Brand New One Month Exchange Program!

AIEI is excited to announce a unique one month exchange program starting next year with Lodi SDA Elementary School.  International students will be able to attend an American culture exchange program, stay with American Host families homes, and attend school classes with current students. Its unlike anything we’ve ever done before and is one of the first of its kind in this new and exciting opportunity for International students! 

About Lodi SDA

Lodi SDA Elementary has a historical presence of quality education in the Lodi community and was started over 104 years ago in 1908. The school has been greatly supported by several of the local Seventh Day Adventist churches investing more than $1,500,000+ in improving learning facilities. The local community has felt a great support to improve the education for the youth and this can be seen in the results of the students performance. The school also offers a very unique music program with a children's choir starting in Kindergarden, beginner band starting in 5th grade and 7-8th grade concert band. The school also has an elective group of Handbell choir that is available to students in band.

According to the CognitiveGenesis Study (http://www.nadeducation.org) students in “Adventist schools achieve half a grade higher than the national average, and beyond their own predicted ability.” In a recent interview with the Principal Mr. Turner, he told us that “some students even scored two grades above their grade level in math.” A high level of academic performance is part of the schools core value emphasizing students to develop skills in independent thinking, problem solving, cooperation and self-control. This school is dedicated to teaching strong moral, spiritual and patriotic values. 

Lodi SDA Elementary is dedicated to having a learning atmosphere where students can learn to realize their full potential. Encouraging students to assume a growing responsibility for unselfish service to the community and develop Christian values and character. Celebrating an environment of diversity in students living and learning to assist them in choosing responsible actions and attitudes. Lodi SDA Elementary has a focus of non-discrimination enrollment accepting students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights priviledges, programs and acitivites generally made available to students. Its does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or gender in the administration of the its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships and other school-administered programs. To learn more about Lodi SDA, visit http://www.lodisdaelem.org/.

Lodi Academy Band Concert

Do you know a veteran? Someone who has served in the military or national guard? You might be surprised to know how many veterans are around our everyday life. Serving those around us is an act that doesn’t get enough credit. The Lodi Academy band played a special musical performance in Honor of the veteran’s who have served our country. They played classics like “Star Spangled Banner” to old military marching songs. A special tribute song was played for military division and veterans were asked to stand in honor of their service. It was a special moment for those standing and for the students to see just how many veterans were apart of our local community. I noticed one veteran nearly in tears as he proudly stood. We all have much to be thankful for and happy to be living in more peaceful times than the past. LET FREEDOM RING!

The second half of the show was a fun list songs including many movie classics like Jaws and the famous Imperial March from Star Wars! The students came to live playing these songs and the performance was not only fun to listen but also to watch! The highlight of the night was when Katie Kim swept the crowd away with her soloist performance of Blue Moon. “She melted my heart” exclaimed many audiences members as they cheered and cheered. Even though she sang along with the band, all ears where listening to her incredible voice. Even I admit I have never heard anyone control their voice as elegantly as she did. At the end of the show the audience cheered its way to an encore. The director has said they hadn’t prepared any extra songs and asked the audience which song would they like to hear again. It was an anonymous vote from everyone “BLUE MOON!”

Community Service Day

Students at Lodi Academy participated in several community service projects around the Lodi area. Teams of students would work on assigned areas ranging from helping out a local thrift store to helping keep California look cleaner by picking up trash. Participating in community service projects provides a great way to reach out to our local community and gives students an experience to help those around them. Experiencing a service project with fellow students creates a lasting memory and often provides an opportunity to learn something new about your local community and friends!

給家長的話: 如何發掘您孩子是否適合到美國高中求學？

如果您有一個將要面臨升學壓力和選擇未來方向的青少年孩子時，您一定時常注意報張雜誌上討論青少年到海外求學的新聞，或聽取其他已經送有孩子出國經驗的爸爸媽媽談論他們的個人體驗和意見。當聽到的訊息是好的，成功的例子，您一定立刻興奮起來開始思考如何安排，但過了一個星期聽到了另外一個不好的例子或看到令人擔心的報導，可能又洩氣了。該如何決定是否送孩子到美國求學呢？最簡單的方法是：了解您孩子的興趣，目標再決定是否考慮到國外求學。然後接受專家的建議，訂下計畫逐步實行。

一般來說，父母想送孩子出國求學的原因不外是下列幾種：

1. 孩子在學校的表現不是很好
2. 孩子壓力太大無法承受課業的負擔
3. 孩子的目標是進入美國優異的大學
4. 孩子具有特殊的才能
5. 家長有意移居美國
6. 孩子有機會體驗美式教育

