親愛的蓋城家庭成員們，新年快樂！

首先，我要祝福每一位蓋城人有個美好的2014！許多人在新的一年的開始會有一些新年計畫，我想建議家長們加一項 “提升孩子中文學習的興趣” 作為新年計畫的一部分。我們的學生只有每週2小時來學校學習中文，這樣學習的效果可能有限。如果家長可以在家裡提供一些有趣又好玩的學習方法, 例如讓孩子們學習中文流行歌曲，看中文電影,，或者讀一本中文漫畫書，這些有趣又好玩的學習方法可以鼓勵學生學習和認識更多的中文。我希望我的建議可以作為各位新年計畫的一個參考。

在新年假期前，學校發給每位學生一個招生優惠折扣方案傳單。這是家長們得到學費折扣, 同時幫助學校吸引更多的學生 一個很好的機會。我想提醒家長這個特別的方案並 踴躍的參與. 春季班的報名已經開始了. 春季班的第一天是1月19日。請家長們盡快完成註冊 。

我們一年一度的校內中文演講比賽在假期前已圓滿的結束。我要給所有的學生們特別的掌聲， 公開演講對一些大人而言是一種害怕也是一種挑戰的活動，而我們的學生不但演講, 而且是用中文來做演說,  我想對大部分的學生, 中文並不是他們的母語。我希望家長們給參與這項活動的孩子們獎勵和肯定.  感謝所有的老師和父母的支持，讓我們有個成功的中文演講比賽 。我們在這個星期天1月12日將公佈獲獎者並頒獎。

我有個好消息要和各位報告. 我們的兩位學生，毛憶萱及蕭珮伃，代表我們學校參加大華盛頓地區中文學校書法比賽, 兩人分別在小學和高中組收到優勝獎，並獲得獎金。我很高興我們的學生在這項中國傳統文化比賽的出色表現。我也藉此機會感謝我們課外活動的書法老師，譚煥芬老師。謝謝譚老師對學生們的指點, 更謝謝譚老師在蓋城任教中國書畫和書法多年. 辛勤的教導我們的學生和家長。再一次恭喜毛憶萱及蕭珮伃在這次書法比賽中亮眼的成績！

今年的冬天的天氣特別冷,希望大家有個溫暖的冬天, 並有一個美好的2014年！

 祝闔家平安

 蔡慧玲

Dear GCS family members, Happy New Year!

First of all, I wish all of you a prosperous  2014!  Many people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, and I would like to suggest parents add “enhance Chinese learning” as part of their resolution list.  Our students only come to Chinese school 2 hours a week, and the effect of such learning may be limited.  If parents can provide some enhancements at home, such as learning Chinese pop songs, watching Chinese movie/video clips, or reading a Chinese comic  book, anything fun will provide encouragement for students to learn more Chinese.  I hope my suggestions work for your family.

Just before the holidays, the Board and I have sent home a student recruitment flyer.   It is a great opportunity for our parents to receive tuition savings, and at the same time help our school attract more students.  I want to remind parents to take advantage of this program and support our school as well.  Our Spring registration has started, and our 1st day of Spring semester is 1/19/14.  Please complete your registration form as soon as you can.  Our Registration team Lead, Emily, will take your registration form at the Board table.

We concluded our annual in-house Chinese speech contest before the holidays.  I want to give big applause to all our students.  Public speaking can be fearful for most grownups, and our students had to make a public speech in Chinese, not their native language.  Some students not only presented a nice speech but also dressed up, which shows respect for this event. Thanks to all teachers and parents whose support made it a successful event.  We will announce winners on 1/12/14, this coming Sunday.

I have great news to share with you about two of our students, Yixuan Moh and Aza Shiao, who represented our school at the Metropolitan DC area Chinese calligraphy contest: both of them received merit awards, for the elementary and high school categories, respectively.  I’m very proud of their outstanding performance in this traditional Chinese culture contest.  I also take this opportunity to say thanks for our Chinese calligraphy teacher, Ms. Frances Luk.  Ms. Luk has been teaching Chinese calligraphy and painting to students and parents for many years at our school.  Her contribution to our school is greatly appreciated.  Congratulations to Yixuan and Aza on a job well done!!

This winter weather has been extreme this year.  Hope everyone stays warm and has a wonderful 2014!

Sincerely,

Hueling Tsai Evans