Sanford Middle School Celebrates

International School Library Day  Registered our school on July 22, 2007, to create bookmarks for a school in another country.  Must send 500 bookmarks so that all of their participating students receive a bookmark  In this way, we can share information about our favorite books with students somewhere else in the world.

Bookmark Requirements  Draw a picture or decoration representing a favorite book on the front.  Write the title, author & illustrator, and one or two lines about the book on the back of the bookmarks.  Can be any shape or style-be creative.  Only the best 500 will be shipped to our partner school, neatness is important!

On September 7 th, I received the following Dear Ms Henderson, How are you? I am Helen Chan, the teacher-librarian of Lam Tin Methodist Primary School of Hong Kong. Nice to be your partnership school in the ISLD Bookmark Project. 500 student Bookmark will be sent to you by 22th October, May I have your school address for the shipping? I am looking forward to receiving your reply soon! Regards, Helen

 Lam Tin Methodist Primary School

Where in the world is Hong Kong?

Lam Tin Methodist Primary School  Founded by Methodist 1996  Primary School Grades 1 st to 6 th  Roughly 155 students per grade  Subjects Taught: Chinese Language, English Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, & P.E. Music is not an elective. All Students are required to learn to play an instrument.  Their Website:

Translation Assistance Provided by  Manhan Kitty Siu  Born and Raised in Hong Kong  Formerly: High School Teacher in Hong Kong  Currently: Auburn University Librarian

Students must wear uniforms  Each school designs their own uniform.  Each uniform displays a badge identifying the school.  Each school has a summer uniform and a winter uniform.  Breaking dress code is a serious issue. Examples of Uniforms

Large Number of Students means….  Primary students attend 1 of 2 sessions daily & alternating Saturdays 7:30 – 12:30 or 12:30 – 5:30 Two 10 Minute Recesses Per Session No Lunch or Dinner is Served 30 – 40 Students Per Class Students Don’t Change – Teachers Do Teachers are acknowledged upon entry & exit Some schools use music or songs instead of a bell to signify class changes

Due to Government Intervention…  Population has decreased allowing our partnership school to return to a more traditional schedule.  Today students attend from 8:30 to 3:30 with a 30 minute lunch  No classes on Saturday!

School Year in Hong Kong  School begins on September 1 st  6 weeks for summer break  More holidays throughout the year Examples: 10 days each for Christmas (Dec.) and the Chinese New Year (late Jan./early Feb.) 8 days for Easter (April)  Our students attend 185 days yearly  Lam Tin students attend 190 days

Lam Tin’s Extra-Curricular Activities  Soccer  Table Tennis  Badminton  Basketball  Taekwondo  Boys/Girls Scouts  Arts & Crafts  Science Exploration  No Baseball  No Football Baseball & Football are not as popular in China as they are here.

For More Info  International School Library Home Page:  Lam Tim’s website:  Map site: