Palm Beach Daily News Article

Palm Beach Daily News Photographer Chris Salata has sent us the article that ran on Saturday.

Discovery leaves NASA Kennedy Space Centre

Reading the Standard today, there was an article about the Discovery. Our students were very lucky to have seen the discovery before it left.

We're still collecting pictures from students, we will be sorting them out and putting them together afterwards.

More Coverage from the Local Newspaper

The Saturday edition of Palm Beach Day Academy has more coverage of our study tour.
Check it out with this link:

News: Student musicians from Hong Kong soak in American culture during visit to Day Academy

Photo album: Hong Kong Students Visit Palm Beach Day Academy

If parents are interested to buy a copy of photos taken by the press, you are welcomed to buy them through their online services.

Congratulations!

As jetlag continues to hit both Mr. Cheng and I, I'd like to congratulate the students as well on the completion of this adventure.

I hope that all of you come away from this study tour having made a few new friends, strengthened existing friendships, and forged a powerful memory of our days together.

I must say that I saw many good things from our students(you!) on this trip. Not once did anyone complain about being too tired or not wanting to do something. You were always willing to explore and persevere, even though at times you might have been tired due to all the travelling. Comments from people ranging from flight attendants, passengers on the planes, hotel staff, PBDA teachers and host families were always positive about how well behaved you were. Good Stuff!

I hope that you continue to take away from this experience.
- Learn to enjoy new experiences and not be scared to try something just because you may think it is not exciting or possibly too scary.
- Remember that it is normal to miss home but still enjoy where you are so that you don't miss out on the adventures on your journeys.
- Keep in touch with the new friends you've made. Friendship is not to be taken lightly, remember the love that has been shared with you and learn to love others, care for others as you have been loved and cared for.

We'll continue to update this blog as we get more photos and videos and put them together.

If you would like to share your videos or photos of our adventure with us please bring the memory card (or camera if you don't know how to take it out) to school this next week and I will include it in our files.
If I use your photos, I will make sure that you are credited with taking the picture.

Thanks once again!

-Mr. Wong

We're Back!

We're back!

Thank God for the safe journey home. Our flight was smooth, and we arrived the Hong Kong International Airport at around 7:30p.m. All students felt relieved when they finally saw their parents.

It was a wonderful 12-day study tour! Our mission accomplished! 

Thanks again to our dear parent helpers - Dr Lee, Ms Lai, Ms Yien, Ms Chang, Ms Lee, Ms Tam, Mr & Mrs Poon, and Ms Kan. You gave us great support in taking care of the children and coordinating the concerts. 

Thanks again to Mr Yap and Mr Choy. You have inspired our children (and our US friends) to further develop their musical talent.

Thanks again to our teaching staff, especially Ms Kwan and Mrs Lam for your leadership and coordination. Thanks to Ms Tang and Ms Wong for your hard work in preparing the concerts. Thanks to Mr Wong (and myself) for updating this blog and capturing great memories of this quest.

Have a good night, and see you soon again! ^_^

I guess I'm suffering from jet lag, and that's why he's updating this blog at this hour.

We'll later organize the photos that we've gathered over this trip and distribute them to you. Stay tuned......

Day 10 - PBDA Farewell + Cocoa Beach Fun

Rebecca Choi (6C)

 Today was our last day in Florida. In the morning, Teachers and students of PBDA gave us a farewell ceremony at the school hall. Every one of us from Hong Kong received a present given by he school. I got a beautiful T-shirt.    

After we left West Palm Beach, we went to Cocoa Beach. Some of us collected shells, and some built sand castles. Every one was excited. However, we could only stay there for one hour. Then we went to Disney Quest. There we played lots of video games. All of us had a wonderful time there.
    At last, we went back to the first hotel we had stayed earlier in Orlando. Time flies! Ten days ago, we checked in here to begin our Florida quest, and now we are coming to an end of our journey. I would surely miss the people here.

Day 9 - PBDA Tour & Performance to the community

See PBDA with our students' eyes:

Rebecca Choi (6C)
    This morning, Natalie's mom drove us all to school. We had a lesson with other PBDA students. I had a Maths class and I enjoyed it very much.
    Then we had two performances. We were quite tired after the performances. Then we spent more time with our host family. Natalie had after-school activities today so we followed her. In the pottery class, we used clay to make different objects. All the students there were skillful and they really made beautiful pieces of craftwork.
    At night, we went to a concert. All the musicians there were marvelous! After the concert, weren't back to Natalie's house. We had to pack our luggaes since we would be leaving the next day. I would dearly miss Natalie and my host family.

