Northern Westchester Chinese School

Parents' Handbook (last revision 11/09/2007)

I. PURPOSES OF THIS HANDBOOK

1. To provide the parents with a general understanding of the Northern Westchester Chinese School (hereafter, "The School" or "Our School" and the privilege and responsibilities of the Parents.

2. To list the requirements and procedures pertaining to enrollment, class advancement, skipping of grades, retention, absences, dismiss, and graduation.

II. ORGANIZATION

(Details may be found In the School's Bylaws.)

1. Board of Directors

The board of Directors is the highest decision-making body of the School. It consists of eight (8) elected members and the school principal; Each year, four (4) senior elected members retire at the end of their 2-year term (may be re-elected once) and are replaced by four (4) newly elected members.

2. Administration

Elected school officers, including the principal, vice principal, secretary, and treasurer are responsible for the operation of the School. The principal appoints other officers such as Academic Dean, Purchaser, Registration Officer and Student Counselor.

3. Teachers

Appointed by the principal, teachers are responsible for carrying out teaching activities.

4. Parents' Liaison Committee

Made up by representatives of class parents, the Parents' Liaison Committee facilitates communication between the School and its Parents. It also plays a major role in the social functions of the School. The principal appoints the chairperson of the committee.

III. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

1. Classes

The School meets weekly on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Each school session includes one hour of language instruction and one hour of Augmented Cultural Enrichment (ACE) program. There is an optional third hour for special classes.

2. Parents' General Meeting

A Parents' General Meeting is held each semester. Election of board members and officers are held annually in the spring meeting. School financial matters are also reviewed, discussed and addressed in such meetings.

3. Publications

Publications include School Newsletters (published bi-weekly or as often as possible), the School Directory (published annually), and the Year Book.

4. New Year Party

A New Year party, together with the graduation ceremony, is held at the closing of the fall semester.

5. School Picnic

A school picnic is held at the end of the spring semester.

6. New Parents' Orientation

New Parents' Orientation is offered at the beginning of the new school year.

7. Parents' Seminars

Parents' Seminars are offered periodically during the school year. Special topics of general interest to Parents will be discussed.

8. Teachers' Workshops

Teachers' Workshops are held both at one week before the beginning of each semester and periodically during the school year.

IV. CURRICULUM & GOAL

The goal of our School is to instill in our students a basic understanding of Chinese language and culture, an identification of their ancestry background, and a sense of pride in being a Chinese American. Our School uses the Chinese textbooks designed and used in Taiwanese schools published by National Taiwan Publishing Co., as well as the Chinese textbooks designed for American Chinese Schools. In addition, we use our own Chinese textbook, Chinese fables, Chinese History, and selected Chinese reading materials. Lower grade students are introduced to the phonic symbols and original Chinese characters and higher grade students are introduced to the simplified Chinese characters and the Hanyu Pinyin system. The ACE (Augmented Cultural Enrichment) program is taught to the first to fifth graders, its contents encompasses discussion of and introduction to Chinese festivals, custom, and general culture. For the sixth grade students, the Chinese calligraphy class is added to the curriculum.

1. Pre-Kindergarten - class period: one (1) hour.

2. Kindergarten - class period: two (2) hours. Content: Music/ Craft/ Social skill development and rule-abiding training.

3. First Grade - Textbook: "Chinese ABC" prepared by our school; emphasis on phonic symbols drills

4. Second to Seventh Grade - Textbooks: Volumes 1-4 of text books entitled "Chinese" published and used for elementary schools in Taiwan; Volumes 1 - 6 of text books entitled "Chinese Language" published for American Chinese schools.

5. Eighth to Eleventh Grade - Introduction to Chinese curriculum in American colleges.

Eighth - Introduction to Chinese geography, history, Hanyu Pinyin system and simplified characters.
Ninth - Textbook: The Land and People of China (published by Princeton Univ.)
Tenth - Textbook: Read about China (published by Yale Univ.)
Eleventh - Textbook: Chinese Fable (published by Nat. Taiwan Normal Univ.); preparation for SATII Chinese, NYS Regent Chinese examination

6. Twelfth Grade - Seminars, topical projects and preparation of class play for graduation party.

In general, each of the grade will be further divided into Class A and Class B. Class A is taught completely in Chinese, Class B is taught in both Chinese and English to enhance the learning of the students.

Our classes meet every Saturday morning for two to three hours. The students are expected to spend approximately half an hour everyday on their homework and assignments. The parents are urged to assist and advise their children's daily homework lest the children fall behind in school.

V. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

1. Elections

Parents have the right to vote and to be elected as school officers and board members. Parents are also entitled to participate in all school-sponsored activities.

2. Responsibilities

PARENTS ON DUTY Parents are assigned each week on a rotational basis to carry out service and monitoring duties. It is the sole responsibility of on duty parents to be at the School from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on the assigned date; or to arrange a substitute in case of anticipated absence. A fine of $50 will be imposed on parents failing to fulfill this obligation.

The designated GROUP LEADER of on duty parents should remind group members of the schedule, preferably on the previous day. He or She is also responsible for assigning the group members specific tasks, and to see that these tasks are satisfactorily carried out.

3. Code of Conduct

In order to maintain a distraction-free environment during class sessions and protect school property, following rules are strictly enforced: (Please note that our continued use of the school facilities is contingent on our good conduct and good relationship with Briarcliff Middle School.)

1. When class is in session, parents should stay in the cafeteria area (ground floor) and not to go upstairs or enter any classroom without prior permission from the teacher.

