南海岸中文化協會
南海岸中華文化協會是一個成立於一九七七年的非營利組織。我們的宗旨是為促進各族裔間對中華文化的認識,保存及宣揚中華文化的傳統,以及維護華裔美人的權益。在南海岸中華文化協會歷屆理事會及爾灣中文學校全體教職員、以及 師生們的三十年共同奮鬥下,從零開始,終於有一個屬於我們自己真正的家,呈現於眼前宏偉壯觀的南海岸中華文化中心。
南海岸中華文化協會自創辦以來,現已有七百多個會員家庭分佈在橙郡各縣市內。不但增進會員間彼此的交誼及輔助爾灣中文學校,進而推廣華人社區的主要社團活動,協會為增進會員彼此之間的聯誼及身心健康,不遺餘力地舉辦多項有助於身心健康的各項社區活動,以便家長及會員們在一星期繁忙緊張的工作後,能與一群志同道合的朋友們,在歡笑中舒展身心、增進情誼。南海岸文化中心於二OO五年四月二十四日開幕後,至今已開設一百多項具多元文化的綜合課程及活動,諸如:中文、日文、韓文、國學經典讀書會、中文電腦班、合唱團、中西音樂班、太極功夫、國畫、書法、中國結、棋藝、瑜珈、有氧舞蹈、民族舞蹈、土風舞、踢踏舞、卡拉OK歌唱、聯誼舞會、羽毛球、乒乓球、籃球及多樣性的大型晚會等。
南海岸中華文化協會更肩負起對外溝通聯繫的重任,積極參與贊助南加州社會各層面,主流及華裔社區各項比賽及活動,並舉辦學術文化的講座及節目。本著熱心誠懇與努力不懈的態度,在校長、全體師生、家長及理事會共同的奮鬥下,屢屢獲獎並得到一致的讚譽,使得爾灣中文學校及南海岸中華文化協會,成為南加州極具代表性的組織。
南海岸中華文化協會與主流社區的交流活動,一向積極及熱心參與,近年來主流與橙縣各族裔也會主動接觸我們,就足以顯示出我們的努力,華人的影響力與政治力量是絕對不容輕忽的。我們會以真誠及熱情並加強社區間的多元文化交流,使得更多人享宴中華文化五千年悠久的歷史。
承先啟後,繼往開來,感謝前輩們的高瞻遠矚及深思熟慮,在歷屆理事會、爾灣中文學校及家長會,省吃儉用一點一滴的積蓄下,奉獻出我們建校的第一筆基金,繼而來的是工商業者及社會熱心人士們的慷慨贊助,創立南海岸中華文化中心,希望在前輩們卓越的成就引導下,我們更應體會到創業為艱、守成不易之真諦。在此謹向歷年來在財力、物力、人力與提供各種資源的熱心支持者,致上最崇高的敬意。我們也誠摯的歡迎志同道合的朋友,加入並一代,創造更美好的明天。
爾灣中文學校
爾灣中文學校創立於1976年,由第一任校長符慕美枝興辦。最初只有三十餘位學生,四位老師,職員有教務主任、訓導主任及校長三人。校舍借用College Park 小學。隨後借用Rancho San Jaoquin 初中,1982年遷至University高中。1985年學生人數成長至五百位,分為二十班,有教職員二十五位。1995年開始在University Center租用固定的辦公室。1997年學生人數已突破一千名,語文課有四十班,教職員增至七十位。
本校於1983年幫助University高中爭取到道奇基金會資助,首設University高中中文班。1988年道奇基金中止,本校以接辦中文班互惠,得以免費使用University高中教室。1996年秋季,中文班正式由University高中自辦,從此租用教室需要經過學區,校舍租金亦由學區決定。經南海岸中華文化協會多年的努力,及善心人士與家長們之贊助,在爾灣市購置約四英畝之校地並興建了「南海岸中華文化中心」,本校於2005年六月遷入。新中心有體育館、圖書館、舞蹈室、電腦教室、會議室、二十一間教室、及四間多功能教室等。2005年七月後,已陸續增開,課後輔導班、暑期班、社區課程及運動俱樂部。
爾灣中文學校自1983年至2005年間的二十多年來,每週日上午在爾灣市之University高中上課。為因應遷校後教室限制問題,2004年九月起增設週日下午班,2005年六月遷入南海岸中華文化中心新校區上課,並於2006年起又增加週六下午班。本校大多數學生之年齡介於五歲至十八歲之間,另設有成人班提供成人學習中文。學校之行政組織設有校長/執行長、各單位主管、及職員。每一年因應學生人數的增加, 增聘語文老師,及執有專長之人士以教授文化及選修課程。
目前本校有一千一百多名學生,依其中文能力分班。學校教授基本發音、注音符號、漢語拼音、簡/繁字體、文法、標點符號、會話、聽寫及中國文化。在2008年時, 學校另設CSL班 (Chinese as Second Language), 服務家裏不說中文的學生。除此之外,另設有多項選修課程,內容包括國畫、國樂、書法、紙藝、串珠編結、象棋圍棋、功夫、中國童玩、多媒體中文、民族舞蹈、笛子、卡通造型、吉他、領導能力訓練及籃球、桌球、羽毛球等運動才能之培養。近年來,更引進電腦輔助教學擬教室(Moodle)的應用,以期提生學習之興趣及效率。
爾灣中文學校為因應一般生之需求,另設校外學分班。此學分班已南加州部分學區,參學生除到校上課五小時外另須完成之項文作業及參與各項校內動。學末了順利完成各項活動之學生,經校長核准,將其成績送交其所屬高中,可獲得外國語文中文五個學分。
本校於1988年啟用電腦處理資料,並於1989年首創家長服務”點數制度” 。這些措施對於近十年來中文學校的穩定發展及成長,有很重要的貢獻。2003年開始,本校採用視聽、電腦輔助教學與學習。2006年更使用電腦輔助教學軟體並開發數位補充教材。自2008年起,聘任全職及專業校長兼執行長,增進經營管理上的專業化,提供會員、家長、及社區更好、更完善的服務,以期嘉惠更多學子及學習中文人士。
Irvine Chinese School (ICS) was founded in 1976 by Ms. Mitzi Fu. It has been known for its extraordinary efforts in Chinese education, arts and sports, not only in Orange County, but also through out the world. The mission of the ICS is to teach Chinese language and culture.
