Singapore Educators Welcomed by Nativity Students and Faculty

News that earned a prestigious traveled halfway across the world and sparked an international dialogue that culminated with the arrival of 10 delegates from the Singapore education system for a tour of the Warminster school Wednesday morning.

The teachers and administrators from Singapore are travelling in the United States as part of their participation in the ASCD conference being held in Philadelphia. Besides their conference duties, the visitors wanted to tour area schools and observe their approaches to education.

With the ongoing turmoil and uncertainty in the Philadelphia Catholic school system, the tour request was a welcome relief for Nativity Principal Roselee Maddaloni.

"This is such a plus for us," Maddaloni said. "They reached out a few months ago, and we started preparing the students. They did such a great job welcoming the guests. They were very poised with the way they answered their questions."

The Singaporeans arrived at Nativity greeted by Maddaloni, Vice Principal Laura Clark and the Student Council Executive Board members. As the team of visitors proceeded into school they were welcomed by a student made banner and a performance by the school’s four-piece jazz ensemble.

After a short continental breakfast, the five eighth graders of the Student Council Executive Board led their guest in an overall building tour. The visitors were then split into smaller groups led by students and parent ambassadors into individual classrooms, where the Singapore delegates observed and interacted with students in every grade.

"It was impressive to see the amount of parent support for the school and the students," said Felicia Eng, one of the delegates. "I was very appreciative to see how involved the parents are. It's not something we commonly see at home."

"This is such a phenomenal gift for the students," said Karen McCormick, one of the parent ambassadors. "They not only get to experience another culture, but also show off a school that they are so proud of."

Maddaloni praised the benefits of the visit for both parties involved as a way to bridge the world in education through cooperation and involvement utilizing modern technologies that bring cultures together.  Email addresses were exchanged in hopes that a pen pal or e-pal program can be formed to connect students in both countries.

Following the classroom visits, the entire school student body, faculty, staff and parents, presented a Prayer Service to promote world peace and understanding among nations and cultures.

At a luncheon attended by the school faculty and staff with the distinguished guests, gifts of appreciation were exchanged. The Singapore delegation also presented the school with an engraved certificate of appreciation from the schools they represent.