Dear parents,
It's cold and rainy, many are feeling under the weather but are over the moon in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. Our school is dressed in red with lanterns at the entrance, hanging from branches on our trees and decorating the hallways. As custom has it, our good friend the mighty dragon is welcoming visitors with a roar in the lobby.
While we had to postpone the Charity Drive event from Friday the 10th to Monday the 13th due to weather, I am pleased to report that it was a giant success and thanks to your generosity we have again reached a new record! 67,684 RMB raised for charity at Hui Xin campus. Together with 42,027 RMB from Bayside Campus, we reached a total of 109.711 RMB! Amazing!
On the day of the Charity Drive, Hui Xin campus transformed into a market place from old China, complete with vendors and entertainment, street sellers and people wearing beautiful and colorful traditional costumes. This year both Hui Xin staff, parents and students wore a variety of traditional Chinese costumes for the event, helping to create a colorful setting. However, it wasn't just for looks Hui Xin staff were demonstrating the old arts of hand printing, calligraphy, umbrella making and how to decorate Beijing Opera masks. Many students and even some parents were having fun decorating items on display too. As something new, this year parents could bid on their favorite Chinese art at the four art auction stations. Highest bidder paid 800 RMB for a beautiful wall scroll! Which will go a long way to help others, while also being decorative!
Almost all families from both Hui Xin and Bayside campus shared their votes for the 3 charitable causes and the 109,711 RMB will be distributed as follows: 24.61% for GREENPEACE, 53.45% for UNICEF and 21.94% for the SUZHOU ANIMAL SHELTER.
These last few days of the semester you have received semester progress reports, portfolios and resources from teachers. Please remember to return the progress report and portfolios upon returning from the holiday, as it will be completed at end of 2nd semester.
On January 17th, the last day before the Chinese New Year holiday, we will be celebrating with our classic "Dumpling-A-Thon". 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 January 18th - February 2nd and the first day back will be on February 3rd.
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 22nd for "Earth Day" where children can wear blue/green clothes and another on June 24th for "Dragon Boat Festival" where children can wear green/golden clothes at school.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE COMING MONTH(S):
- January 17th: Parents & Grandparents are invited in to join the "Dumpling-A-Thon" at campus. (Non-mandatory participation). It's also a Spirit Day: Uniform or red/golden clothes allowed.
- January 18th - February 2nd (from/to & including): The whole school will close for the Spring Festival holiday. First day back is on February 3rd.
- March 16th - 27th: Parents are invited to class and present a cultural activity from their home country or countries they have visited for our "Festival of Colors" theme. (Please arrange with teachers if you wish to join, notice follows)
* VERY IMPORTANT: The Domestic Summer Concert date has changed from Friday 19th of June to Wednesday 17th of June due to the SIPYCC theater's internal calendar arrangements.
We are saying goodbye to the year of the pig and we are welcoming the new year of the Rat ("Metal Rat" if including the Chinese element theory of the old perceived five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water). The Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese Zodiac signs (1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and this year). The Chinese word shǔ may refer to rat, mouse, or other rodent type animal. There is also a yearly month of the Rat and a daily hour of the Rat. Rats are highly adaptable and can be successful at everything. They have good instincts so they're able to spot every chance in business. Rats are extremely perceptive, wise and have good problem-solving and observation skills, but they're not very persistent with what they're doing. While not good at routines, Rats excel in creativity (according to Google and Wikipedia).
I thank you for a great year of the pig and wish everyone a wonderful year of the Rat and a most
HAPPY NEW YEAR & SPRING FESTIVAL
Anders S Christensen, principal and the Hui Xin team!
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