Teachers and administrators from Shanghai, China came to visit Clarksburg High School on September 11 to learn more about staff development and its impact on the learning process in American schools.

The visitors were from Forte International, a group dedicated to developing relationships with American business and schools. Through exchange systems, Chinese students can experience American culture and study in American schools, gaining experience and relationships which will benefit them in their future careers.

Upon arriving at CHS, the group was led to the cafeteria where instrumental music director Charles Orifici greeted them with a musical presentation. The band played a traditional Chinese folk song and "Talkin' Out Da Side of Ya Neck" by Dem Franchize Boyz. The band only spent a few class periods on the pieces but the visitors seemed to be impressed.

"I think [the visitors] were a little bit unsure about the hip hop song," said Orifici, "They did not know what to make of that. [But] I think they liked the folk song."

After the performance, the educators were taken to several classes where they were able to view the CHS teaching process directly.

Orifici, who previously worked at Northwest High School, had done an exchange program with Forte International in 2006. The band from NHS was able to travel to Shanghai and play in a parade equivalent in size to the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City. Afterwards, 54 students and 16 teachers came to live and study with Orifici’s students for two weeks. The exchange students also took trips to historical sites in Washington, DC.

Orifici tried to replicate that experience with the CHS band, but unfortunately, MCPS turned the idea down.

M.B. Chen, who led the group from Forte, "is really interested in forming partnerships with the American school system," said Orifici.

After their stay in the Washington, DC area, the educators planned to visiting New York City.