Pledge, Prayer: President Bill
Song: Bill M.
Card Game '29': Bob A.
Sergeants Report:
Raffle Winners: Gerri, Jess, Stan
Happy Bucks
General Business:
Matt Rubin still needs help on Sunday for the Amistad. The hours help is needed are 1-4pm and 4-7pm to help park cars and sell items. Location is Between the Bridges Marina.
Ron Scott introduced the 3 students chosen to attend the Rotary World Affairs Seminar in Whitewater, WI June 17-23. The are Andrew Wilson of Westbrook, Patrick Murphy of Old Saybrook, and Will Danenhower of Old Lyme. They will be attending the seminar, which is attended by students from all over the country and around the world, to discuss issues of the day and promote world peace by understanding problems presented and having open dialogue on various subjects. The students gain a perspective by hearing and expressing different points of view. The cost to the club is about $800 per student which includes airfare.
Bill Bernhart informed the club of work done by the club's Community Outreach Program. A total of $1,100 was allocated to 1- purchase eyeglasses, 2- pay back rent, 3- make a car payment.
Brent reported that our Golf Tournament netted 24K! Great work. Marty thanked all the Rotarians who helped out as well as the significant contributions by non-Rotarians. See the report under the EVENTS & MEETINGS header.
Joe introduced our Students of the Month (Physical Education):
Old Saybrook: Sonya Skalanduhas, Old Lyme: Elizabeth Buchanan
The Program
Bob Hale, a familiar face at our meetings and Principal of Westbrook High School, gave a very informative and interesting talk on his recent factfinding trip to China. The Chinese take education very seriously. It is a tiered structure with compulsory education of all students up to Grade 9. The top one-half goes on to high school and the other half vocational school. At Grade 12, testing determines who will go on to college and the best go to the more desireous schools such as Beijing University. China has 20% of the world student population and spends 2% - a very efficient system although class sizes tend to be very large. Chinese children showed a lot of joy. A typical school day consists of school from 7:30am to 5:30pm with a 2 hour break and then "optional" study from 6:30pm to 10pm. Classes are 45 minutes long. There is a constant initiative to learn the English language in the schools and in the signage you see. Chinese children learn to read and speak English at a high level. They have a perception that the US is a very dangerous place to live with everyone having guns. You can sum up the attitude in their mission statement that appears in signs throughout the countryside, "Study for the Rise of the Chinese Nation".
md
