February 4, 2010

New York Times Story about Language Instruction in American Classrooms

This New York Times article focuses on the fact that overall, foreign language instruction is fading in U.S. classrooms, with the exception of Chinese, which is flourishing.

Click here to read New York Times story.

CAIS Ski Week is Happening Soon - Join Us on the Slopes

Ski Week is taking place February 13-20 and because it falls during the President's Day holiday we don't usually get special rates at Lake Tahoe resorts, but parent organizers will get some standard holiday rates out to everyone for convenience.

Generally, parent organizers try to get some groups together for ski schools, dinners and play times depending on how many people plan on being on the slopes that week.

If your family is planning on being in the Lake Tahoe area during this time and can help organize an activity or dinner, please let parent Serena Hu know.

For Ski weekend on March 6-8, parent organizers have obtained reasonable rates in the past at Northstar and Granlibakken. Those rates are being negotiated and will be announced soon. Families that would like to plan a couple of group dinners during that weekend should contact Serena Hu.

Please email Serena (mom of Shaw, sixth grade and Graham, third grade) if you are planning on being in the Lake Tahoe area during either February 13-20 or March 6-8 and she will add you to the email distribution list so plans and activities can be organized.

CAIS Musicians and Dancers Present Lunar New Year Event at Asian Art Museum This Sunday

This Sunday, February 7 beginning at noon, CAIS students will present an hour of Chinese music and dance at the Asian Art Museum, located at 200 Larkin Street in Civic Center. Our spectacular Dance Troupes, impressive Chinese Music Ensemble and dynamic drummers and Lion Dancers will welcome in the New Year. The performance starts at noon, and is free with museum admission.

Come celebrate CAIS' excellence in the Chinese performing arts.

CAIS Annual Talent Recital Registration Deadline is February 11

The 13th Annual CAIS Talent Recital will take place the afternoon of Saturday, March 13 at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. Exact times will be set after students are divided into three recital groups. This event gives students grades Kindergarten through eighth the opportunity to share their solo talents with the school community. Instrumental and vocal music, all forms of dance, stand-up comedy, martial arts and any other performance skill that can be presented in two minutes or less are welcome.

Please note that, starting this year, all students must have their music memorized. Also, all students must be present for the entire recital; sorry, but coming late or leaving early for soccer games and birthday parties is disrespectful to the other performers.

Parents, please first determine that your child wants to participate; we do not want this to be a forced, unhappy experience! To register, email CAIS Music and Movement Director Susan Kennedy. Please note, the registration deadline is Thursday, February 11 -- no students will be added after that date.

Please include this information with your email:
• Child's name
• Child's grade and class
• Performance form (piano, tap dance, etc.)
• Primary contact parent's name, phone # and email address. All communication will be through email.

Upcoming Contest for First through Eighth Grade Students - CLTAC Mandarin Speech Contest

The annual CLTAC Mandarin Speech Contest application form is available for the 2010 contest, which is scheduled for April 24 at Lowell High School.

For those of you who aren't familiar, the CLTAC Mandarin Speech Contest is an annual event that recognizes students' accuracy in pronunciation, tones and fluency.

If you are interested in entering your child in the speech contest, please go to CLTAC.org.

This year the registration rules have changed. Here are the steps to follow:

• Follow the link, you will find the registration/application form for elementary and middle school on the left.
• Download the form and turn in the completed form to your child's Chinese teacher along with the $8 application fee payable to CAIS to your child's Chinese teacher by March 10, 2010.
• An application form also needs to be sent electronically via email to your child's teacher.
• The Chinese teachers will collect all the forms and fees and return to Middle School Humanities teacher, Jiun Chou Young, who is the CAIS contact person for the event.
• Jiun will submit all the forms and fees to the event organization.
• The contest date is: Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Lowell High School.
• Please read the rules carefully, as CAIS students are all in category D for immersion programs.
• If you have questions about the speech contest, please contact Jiun Chou Young.
  
  

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  Upcoming Contest for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Students – Bridge Cup Contest
  

  Each year the Confucius Institute at SF State University and SFUSD host the Bridge Cup Contest. The event is open to K-12 Chinese learners in the SF Bay Area and consists of several different categories including brush calligraphy, pen calligraphy, painting/drawing, composition and Chinese poetry recital. Last year more than 1,300 students participated.

