Many people go to Disney World or other places in Florida on Easter break but several Schoharie school staff members and students may be traveling much farther.
SCS school board members agreed earlier this month to move forward with a trip to China which would be taken from March 29 through April 6, 2013.
Superintendent Brian Sherman, who has previously gone with other education officials to China, said between 20 and 25 people will be taking the trip to Tianjin.
The trip will be open to school chaperones, members of families who hosted Chinese students in July, students in Schoharie's Mandarin class, high school students starting with seniors, and possibly other guests such as Duanesburg students, and Union College. The number for the trip may go to about 40 if members of Tech Valley high school participate.
The purpose of the trip is to provide students and staff with a culturally diverse learning opportunity, to expose them to an unfamiliar culture so they can compare that to SCS, make new friends, experience the rich history of China, practice using Mandarin and eat healthy food, Mr. Sherman said.
In past trips, United States education officials noted, "Students are the same everywhere," Mr. Sherman said.
Those going on the trip will be visiting sections of the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Schoharie's "friendship" school in Tianjin, among other sites.
The district has hosted several delegations from China, both in the long and short-term and "we want to be able to allow our students and staff an exchange experience," Mr. Sherman said.
"Our students, like those in many other districts, need to be prepared for a global economy," he said. "If we look to the future, the Asian market is expanding and an understanding of the culture and economics will only help our students compete for job opportunities in this global society."
The district was able to add Mandarin as a foreign language this year without an increase in operational cost through a program with Union College.
"Our concern for the future is to continue as many options for our students as possible. We are presently looking at the sustainability of the Mandarin program," the Superintendent said.
Estimated costs for those going on the trip is about $1,100 for round-trip airfare, $500 for the hotel, tours, tour bus and train tickets, and other processing fees.
Board members had some discussion on subsidizing chaperones.
Three staff members will probably take the trip.
Those "subsidized" chaperones, Mr. Sherman said, will be working during their spring break and will have other obligations when it comes to not only supervision and care of the students on the trip, but assisting in pre-planning for the trip and related activities with the students and their Chinese counterparts after the return from China.
The teachers will be paying for much of their expenses on their own, Mr. Sherman said.
To assist, the district discussed using professional development funds set aside for staff development. The amount is roughly equal to what would be paid for conference registration and overnight expenses for a two-day conference.