Jordan Small Middle School Welcomes South Korea’s Kim NhaYum

Recognizing the many benefits of having our students exposed to other cultures, Randy Crockett, principal of Jordan Small Middle School, became very interested in the International Internship Program of Korea, a program which is of no cost to our schools but provides priceless benefits to our students. Mr. Crocket embarked on this journey in January of 2006 and is pleased to announce that 25-year old Miss Kim NhaYun has arrived in Raymond and is adjusting well as assistant teacher at the middles school. Miss Kim will be here for the entire school year after which she plans to travel and explore before returning to Korea.

Although she misses her family tremendously, Miss Kim is settling nicely with a new family. Mr. Crockett solicited teachers and parents of the school community and easily found the perfect host family. Steve and Beth Nadeau, along with their four children, are sharing their home with Miss Kim for the next several months. The Nadeau home will provide an enriching environment in which both Kim and all the Nadeaus are sure to learn a lot from, and about, one another.

Majoring in English in college, Miss Kim chose to participate in the IIP because she has a deep desire to expand upon her English. She also feels strongly about sharing her Korean cultural experiences with the children in America. Although previously a bank teller, she gained her teaching experience in her church. She is very excited to share her knowledge of her country with the children here.

She will be working with all teachers, already busy with Spanish teacher, Ms. Pacin. They plan to run parallel lessons with Spanish, English and Korean languages. She also looks forward to working in the physical education classes as games are a strong part of the Korean culture and Miss Kim has much to share in that area. In fact, her eyes lit up and she became very excited when speaking of the games people play in Korea. Art is also a class where her talents will be invaluable. Having the fortune of being here until June, there is hope that Miss Kim will also be able to share her love for Korea and its culture with the students of the Raymond Elementary School.

Coming from Seoul with a population of 23 million people, Miss Kim obviously has noticed many differences in Raymond. With no driver’s license or means of transportation, Miss Kim is relying on others to transport her. Although she misses, and marvels at the lack of, public transportation, she is grateful that Ms. Lynn Estey, a sixth-grade science and social studies teacher at the middle school is happy to take her to and from school each day.

Miss Kim is enjoying the slower pace of Maine. She remarked positively about our ability to slow down and enjoy life. She commented that people in Korea work long hours, she herself working 10 hour days at the bank. Recently attending a social engagement in Raymond, she was impressed with the ability and desire of the adults to enjoy themselves. She commented that adults in Korea gather together and talk, share meals and drink but do not necessarily partake in fun and adventure as we do here.

She is also noticing many differences in the atmosphere in the classroom. Teachers in Korea are stricter, classrooms are very quiet and the students do not speak out or engage in conversations. She is adjusting to the concept of students speaking during class, something she was originally uncomfortable with and found disruptive. However, she quickly realized the advantage of students engaging in the classroom lesson. She is witnessing the benefits of this type of involved learning by observing student enthusiasm. Noting that classrooms in Korea have fewer activities, she is very impressed with our hands-on approach in Raymond as well as the desire to teach students how to play musical instruments. Learning individual instruments and compiling a band are not done in Korea, and I’m reminded how fortunate we are to have our children exposed to this type of learning.

Although Miss Kim is unable to stay in America after this year and has made promises to return to her native land, she is very impressed with our country and particularly, Raymond. She smiled beautifully and declared that she is extremely happy here. Please join me in welcoming Miss Kim to Raymond and to our schools; I’m confident she will be an attribute and all of us will learn much from her.

Desjardins Thanked for Service

Longtime Raymond residents, Dana and Paula Desjardins, were thanked for their dedication to the community at the conclusion of this year’s soccer season.

The Desjardins have managed all aspects of the Raymond Recreation soccer program for several years including the past two despite the fact that they had no children participating in the program.

The Raymond Recreation soccer program services children in kindergarten through grade six. The Desjardins’ perform countless duties which include conducting registrations, finding coaches, overseeing team selection, ordering T-shirts, preparing and maintaining fields, securing use of Camp Agawam’s field, designing schedules for all levels of players, managing and maintaining equipment, and many more activities that we all take for granted.

Having no children in the program for the last two years, this dedication and contribution to the program is simply above and beyond basic volunteerism. The Desjardins are obviously wonderful and generous people, and we are fortunate to have them as members of our community. The parents of this year’s players wanted to recognize and thank the Desjardins for their relentless efforts. Money was collected and a gift was presented to show appreciation for all their hard work and dedication to our kids. For all you have done over the years, we sincerely thank you.

Raymond Village Library Pajama Story Time

The staff at the Raymond Village Library anxiously awaits the upcoming Pajama Story Time to be held on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. This very popular event attracts many pajama-clad children as well as their parents to listen to the stories of all-time favorite, Jody Fein.

Fein is an incredible storyteller and keeps the children laughing and excited as they participate and listen to her wonderful stories. If you have not yet had the good fortune of listening to Jody or participating in the annual pajama story time, please do so this year. Another example of Raymond’s cooperative spirit, this event is funded by the Raymond Parent Teacher Organization.

Winter Sports Sign-ups

The Raymond Recreation winter sports sign-up night will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jordan Small Middle School gym. The skiing and snowboarding program is available to students in grades 3-plus and will be held on Wednesday afternoons.

Skiers in grades 1-2 may participate but must have a skiing parent chaperoning in the program. The Friday night program is available to students in grades 7-12. The program starts the first week of January and lasts for eight weeks. Representatives from Shawnee Peak will be available at registrations for rental fittings and sizing.

Registrations for K-6 basketball will also take place Nov. 14. Program Director Dave McGowan is desperately seeking volunteers to help keep this program running. All those interested in playing basketball this season are invited to register, and volunteers are encouraged to speak to Dave on Wednesday or call him at 655-4448.

Holiday Fair and Scholastic Book Fair

The Raymond Parent-Teacher Organization is excited to announce the annual Holiday Fair which will be held on Friday, Nov. 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Raymond Elementary School.

This exciting event includes holiday shopping, a cake walk, gift walk, crafts, storytelling, pie sale and plenty of great holiday fun. Families and children of all ages are encouraged to attend this fun evening.

The parent teacher organization will also be holding the Scholastic Book Fair on Nov. 12-16 at Raymond Elementary School. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase books at discounted prices while supporting the organization and the wonderful enrichment opportunities they provide to children.