Happy Thanksgiving Holiday! Join Us in Supporting Chinese School

Dear Parents,

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! This Sunday, our school will take a one-day break to allow everyone time for travel and to celebrate with friends and family. On behalf of the school board of Huaxia Chinese School of Lehigh Valley, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued trust and support. We invite you to join us during this season to help sustain Chinese education and promote Chinese culture in the Lehigh Valley community.

Our school is a classroom for learning Chinese as well as a big family that unites the Chinese community and preserves Chinese culture. This semester, we are offering eighteen language and culture courses with over 200 registrations. We have also launched twelve clubs to promote the rounded development of students in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, and aesthetics. Notably, the two Chinese as a Second Language courses offered this school year have reached record-high enrollment. The success of these courses provides new opportunities for our school to better serve the entire Lehigh Valley community.

“It takes a village to raise a child.” The development of our Chinese school cannot happen without everyone’s support. As an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Huaxia Chinese School of Lehigh Valley relies on generous community donations to support our teaching activities. During the 2024–2025 school year, our school received nearly $20,000 in donations from individuals, businesses, and merchants to provide classroom supplies, learning incentives, and opportunities for students. They also enable us to host community events and allow teachers and volunteers to receive training through the headquarters to better serve our students and parents.

Our school boasts the finest teaching facilities among all Huaxia Chinese School branches. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Northampton Community College (NCC), we are able to use computers, touch screens, and high-quality sound systems in our classes, and host the annual Chinese New Year Gala in a professional theater. We sincerely thank NCC for its continued support and commitment to our shared mission. NCC and our Chinese school have always worked together to provide the best services without increasing the financial burden on families. Even in today’s climate of rising inflation, NCC has maintained tuition rates without any increase (by comparison, tuition at other Huaxia branches is typically around $1,000 per academic year). However, this cooperation model also brings financial challenges to our school’s operations. When parents register and pay tuition through NCC, the full amount is collected by NCC, and our Chinese school receives less than 15% of that as financial support. In addition, as a branch of Huaxia Chinese School, the Lehigh Valley branch must pay an annual franchise fee to the headquarters.

Most of our teaching assistants are alumni who volunteer their time, and all members of the school committee are volunteers who receive no salary or compensation. What touches us most is the dedication of our teachers who receive only modest hourly wages from NCC based on teaching hours, with no compensation for the time spent preparing lessons. Yet they give selflessly, sacrificing their time and often paying out of pocket for teaching materials and student rewards. Many teachers have devoted every Sunday for over a decade, rain or shine, to the school. Their commitment stems entirely from their love for students and their passion for promoting the Chinese language and culture. They are the most admirable people in our school.

The normal operation of our school depends almost entirely on community donations. Your contribution not only provides better Chinese education for your child but also helps us preserve and promote Chinese language and culture and strengthen the influence of the Chinese community in the Lehigh Valley. The good news is that every dollar you donate to our school is eligible for the maximum tax deduction allowed by law. 

Many companies also offer matching gift programs that can double your donation, and some even match volunteer service hours with donations. You can donate through the United Way platform by specifying Huaxia Chinese School of Lehigh Valley as the recipient. Our organization code is 132614, and our federal tax ID is 20-4301676. You may also donate via check (payable to HXCS-LV) or Zelle (donation@hxcslv.org). Please include your contact information when making electronic payments so we can thank every donor who supports the development of our school.

On December 7, on the second floor of the College Center at NCC, our school’s Parent Association will organize a charity sale for the Chinese school community. We encourage children and parents to participate actively so everyone can better appreciate the value of gratitude. The event announcement will be released soon by the Parent & Teacher Association. If any businesses or vendors would like to join the charity sale, please contact the Parent & Teacher Association at PTA@hxcslv.org.

We sincerely appreciate every parent and family for your long-standing enthusiasm and generous support. Let us work together to build our Chinese school and create a bright future. 

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Liang He
Principal, Huaxia Chinese School of Lehigh Valley

November 2025