From: NWCS Principal Date: 4/11/2014 7:32 PM

I hope that everyone enjoyed the warmer weather this week. Although it was still a little cool in the morning, it was actually quite nice during the day … I almost forgot what a crowded street looked like … it had been empty for so long with all the snow that we had. Ahhh, it is all in past … let’s hope that the weather continues to get better and better!

I decided to give my class an open book quiz. My twins said “Man, I wish I had an open book quiz too!” I said you can open your tablet, your book, your dictionary, your whatever … but if you did not pay attention in class, it would not matter. Open book will only be easy for those who studied.

One of my 1B/Intro to Chinese Language class students, who happens to be Russian, told me she had a chance to speak Chinese during the week in her regular school. She said she had a substitute teacher in one of her classes, who was Chinese, and she went up to the teacher and said “I know how to speak Chinese!” The substitute teacher looked at her… not sure if she was kidding … My student said “Talk to me in Chinese then, if you don’t believe me!” I was getting nervous listening to her telling me the story, but at the same time so proud of her confidence. The substitute teacher said “你叫什麼名字？” I said to myself “YES YES YES, we practice that like every week in class, my student answered “我叫何娟娟”. She nailed it! I was beaming I am sure … I asked as soon as she finished saying her name in Chinese “What did your teacher say?” She did a famous Home Alone (movie) kid look, with two hands covering both cheeks, with a mouth open so wide … a shocking look … needless to say I was on cloud 9. She continued (there is more?) to tell me that the teacher then asked “你幾歲? “ and she answered “我十歲!” Now I put both hands up to my chin and did the Home Alone kid look too “Oh my goodness, I am so proud … but don’t forget to use the 2nd tone not the 4th tone for number 10, you are 10 years old, you don’t want people to think you are 4 years old”. The whole class was laughing but they understand the importance of the tones! I then asked her “Did you happen to tell her where you learned to speak Chinese?“ (I just can’t help myself) She said “Oh I forgot! I only told her that I go to Chinese school every Saturday!”. Oh well, maybe next time she will remember the name of our school.

Remember too, our Chinese Language Contest is coming soon. Originally we scheduled it for April 26, but it might conflict with some other activities, so it might be rescheduled to the following Saturday to give us all more time to practice! I will keep everyone posted. The lower grades will be a speaking contest and the higher grades will be a writing contest.

I know that some families might be traveling during the Spring break so I hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful break! As for my family, it is all about baseball! So much so, that this year my twins are both on 2 teams and my husband is the coach on both teams. Whoo hooo, I just can’t wait to go sit at game after game with all of my free time!

Speaking of sports … the Spring sports are gearing up and some parents have approached me and expressed the challenge of trying to accomplish both! This is a recurring theme every year and we, as parents, are all going through the same dilemma. Don’t worry, the school will work with you to come up with a solution that works for both. Remember, where there is a will, there is a way! So communicate with your teachers, and I am sure by working together, we can come to a workable arrangement.

See you all tomorrow! Classes started at 9am sharp. Please be on time.
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李宜蓉 Eileen Y. Lee
北威校長 NWCS Principal, 2009-2014
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GO NWCS!!!! Visit www.nwcsny.org
or email LearnChinese@nwcsny.org