每個孩子都有特殊的優點，並不是在學校的同儕教育的方法下能夠被發現的。因為在國內學校的學業成績不理想，並不是到了國外就能解決問題。尤其是到美國讀書很簡單的想法並不實際。如果有三科不及格便將會被拒絕入學。因此，提早的準備是非常重要的。不論是任何一種原因，爸爸媽媽都可以和孩子分享他們的成功。在這兒提供一些建議給您作參考。

1. 發現孩子要甚麼：成績不好並不表示孩子比別人差，爸爸媽媽有責任花些時間和孩子相處，觀察，了解孩子的需求，興趣，和目標，再加上有計劃的指導。如果語文不好，不能只是拼命的強迫孩子補習英文，應該了解為甚麼不喜歡英文的原因。可能孩子有物理方面的天分，不認為英文很重要。
2. 培養孩子的興趣：利用機會送孩子參加出國遊學配合學習有興趣的主題。看看外面的世界和不同的學習方式，激發孩子想要求進步的原動力。
3. 創造孩子能夠運用所學英文的環境：例如讓孩子參加國內的英語夏令營，英語會話班。觀察是否英語環境是孩子喜歡的。
4. 尋求專業人士的輔導：確定這些專業人士的背景是有經驗的中學或青少年的教育專家，最重要的是時候曾經在美國有教育的經驗。爸爸媽媽不是只將孩子送到國外放在陌生的環境。認識學校的環境，是否適合孩子的程度，興趣都是很重要的考慮方向。

有了目標和方向，爸爸媽媽和孩子們才能快樂的合作。讓孩子出國是很開心的事，還有許多的細節需要關心和了解的，要明白不是每一個孩子都適合美國，因此如何準備未來是爸爸媽媽很重要的一個課題。更多的討論下回在繼續喔！

Meet Your New Mentors!

American Study Program is proud to welcome our new mentors, Katie Sacco and Jenelle Vadar, to the team! Katie and Jenelle will be mentoring students weekly at Sacramento Country Day School. Get to know a bit about them and feel free to ask questions in the comment section below!

Katie Sacco

Katie Sacco has been the executive administrator at Government Action and Communication Institute (GACI) since its inception in 2001 and before that worked on projects with the State Child Development Policy Advisory Committee—setting up health and education forums, developing a Foundation Grant Directory for Children, Youth and Family programs, preparing legislative briefs and acting as a conduit for legislative and administration requests for information on health, early learning and education, and issues around veterans and the elderly.  Her responsibilities include office management as well as logistics and evaluation for the Institute’s many Capitol Conferences seminars, forums, and symposiums.  She is also lead staff for the intern recruitment and training program with the institute. 

 With the American Study Program, Katie has cherished her position as a mentor to several students, watching them learn, grow, and succeed is an accomplishment itself.  She has also assisted the founder, Joanna Durkin, with other activities to shape and add to the wonderful program that is the American Study Program.  

Over the past few years she has also provided back-up vocals for a funk and blues band, assisted on several local film and movie projects, is learning the harmonica, and also runs a side business selling memorabilia on E-bay.  She is also an ‘on-call’ assistant for American Visions Art Gallery on weekends. 

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Jenelle Vadar

Jenelle is dedicated to meeting the needs of children and their families. For over six years, she worked closely with foster and at-risk youth for the Placer County Department of Health and Human Services, where she supervised and mentored kids aged 5-18 who were in the custody of Child Protective Services. Jenelle also served residents of Placer County by enrolling children, adults and families in human service programs that helped them achieve self-sufficiency.

Earlier this year, she put her experience to good use by joining the American Study Program team, where she mentors high school exchange students and helps them engage with American culture.  

After working for Placer County, Jenelle served as an Associate Policy Analyst for Government Action and Communication Institute (GACI), a non-profit government consulting firm in Northern California. There, she researched nationwide trends in health, education, and human service issues, and then hosted briefings at the Capitol for Legislators, their staff, state department heads, and community stakeholders. Jenelle has also worked for a Congressional campaign, the Placer County Office of Elections, an environmental consulting firm, and a group home for foster kids in the Sacramento area.

Jenelle graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a BA in Communication Studies. She aspires to use her skills – and experience with kids – to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work and someday work as a Marriage and Family Therapist. 

When she’s not working, Jenelle enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, where she takes long walks and hikes with her dog, Baby. She also likes traveling, coffee and conversation, quality time with friends and family, outdoor concerts, curling up with a good book, and serving at her church.