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Spring has definitely sprung, and we are all the happier for the warmer weather and more frequent appearance of blue skies. Spring also sees students’ and families’ calendars filling up with things to do and ways to enjoy the warmer weather.

Although the schools in Shunyi have their Spring Break at staggered times this year, once everyone comes back in to start the new term, everyone will be buckling down to academic work and a variety of activities until the run up to the summer break.

Here is this week’s compilation of things to look forward to beginning next month.

Parent Effectiveness Training Beginning April 10
Another round of Parenting Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) sessions will be offered by Naomi Taylor in Shunyi. This time, the eight-week course will be hosted by the International Montessori School of Beijing. The schedule is Thursday mornings, 8.45-11.45am. Dates are April 10, 17, 24, May 8, 15, 22, 29, and June 5.

Join Taylor to learn a new way of communicating effectively with your children. The lessons on interrelating can also be applied outside of parenting situations because the emphasis is on mastering a manner of expressing what is important to you.

As a parenting training programme, P.E.T. does not revert to using punishment and reward methods. Instead, P.E.T. will equip you with skills to listen show understanding, and respond in an honest and non-judgmental way.

To make your reservation or to ask for more details, email Taylor at counseling with naomi@hotmail.co.uk

AoFan Sailing Resumes Courses on April 12
‘Tis the season for sailing, and AoFan Sailing Club is preparing to put their boats back on the water on April 12. Sailing is a fun way to learn new skills and socialize with friends.

Six-week sailing courses are held on Saturday or on Sunday at the Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Park in Shunyi. Level one training is from 10am-12nn, and level two training is from 2-4pm. Fees are RMB 1,800 for 12 hours.

A special three-day course will be available during the Labor Day weekend from May 1-3.

The AoFan summer camps will be held in five-day courses beginning from June 16 all the way to August 29. Camp hours are 10am-4pm, and include sailing, kayaking, rafting, paddleboarding and team-building games. Participants should pack their own lunch, and drinks and snacks are available for sale at the club. Fees are RMB 2,500 for a five-day course.

AoFan will be sending students to represent their club at the QingDao Youth Camp. This runs from June 16 to 21, and from June 23 to 28. The fee is RMB 7,500 and includes accommodation, transportation to and from QingDao Olympic Sailing Center, coaching fees and other activities.

See their website for more information, or call 139 1046 5950. Online registration already available for both the spring sessions beginning April, as well as the June to August camps.

Dance Classes for Kids with Dulwich Community Programme
Dulwich Community Programme classes are open to the entire community and are an opportunity for children to pick up a new skill while having fun. The Summer Term will run from mid-April until June.

Two new dance classes are being offered for the Summer Term: Bollywood and ballet.

Bollywood Dance, the dance form used in Indian cinema, is a mix of western contemporary, Indian classical, folk dance, belly dance, jazz, ballet, and even a bit of hip-hop. The class will be taught by Arunima Prajapati, Bollywood choreographer and trained Kathak dancer.

Two classes will be held:

• Ages 4-7, Mondays at the Riviera Campus, from 3.40-4.30pm, starting April 14.
• Ages 7-12, Fridays at the Legend Campus, from 3.40-4.30pm, starting April 18.

Fee for eight weeks for either class is RMB 1,200.

Ballet classes will also run for eight weeks, and will be available at both the Riviera Campus (taught by Shi Yuzhong) and Legend Campus (led by Ms. Bradbury, following the syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance Pre-Primary Level).

• Ages 3.5-6.5, Thursdays at the Riviera Campus, from 3.40-4.30pm, starting April 17. Fee is RMB 1,040.
• Ages 4-7, Mondays at the Legend Campus, from 3.40-4.30pm, starting April 14. Fee is RMB 1,200.

Other classes available are off-ice figure skating and hockey, Incy Wincy yoga, swimming, basketball, football tag rugby, benchball, science club, clay modelling, and individual lessons for a variety of musical instruments.

Registration ongoing at the Legend Garden Campus Sports Club. You can email camilla.ojansivu@dulwich-beijing.cn or call 6454 9127 for information.

British School of Beijing Activities
The British School of Beijing is gearing up for several community activities over the next two months.

On Tuesday, April 15, a Year 6 Open Morning will be held for families who are interested in starting Secondary school at BSB in August.

Another Open Morning is set for Friday, April 25. This will be an opportunity for prospective families to see both the Primary and Secondary schools as they carry out a regular school day.

Email elisabeth.puttock@britishschool.org.cn for inquiries and to register for the Open Mornings.

Finally, BSB’s big Summer Fayre will be on Sunday, May 25, from 10.30am to 3pm. This event is open to the entire community, with indoor and outdoor games, craft activities entertainment from different groups of students and teachers, lots of picnic food for sale, and a sale of books, educational games, jewelry and gift items.

Interested vendors have until April 25 to fill in a booking form and pay the table fees. Please email elisabeth.puttock@britishschool.org.cn or anna.jin@britishschool.org.cn to obtain booking information and forms.

Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado

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ISB Spring Fair Opportunities for Vendors or Sponsors
The annual ISB Spring Fair on Saturday, May 10 is a highly-anticipated event not only for the school’s families, but also for the greater Shunyi community. It is a family-oriented day that is expected to attract nearly 5,000 locals and expats. The Spring Fair will offer carnival games, shopping from artisans and vendors, a raffle draw with big prizes, food from a variety of restaurants, and live entertainment.

If you would like to be part of this event, you have until March 31 to book a table. This opportunity is being offered to restaurants, businesses both big and small, artisans, and consultants. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact ISB Spring Fair 2014 Co-Chair Saeri Yuk at saeri@ziebart.org for details.

Dulwich Community Programme (DCP) Spring Break Camps
Staying in Beijing over spring break? If you are looking for ways to keep your children active during this time, check out the Dulwich Community Programme (DCP) offerings from March 31 to April 4.

Activities include swimming, basketball and football camps, all to be held at the Dulwich College Legend Garden Campus.

Swim camps run in the morning, with mixed boy-and-girl groups divided by age and skill level:
•    Beginners, for ages 5-8 years, from 9.00-9.55am
•    Advanced I, for ages 8-11, from 10-11am
•    Advanced II, for ages 12-18, from 11am-12nn

Basketball camps for boys and girls (ages 7-12) are from 10am-12nn, while the 13-18 year age group (also mixed boys and girls) plays from 1-3pm.

Football camps will be led by FA-qualified coach Gary Saunders. Children will take part in activities, drills, and match play to improve skills and strategy. The football program is designed for ages 6-11 and camps run from 9am-12nn.

Daystar Academy Open Day
Daystar Academy’s Open Day on Wednesday, March 19 (9-11am) will teach visitors about the school’s 50/50 bilingual program. The heads of school, teachers, and parents will be on hand to explain the curriculum and share their personal experiences. To reserve your spot or to find out more, call 5603 9446 or email admissions@daystarchina.cn.

Roundabout Craft Sale and Crafting Days
The Roundabout store is holding an ongoing crafting sale with beads, ribbon, fabric, stickers, scrapbooking supplies and more. The organization is also bringing like-minded crafters together for its Crafting Days; the idea is for volunteers to hold mini-crafting workshops in which each participant is asked to donate RMB 100 for Roundabout’s charitable endeavors.

The next one is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, March 26. (Call Roundabout for details.) There will also be another craft sale to be held at Pinotage Plaza. Stay tuned for more details.

Opening hours for Roundabout are Monday to Saturday from 9.30am-5.30pm. Telephone numbers are 137 1877 7761 (English) or 137 1805 3814 (Chinese only).

Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado