Dear parents,
It's a cold morning at Hui Xin campus, a thin layer of frost covers the grass, trees and little red lanterns on the big tree in our courtyard. Though this morning is particularly cold, within the next few hours the sun will rise and give us a comfortable and beautiful sunny day, just like at this year's Charity Drive which took place on Friday, January 18th. I want to thank each and every one of our amazing families, students and teachers for again raising the bar and collecting a total amount of 63,066.1 RMB in donations for the Newton Charity Fund. Together we are able to make a big difference and provide assistance to those who have no other means. I also want to thank all vendors for donating and parent trustees from K1-202, K2-308 & K2-403 for volunteering to help at the donation boxes and to oversee the count. K2 children performed both at the gate and on the stage this year and as something new, to bring back traditional Chinese puppet theater, a four-person teacher's group consisting of Reece, April, Elaine & Lillian had made large size puppets with hand painted masks, moving arms and costumes and put on an amazing, colorful and beautiful puppet show.
On a serious note, I would like to inform everyone that we have experienced 3 cases of parents sharing their ID entrance cards with unauthorized persons in January. Persons who are not authorized in advance by parents of Newton student's in the registration papers are strangers to us and are strictly not allowed to enter, drop-off or pick-up students from our premises.
When unauthorized persons try to pick-up a student, even though they have received parents ID entrance card, teachers are required to report to management immediately, help escort the person outside the school premises and take away the ID card where after I will have a personal conversation with the negligent parent(s). In case of emergencies, parents should call management in advance for a one-time pick-up approval, by providing name, copy of ID card and phone number of the onetime approved directly to management and in advance.
Due to the upcoming closure for Chinese New Year, the school will be celebrating children with birthdays in February on Wednesday, January 30th. Please inform your teacher in advance, if you wish to join your child's birthday party in class.
On February 1st, last day before the Chinese New Year holiday, we will be celebrating with our classic "Dumpling-A-Thon". Parents and grandparents are invited to join the class in making dumplings (please inform your teacher if you wish to join). This is also a spirit day and students are allowed to wear red/golden clothes to school. The campus and offices will be closed from/including February 2nd to/including 17th and the first day back will be on February 18th.
In the next term we look forward to "Festival of Colors" in March, "Open Classes" in April, "Children's Day" on the last day of May and "Summer Concerts" in June. There will be 2 Spirit Days, one on April 20th for "Earth Day" where children can wear blue/green clothes and another on May 29th for "Dragon Boat Festival" where children can wear green/golden clothes at school.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE COMING MONTH(S):
- January 21st-26th: Parent/teacher meetings (invitations sent out by teachers already)
- January 30th: Birthday Parties. Due to the holiday we will celebrate children who have birthdays in February on this day.
- February 1st: Parents & Grandparents are invited in to join the "Dumpling-A-Thon" at campus. (Non-mandatory participation). It's also a Spirit Day where students can choose to wear uniform or seasonal red/golden clothes to school.
- February 2nd-17th (from/to & including): The whole school will close for the Spring Festival holiday.
On a personal note, I would like to inform you that I will be absent from Thursday and until after the holidays. My father passed away last week after a one year battle with cancer. Luckily I have been able to spend every holiday with him in 2018, including a great Christmas and my family and I have prepared as best as possible. However, I will be absent from this coming Thursday as I am going back to attend my father's funeral which will be at the end of the week. I will not be back before after the Chinese New Year holiday. During my leave you can contact both vice-principals; Ms. Tina on zl@internewton.com, Ms. Jessie on jessie@internewton.com or call the school 62550855 ext. 8103. For emergencies or urgent queries please see Ms. Cindy in my office, room # 105 (ext. 105) and she will contact me directly.
We are saying goodbye to the year of the dog and we are welcoming the new year of the pig ("Earth Pig" if including Chinese element theory of the old perceived five elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire & Earth). The pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese Zodiac signs (1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and this year). Pigs are diligent, compassionate and generous. They have great concentration and will use all their energy to achieve what they set their mind to. Pigs are kindhearted and believe in the good of others. Pigs offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it and have a strong sense of responsibility.
I wish everyone a wonderful year of the pig and a very
HAPPY NEW YEAR & SPRING FESTIVAL
Anders S Christensen, principal
and the Hui Xin team!
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