Chileans in Maine 2006

Thank Yous & Reminders

2006-04-20T03:10:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU!

Special THANKS to those below, and to EVERYONE who helped make this a successful and life-learning Academic Exchange between Colegios Padre Hurtado y Juanita de los Andes of Santiago de Chile; Catherine McAuley High School of Portland, Maine; and Cheverus High School of Portland, Maine. As the relationships between all these schools grow and improve, so does the improvement of relationships between countries in our ever-shrinking world today.

Lucia Pizarro - Program Developer & Coordinator and English Teacher at CPH-CJA HS

Terrilynn Dubreuil - Program Coordinator and Spanish Teacher at Catherine McAuley HS

Terry Finnerty - Program Coordinator and Spanish Teacher at Cheverus HS

Cecilia Gambino - Program Coordinator and English Teacher at CPH-CJA HS

Jane Glass - Chile List Serve (mailing) Coordinator and Librarian at Cheverus HS

Deb Payton - Program Coordinator and Cheverus parent (she organized so many aspects, but especially the Sugarloaf weekend at her condo and the Boston trip - these took a huge amount of planning and work)

Revs. Richard & Janet Weidler and the Woodfords Congregation Church Community for donating their facilities for the ever-so-popular Salsa Night.

Susan Pope for acquiring and organizing the Key Bank Sky Box at the Sea Dogs game.

Steven Beaudette for organizing the Augusta State Capitol tour and visit with the Secretary of State.

All the HOST FAMILIES for opening their hearts and homes to the Chilean students and their teachers.

To the McAuley and Cheverus High School communities for allowing the exchange and helping in a multitude of ways to create a welcoming and functioning atmosphere and schedule for the Chilean students and teachers.

To the CPH-CJA community and parents for sending these wonderful young people so we can get to know them and their culture better.

Reminders:

Check WebShots for FULL-SIZED photos: http://community.webshots.com/album/548677668rdYlSP

Actual McAuley Exchange Blog:
http://mcauleycja06.blogspot.com/

School Web Sites:
Catherine McAuley HS: http://mcauleyhs.org/
Colegios CPH-CJA: http://www.cph-cja.cl/
Cheverus HS: http://www.cheverus.org/

Fiesta & ADIOS

2006-04-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Fiesta de Despedida * Farewell Fiesta

The final days of the Chileans went so quickly. Now it seems impossible that they are gone. The farewell party at the Tarraza’s house was so nice – two birthdays were celebrated with cakes: Martin and Miss Carmen. Some of the kids went for a walk to the beach in the evening. We all chatted about the trip and what is to come.

Adios ~ Hasta la vista

The day of the fly-out arrived, everyone packing and getting ready to meet at 1pm at the airport for the plane which was to leave at 3pm. Becka, who arrived first, called around on her cell to those on their way. Her family was the first to arrive just before 1, and they learned that the flight had been switched to leave just after 1pm! Craziness! No one had been told of the change - the airline had not called anyone. No one would be checked in and ready to fly at that time.

When Carmen arrived at the airport, she talked with the airline manager and got them to make arrangements to get them to New York City on another flight – actually, another airline! Our hero, Carmen! (And the original company paid for the switch.) So, finally …

the departure took place just about as originally planned.

Some of these photos best express the bitter-sweet good-byes.

Many new friends, friends for life, buddies for now, those who will see each other again in June when Cheverus goes to Santiago, and those who go with McAuley in August this summer.

Still … it’s hard to let go of the newest members of our families.

Hasta la vista. Adiós y a Díos.

Don't forget to check more photos at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauleyhs

http://mcauleycja06.blogspot.com/

FYI: also, Anny Dixon, Deering High School teacher and close friend of Mrs. Dubreuil, is spending this vacation week with a group of Deering students working in Guatemala:

http://deering.portlandschools.org/spanishclub/pages/guatemala.html

Sea Dogs Baseball

2006-04-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Pope family at Cheverus H.S., the Chileans got to watch a Sea Dogs baseball game from the comfort of the Key Bank sky box ... or should I say "attend". I don't believe there was really much watching of the game going on. Intermittently there would be cheers, especially from the Mainers in the group, and most participated in the songs and Slugger antics of "YMCA" and "Take me out to the ballgame". When the lighthouse arose after homeruns - it was a thing of mystery at first, but once explained was a point of excitement.

