Calhoun Elementary School got to show its Southern hospitality to some young students from Belgium this week. The Lasseel’s, former residents of Calhoun were in town on holiday visiting with friends, on their way to Disney World. The children Maxim, a fourth grader and Camelle, a 2nd grader wanted to see what school was like in America and asked to see Calhoun Elementary School. The children only spoke Flemish and French but their mother, Corrine, acted as translator.
      Maxim and Camelle were amazed with the size of CES and the integration of technology.  They said that they only have very old computers at their school in Belgium and they had never seen anything like an ActivBoard before.  Within minutes of visiting in Mrs. Denise Smith’s 4^th grade classroom, Maxim was using both the ActivBoard and the ActivSlate!  They reviewed fractions, states of matter and the water cycle, topics that he is also learning in Belgium. 
     The family shared that their school system offers three years of kindergarten, but no true academics begin until first grade.  They have one homeroom teacher who covers all subjects, plus art and music.  The school has one physical education teacher and one computer teacher. Mrs. Lasseel was very interested to see our testing data posted and concentrated on.  Their schools do some testing, but no high stakes or accountability systems are in place.
      Principal Michelle Knight said, "It was wonderful to see our school through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time!  The Lasseel’s were very impressed and excited about what they observed and how friendly the children were.  Mrs. Smith’s children even applauded and cheered when Maxim worked with the ActivBoard!  The CES students enjoyed sharing their classroom with our visitors." The Lasseel’s were given a goody bag of CES and CCS memorabilia as a parting gift. It seems that CES and the Yellow Jackets have now gone international!
           
Photo: Vickie Spence, United Way Director and friend of the Lasseel’s, Camelle, Maxim and Corrine, and Principal Michelle Knight in the CES/CPS atrium.