The GSWLA Delegation to the Philippines is very excited for this inaugural exchange with the people of the City of Olongapo!
As we embark on this great adventure, we would like to thank everyone that has supported this exchange program throughout its development! Without the support of VBCPS Administration, Virginia Beach school board members, and most certainly members of the Hampton Roads Filipino community this exchange would not be possible....so, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!
As we embark on this great adventure, we would like to thank everyone that has supported this exchange program throughout its development! Without the support of VBCPS Administration, Virginia Beach school board members, and most certainly members of the Hampton Roads Filipino community this exchange would not be possible....so, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!
2014 Delegation Information
General Information:
Travel Dates: October 8-18, 2014
GSWLA Chaperones: Heather Comer - [email protected]
Jessica Windish - [email protected]
Pre-Travel Important Dates:
July 30, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- Bring copy of Passport and deposit
August 20, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- Completion of Student Eligibility documents
- Balance due
- Review of after school student meetings and student expectations
September 17, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- All student eligibility forms are due
Pre-Travel Student Meetings:
We will meet every Wednesday before we leave! The meetings will be in Room 207 from 2:20-4:00. Please plan to have a ride home or stay for the activity buses. Please see below for agenda items.
9/3 - Philippines data, itinerary details, brainstorm (talent, gifts, packing)
9/9 - permission slips, missed work forms, talent, Philippines quiz, Shirt/Bag order, guest speaker
9/17 - practice talent, shirt money and sizes
9/24 - host families, packing, spending money
10/1 - final details
Please watch the YouTube Links at the bottom of the screen (repeatedly) to prep for our display of talent!!!
It would also be wise to start practicing as well! You have lyrics for the songs we will sing! Enjoy!
Travel Itinerary:
Depart: October 8, 2014
*See document below!
Return Home: October 18, 2014
Helpful Links:
General Information:
Travel Dates: October 8-18, 2014
GSWLA Chaperones: Heather Comer - [email protected]
Jessica Windish - [email protected]
Pre-Travel Important Dates:
July 30, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- Bring copy of Passport and deposit
August 20, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- Completion of Student Eligibility documents
- Balance due
- Review of after school student meetings and student expectations
September 17, 2014 - Parent Meeting @ THS LMC 6pm
- All student eligibility forms are due
Pre-Travel Student Meetings:
We will meet every Wednesday before we leave! The meetings will be in Room 207 from 2:20-4:00. Please plan to have a ride home or stay for the activity buses. Please see below for agenda items.
9/3 - Philippines data, itinerary details, brainstorm (talent, gifts, packing)
9/9 - permission slips, missed work forms, talent, Philippines quiz, Shirt/Bag order, guest speaker
9/17 - practice talent, shirt money and sizes
9/24 - host families, packing, spending money
10/1 - final details
Please watch the YouTube Links at the bottom of the screen (repeatedly) to prep for our display of talent!!!
It would also be wise to start practicing as well! You have lyrics for the songs we will sing! Enjoy!
Travel Itinerary:
Depart: October 8, 2014
*See document below!
Return Home: October 18, 2014
Helpful Links:
Travel Highlights!
After a three flights, two layovers, and a bus ride.....We arrived in Olongapo early in the morning on October 10th! It seemed strange to miss October 9th, but there was plenty to keep us busy. In Detroit we ate at Max and Erma's and in Japan we searched for wifi and vending machines that would take $$$$....no luck on either!
We were warmly welcomed at the Olongapo airport before our bus ride on the "Most Beautiful Women in the World" bus...this bus our home away from home as we have toured the area! And it always has a lovely cherry scent!
Saturday morning started with a display of athleticism at Remy Field in Olongapo. Our students joined in when Haley, Claudia, and Win volunteered to race.....so did Mrs. Windish, but she was so far behind that you can't see her in any of the pictures. We spent the rest of Saturday touring the area....Mount Samat and the Shrine of Valor on the Bataan Peninsula (a memorial for those fallen in WII, particularly during the Bataan Death March...and yes we did take the tiny elevator to the top of the cross, 7 at a time), lunch with a little impromptu karaoke, and a soggy tour of a Spanish Colonial heritage village that is being reassembled one brick at a time from historic homes throughout the Philippines. We can not express enough our amazement at our bus driver's abilities and courtesy to get us as close as possible to all of our locations...many roads were not built for buses :)...and as safely as possible. Our day ended with a lovely dinner at By the Sea Resort....no pictures....too tired!
After a day with our host families, we started our week as special guests at the Olongapo City flag raising ceremony! What an honor to be on stage with the Mayor, several council members (especially Honorable Jong Cortez!), and a collection of hardworking and wonderful city employees. After a tour of the city museum and lunch at city hall we were given a lesson on the disaster preparedness strategies that Olongapo uses, with a presentation given by Carlos an EMS technician. We then spent our day touring the schools that we are partnered with.....however, "touring" does not give it justice....we were "rock stars"....some of us "super stars"! We danced, we hugged, we took many photos, and we made plans for our three days together. The day ended with a citywide dance competition judged by yours truly.....Haley, Claudia, Mrs. Comer, and Mrs. Windish! Claudia was even invited to dance for the crowd during a break!
With Tuesday came classroom visits, an exhibit of the photographs from the Philippine Delegation's visit to Virginia Beach in March 2014, and the students of Tallwood along with the students of Olongapo making a commitment to expand the lines of communication between the people, cities, and countries. Wednesday was just as intense, but in a different way. After testing was done for the day, the delegates spent several hours "investing" in the future of Olongapo and its residence. They were guest legislators at City Hall and brought their donations of toiletries, school supplies, and flip flops to the Sinag Center for children with disabilities. What a day! They stayed a little longer than expected at the elementary school to entertain and encourage the kids!