District 88 provides travel-abroad experiences for students

At District 88, we are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for our students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global society.

Our mission is to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement, and the world languages departments at Addison Trail and Willowbrook continue to thrive and help us achieve that mission, as students pursue a second language study to enhance their academic, college and career profiles. As a capstone to our language programs, District 88 continues to create opportunities for students in our highest-level language classes to travel to the country where the target language is spoken to advance language skills, experience new cultures and extend the classroom to the real world.

This past spring break, 15 Addison Trail students were afforded the opportunity to travel to Italy as part of the Addison-Triggiano Sister City student exchange program. Students enrolled in Italian 3 honors, 4 honors or Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level classes were eligible to apply. The application process included writing an essay and completing an interview in English and Italian. GPA, attendance, behavior and character/leadership also were taken into consideration. Along with traveling to Italy, chosen students and families had to commit to hosting a student from Italy this past fall. Addison Trail hosted students from Il Cartesio High School in October 2013.

Addison Trail students who participated in the program are junior Jonathan Nevarez, junior Stephanie Diaz, junior Alexandra DiSilvio, junior Annina Beltrano, senior Camden Knights, senior Gabriela Calderone, sophomore Daniela Diaz, junior Elizabeth Martinez, junior Karina Medina-Martinez, junior Miranda Mendoza, junior Angela Pitello, junior Garren Schneider, sophomore Susana Silva, junior Brianna Sitkowski and sophomore Kamila Tychonowicz.

The first part of the spring trip included a five-day tour of the rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage of Italy, including visits to Venice, Florence and Rome. During the second half of the trip, Addison Trail students were hosted by students of Il Cartesio High School in Triggiano. Addison Trail students attended school with their Italian-student hosts and also participated in day trips throughout the region of Puglia. Our students were overwhelmed with the warm Italian hospitality of their host families and commented on what a life-changing experience this was for them.

The Addison Sister City Committee has partnered with District 88 in support of this exchange program. The Addison-Triggiano Sister City agreement was signed in 2004, and the committee has worked tirelessly to raise funds to help offset the costs of hosting the Italian students and to provide scholarships for Addison Trail students to travel to Italy. The remaining costs for the student trips were funded by the students and their families. Students also fundraised throughout the year to help offset costs.

The Addison Sister City Committee is made up of volunteers and is always in need of new members to ensure these experiences continue for the students of Addison. If you are interested in joining the Addison Sister City Committee, or for more information about the program, contact Marianne Fotopoulos with the Village of Addison at mfotopoulos@addison-il.org. 

District 88 is organizing another trip for spring beak 2015 to Spain. That opportunity was afforded to students in the highest-level Spanish classes at Addison Trail and Willowbrook. For more information about the world languages at either school, or for more information about these international opportunities, contact me at jbarbanente@dupage88.net or 630-530-3985.