The day started out rather sunny, but by the middle innings a huge fog cloud floated in from the sea and then rain. At the top of the 9th a downpour fell and the boys laughed to see the stadium spectators running .. because we were dry in the sky box. The Sea Dogs won in a rain soaked finish. The guys were watching Brittish soccer on the tele. Between hot dogs, pizza, chips and Sea Dogs Biscuits - it was a good day.

City Tours in Maine

2006-04-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Augusta, Maine

The State Capital

The day started a bit chilly with a dusting of snow and a frosty fog. But considering how Maine USUALLY is this time of year, we were'nt too put off. We met at Cheverus to get on the bus for the trip to Augusta. A few other students, not host siblings, went with us.

We arrived at the Capitol building from the back and took photos in front of the State Seal (emblem). At the top is the North Star with the motto: "Dirigo" - which in Latin means "I lead". This refers to the historical tradition of "As goes Maine, so goes the Nation" (which doesn't usually hold true).

In the Capitol, we went to the House of Representatives which was in session and awaited the introduction of "the Student Delegates from Santiago, Chile who are in the balcony." There were also there a huge number of Maine bankers, as well as other visitors.

While waiting for further tours, and our students were very patient, we had a chance to take photos in the Hall of Flags. From there we had a chance to visit with the Secretary of State in the Governor's Cabinet room. Governor Baldacci was out of town on official business that day. After a loooong awaited lunch, the students got a quick visit to the State of Maine Museum.

It was a long travel day for everyone, and when we returned to Cheverus we had some quick pizza and soda before a great presentation by the group "Vertical". The speaker is originally from Chile, but now resides in the U.S. He has climbed Mount Everest, K2, and other major mountains. He spoke to the group about team work and organization and leadership. Amongst the three schools, CPH-CJA, McAuley, and Cheverus, we are working toward an internet project for leadership in the world through young people! This is just the beginning!

Thank You's and Goodbyes at McAuley

Four our last class day having the Chileans with us in school, they came to the Spanish Classes and just TALKED - sharing ideas, thoughts, feelings - (trying to do so in Spanish, but of course, it often became a bi-lingual situation .. which is still great!) The Chileans also got to check in with who would be coming to visit them this coming August in Santiago.

As a special thanks to the School Administration and the Host Siblings and some special teachers, the Chileans made Torta de Manjar - which is a greatly popular dessert in Chile. It's made with mil feuille (thousand layer) pastry and "manjar" ... a specialty from Chile which is similar to a caramel flavor but about the thickness of hot fudge syrup when it's cold. The students LOVE it! Those who had been to Chile last summer said it SO reminded them of being there... and I have to agree. (Notice the photo of Natalie enjoying every last morsel!)

Sister Edward Mary had an assembly to give everyone the opportunity to say "good-bye". She gave each Chilean student and Miss Carmen lovely wooden cut-outs that are hand-painted in the image of Catherine McAuley High School. It was an emotional time for many.

Memories - Looking Back

Tonight is the GOING AWAY PARTY for our wonderful Chilean visitors. They fly out of Portland airport on Tuesday, April 18th. From here they go to visit New York City, Washington,D.C., and Miami, to round out their trip to the United States, before they take the last plane home to Santiago. It has been an amazing and very-full-of-experiences month.

Photos and last thoughts from the Despedida and the Airport will be sent as soon as possible. I apologize for not getting this entry written in Spanish as well as English. Also I will put up an entry about the Sea Dogs game earlier this week ... sorry that some things are slightly out of chronological order. Memories often move around and get jumbled anyway ...

Boston

2006-04-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

THREE WEEKS +

TRES SEMANAS +

It's getting close, TOO close, to the time our Chilean friends leave us. It's been a very busy last week at school and the trip to Boston yesterday. The day was beautiful - a perfect spring day in Boston - but exhausting!

We were at the train station in Portland before 6am, rode 3 hours to Boston, hopped on the "T" (subway - one of the first 2 ever constructed) and arrived just outside Harvard University. While the chileans toured the school, the gringos went to a nearby bookstore and cafe. Then we all visited the Fogg Art Museum on campus. Dubita was excited (being an artist).

A great lunch at Fire and Ice Restaurant - quite the adventure! Choosing your own ingredients then watching them cooked on a huge, round grill. Delicious. Then it was off to the T again and arrival in Boston Commons (the park) which was beautiful! Spring is in Boston earlier than in Maine. We followed the Freedom Trail Red Line (an actual red line painted or made by bricks along the historical section of the city). Feet were in pain! ... but we enjoyed the day.

