May 18, 2000

School's summit has international lessons for youths

Students learn about cultures By Daniel Blanco (Herald Writer)

For a few hours Friday, Frank C. Martin Elementary looked more like a small annex of the United Nations. The school - in the process of establishing the first Pre-International Baccalaureate program for elementary school children in the state - hosted its second International Education Summit. Twenty-one consulates from 17 countries attended the summit, along with a few members of the Miami-Dade School Board. The summit is designed to teach children the importance of other cultures throughout the world. "Learning about other cultures gives our children a global perspective," said third-grade teacher Dolores Vazquez Flores. "It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving and helps the children learn through inquire." As it works toward having its pre-IB program accredited, Martin is emphasizing "global education and citizenship." By the time students finish fifth grade, they should be fluent in English and either French or Spanish. On Friday, consulates from different countries gave talks to groups of kids. In a presentation given by the consulate of Japan, the children learned about Japan's culture and what the lives of children in Japan are typically like. The children responded by asking questions to the speaker, Hiroaki Tanaka. They seemed interested in what sports Japanese kids played and how often they had to go to school. Tanaka then handed out books, pencils and CDs. "I believe that this program teaches children what other cultures are really like," he said. "It gives children insight into a totally different way of living." The program made an impression on at least one School Board member who attended the event. "It is a dream come true. I could have never dreamed that this school would have blossomed into what it is now," said Betsy Kaplan. School officials say they want to hold a similar summit every two years.