Host Family Meeting March 15, 2016 Sherwood Middle School / Beijing Daxing Exchange Program

Some Differences

More Similarities I like dancing My favorite food is steak & pizza I like playing basketball & swimming I can play flute & guitar I am 10 years old I like reading science fiction & detective novels I can play the drums I can play sax My favorite book is Harry Potter I like singing I like chess I have an older sister & a younger brother I want a toy I want to visit the library Model airplanes are my hobby I can draw very well I want to make friends My favorite food is chocolate I have a happy family

“Only knowing your little part of the world will not yield the creative solutions we need to solve the world’s complex problems.” ~ Lynne Mitchell

Being A Host Family Important Reminders Follow the itinerary to know your exchange student’s schedule We’ll get you exact times as soon as we can Car pooling is ok but must be worked out between families Students will be able to take the bus on days they are at SMS Students will have most evening meals with their host family SMS will make lunch available in the cafeteria on the days students are at SMS during lunch Most important: Just be yourself! Do what you like to do or what your family normally has scheduled and include your visiting student

Being A Host Family Important Reminders Follow the itinerary to know your exchange student’s schedule We’ll get you exact times as soon as we can Car pooling is ok but must be worked out between families Students will be able to take the bus on days they are at SMS Students will have most evening meals with their host family SMS will make lunch available in the cafeteria on the days students are at SMS during lunch Most students will be traveling with cell phones Could help alleviate issues of homesickness Good idea to establish schedule of when they can call home

Being A Host Family Practical Cultural Differences Drinking liquids Many people prefer room temperature drinks Using the bathroom You should nicely instruct students that toilet tissue goes in the toilet, not the wastebasket Taking a shower It’s uncommon for children to shower every day When they do, they frequently turn water off and on during a shower to conserve water

Being A Host Family Other Helpful Information Students appreciate the option to use chopsticks at meals if you can have some on hand Down time is good Students will be very busy with their tour group while they are here so don’t feel that you have to keep them busy every minute they are in your home Simple things like playing in the yard or going to the park will be fun for them Calling home – all students will have phones with them Boston Ivy asks that they limit calls home to 6-8pm Allow them to use your WiFi password while in your home Please be flexible if your student suffers from some homesickness Students may also want to use WeChat, similar to our Facetime

Resources For problems We will provide a number to call 24/7 if there’s an emergency or a student becomes ill For general questions, contact Kathleen or Michelle at For issues pertaining to time in school, contact your child’s Assistant Principal Heather Gablaski (508) , Karen Gutekanst (508) ,

Resources To exchange ideas & information We will share host family contact information There will be a private Facebook page for you to use For language help Google Translator Be sure to select the “Simplified Chinese” option Mango Languages (through the Shrewsbury Public Library) For cultural information SMS Media Center Shrewsbury Public Library Beijing Chinese Language School in Shrewsbury

Questions?