The State House.

The Granary Burial Ground.
Kings Chapel.
Ben Franklin statue - the one they say is serious on one side and smiling on the other.
... a stop for Starbucks refreshments ..
The Old State Meeting House - with the lion and unicorn replaced on the roof (these were torn down during the Revolution in 1770s)
The Boston Massacre Site - where the Revolution began.
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

These sites are where many of the first and major decisions and battles of the U.S. Revolution against England happened. Boston is a historical, colonial and thoroughly modern city.

After some snacks and a brief rain shower, we headed back via the T to catch the Amtrak train home. Arriving about 9pm, everyone was exhausted! But what a great time!

Thanks ESPECIALLY to Deb Payton for all her hard work organizing and being tour guide!

~

Ya viene, es demasiado cerca, a la hora cuando nuestros amigos chilenos nos van a dejar. La última semana de clases fue muy ocupada y fuimos a Boston ayer. Fue un día lindo - un día perfecto de la primavera en Boston - además un día agotado.

Llegamos al estación de ferrocarril en Portland antes de las 6 de la mañana, el viaje duró 3 horas a Boston, subimos al "T" (el metro - uno de los dos primeros del mundo) y llegamos a las afueras de Harvard University. Durante que los chilenos visitaron la universidad, los gringos fueron a un librero y café muy cerca. Después fuimos todos al Museo de Arte Fogg de Harvard. Dubita estaba emocionada (porque es artista).

Nos almorzamos al restaurante Fire and Ice – que fue muy interesante. Uno escoja sus ingredientes entonces los ve cocinado en una parrilla redonda grandisma. Delicioso. Después al "T" otra vez y la legada a Boston Commons (el parque) que estaba hermosa. La primavera llega a Boston antes de a Maine. Seguimos la línea roja de la "Vía de Libertad" (que si es una linea roja pintada o hecha de ladrillos por la acera de las partes históricas de la ciudad). Los pies dolorosos … pero nos disfrutamos el día mucho.

Pasamos muchos lugares adonde pasaron las decisiones y batallas primeras y importantes de la revolucion de EEUU contra Inglaterra. Boston es una ciudad histórica, colonial aunque moderna.

Después de una merienda y una llueva corta, regresamos por el metro al tren Amtrak para regresar a Maine. Llegamos a eso de las 9, y todos agotados! Pero, que lindo día .

Muchas gracias especialmente a Deb Payton por todo su trabajo duro y de ser la guía del tour!

[One great aspect of this EXCHANGE PROGRAM with Chile is how the students of McAuley and Cheverus are getting to know and enjoy one another. It's breaking down alot of walls! The STUDENTS were the ones to comment on this! Bringing everyone closer together.]

Sugarloaf, Salsa, Portland

2006-04-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

TWO WEEKS * DOS SEMANAS

WOW -- Two weeks already! Time is flying!

At the end of the first week, the group went up to Sugarloaf USA, the best ski mountain in Maine. It was a beautiful day and the skiing was pretty good. There was a national competition going on, so many kids got photos of skiers like Bode Miller. The hot tub was a great spot to “come home” to. The Payton family was extremely generous in having about 30 people stay over night at their condo. It was a crazy but fun weekend.

The second week at McAuley was during the Junior and Senior service week, so half the school was off doing service. The Freshmen and Sophomores did activities at school: hip hop dancing, yoga, tai chi, and lots of other experiences. On the weekend was the second annual SALSA fiesta, a night of Latina music and dancing, for the Chileans, Cheverus and McAuley. It was a blast!

Monday the Chilean girls at McAuley started their presentations to the classes. Tuesday they are heading to Greely Middle School to share with the students there. Something they had done their first week here when they had visited St. Joseph’s School and talked to the elementary kids who had studied Chile. Thursday we go to Augusta to the Maine State Capital and Saturday will be a day with Habitat for Humanity, which is similar to the Chilean service program: Un Techo para Chile.

It’s a totally busy and exciting time!

¡WAO! ¡Ya dos semanas! ¡Como vuelven los días!

Al fin de la primera semana, el grupo fue a Sugarloaf USA, la mejor montana de Maine para esquiar. Era un lindo día para esquiar. Había una competición nacional y los niños sacaron fotos del famoso Bode Millar y otros. Al fin del día regresaron al condominio de los Payton para tomar el jacúsi. La familia era generosísima de invitar tanta gente quedarse allá. Fue un tiempo loco pero bien divertido.