2. Parents are allowed to sit in a class ONLY with prior consent of the teacher. They should stay quietly in the room and not interfere with the class.

3. Discussion or inquiry with the teacher should be avoided while the class is in session.

4. In the classroom, NEVER erase anything left on the blackboard from Briarcliff Middle School classes, or touch or move any objects on or in the teacher's desk.

5. No food or beverages are allowed in the classroom.

6. Parents are expected to strictly follow the parking rules and regulation of Briarcliff Middle School, violators will be fined Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each offense. In the event that the vehicles are towed as a result of said violation, parents are liable for any towing expenses and fines.

NOTE: Such parking violations may jeopardize our School's lease agreement with Briarcliff Middle School.

7. No student will be allowed to register for any classes if there is any overdue fine or penalty owed and due our School as a result of his/her late registration or the parents' absence from parent-on-duty day.

VI. ENROLLMENT POLICIES

1. Enrollment

Students of age 4 and over by year end may be enrolled for the kindergarten (K) class. Students of age 5 and over by year-end may be enrolled for the Pre-First (P) class. Students of age 6 and over by year-end may be enrolled for the first grade.

2. Registration

Advance registration for the following semester is required for all current students, usually at the end of the current school year. A fine will de charged for late registration. All outstanding fine(s) must be paid in full before registration can be processed. New registration is accepted depending on the availability of the class openings. No late registration will be accepted after the 3rd week of the semester

3. Admission Criteria

In general, each Grade will consist of two classes and each class will have no more than eighteen (18) students. If there are more students interested in enrollment, subject to the consent of the teacher for the Grade and classroom space constraint, the admission priority is as follows:

1. First priority: Students who have enrolled for the prior school year and passed the final examination.

2. Second priority: Students who are children of the teachers and staff members of our School and siblings of students who are currently enrolled.

3. Third priority: Students who enrolled in our School in the past - among them, the priority will be determined by the length of their enrollment.

4. Fourth priority: Students who transfer from other Chinese schools, students who skip grades and students other than any of the above three categories will be enrolled whoever complete registration process earlier in time

4. Refund

In case of withdrawal from the School, no refund will be made after the fourth week of the semester. An 80% and 50% refund may be granted before the 2nd and 4th weeks, respectively, of the semester.

5. Tuition

Tuition is determined by the Board of Directors and approved by the Parents' General Meeting. Families with financial difficulties may apply to the Principal (subject to the approval of the Board) for financial assistance.

VII. GENERAL POLICIES

1. Student Absences and Excuses

In case of absence, parents are expected to notify the teacher before class, and to arrange for turning in and picking up home works. Students who were absent for more than six (6) times in one semester are deemed dismissed from the School and are not eligible to take the final examinations.

2. Advancement

Automatic advancement to the next higher grade will take place at the end of each school year if a student has met the requirements as indicated by satisfactory assignments and tests.

3. Retesting

If a student's final grades for two semesters are over 50 but under 65, the student may take a make-up exam. The make-up exam will be given before the fall semester classes start. The student must achieve a grade of 65 or more on the make-up test in order to advance to the next grade.

4. Retention

Repeating the same grade may be recommended if the student has not satisfactorily met the requirements for advancement The student may advance if he (she) takes and passes a special qualifying test before the fall semester.

5. Skipping of Grade(s)

A student who has acquired the equivalent capability of a higher grade, and whose grade in the previous school year is in top 30th percentile of the class, may apply to skip a grade in the summer. (If the targeted grade is below the student's grade in regular school, the top 30th percentile rule does not apply.) The student will be given a special qualifying test before the fall semester to determine if the request is to be granted.

6. Expulsion

If a student's behavior during school is not acceptable (for example, disturbing classes, insulting the teacher, cheating, fighting, etc.), the parents will be notified by the counselor. The first notification will either by phone or in writing. The second time, the parents will have to meet with the principal; if there is a third occurance, the matter will be brought up at the Board Meeting. The Board may rule to expel the student.

Note: The School does not allow auditing by students in classes other than the ones he (she) is enrolled in.

7. Transfers

To transfer to this school from another school, a student may apply to the academic dean or the principal. An entrance exam will be given before the Fall semester begins. The student must achieve a score of 65 or more on the test, and there must be space available in the student's grade, in order to enter that grade. If the student does not achieve a score of 65, or there is no space available in that grade, the student will be placed in the next lower grade.

Note: The School does not allow auditing by students in classes other than the ones he (she) is enrolled in.

VIII. GRADUATION

In order to graduate with a diploma from the Northern Westchester Chinese School, the student must be registered in the current school year and also has to meet one of the following requirements:

1. High School

1. Has satisfactorily completed the 12th grade of the Chinese School.

2. Is in the senior year of a regular high school and has completed the Chinese School's 11th grade with his or her teacher's recommendation for graduation.

3. Is in the senior year of a regular high school and has completed the 10th grade of the Chinese School and has attended the Chinese School for at least five years.

4. Is in the junior year of a regular high school and registered in the 11th grade of the Chinese School, attended the Chinese School for at least three (3) years and must have left the Chinese School with legitimate reasons.

5. Is in the senior year of a regular high school and has registered and studied in the Chinese School for nine (9) or more years.

2. Middle School

1. Has satisfactorily completed the 9th grade of the Chinese School.

3. Elementary School

1. Has satisfactorily completed the 6th grade of the Chinese School.

These graduation requirements can be amended with the approval of two thirds (2/3) or more of the Chinese School board members.

IX. OTHER

For items not covered in this handbook, please refer to the school bylaws and decisions made by the school board.