MLCCC Newsletter (2012-03-23)

Dear Parents,

Our students did extremely well in this year's Character Recognition Contest last Sunday. The majority of participants scored 95+% for CHL or 85+% for CSL. (Last year, only about half of the participants scored 95+%.) The judges were so impressed! Detailed results are below. Participation itself is an admirable feat! Thank you to all the contestants and all the parents who helped out: Emily Wang, Harry Sheng, Lan Zhang, Liping Wang, Sandy Wang, Sherry Wang, Shihong Sheng, Wei Gu, Xia Li, Zhihong Lai!

Synopsis:

1. Character Recognition Contest results
2. Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday sponsored by PTO – bring baskets, need volunteers
3. Early Bird discount registration for next school year – Registration form available at the Admin's Desk – Online registration for the next school year starts
4. MLCCC Visa Service resumes
5. Refund for English Writing students for the cancelled class
6. Chinese Musical Instrument Class/Band Introduction Series (VII)
7. MLCCC Chinese Language and Culture Summer Camp registration continues
8. The annual "Chinese Culture Knowledge competition" organized by Chinese government starts registration
9. Parent on duty this week: Fenhua Wang

Appendix:

1. The Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats performs in Upper Darby on March 30
2. Bible Study Group meeting at 3pm during Weekend School
3. Free College Admissions Workshops in Wayne

Details:

1. Character Recognition Contest results
   
   CHL Group - 22 students participated, 16 scored 95% or above:
   
   The following students were tested 150 words:
   Max Wang (2nd Grade) - 100%
   Eric Xu (2nd Grade) - 99.3%
   Helen Zhu (2nd Grade) - 98.7%
   Sophia Pan (2nd Grade) - 98%
   Sarah Liang (2nd Grade) - 96.7%
   
   The following students were tested 200 words:
   Gloria Geng (3rd Grade) - 100%
   Joy Sheng (3rd Grade) - 100%
   Bridget Xu (3rd Grade) - 100%
   Rachael Pei (3rd Grade) - 99.5%
   Jeffrey Sheng (3rd Grade) - 99%
   Annie Sun (3rd Grade) - 97%
   Enpei Qi (4th grade) - 100%
   Jovanne Li (6th Grade) - 100%
   Kenneth Yang (6th Grade) - 100%
   Jessica Zhu (6th grade) - 99.5%
   Michael Hong (7th Grade) - 100%
   
   For the first time in this Contest's history, we had a CSL word list and CSL participants! The judges were especially impressed!
   
   CSL Group - 3 students participated, 2 scored 85% or above:
   
   They were tested 72 words
   Oriana Underiner - 90.3%
   Chloe Herman - 86.1%
   
   Congratulations to all! Thank you for the hard work!! All participants will receive a certificate and above students will be further awarded at the End of Year Assembly.
   
   
2. Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday sponsored by PTO – bring baskets, need volunteers
   Have your kids bring their Easter basket/bag to the egg hunt activity in the hallway during recess this coming Sunday (3/25) organized by PTO! Participation is optional but every student in our Weekend School is welcome, including students who only come for non-language classes such as Tennis. If joining, the participants should ONLY join the event at the time they are scheduled, to avoid overloading traffic on the hallway. Here is the schedule:
   
   1:50-2:00 CSL Yuan, PrekA, K, 2A, 4, 5, non-Chinese class 1pm students
   2:50-3:00 CSL Li, PrekB, 1, 3A, 6, non-Chinese class 2pm students
   3:50-4:00 CSL Zhang, CSL Cai, 2B, 3B, 7, non-Chinese class 4 & 5pm students
   
   We need volunteers to stuff the plastic eggs with little goodies.
   
   
3. Early Bird discount registration for next school year – Registration form available at the Admin's Desk – Online Registration Ready for the next school year
   Pay $50/child deposit now to secure 10% off total tuition for the next school year. Deadline for this discount window is 4/22/2012. This discount registration is available to everyone, whether you are currently with MLCCC or not.
   
   This discount was set up to be a win-win for both parents and the school. Parents who can commit now to our Weekend School for next school year secure big savings by paying a $50/child deposit. This deposit gives you the Early Bird status, which in turn gives you 10% discount off tuition for the next school year (except for classes registered beyond the second week of the school year). This 10% Early Bird Discount is in addition to the 10% Multi-Class Discount. After you pay the $50/child deposit, you can change your mind with no penalties by 4/22/2012. If you change your mind after 4/22/2012, you cannot get your deposit back. As for the school, we secure some commitment and get a sense of next year's enrollment so we can plan early.
   
