• Spring Semester of Classes begins at Xilin Northwest Chinese School (Sunday, January 15)
• Mandarin Story Time (Saturday, January 21 at 10a and Saturday, January 21 at 11a)
• Xilin Northwest School's Spring Festival Gala (Sunday, January 22)
• Chicago Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade (Sunday, January 29 at 1 PM)
  
• Kindergarten Roundup:
• (Wednesday, February 1) in person at home elementary school
• (Thursday, February 2) virtual meeting
• Lunar New Year event at Barrington's White House (Saturday, February 4)
• Various Chinese New Year happenings in Chicago and elsewhere!
• BCIC Dine 'n Share at Panera! (Monday, February 27)

BCIC is doing something new this year! It's an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends HERE, in downtown Barrington!

Here are some activities we have in store for the entire family:

• A small group of Dong Fang Chinese Performing Arts Association members will provide us entertainment - they are graciously sponsored by Barrington 220 School District
• We will offer a calligraphy demonstration and an opportunity to create a symbol of good luck in the new year
• Experience various interactive activity stations throughout the first floor, including traditional arts and crafts and games and activities
• Participate in a "red envelope" raffle and silent auction with gift baskets and other amazing items donated by CI families and local businesses
  

Tickets will be $15 for adults, and $10 for students. There will also be an opportunity to purchase food and refreshments.

Please note that there are two options for tickets:

• Entry from 2pm to 3:15pm with 3:30p cultural performance seating
• Entry from 2:30 to 4:00pm with 4:15p cultural performance seating

CI Families will have first option to purchase tickets through next Thursday, January 19. Beginning January 20, we will also offer tickets to all D220 families and the Xilin Northwest Chinese School community (which has invited the BCIC community to its Lunar New Year celebration. Please see details below).

BCIC would like to offer a special thanks to the Barrington Area Community Foundation and Barrington's White House for the opportunity to host this special community cultural event.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Mandarin Story Time hosted by BCIC on Saturday, January 21 at the Barrington Area Library, first floor meeting room (both sides A & B).

This FREE event is designed for CI students K-2 with parent/caregiver. Our awesome CI student and parent volunteers will begin with several festive stories and fun activities, then we'll learn to play Chinese jump rope together. There will be two sessions - one beginning at 10 am, and the other one at 11 am.

Please sign up by Thursday, January 19, 2023. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044bafaa2da5f58-celebrating#/

(Wed, Jan. 11) From the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco: Learn about the fascinating traditions and symbolic foods that enrich the celebration of the Lunar New Year throughout various Asian cultures. This one-hour virtual lecture by one of our community speaker docents is followed by a half-hour Q&A. https://calendar.asianart.org/event/virtual-lecture-series-lunar-new-year-2023/

Put on your own Lion Dance! From Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, make your own dancing lion puppet (tutorial and download). https://nelson-atkins.org/nelson-atkins-at-home/virtual-lunar-new-year/lion-dance-activity/

The Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art (SAAM) offers virtual cooking, art appreciation, and music events to celebrate the New Year! https://asia.si.edu/lunar-new-year-celebration/

Also, visit SAAM's Family Zone for crafts, coloring pages, videos and other activities. https://americanart.si.edu/events/family-zone/lunar-new-year

BCIC appreciates your financial support to continues our programs and services through the 2022-2023 school year. The suggested family contribution is $25.

Funds are primarily used to:

• purchase books and supplies for the Chinese Immersion program not provided by the district
• host cultural and educational enrichment events throughout the year, such as Mandarin story time, Homecoming parade, Chinese New Year celebrations
• recognize student achievements, such as 5th and 8th grade recognition, high school graduation and Chinese honor society ceremonies
• recognize our wonderful teachers for their many contributions to the program.

If you'd like to contribute and haven't already donated when making your school registration payment, either click this link: BCIC Donation, or use the QR code below to the far left. The Paypal QR code is below, too.

And don't forget another super-simple way to donate: designate Barrington Chinese Immersion Council as your charity of choice with smile.amazon.com!

We appreciate your support!