  The deadline to register to participate is February 12. This doesn't give much time, however, we feel this is a great way for CAIS students to showcase their Chinese skills in art, composition and speech and we encourage your child to participate.

  In the past, Middle School Chinese Humanities Teacher, Jiun Chou Young collected the application forms and submitted them directly, but due to the short timeframe, we ask that each family registers directly online at SFSU.edu

  If your child needs help choosing a self-selected poem for the Chinese poetry recital, please ask his/her classroom teacher and make sure you send in a copy of your poem with your registration form.

  
  

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  School Photo Reminder
  

  It's not too late to order your child's school pictures. Please visit Reflectionsphotos or contact Marissa directly
  

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  Students Celebrate Chinese New Year with Four Days of Traditional Activities
  

  During the four days leading up to Mass Greeting on February 11, students will participate in a variety of traditional Chinese New Year activities including Chinese paper cutting, dumpling making, brush painting and cleaning the classrooms from top to bottom for good luck in the coming year.

  At Mass Greeting, students will lead the school community in songs, music, dance and games. A lion dance will be performed by the sixth graders as well as New Years poem reading, folk dancing and fan dancing. Students are encouraged to wear traditional Chinese outfits or the color red on this day to signify the lucky color for the new year.

  
  

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  Grandparents' and Special Elders Reception Happening Following Mass Greeting on February 11
  

  Invitations have gone out to grandparents for a reception following the Chinese New Year Mass Greeting on February 11. The reception will take place in 57 A/B in the basement level at our Oak Street campus at 11 a.m.

  Please invite your child's grandparents to join us for tea and dim sum. Please click here to view invitation.

  For questions or to RSVP, please contact JP Lor or call 861-0866.

  
  

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  Wonder Where the Money You Spend on Bake Sale Goodies Goes?
  

  Many of us have grown accustomed to the wonderful bake sales that take place at CAIS throughout the school year. These sales are orchestrated by our Student Government group and the proceeds of these sales help raise money for charities of their choice.

  Student Government has chosen a charity called Roots & Shoots and is aiming to raise $3,000 over the course of the school year for the program that works with 170 schools with the aim of planting one million trees in Inner Mongolia by 2014 to fight desertification. It also works with offices to reduce carbon footprints, promotes poverty alleviation through education in Anhui province and works with migrant schools.

  The latest bake sale, held this past Wednesday raised $460 towards Student Government's goal of $3,000. So the next time you bite into a bake sale item, you'll be helping make a positive change happen globally.

  
  

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  Chinese New Year Art Throughout the Hallways
  

  
  
  Be sure to check out all of the wonderful art work CAIS students have created to help celebrate Chinese New Year. There is a 2010 Year of the Tiger mural in the Hickory Street foyer, created by the Kindergarten students with calligraphy by Feng Chen, our Chinese brush painting teacher.
  
  
  Also by the Kindergarten students (in collaboration with the fifth grade) are two dragon murals in the first floor hallway outside of the head's office.
  
  
  In the PA corner there is a mixed media mural depicting a San Francisco Chinese New Year parade; a collaboration between the fourth and first grade students. Also on display are first grade tiger paintings on the second floor.
  
  
  Coming soon are fifth grade tiger paintings including some of the tiger paintings completed by the fifth grade students that are currently featured on the homepage of the CAIS website.
  
  
  Other art work on display include second grade architecture sculpture with recycled materials. These are in the Hickory Street display case. The Kindergarten students have 'People Collages' displayed on the first floor. The first grade students have observational drawings of vegetables on display on the second floor; these drawings are an integration component of the first grade food unit from English social studies class.
  
  

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  CAIS Student Featured on The View From the Bay
  

  Start at the video at 2:30 and you will see Tristen Pon, one of our very own third graders, showing off the latest ski wear.

  Click here to see Tristen Pon.