La segunda semana a McAuley fue la semana de servicio de las niñas de tercer y cuatro medio, así, un mitad del colegio no estaba. Las de primer y segundo medio tuvieron actividades a la escuela como “hip hop”, yoga, tai chi, y más. Por el fin de semana hubo la fiesta Salsa, una noche de música latina y el baile. Fue por los chilenos, los de Cheverus y de McAuley. Fue muy vacan!

El lunes las niñas chilenas de McAuley comenzaron sus presentaciones a las clases. El martes van al colegio mediano de Greely para compartir la experiencia chilena con los alumnos. Hicieron lo mismo durante la primara semana cuando fueron a St. Joseph's y hablaron con los estudiantes jóvenes que habían estudiado Chile. El jueves vamos a Augusta a la capital de Maine y el sábado será un día con Habitat for Humanity, que es parecido al programa Un Techo Para Chile.

Es una experiencia fantástica y emocionante.

McAuley 06 Chile Exchange http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauleyhs

Welcome, Bienvenido, Bowling

2006-03-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome Gathering and First Days of School

Families spent most of the weekend getting to know their Chileans, doing various activities. Then we all re-united on Sunday evening for bowling in Scarborough. It was a good time.

First days of school went well. At McAuley we had an assembly to introduce the Chileans and Sister Edward Mary gave each one a McAuley t-shirt. Mrs. Dubreuil gave a tour of the school, handed out school maps and the calendar for the month. By the third period the Chileans were shadowing their host sisters to their classes. This is the way it will be for a few days, then there will be some adjustments to the schedules.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) they will be going down to St. Joseph's School (K-8th grade) about 1/2 a block away to visit with Marta Gull's Spanish classes. Hopefully the girls will be able to go there and help with the younger students from time to time. This will expand the experience!

Fiesta de Bienvenida y los primeros días de las clases

Las familias pasaron el fin de semana de conocerse con las chilenas, hicieron varias cositas. Todos nos reunimos el domingo por la noche para hacer el bolwing en Scarborough. Pasamos lindos.

Los primeros días de las clases fueron buenos. A McAuley tuvimos una reunió para presentar las chilenas al colegio y Sister Edward Mary, la directora, les dio un t-shirt McAuley. Sra. Dubreuil las enseñó por el colegio, con mapas y el calendario del mes. A la tercera hora las niñas se iban a las clases con sus hermanas. Así pasará unos días, después habrá unos cambios a los horarios.

Mañana (el miércoles) van al colegio de St. Josephs (kinder a 8) que es una media cuadra de aquí para visitar con las clases de Marta Gull. Quizás las niñas pueden ir allá para ayudar con los niñitos de ves en cuando. Esta aumentará la experiencia.

First Photos

2006-03-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

AIRPORT WELCOME PHOTOS

March 17, 2006

McAuley Host Sisters waiting.

complete group

Carmen, Terry, Terrilynn
(sorry Pilar!)

Exchange "sisters"

* LLEGADOS *

2006-03-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

* LLEGADOS - sanos y salvos *

This Blog is now bilingual / Este Blog ya es bilingüe

The flight came in on time on Friday, March 17th, which is Saint Patrick's Day for us in Maine .. especially for those of us of Irish decent ... and Catherine McAuley, because she was Irish. The initial greetings and warm excitement was great. Everyone found each other quickly - the families and the exchange students - and flowers were given in greeting. We went to pick up the luggage and after a quick "see you later", we were all off our separate ways. We'll be getting together on Sunday about 4pm to go bowling and get to know each other better!

Miss Pilar and Miss Carmen looked amazingly well after such a long trip being in charge of so many students. Mrs. Finnerty took Mrs. Dubreuil and Miss Carmen out to FlatBreads for a "snack" of pizza and to sit by the warm wood-stoked brick oven. We chatted away for longer than expected, but had a great time! Amazing how many topics can come up in a couple hours - from teaching, to trips, to families, to politics!

Please be sure to check out ALL the photos, under
newer - McAuley 06 Chile Exchange at: http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauleyhs

El vuelo llegó a tiempo viernes el 17 de marzo, que es el día de Santo Patricio a nosotros de Maine - especialmente a nosotros con herencia irlandesa ... y Catherine McAuley, porque era irlandesa. Los "bienvenidos" primeros y el entusiasmo cálido fueron fantásticos. Todos se encontraron en seguida - las familias y los estudiantes del intercambio - y se dieron las flores. Fuimos todos a recoger el equipaje y después de unos despedidos rápidos, todos nos fuimos. Vamos a hacer una reunión el domingo para hacer el bowling y para conocernos mejor.