ICS rented facilities from University High School, Irvine for many years. In 2001, some dedicated parents and society supporters conceived the idea of having their own facility. With a clear goal, insight, and sheer determination, volunteers mounted extraordinary effort and raised $6.8 million to make the dream become a reality. On April 24, 2005, SCCCA held the grand opening ceremony of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCC or the Center).On September 11, 2005, ICS officially launched the fall semester at the new center. In addition to weekend Chinese classes, after-school programs, community education (Chinese language can cultural classes and sport clubs) and Summer School are being offered to serve the community needs.
ICS students generally range in ages from five to eighteen years old. Adult classes are also offered for the working professionals who are interested in learning Chinese language and culture. The administrative structure of ICS consists of the principal/executive director, administrators, and full-time/part-time staff. To accommodate the needs, we recruit new language teachers and teachers with specialties in teaching elective classes when necessary.
The current enrollment is approximately 1,100 students who are placed in one of fourteen levels, depending on their language ability and their placement test results. The courses include instructions in traditional phonetics, Han Yu Pin-Yin, traditional and simplified characters, Chinese as Second Language (CSL) and Chinese culture. In addition, we offer elective classes such as Chinese painting, Chinese instruments, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese paper crafts, Chinese beating and knotting, Go game and Chinese chess, Kung-Fu, Chinese folk toys, computer (IQ Chinese), Chinese folk dance, Chinese flute, Cartooning, Guitar, youth leadership and basketball, table tennis, and badminton. Interactive multi-media teaching materials and Moodle classes are offered to increase the interests and effectiveness of learning.
ICS also offers credit classes for high school students to earn five credits for each semester of Chinese language and culture. This program has been approved by the following school districts: Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Orange, Capistrano, and Fountain Valley. Each week, the students must receive five hours of in-class instructions, and they must conduct or participate in various extracurricular activities. At the end of each semester, ICS certifies the completion of course requirements, so that students can earn 5 credits of foreign language.
ICS started using computers to process student data in 1988. The parent volunteer “Service Points” system was also created and implemented in 1989. These measures have made tremendous contributions to the stable development of ICS. In year 2003, ICS adopted multimedia to assist teaching and learning. Chinese learning software facilitating students’ learning was introduced to our students in 2006, and digital learning materials developed by teachers were initiated at the same time. In year 2008, we employed a full-time and dedicated principal/executive director to operate and manage the school professionally in order to provide better services to our members, students, parents, and the community.