MLCCC Newsletter (2012-03-02)

Dear Parents,

Hope our children did well on their language tests last week.

The 2 seminars conducted last Sunday received positive feedbacks. Speakers Grace Tian and Bob McCann are all offering to come back to give more talks to the community in the future.

Synopsis:

1. Our 4th Annual Character Recognition Contest (ShiZiBiSai) registration form and word list available
2. MLCCC Chinese Summer Camp info for all 4 locations (Wayne, West Chester, Haverford, Center City) are now available
3. Park in the parking lot, not in front of school in fire lane
4. 2012 Gala photos and last school year's Sports Day photos are uploaded onto website
5. The Chinese Musical Instrument Class and Band Introduction Series (IV)
6. School Store is Open this Sunday
7. Parent on duty: Sherry Wang. Volunteers needed for April and May sign up
8. MLCCC Visa Service Update – list of states accepted by DC Embassy, PA still not one of them
9. "Root-Seeking Summer Camp in China" – sponsored by the official Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

Appendix:

1. Interpreter Needed – Paid Position
2. Free College Admissions Workshops in Wayne
3. Chinese professional couple looking for full time nanny

Details:

1. Our 4th Annual Character Recognition Contest (ShiZiBiSai) registration form and word lists available
   The registration form and word lists have been uploaded onto our website at http://www.mlccc.org/Forms/V2/Programs/School/AcademicContests.aspx. Participation is completely voluntary. Word lists for both CHL and CSL students are available. All CHL students who get 95% and above correct and CSL students who get 85% and above correct will be awarded at the End of School Year Assembly. For the detail of the contest format, registrations, and the word list, please see the above link.
   
   If you are interested to have your child to participate, please fill the registration form and turn it in to the admin's desk. Actual contest will be on 3/18/2012.
   
   
2. MLCCC Chinese Summer Camp info for all 4 locations (Wayne, West Chester, Haverford, Center City) are now available
   
   http://www.mlccc.org/Forms/V2/Programs/Camp/SummerCamp.aspx
   
   Summer is the best time to enhance our children's language learning. The consistent language exposure of attending a language camp on a daily basis is a great enhancement for the students who are attending Weekend School and also a great way for a child to explore the Chinese language and culture. MLCCC was first formed years ago through our great summer camp program, which continues to today. We try to make the learning as fun as possible, through games, crafts, songs, dances, friendly competitions, projects, End of Session Performance Show, talent show, outdoor play, and more. Many participating parents have praised our camp curriculum and our camp teachers. "My child is speaking much more Chinese at home." "The teachers are great and one can really see how much heart they put into their responsibilities." Last summer, several families started out trying for 2 weeks and ended up enrolled for the entire summer. Some children have attended our camps year after year. Our goal this summer (and really every summer) is to introduce new activities/curriculum such that the camp experience is different and better than last summer.
   
   If deposit is submitted/postmarked by 4/16/2012, $50 registration fee is waived.
   
   
3. Park in the parking lot, not in front of school in fire lane
   Police are ticketing. Please do not park in the fire lane at any time.
   
   
4. 2012 Gala photos and last school year's Sports Day photos are uploaded onto website
   Check out these great photos taken by Gloria Huangpu and compiled and uploaded by Qi Laoshi. There are many good shots of our kids.
   
   2012 Gala: http://www.mlccc.org/Forms/V2/Gallery/Gala2012.aspx
   2011 Sports Day: http://www.mlccc.org/Forms/V2/Gallery/SportsDay2011.aspx
   
   
5. The Chinese Musical Instrument Class and Band Introduction Series (IV)
   As many of you aware, we are planning to open a Chinese Musical Instrument Class and Band this coming fall. The instruments we are planning to have in our band are: Yang Qin (Chinese Dulcimer), ErHu (Chinese Violin), Ruan (Chinese Lute), DiZi (Chinese Bamboo Flute), and Sheng (Chinese Reed Instrument). Students learning DiZi can also learn HuLuSi and Xiao at a later time.
   
   To help you understand the musical instruments, our class teacher and band director Steve Cheng would like to introduce one instrument each week. This week, we continue the introduction with ErHu.
   
   Erhu or Chinese violin, a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, has a rich history in Chinese traditional music.
   
   It is believed that Erhu first appeared in about 1104 AD in the Song Dynasty. It is related to an instrument, called Xiqin originated from a Mongolian tribe Xi in the Tang dynasty (618-907).
   
   During the Dynasties of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911), Erhu underwent a great development at the time of the golden age of the local operas.
   
   At the beginning of last century, two famous artists Hua Yanjun and Liu Tianhua made exceptional contributions to the improvement of Erhu. Under their profound influences, Erhu, an instrument mainly for accompaniment in operas, becomes a solo instrument.
   
   In the past 50 years, the manufacture of the Erhu, the playing techniques, the repertoire as well as the musical education of this instrument have undergone an unprecedented development. The repertoire has grown rapidly in the genres of solo, with ensemble as well as concerti with symphony orchestra. Erhu now is one of the most popular musical instruments in China.
   
   Erhu has a sound quality similar to human voice. If you close your eyes, you can feel as if someone is singing to you.
   
   We need at least two Erhu players in our band.
   
   
6. School Store is Open this Sunday
   Store manager: Michael Hong, David Huang
   Supervisor: Sherry Wang
   
   
7. Parent on duty: Sherry Wang. Volunteers needed for Apr and May sign up
   
   
   
8. MLCCC Visa Service Update – list of states accepted by DC Embassy, PA still not one of them
   DC Embassy is still not accepting visa applications from PA. However, if you have a home address in any of the following states, they will accept your visa application and we can help you get a visa, including a 2-Year Multiple Entry visa.
   
   -Washington DC
   -Delaware
   -Idaho
   -Kentucky
   -Maryland
   -Montana
   -Nebraska
   -North Carolina
   -North Dakota
   -South Carolina
   -South Dakota
   -Tennessee
   -Utah
   -Virginia
   -West Virginia
   -Wyoming
   
   
9. "Root-Seeking Summer Camp in China" – sponsored by the official Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
   Interested parents, please come to the Admin Desk for more information.
   
   

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Best Regards,

Li, Xia - Principal
Julia Chou - Director of Operations and Communications
MLCCC Chinese Weekend School
"Like" us on Facebook under "Main Line Chinese Culture Center"

Appendix:

1. Interpreter Needed – Paid Position
   We are looking for interpreters to help us administer educational tests to children whose primary language is Chinese. We provide services to children who attend nonpublic schools in the Philadelphia area. The position would require travel to center city.
   
   Contact:
   Dolores Mihalich, Ph.D.
   Supervisor of Counseling and Psychological Services
   Catapult Learning
   444 N. 4th Street, Suite 112
   Phila Pa 19123
   (o) 267-507-1111
   (c) 215-292-1666
   (f) 215-925-2734
   dolores.mihalich@catapultlearning.com
   www.catapultlearning.com
   
   
2. Free College Admissions Workshops in Wayne
   Workshop Leader – Cigus Vanni (former Asst Dean of Swarthmore College)
   
   Dates: March 4, 11, 18 and 25
   Time: Sundays 3-4:30pm
   Place: Radnor Township Municipal Building
   Address: 301 Iven Avenue, Wayne, PA
   
   
3. Chinese Professional Couple in NJ Is Looking for Full Time Nanny
   They are searching for a full-time live-in nanny to take care of two 6-year-olds. Although the children go to school during weekday, the couple needs someone to send them to school bus in the morning and be with them after school. They also need the person to stay every other weekend as well. If interested, please contact 215-514-4191 (Cell)