Miss Pilar y Miss Carmen se lucieron bellísimas después del viaje tan largo y con el cargo de los estudiantes. Sra. Finnerty invitó a Sra. Dubreuil y Miss Carmen a salir a FlatBreads para una merienda de pizza y para sentarnos al frente del orno de fuego de ladrillos. Platicamos mas tiempo que pensábamos pero pasamos lindo. No se puede creer de cuantos temas se puede hablar en unos dos horas - de enseñar, a viajar, a las familias, hasta la política.

Este seguros de chequear TODAS las fotos,
newer - McAuley 06 Chile Exchange at: http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauleyhs

Arrival * Llegada

2006-03-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow the Chileans arrive at Portland Jet Port. There has been a ton of planning and now things are getting exciting! The host families at McAuley (and Cheverus) are doing all they can to prepare, as are the teachers and school. Most things are in place and by this time tomorrow there will be lots of photos of "Bienvenida" and of getting acquainted. After that, as soon as possible, there will be pictures here on the Blog and McAuley WebShots. Be sure to check it out!

http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauleyhs

Mañana llegan los Chilenos a Portland. Ya había un montón de planes hechos y ahora crece las expectaciones. Las familias anfitriones de McAuley y Cheverus hacen todo lo que pueden para prepararse, además las profesores y los colegios. La mayoría esta lista y a esta hora mañana habrá muchas fotos bienvenidas y de conocerse. Después, a lo más pronto posible, habrá fotos aquí en el Blog y el sitio de WebShots de McAuley. ¡Cuequéelo!

#2 Planning Continues

2006-02-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

# 2

~ Planning Continues ~

and a Visit with Lucía

Another quick visit with Miss Lucia before she flew out. It worked out great!

She was in Portland the night that we had a host family meeting where we were planning for field trips and other details of the Chileans' visit in March.

She joined us and got to see preparations from our point of view. Also, our Host Families got to meet her - the lady who started it all!

The planning went well, even though there are still some details to work out. We are really excited about the arrival of the Chilean students and getting to share Maine with a new group of them again!

There are also many new families involved on our end. A few of these girls are interested in GOING TO Chile this coming summer. This is a great introduction for them!

2006-01-17T03:18:00.000-08:00

* Chileans Visit *

Miss Lucia & kids

January 2006

Lucia, the woman who began the whole Academic Exchange from CPH/CJA in Santiago Chile to McAuley and Cheverus in Maine, is visiting during their summer vacation to our frigid Maine winter with her kids. Lucia is second from the left (beside Sra. Terrilynn Dubreuil in yellow). We had a great lunch in the Old Port on Monday, Martin Luther King day. Some of the McAuley girls who went to Chile this last summer joined (Natalie, Leonora, Leigh, Corinne), as well as Mrs. Terry Finnerty and Ms. Jane Glass from Cheverus. We had some great food and a great time talking and sharing memories and plans for the future!

Lucia and her daughter and son will be stopping by this week at McAuley, after noon, after mid-term testing, to tour the school and meet more of the McAuley community!

Exchange programs give those involved some wonderful experiences during the exchange, but also create LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS. We (Terrilynn and Terry) are looking for more and more support and ways to expand the program. The more people that are involved, the better and greater the relationships!

This is just the beginning.

2006 Chileans to McAuley

2006-01-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

January 2006

CPH/CJA to Cheverus & McAuley HS

Chilean students to Maine

# 1 ~ PLANNING

The planning stage has started. We have our families chosen for HOSTS and have received information on the students and teachers who will be coming from Chile to stay with us. The Exchange will last from March 17, 2006 through April 18, 2006. It's a bit different from last year, so hopefully we won't have the 20 feet of snow while they're here (yes, an exaggeration). They may even get a taste of our spring, as we did theirs.

Our McAuley HOSTS are: Joellen Nitsche, Mandy Blow, Daphne Politis, Natalie Brown, Becka Delude, Eliza Connell and Caitlin Farrar.

Below are some of the Chilean students coming to experience Maine (one photo is missing, and the final photo is the teacher):

Our families here at McAuley are getting excited to meet and know these wonderful people. I'm sure these Chileans are also very excited, as well as a bit nervous, to come here and meet their new "families". Experiences like these change lives, as we have already seen in the one short year that we have been involved in this program.