together.

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Of course, behind each great vision, there is a lot of work being done, mostly behind the scenes, to make the vision become a reality. Mr. Shimshak and Mr. Suphannachat Ploeng-goen were the driving forces, but a lot of the day-to-day work is being done by staff at the respective buildings., Ms. Tuke and Ms. Waraporn in Suphanburi and Ms. Anderson and Mr. Kohl, here in Lodi. Their collaboration and dedication to students in both schools is to be commended. Without the work of these great educators, this program would not be possible. There are countless others who play a role in making th is program a success for students in both schools.

I also need to thank Mr. Suphannachat and Mr. Phadet for their continued leadership in helping to make this program not only a success, but also the envy of school’s around the world. Without thei r commitment, evident by their willingness to fly across the globe to sign this agreement, this program would not be what it is today. Kob Kun Krap

Finally, to the importance of this type of program in today’s environment—in a time where people across our district, our state, our country and the world are digging in their heels, are embroiled in conflict, and are re fus ing to work together because they are focused on their differences, this program takes a different approach. The greatness of Mr. Shimshak’s and Mr. Suphannachat’s vision was not in using technology for education, it was bringing people closer with a focus on our similarities, not differences. It is bringing students and staff together with their peers from across the globe to learn what we have in common and build upon these commonali t ies. These are the lessons being reinforced and I, for one, am proud to be associated with this extraordinary program.

Thank you or as they say in Thai, Kob Kun Krap

In closing, I would again like to thank Mr. Phadet and Mr. S u p h a n n a c h a t f o r t h e i r unend ing suppor t o f th is program and their willingness to fly half way around the world to be with us today. I also need to thank the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the School District of Lodi’s Board of Education, administration, staff and students for their support.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the students of Lodi High School to take full advantage of the w o n d e r f u l a n d u n i q u e opportunities that are being offered to you here in Lodi. Take the Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia class, host an exchange program student (we are currently looking for host for our German exchange), and apply to participate in an exchange. Any one of these experiences on their own will

have a profound impact on your life, combining the three will truly give you an experience of a lifetime and a leg up on the world when you leave LHS. Take the chance and you may find that you learn just as much about yourself as you learn about another culture.

Finally, thank you all for coming today. A reminder that there is a social for our honored guests and s tudents and families who have participate in the distance education class or exchange program following the ceremony. Thanks to all for your respectful attention today.

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