  
  

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Upcoming Important Dates

Waller Street Parent Coffee Hour
February 5

Middle School Dance
February 5

Parent Association Council Meeting
February 9

Mandarin Language Practice Group for Adults
February 10

Online Enrollment Deadline for 2010-11 School Year
February 10

Registration Deadline for CAIS Talent Recital
February 11

Mass Greeting
February 11

Grandparent and Special Elders Reception
February 11

Firedragon Basketball Finals
February 11

Chinese New Year Observed - No School
February 12

February Break - No School
February 15-19

Please check our school calendar for details and additional upcoming events. The calendar is updated through the 2009-2010 school year.

Last Few Days to Participate in the Annual Fund Matching Gift Program

The final day of this year's matching gift program is near and we hope you will take advantage and donate to the Annual Fund.

The CAIS matching gift program provides an opportunity for a family's Annual Fund donations to be matched, dollar for dollar by an anonymous group of parents.

It's easy, simply donate online here before February 15 and your Annual Fund gift will be matched.

We thank the group of parents who are matching Annual Fund gifts! Because of their generosity, your gift will be doubled.

Enter to Win a Dinner Gift Pack at Some of SF's Finest Restaurants During Mass Greeting on February 11

Dreaming of xiao long bao at Yank Sing, perhaps a romantic dinner at Gary Danko or sushi at Ozumo? If you enjoy exploring San Francisco restaurants, then consider entering a chance to win the ShowCAIS San Francisco Restaurant Collection raffle which includes dinner for two at 10 of the city's top restaurants.

The ShowCAIS raffle kicks off during Mass Greeting on February 11. Be sure to locate the ShowCAIS table with volunteers selling raffle tickets and enter a chance to win the ShowCAIS San Francisco Restaurant Collection raffle.

Not attending Mass Greeting? Raffle tickets will be distributed to all families in the Thursday folders in March with detailed contest information.

Raffle tickets are $10 each or three tickets for $25 and any one person is eligible to purchase unlimited tickets. Tickets will be sold through May 1 and chances of winning are great!

The raffle drawing will take place at the ShowCAIS gala event on May 1 and winner does not need to be present to win.

Many Auction Items to Bid on at ShowCAIS

The 2010 ShowCAIS Committee is busy preparing for the school's community fundraising gala event held May 1 at the InterContinental Hotel. ShowCAIS 2010: The Silk Road celebrates the historical trade route that opened the exchange of commerce, art, philosophies, technology and culture throughout the East and West.


We'll come together as a community and enjoy dinner, dancing and a live and silent auction among our friends in the school community.


This year's auction will feature many lovely items that will be offered for bid at ShowCAIS. Each year families look forward to bidding on special pieces of art created by our students. Because of work load involved with the art teachers, this year ShowCAIS will feature only Pre-K, Kindergarten and first grade art projects.


Mark your calendars for May 1 and stay tuned for upcoming ShowCAIS news, ticket info and more.

Pre-K Chinese New Year Activities At Waller Street

Our young students are busy making paper lanterns, learning about the Chinese Zodiac animals, enjoying stories and singing songs in preparation for Chinese New Year.

Please mark your calendar for the following New Year events:

• Wednesday, February 10 -- Children do not need to bring a lunch on this day! A special New Year lunch will be served. Our Chinese teachers are working with classroom liaisons and ordering all the traditional and auspicious foods for students to enjoy. The luncheon is just for children and will be served in the Chinese classrooms. Green and Orange class will eat together and Red and Gold class will eat together. Parents do not need to attend this event.
• Thursday, February 11 -- Mass Greeting. The Mass Greeting takes place in the Oak Street gymnasium from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. It features short performances by Kindergarten through middle school students and concludes with CAIS sixth graders performing the Lion Dance. We encourage Pre-K families to attend the Mass Greeting with their families. Pre-K parents can escort their children to the Mass Greeting and remain with them throughout the presentations. There will be designated seating for Pre-K students and their families. The event lasts approximately two hours and is loud and lively! If you wish to attend for a short time only, simply bring your child to Waller Street and sign-in at any time during the morning. Teachers will be at Waller Street to meet your child. We have New Year activities at the Waller Street campus for children who do not attend Mass Greeting. The morning will include art projects, songs, games and a special snack. Whether you attend Mass Greeting or bring your child to the Waller Street campus we all look forward to a wonderful day. Remember, everyone is encouraged to wear red!
• Date to be determined -- Lion Dancers come to Waller Street campus to chase away all evil spirits and bad luck!
• Friday, February 12 -- Chinese New Year observed, no school and February break begins.

