These pictures were taken some time in the 1940's......I love to imagine these student's lives back then (mostly American diplomat children), compared to the hundreds and hundreds of expat children (whose parents are working here for various large corporations) living here in Shanghai now.....
So to commemorate this historical event, Shanghai American School begins to celebrate this milestone achievement with Centennial activities and events throughout the year. The first celebration was nothing less than fabulous....
FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION
The entire student body of SAS came to school dressed in 1900's attire. The students then paraded the halls into the auditorium waving Chinese and American flags. It was an awesome sight, and brought tears to so many who had been involved in many different transitions. We loved having "our Dad" be part of the celebrations as he represented the Board of Directors for Shanghai American School. After a historical overview noting distinct milestones of the school, a congratulatory address from a representative from Washington D.C. (who reported that SAS was one of the highest ranked international schools in the world), the high school band accompanied the choir in the school song. Lastly, the Chinese dragons entered the auditorium and performed the traditional dragon dance while the school cheered on. It was a proud moment indeed!!
A couple days following Founder's Day, all board members, their spouses, along with the American Consulate General, and School Officials, were invited to a dinner on the Bund for yet another Centennial Celebration. Nevermind that the meal was 5 courses of nothing but seafood (have I ever mentioned how much I dislike seafood?), the evening was again remarkable!
In 1949 the American School in Shanghai was shut down due to Chinese political unrest which undoubtedly forced expats out of the country. In 1983, Claire Brooks returned to China with her husband who was the Consulate General. Ms. Brooks knew how important it was for expat children to have an American school curriculum opportunity while living abroad, so she "reopened" the American School. The first year the school was reopened hosted 8 American children at the Consulate. Amazing how it has grown since. Ms. Brooks was recently in Shanghai. We were thrilled to be invited to a special luncheon in her honor, and hear her stories of Shanghai/American School history.
Ms. Brooks has a definite love for educating children, which she has passed on to her daughter Sue Brooks. Sue Brooks grew up in Shanghai, and moved back to Shanghai years later with her husband's company. She continues her mother's tradition of the love of teaching, and ironic enough, Preston has the privilege of having Sue as a teacher at the Wonder Center. How fabulous these past couple weeks have been to reflect on the past, the present and the future of American Education in Shanghai, and how grateful we are to have our children be a part of history in the making!
4 comments:
My goodness, this is impressive. John's work has carried your entire family into an incredible cultural experience that will have impact on your children for years to come. It is exciting to know people like Ms. Brooks who have taken such an interest in educating children. How neat that your entire family shared this special experience together.
you guys have had the coolest experiences. love it all.
This is just fantastic that so many wonderful ways were used to help the kids realize what so many people have gone through in order to provide them with the excellent education they are receiving now. That is so much more effective and memorable than just announcing it or putting it in a newspaper. These kids will never forget this event! Loved Tyson's attire, and of course, I will never get enough of Preston's darling smile!
I can see why you will have a hard time leaving China! However, I have no doubt you will continue to thrive wherever you are planted!
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