Cyrus Lee (6A)

     I continued our visit at Palm Beach Day Academy after having breakfast at the home stay family. The first lesson I had at eight was a history class. I thought it boring. At nine o'clock, we took our instruments and gave a public concert. Everyone said we played well and I was proud of myself. After the concert, we ate some snacks. Then we went to see their library. We spent some time there to colour a colouring book newly published by one of the parent from PBDA.

     Then I had lunch with my new friend, Nathanial. We had a burger with chicken and some potato chips. After lunch, we went to the Lower Campus, and our string ensemble gave a concert. The concert went well.

     Then I left with my home stay family. But Nathanial had a competition that he needed to attend, so we watched it and we left school at 4:45. When we went back to Nathanial's home, I played basketball with him. In the evening, we had hamburger for dinner and it was delicious. After dinner, we went bowling.

     I need to leave the home stay family tomorrow, but I do not want to leave. I love to play with Nathanial and live in such a big house. ^_^

Nathaniel (6D)

     I had a very awesome maths class at Palm Beach Day Academy. We used some electronic devices to answer problems. It's cool! We had a picnic lunch at school and I love it. In the afternoon, we went to the lower campus. I became the audience and I found it cool to listen to music played by our APSKT friends. It was unforgettable!

     After school at my host family, I played lacrosse - one of the coolest game in US. While Nathanial was playing lacrosse, I played basketball with some grade eight students - CJ and Stoney. Their skills are good. It was a pleasure to meet them.

Day 8 - We've Got Some New Friends

Many thanks to teachers, parents, and students of Palm Beach Day Academy. They are really hospitable hosts. Our kids really enjoyed their time with their new friends. The host families spent the two evenings with our kids, taking them to various places and doing different interesting things like fishing, surfing, swimming. Our kids would love to spend more time here in US. ^_^


Let our students tell you more about what they saw and did.

Nathaniel Chan (6D)

Diary for Day 8  

     Today I was excited to visit Palm Beach Day Academy. It was really a great opportunity to meet those friendly and kind students. In the morning, we had breakfast at PBDA. There I met my new friend, Nathanial. His name is very similar to mine. How funny! After having breakfast, I took a lesson with Nathanial. It was a music class. We danced with some pop music and we sang 'We are the super star'. I had lots of fun.

     In the afternoon, we took a airboat ride at the Everglades. The airboat was speedy, and I like the drifting experience most. We saw birds and alligators. This trip is so memorable!

     After school, I went to Nathanial's home with his family. We played basketball at his home. It's really fun.

Charmaine Yuen (6B)

    My home stay host, Vanessa, has long hair, blue eyes and small ears. She is very friendly to me. Whenever I needed help, she would help me. She has a sister called Sedly. Although Sedly is older than Vanessa, Vanessa is taller than her. I followed Vanessa to have English lessons. I introduced myself in that lesson.
    After school, Melody and I went to Vanessa and Sedly's home. We played in the backyard. Their backyard was big and beautiful. They had two dogs called Ordo and Loula. I lived them very much. We played champlin, aeroplane, swing and slide in the backyard. I loved their house very much.

Cyrus Lee (6A)
Diary for Day 8
     I visited the Palm Beach Day Academy. When we arrived at the school, we went to the school cafeteria to have breakfast. Then we went to a classroom to have music lesson. We sang songs and danced with the students and teacher there. After the music lesson, we went to the indoor basketball court to perform. Many students came to our concert and they thought we played very well in the concert.
     Then we got on the bus and traveled to a place where we could see many wild animals. We ate lunch there and we had a PBJs - a sandwich with peanut butter and jam/jelly.
     Then we traveled back to school and we followed the host family. We played many games there and we had a good day with the family.

Day 8 - Palm Beach Day Academy

We made it onto the local newspaper!

check out the link. Palm Beach Daily News

The students all met up with their host families and we spent some time knowing them in their classrooms.  They then performed wonderfully. Afterwards we got to meet some alligators in the everglades by riding on an airboat.
The students now are all with their host families, we'll see them tomorrow mornign to see how they are doing. Please pray for their well being and good manners!

Day 7 - Easter Service @Amway Center

Wow, Easter service at the Amway Center, where the NBA team Orlando Magic play! The students were amazed at the sight of such an amazing arena. Then, they experienced a western style of worship through praise songs and prayer.

Next...travelling down to West Palm Beach.

Stories told by our student:
Justin (6B)
    Today we went to Amway Center for an Easter celebration. Many people came to this Easter celebration. It was fun to sing sings to praise God.
    Next we went on a bus ride to our next destination - Palm Beach. I look forward to go to beaches and meet my host family.