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At the parent meeting this Sunday (12/14/2008), Principal Zhou announced the news
about school closing.
Reasons for closing:
Because of Principal Zhou’s health, the unstable classes sizes, the current school
location’s inconvenience (rent from the church every Sunday), and the fact that
no one can take principal’s job right now, Principal Zhou, after discussing with
some teachers, has decided to close the school by the end of year.
Arrangements of students:
Even though the school has to close by the end of the year, Principal Zhou and teachers
have discussed the future of current students. Teacher Leung has her own leaning
center called "weLearn" (http://weLearnzone.com).
Teacher Leung and Teacher Wang will both teach their classes in weLearn. Teacher
Zhang and Teacher Shi are couples, and they can continue their classes at their
home. The details should be discussed between parents and teachers. Please come
to the last class next Sunday and discuss with your teachers for continuation of
the Chinese learning.
School History:
Principal Zhou and his wife organized the Petaluma Chinese School was found in March
2001. It started with 20 students with ages between 6 to 16 years old. Then in 2003
we started the second class with 20 students. The school has been pretty steady
since then. By 2006, we added third class with 18 students. In 2007, we added fourth
class as level 1 class with about 10 students. However, with some of first class
students went to college and high schools; some families have moved away because
of various reasons; the class’s sizes reduced dramatically by 2007. In fall 2007,
we closed our first class because of number of student attendance. In fall 2008,
with some of new demands, we opened a new level 1 class.
In all these years, Principal Zhou and his wife have been working very hard. From
morning arrange tables for each class; to the yard supervising students during the
classes break to ensure the safety of students; to the after school clean-up. And
in all of these years they are not on the payroll, but entirely volunteering their
time and energy. And also with some parents help, they have organized many Christmas
parties, Chinese New Year parties; annual school meetings in the first 5-6 years.
We thank for all the work they have done for the school. From the beginning of the
school to now, we have many dedicated teachers and they worked very hard for their
classes with enthusiasms and patience. Here we thank all the teachers who taught
in Petaluma Chinese School. They are: Teacher Wang, Teacher Leung, Teacher Shi,
Teacher Zhang, Teacher Lu, Teacher Yuan, and substitute teachers Ms. Linda Zhao
and Ms. Weiping Qu.
Thanks to all the parents who have been a big support for Petaluma Chinese School
in all these years.
Finally, I hope someday the Petaluma Chinese School will re-open for Petaluma and
Marin Chinese communities.
Dongfen Gao (webmaster)
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