Dear Parents,

I would like to introduce a new initiative of online tutoring to help our kids learning Chinese, specifically focusing on speaking and listening. Many parents approached me with their frustration not being able to help their children with their homework or recording during the weekdays. I also appreciate and agree that two hours of language class on Saturdays are not enough to get kids memorizing every pronunciation and dialog.

I would like to solicit 10 families to test out online tutoring before opening up to the entire school. The basic idea is to connect to a pool of NWCS teachers via messaging group. During the week, a parent may message the teacher group to see if any teacher is available in the next 30 mins. The parent then initiates a video or phone call to an available teacher and supervises his or her child to go over the textbook, homework, and dialogs. At the end of the 30 min call, the parent briefly discusses progress with the teacher before disconnecting. The emphasis is speaking and listening and getting immediate feedback to correct the pronuncation.

I recommend a charge of nominal fee for $15 per 30 min session for teacher’s time. Given our teachers are also moms and dads running around with their own kids, it is quite unlikely that your kids’ teachers are always available. But by forming a pool of teachers, I am hoping at least one can respond to a tutoring request in a timely manner.

For the past 3,000 years, myself and many generations before me learned Chinese in classrooms. We will continue classroom learning but with smartphones and high speed Internet, we ought to adapt our teaching to take advantage of interactive, online tools to make parents’, children’s and teachers’ time more effective. To those families who are willing to try out the initiative with us, please join me at 11:00 am at the theater this Saturday, October 3. I would love to hear your feedback and discuss logistics to make this happen.

Your Principal,
Yuan-Chi Chang 張元極

Dear students and parents,

Our first day of school is Saturday, September 17. Please come to the middle school gym by 9:00 am to meet your teacher and classmates. We will distribute the welcome packets and introduce new cultural enrichment classes. Don’t be late!

To those who haven’t finished your summer assignment, please catch up. We expect you to hand in your writing assignment and recording on the first day.

Your Principal, Yuan-Chi Chang

Dear NWCS families:

As you and your family are busy with BBQs, camps, and vacations, if
you haven’t done it, please take a moment to register your children
for Chinese school next fall. Simply click
(https://sis.nwcsny.org/offered_classes) and log on using the email
address you are receiving this message. In case you forgot the
password, please click
(https://sis.nwcsny.org/accounts/password/reset/) and enter your email
address. A reset link will be sent to your email inbox.

We are asking all continuing families to register before July 15 for
the advance rate, which is the same from 2014 board-approved tuition
and fee schedule. Our Dean and teaching staff will work with me
starting July 16 to map out classes and teacher assignment based on
current enrollment.

You are welcome to pay by credit card or pay by check via mail to
Northern Westchester Chinese School, P. O. Box 52, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the
curriculum and your children’s placement. Look forward to seeing
everyone on September 12, the first day of school.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

Regards,
Yuan-Chi Chang
2015- ,Principal
2013-2015, Registrar