   Also our online Registration for the next school year is ready for use. For the students who registered for the early bird, your online registration will automatically reflect the 10% early bird discount. If you register more than one class, the online registration system will also reflect the multi-class discount.
   
   online registration link: http://www.mlccc.org/reg/signon.html
   
   Please let us know if you have any problems.
   
   
4. MLCCC Visa Service resumes
   We now use both the NY Chinese Consulate and the DC Chinese Embassy. NY accepts all PA applications but rarely grants a 2-yr visa. DC almost always grants our applicants 2-yr visas but applicants needs a home address in its jurisdiction (which does not include PA) with a reasonable work/student address. Please note that:
   
   - 4/1/2012 has limited visa service;
   - 4/8/2012 Easter Sunday has no visa service because Weekend School is closed.
   
   
5. Refund for English Writing students for the cancelled class
   Please pick up your refund at the Admin's Desk this Sunday if you have not already done so. (Our English Writing teacher had cancelled a class a few weeks ago.)
   
   
6. Chinese Musical Instrument Class/Band Introduction Series (VII)
   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 introduce the last one Xiao. The next week, he will introduce the teaching methodology. After the spring break on 4/15, he will provide an informational seminar on this class.
   
   Also we recently got a question whether this class is for kids only. Adults are indeed very welcome to join the class /band.
   
   **************************
   
   Xiao is a vertical end-blown flute.
   
   Xiao is thought to have developed during the Han Dynasty from a simple end-blown flute used by the Qiang people of Southwest China. The modern six-hole form of the instrument goes back to the Ming Dynasty.
   
   The sound of Xiao is pure, rich and gentle, quiet and sobbingly mellowed. It has always been favorite music instrument for the literati. The flute can not only be used to perform solo but also can be in an ensemble to shape the music image. Xiao and Guqin is most typical to work together to produce the elegant and touching music.
   
   Xiao is very popular in modern day literati, as well as ancient folk artists, court musicians. There has been a wealth of playing experience accumulated throughout thousands of years. Xiao is a Chinese traditional music instrument that has deeply rooted in the Chinese culture.
   
   We don't need a dedicated Xiao performer in the band. But Xiao players can play together with the band for special music pieces written for Xiao and band. It is very common that Dizi players play Xiao in the band for Xiao specific music.
   
   **********************
   
   
7. MLCCC Chinese Language and Culture Summer Camp registration continues
   Registrations are coming in quickly. Some weeks at our Wayne site are starting to fill up. Last year, some campers cannot join us because we are full. Please act quickly if you want to ensure your spots.
   
   Also thank you for the parents who helped us by referring your friends! Please keep spreading the words!
   
   
8. The annual "Chinese Culture Knowledge competition" organized by Chinese government starts registration
   In order to further stimulate the interest of the overseas Chinese young people learning the Chinese language and cultural, the overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of P.R. China (Qiaoban) is holding an annual "Chinese Culture Knowledge Competition". The participants must be aged between 13 to 18 years old.
   
   The Greater Philadelphia Chinese School Union will serve as the Organizer for the Greater Philadelphia region. If you are interested in participate, please register online
   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNwcktOV3E4UzA3cThCT25GU1VoWlE6MA.
   
   The actual test will be on Sunday April 29th 1pm at the Guanghua Chinese School.
   
   For more information, please come to the admin desk for detail description in Chinese.
   
   
9. Parent on duty this week: Fenhua Wang
   Thank you!
   
   

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. The Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats performs in Upper Darby on March 30
   The world-renowned Golden Dragon Acrobats are back by popular demand to perform at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center on March 30. Representing the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than twenty-five years ago and provoking gasps from intrigued audience members, The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today. They have performed to sell-out crowds previously at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.
   
   PERFORMANCE DATES: March 30, 2012 at 7:30 pm
   PRICE: $15 - $21 (UDPAC members save $2, $1 off for children 12 and under)
   WHERE: Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
   CONTACT: Call the box office 610.622.1189 or visit the web site: www.udpac.org
   WEBSITE: www.udpac.org
   MORE DETAILS: The performance is two hours with intermission. Children 6 years old and up.
   
   The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located minutes from the Main Line and Center City Philadelphia. The modern theater includes free parking and is wheel-chair accessible.
   
   
2. Bible Study Group meeting at 3pm during Weekend School
   A few of our parents are meeting at 3pm during Weekend School hours at our Weekend School to study/discuss the bible. If anyone would like more information on this group, please contact Kelly Raudenbush at kellyraudenbush@gmail.com. Please note that this group is not affiliated with MLCCC.
   
   
3. 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