The Tzu-Chi Chinese School of Long Island celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 13, at James Vernon Middle School in East Norwich. Both Thomas Capazzoli, president of the board of education and Dr. George Chesterton, superintendent of Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District attended the opening ceremony as honorable guests and gave encouraging speeches to attending students and their families.

Mr. Capazzoli first congratulated the establishment of the school and complimented the efforts Chinese immigrant parents have made in trying to keep their heritage as part of their children's life. He also gave the audience a glimpse of what this school district has achieved and a blue print of its future, such as the renovation of the high school and its new gymnasium.

Dr. Chesterton's speech focused on how the global world has shrunk because technology has advanced. He cited a slogan mounted on the wall "It takes the whole village to raise one child" and said it should be changed to "It takes the whole world to raise one child."

The school is the combined efforts of the Tzu-Chi Academy USA and many Oyster Bay-East Norwich local residents. The goal of the school is to establish a cultural center where children of Chinese immigrants can learn of their heritage and where local residents have a chance to know, to learn, and to appreciate the culture that is foreign to them.

The school is offering a rich selection of programs that include Chinese language art at different levels, Chinese martial art (Shao-Lin Chuan), Tai-Chi, Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese classic water coloring. There are four Chinese language classes conducted in English for students (children as well as adults) who speak mostly English at home. There is a SAT preparatory class in which Dr. Jack Lin, a trustee of the board of education, is a volunteer teacher of its math curriculum.

The courses of Chinese language and SAT started on Sept. 13. Other cultural programs are still taking registration and will start on Oct. 4. People who are interested in any program can register at Vernon Middle School, East Norwich, every Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from now till Oct. 4.

Besides teaching Chinese language and culture, Tzu-chi Chinese School of Long Island also emphasizes volunteerism. The school plans to adopt and maintain a shoreline in Oyster Bay by its volunteer staff and students.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Park, a festival will be held to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival (also called Mid-Autumn Festival). Students from each class will read a classic Chinese poem with some sort of reference to the moon. Traditional dessert (the moon cake) and fruit for the festival will be served free of charge. Local residents are welcome to join and share the joy and to present any poem (regarding the moon) at the event.

For information regarding the school, you can contact Mrs. Chris Dillmann 922-5320, Mrs. J. J. Jones 922-3838, or Dr. Jack Lin 922-7953.