In recognition of Winchester Thurston’s excellence in Chinese studies and strong community outreach, Hanban, China’s Ministry of Education, has named WT a Confucius Classroom school. The Confucius Classroom at WT will be dedicated on Sunday, April 15, at 1:00 p.m., at the City Campus (555 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213), in the Student Commons and Hilda Willis Room of the Upper School. The Dedication Event will feature a Chinese Culture Fair, Dedication Ceremony, and screening of two short documentary films about life in China as part of WT’s Asia Unreeled film series in partnership with Pitt’s Asian Studies Center and Silk Screen. The event has been designed as a family friendly festival of cultural activities and demonstrations with special guests, a plaque unveiling, and brief remarks and thanks.
Support for WT’s Confucius Classroom comes from a grant provided through the University of Pittsburgh’s Confucius Institute from China’s Office of Chinese Language Council International, known as Hanban. The Confucius Classrooms around the world represent exemplary programs promoting Chinese language and culture, and providing opportunities for language and culture education for people of all ages.
WT’s designation as a Confucius Classroom resulted from the school’s strong dedication to providing Chinese language and culture instruction at all grade levels, and its robust outreach programs, including adult Mandarin classes, lecture series, and the annual Asia Unreeled film series.
