The Plainview Chinese School and Cultural Development Center recently held a grand opening celebration, although the school officially opened in September 2000.

Charles B. Wang, founder of Computer Associates International Inc. donated the building to help spread the awareness of Chinese language and culture to the greater Long Island Community.

The aim of the Chinese School is to teach Chinese language and culture to American born Chinese youngsters and to children from non-Chinese speaking families.

This school differs from other Chinese Schools across Long Island as this is housed in a permanent facility. "Most Chinese Schools and other weekend schools on Long Island rent space in church basements or public schools," said Plainview Chinese School Principal Ming-der Chang. "It has been that way for the last 20 years. We are very fortunate that the Charles B. Wang Foundation was willing to support us so the Chinese School can have a home."

Wang sometimes visits the school grounds. "If we compare this situation to a computer," said Chang, "Charles Wang provided us with the hardware and we have to come up with the software."

There are over 200 students enrolled at the Plainview Chinese School, which now only offers courses on Saturdays and Sundays and is held for students in addition to their primary schooling.

There are approximately 70-80 children in each program that is offered and there are usually no more than 15 children per class. Although some classes for adults are offered, the focus is on children and their parents at this time.

In addition to the language classes, the school also offers cultural classes such as art, dancing, Chinese yo-yo, Tai-Chi, aerobics, Chinese brush painting and martial arts.

Marisa Fang, dean of students at the Plainview Chinese School, has been teaching Chinese in the Plainview School District to first through fourth graders for the past four-years and is now a teacher, and dean, at the Chinese School. "It is better to teach language to younger students," said Fang. "The children really enjoy the Plainview Chinese School." Fang teaches a bilingual class for children from non-Chinese speaking families at the Chinese School.

New classes are started on an as-need basis. "Parents tell us what they want, and if we have enough interest, we will open the class," said Chang.

Registration is currently open for a martial arts class at the school. The Martial Arts Program at the Plainview Chinese school is designed to instill a sense of discipline, confidence and respect in all of the students, both adults and children. Any community member may register for the Martial Arts class, not just Chinese students. This class will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 - 5:30 from Feb. 5 - June 15.

According to Chang, the goal of the school is to not only offer a cultural center for the Chinese-American community, but to create racial harmony. She eventually wants to incorporate the local school districts into the curriculum and have the Chinese School and the local school districts work together. Also, in the future, Chang hopes to expand the program to weekday afternoons after school is over.

Anyone interested in registering at the Plainview Chinese School, which is located at 1535 Old Country Road, should call the school at 753-5616.