Parents encouraged to lend helping hand
Whether it is helping out in the library or participating in fund-raising activities, parents are encouraged to play an active role at the school.
'We believe that two-way communication is essential in promoting understanding within the school community,' Patricia Beselt, chairperson, the Canadian International School Parents' Association, said.
'It is a fact, proven time and again by statistical studies, that the more parents are involved in their children's school, the higher will be the standard of education,' she said. 'We are fortunate in that our board, principal and teaching staff have welcomed and encouraged this on-going partnership with parents.' Parents have enthusiastically participated in a wide variety of school events and projects since the school was founded in 1991.
'Thus, parental involvement is strongly encouraged. The mission of the parents' association aims to bring together the best elements of Canadian and international cultures within the learning environment,' Ms Beselt said.
A self-described 'proud Canadian', Ms Beselt has lived in Hong Kong for 10 years. She and husband Dennis have two children - seven-year-old Steven and 11-year-old Justine - enrolled at the school. A third child, 2.5-year-old Tyler, while not old enough to study at CDNIS, already 'feels right at home' there, Ms Beselt said.
'I decided to become active in the parents' association because I enjoy being in the environment where my children spend the better part of their day,' she said.
'Also being in a position to help influence the decisions that affect a child's education appeals to me. I feel that close involvement with the parents and educators is vital in the smooth operation of the school. I also feel a strong parental involvement creates a favourable environment for learning.' Ms Beselt was upbeat about the school's cross-cultural component.
'Students study Mandarin and, later, visit areas of China. [There are] exchange programmes with sister schools in China - Wing Shan Middle School in Foshan and the Affiliated High School of Peking University in Beijing,' she said.
'The school gives us the option of our children remaining with us in Hong Kong and to be educated as if they were still in Canada.'
