On April 26, 2022, a signing ceremony took place at the Baker School District 5J’s District Office in Baker City, Oregon, where representatives of the Government of Jersey and Hautlieu School joined representatives of Oregon International School to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that solidifies their sister-school relationship.
Lee Campbell, Assistant Head Teacher of Hautlieu School, and Rachel Baxter and Kirstie Williams, Senior Advisors of the Government of Jersey’s Children, Young People, Education, and Skills Department, traveled from the Isle of Jersey to be present at the signing in Baker City.
Speakers during the signing ceremony included Rosemary Gallant, US Embassy London’s Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs; Tom Le Feuvre, the Government of Jersey’s Director of Global Relations; Sean O’Regan, Group Director for the Government of Jersey’s Children, Young People, Education, and Skills Department; Nick Falle, Head Teacher of Hautlieu School; and Mark Witty, Superintendent of Baker School District and Executive Director of Oregon International School. Lindsey McDowell, Public Information and Communications Coordinator for the Baker School District, acted as emcee.
Also in attendance were Oregon International School board members Andrew Bryan, Jessica Dougherty, Claire Hobson, and Katie Lamb; as well as Oregon International School Principal Dr. Tom Joseph and in-coming Student Body President Jordan Mills.
In addition to signing the formal MOU, representatives signed a Certificate of Appreciation and Partnership that read, in part: “This certificate commemorates the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the students and educators of Baker School District 5J and their new sister-school partners at Hautlieu School of St. Savior, on the Isle of Jersey.
The undersigned stand committed to a long-lasting collaboration between our schools; one underpinned by our common commitment to the academic success of all students as they prepare to take leadership roles in an ever-connected global community.”
This coming September, students from Hautlieu School are expected to spend four weeks studying in Baker City, while students from Baker City spend the same four weeks studying on the Isle of Jersey. Teachers from both schools will accompany their students for the exchange program.
In a press release made today by the Government of Jersey, Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for our students to experience a different culture and educational setting…We look forward to welcoming the students from Oregon when they arrive in September.”
Superintendent Mark Witty echoed many of the same sentiments. “We look forward to all the opportunities this collaboration will afford,” he said. “These relationships support an education of excellence for the future generation, with wide-reaching benefits we are excited to watch unfold.”
About Oregon International School
Oregon International School (OIS) is a charter school of nationally-recognized Baker School District 5J in Baker City, Oregon, USA. The mission of OIS is to foster international relationships, perspectives, and opportunities that prepare students to thrive in a global community while enhancing the professional development of staff and enriching the greater community.
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