Changing of the Guard at Waller Street

Please welcome our new security guard Anthony Casanova. Anthony begins his day at 7:00 a.m. and provides security for our campus until 4:00 p.m. Some parents may recognize Anthony, from his work at the Oak Street campus. Khari Mayo takes over for Anthony at 4:00 p.m. and also provides breaks during the day.

Many thanks to Jovohn Gibson for all his hard work and for greeting us with a smile every day. We wish Jovohn all the best for the future.

Waller Street Pre-K Parent Coffee Hour Friday Morning

Please drop in for a casual chat with other parents tomorrow, Friday February 5 from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. and see the newly furnished Administrative Office and chat with other parents. This is our second parent coffee hour, note the slightly later start time of 8:15 a.m.

Pre-K Coffee and Questions Happening February 24

Pre-K parents are invited to join Interim Head of School Betty Shon and Pre-K Director Susan Martin for Coffee and Questions on Wednesday, February 24 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. This casual hour of Q&A will be held in the Waller Campus multipurpose room.

Firedragon Basketball Teams on the Way to Finals

Basketball is winding down with finals approaching next week. Out of CAIS' four teams, two have made it to the playoffs!


Congratulations to the JV boys red team for finishing the season in fourth place and to the varsity girls for tying for first place in the regular season.


Finals will be hosted by KIPP on Thursday, February 11 starting at 3:30 p.m. Please come and support the team!

Futsal Season Approaching, Sign Up Now

Futsal is just around the corner. Practices for all fifth-eighth grade players will begin Monday, February 22 from 3:45-5:00 p.m. and will be held every day with the exception of Fridays through the first week of May.

Last year our team lost in overtime in the finals and we are looking to bring the trophy to CAIS this year.

Please contact Debbie Talbot if your child is interested in joining the team.

Next CAIS Family San Francisco Food Bank Volunteer Day Scheduled for Sunday, March 14

The first CAIS family volunteer event at the San Francisco Food Bank was a great success, so we're planning another one on March 14 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Come help the food bank distribute food to hungry people right here in San Francisco. According to the food bank's website, "In San Francisco, 150,000 people struggle each day to feed themselves and their families." We encourage CAIS families to join together on March 14 and give back to our community. Children ages four and up are welcome, and children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Middle school students can come in groups of four students to one adult.

Check out SFFoodBank.org for more information on the food bank. Please RSVP as soon as possible, as space is limited. Contact Veronica Reilly with any questions.

No Name-Calling Week Encourages Kindness

This year CAIS joined the national celebration called No Name Calling Week, which was held from January 25 - 29. School-wide events had both adults and children talking and thinking about how every one of us can make our community a kinder, more inclusive place. Elementary and middle school students met in assemblies to talk about responses to bullying, and then made Walls of Kindness, with specific suggestions from each student about being kind. You can see them in the fourth floor Open Space and on the third floor. Students also did various in-class activities to reinforce the concepts discussed in the assemblies.

Teachers participated in an afternoon professional development workshop about intervening in bullying and teasing and parents were invited to attend a similar workshop the same evening.

CAIS is dedicated to creating and maintaining a welcoming environment for all students, and we will continue to encourage community dialogue about the best ways to accomplish this.

First Meeting of the Mandarin Language Practice Group for Adults - February 10

If you are trying to learn Mandarin and would like a fun social setting in which to practice, join the CAIS Mandarin Language Practice Group for Adults. The first meeting is tentatively set for February 10 in the evening. Everyone will gather for a meal and conversation.

Please contact Veronica Reilly for more information if you would like to join the group.

Eco-friendly, Sustainable Living CAIS Community Group Forming

If you are interested in the environment and sustainable living and would like to join with other CAIS families, staff and faculty to discuss this interest, please join the newly forming Eco-friendly, Sustainable Living CAIS Community Group.

This could be a simple as a book club focusing on books on green subjects, like books by Michael Pollan or books about the environment or global warming or we could expand it to include tips on making your own house cleaning products or going on trips to local farms and farmers markets. It's completely flexible based on what you would like to happen.

Please contact Veronica Reilly if you are interested.