Skype Kids (Nov 2009-April 2010)

Chatham, New York, connects with Sicily

When Hands-On Sicily founder, Sally Veillette, brought her daughter back to America for second grade (to pick up English as second “first language”—now that’s a tongue twister!), Sicily was brought into the foreground once again. The upstate New York elementary school enjoyed regular video calls with Chiara’s Marina di Ragusa classmates. Chiara translated.

Marina di Ragusa, Sicily, connects with America.

“When Chiara first accepted the challenge of changing continents, it was tough on her,” her mother reported. “The very first day we moved, her dog ran away. You should have seen the big tears.” Luckily, Chiara proved herself resilient. She’s hoping that soon some American classmates will visit Sicily, and vice versa.

Special thanks go to the two school teachers—Maestra Rossana in Marina di Ragusa and Mrs. Lynn in Chatham, New York. (The American children found it very interesting that in Italy the teachers are called by their first names!)

Second grade classroom of Marina di Ragusa with Maestra Rossana

Article in Italian newspaper, entitled “Hi! It’s Chiara. Do you see me?”

Companion article in American newspaper

see enlarged version

Pungilione 10march Skype article

While Silvio Berlusconi fights to construct a bridge between Sicily and the mainland, the second graders are making their own e-bridge across the ocean via Skype

Sally assists the young American students