Schools
ABC School Board Approves South Africa Trip To Promote AIDS Awareness
At its last July meeting, the ABC School Board approved a South Africa trip for Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sieu and Artesia High School Assistant Principal Dale Ross-Williams.
During its July 13 meeting, the ABC School Board approved a trip to Cape Town, South Africa for Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu and Assistant Principal of Artesia High School, Dale Ross-Williams, to participate in the American Federation of Teachers AIDS Campaign Initiative.
Leaving today, Sieu and Ross-Williams will take this opportunity to meet with the faculty and students of Cape Town’s Manenberg High School, which, according to Sieu, has a population that shares similar urban elements with Artesia High School in its gang issues. This collaboration first came into fruition three years ago when Manenberg High School was looking to join forces with a school in the .
“I think it’s something in both schools, regardless if it’s here or whether it’s in Manenberg, is a significant problem amongst young people,” Sieu said. “When I was looking at the stats and research, the fact that there’s more prevention, the more effective it is to spread a campaign to avoid HIV and AIDS. It’s a significant problem in South Africa. I see that in United States and even in Los Angeles County. It’s not a problem eradicated, by all means, even in our own country.”
From July 22-26, the traveling duo will also be attending the Education International 6th World Congress while in Cape Town. This event will involve several seminars and conferences focusing on achieving quality education for an inclusive society, trade unions working together at national and international levels and the future of education beyond the economic crisis.
Lastly, Sieu and Ross-Williams will be meeting with Manenberg High School representatives who did a study mission while visiting the ABC School District three years ago.
Artesia High School Social Sciences teacher, Rich Saldana, said Artesia High (in collaboration with the ABC Federation of Teachers) will be sending a group of representatives, in the near future, to South Africa, which will pave the way for a student trip as well. The group will be bringing students backpacks, sweatshirts, flip flops and pen and pencil sets.
“Our hope is that we can create a virtual bridge between our students and theirs,” Saldana said.
The next board meeting will be held on August 9.