daniel bowman simon

Open Letter To Students of Mr. D

Here’s a pretty self-explanatory letter:

Hello Chesterfield Day School students who are in Mr. Dittrich's classes:

Mabuhay!

I am Daniel Bowman Simon, a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in The Philippines. Maybe Mr. D. told you I'd be writing. I was a student of Mr. Dittrich back before most or all of you were born. In other words, the early 90s. Back then, CDS only had one branch, in Chesterfield. (Believe it or not, I've never even been to St. Albans. See, after 6th grade my dad got a new job and my family moved to New York.) Mr. D. was my 5th and 6th grade Social Studies and Science teacher. I was not always the best-behaved student, but I learned a lot from Mr. D.

So when I found out about the World Wise Schools program, I asked Mr. D. if he would match me up with all of you ladies and gentlemen. He kindly agreed.

Peace Corps volunteers go to foreign countries for three main reasons:

1. To promote Peace (especially in times like these)
2. To let people in other countries get to know Americans better (mostly they just know what they've seen in American movies, and as you all know, the movies don't usually reflect reality. Believe it or not, some people think what they see in the movies is real.)
3. To let Americans get to know people of other countries better, and tell Americans back in America about these other countries and people.

So, anyway, I know you're about to go on summer vacation, but I wanted to introduce myself now.

I hope you'll all introduce yourselves, either now or when the next school year begins.) Let now what you already know about The Philippines, and what you'd like to learn about it. Let me know if you'd like to be pen pals with Filipino kids. It will have to be using pen and paper though, most Filipino kids don't have computers or email. And let me know you want me to send certain things such as Filipino money or empty junk food wrappers.

As time goes on, I hope you ask a lot of questions, and I'll do my best to give you answers. Also, I'll have questions for you, about CDS (like: Does Mr. D still have a beard?) and questions about what is happening in America while I'm gone. (Like if OutKast is still popular?) Two years is a long time.

Take care,
Your new Friend,
Daniel

P.S. I have a website where I tell stories about The Philippines and sometimes post pictures. If you want to visit, the URL is just my name: www.danielbowmansimon.com. I'll try not to use too many big words. And give Dr. Barb a hug for me, OK?

P.P.S. One more important thing, if you promise not to laugh at my haircut. Here's a photo of the 6th grade class of 1992, at our D.A.R.E. graduation. I am the one in the front row, second from the right, in between Glenn Hill to Brad Hoffmeister. Next to Glenn is Jennifer Notestine. I kinda had a crush on her in 6th grade, but I don't think she liked my haircut.

Posted by dbs at May 7, 2004 07:04 PM