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Published in the South Brunswick Sentinel News on February 13, 2003
FARRAH MAFFAI The dance ¡§Moonlight Over Spring River¡¨ is performed by Josephine Yan¡¦s adult class during the Chinese Heritage School Chinese New Year Celebration at Crossroads Middle School, South Brunswick, Saturday.
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Published in the Courier News on October 16, 2000
Chinese schools teach heritage
SOUTH BRUNSWICK-- Like most 12-year-olds in the United States,
Calvin Ng loves video games, surfing the Internet, watching cartoons
and riding his bike.
And, like most 12-year-olds, even if he was looking out the
window he couldn''t tell if it was yu tin, ching tin, or yam tin --
rainy, sunny or cloudy in Chinese, the language of his parents.
He can now.
"Since they were born here, they know about American culture, but
I don''t want them to forget their heritage, where their ancestors
came from, their culture and history," said Lily Griggs, the
school''s academic director.
"I want my children to learn to love their Chinese culture," said
Connie Chin, whose 6- and 4-year-old children attend the school.
"It''s important for them to know our heritage and who they are. We
understand American culture is very important to our kids, but we
want them to understand where their parents and grandparents came
from."
The school, which rents space each Saturday in the Crossroads
Middle School, costs $130 for each of two semesters a year. Many
parents volunteer time to teach or perform other jobs at the school.
There are nearly 20 such schools around New Jersey, said the
school''s principal, Cornwell Mah. Across the country, a 1996 survey
by a Chinese education group found 647 schools in 47 states.
Josephine Yan teaches traditional Chinese folk dance to girls
ages 3 to 12. The dances celebrate various aspects of life in
specific regions of China.
"In Mongolia, they imitate an eagle because up on the plains,
they see eagles and falcons a lot," she said. "In coastal regions to
the south, they see a lot of fish like carp, and their dances
reflect that."
Most instruction is done in Cantonese so students are immersed in
the language as much as possible; this might be the only time all
week they get to speak or hear Chinese.
"I speak English with my kids a lot," admitted Mah. "This is a
change for them. The main thing is for them to learn and for us to
encourage them to speak more in Chinese."
Griggs was born in Hong Kong but at a young age came to this
country, where she spoke mostly English. She married a Caucasian man
and wanted to make sure their children have a good sense of both
their parents'' cultures.
"We try to get them speaking and conversing more in Chinese," she
said. "Every kid has to sacrifice a lot to come here. There''s lots
of other things they could be doing on a Saturday, and to ask them
to come to school again is not easy."
It wasn''t easy at first for Calvin, who started off in a class
for students who know little or no Chinese. These students initially
are taught in English, then gradually eased into Chinese as their
proficiency increases and eventually enter Chinese-only classes.
"We learned the basics of Cantonese," he said. "For me it''s not
that hard now, because I know most of this stuff."
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On the Net:
Chinese Heritage School: http://www.chsnj2000.org
WAYNE PARRY
The Associated Press
Calvin is one of 150
students enrolled at the new Chinese Heritage School of New Jersey,
formed by Asian parents worried that their children were losing
sight of their culture. During 2“ hour classes, students are taught
Chinese language, dance, painting, poetry, martial arts and a
general appreciation of the culture of their elders.
(AP Photo/Jill C. Becker)
Girls wave fans during a dance
routine, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000, in South Brunswick, N.J. at
the Crossroads School where Chinese Heritage classes were
held. Studies included dancing, martial arts, and brush
painting.
Most
teach in Mandarin, the predominant dialect of mainland China. The
South Brunswick school teaches mainly in Cantonese, the predominant
dialect in Hong Kong, where many of its students'' parents emigrated
from.
(AP Photo/Jill C. Becker)
Jenny Law, right, practices toe
pointing with other young classmates during Chinese heritage
classes at the Crossroads School on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000,
in South Brunswick, N.J.
Published in the South
Brunswick Sentinel News on September 13, 2000 Chinese School opens at
Crossroads School
The Chinese Heritage School of New Jersey opened Saturday morning at the Crossroads Middle School on Major Road with about 140 students and a visit from Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) and Mayor Debra Johnson.
"This is a good example of building schools for community use," Holt said at a welcoming assembly for students. "You make Crossroads School a community center and you are making a real success."
The school teaches Chinese to students in grades K-7 so that they can read and understand daily conversation. It also promotes Chinese culture and virtues through additional programs.
The majority of students are Chinese-Americans, but the school is open to everyone.
It has 15 instructors and offers classes in Cantonese, the second largest dialect spoken in China, as well as classes in culture.
The nonprofit school was developed by seven area families who wanted to teach their children and others the rich Chinese tradition which has been passed down through the centuries.
Lily Griggs of the Princeton Junction section of the township, who is the director of the school and one of its founders, said Saturday that the school also teaches morals, art, dance and martial arts as specialty classes.
"We are all parents," Griggs said of the group forming the school.
The school will operate on a two-semester system from September through June. Classes are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Tuition for the school is $130 per student each semester. Cost for additional students is $120 each.
"We are just covering our cost," Griggs said, estimating that the school will pay the South Brunswick Board of Education about $10,000 to rent the space.
The school is planning to hold fund-raisers to help defray the additional costs, Griggs said, adding that she hopes to get the parents of the students involved.
"If they help reinforce the heritage at home, it will be a big help," Griggs said.
Griggs said the South Brunswick school was chosen because of its central location for the students, some of whom come from West Windsor and New Brunswick.
Holt said the school shows the same "vibrancy and diversity" as the area¡¦s population and will bring "strength and value" to those trying to preserve their ethnic heritage.
"These men and women of different cultures have helped build this country," he said.
Johnson welcomed the students to the municipality.
"We are excited about this school. Our rich heritage helps make our community, and we are so proud to have you in South Brunswick," the mayor said.
Deputy Mayor Frank Gambatese and Councilwoman Carol Barrett joined Johnson at the assembly.
For more information, call (908) 281-4270 or visit the school¡¦s Web site at www.chsnj2000.org.
?Charles W. Kim
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