VIEW GALLERY: Ota, Japan Educators Take in Bentley Academy Innovation School’s Dual Language Program

Posted on: January 29, 2025
Salem-Ota cultural exchange

It’s a cultural exchange friendship that is in its 35th year.

Educators from Ota, Japan — Salem’s sister city — visited the Bentley Academy Innovation School Tuesday morning to tour and observe dual language classrooms.

The cohort flew to Boston Monday and spent part of the day at the Peabody Essex Museum. Following Tuesday’s observance at Bentley, the group enjoyed a meet-and-greet with Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. On Wednesday, Ota educators will spend the day in New York City before flying back to Japan Thursday.

From Aug. 5-17, a cohort of Salem Public Schools students traveled to Ota, a visit which included attending the Ota Peace Festival and Concert, which drew 100,000 residents of the City (pictured below). Students stayed with exchange families throughout the trip.

In its 35h year, the Salem-Ota Sister City Exchange has been overseen by Peter Dolan, a former Salem High School educator, who estimates just under 3,000 Salem and Ota citizens have taken part.

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