Dear Parents,

Due to the potential winter storm, MIOT will be closed this Sunday (January 25). Please plan ahead, stay safe when traveling, and keep warm. Below are this week's updates and schedule adjustments:

📅️ Calendar Update (Make-Up Class)

Because of this closure, the school plans to select one previously non-school day and designate it as a regular school day to make up the missed class. We will notify families as soon as the date is confirmed.

🆕 New Courses — Postponed to Next Sunday (February 1)

Two new courses will be added in the second half of the school year. Families are welcome to attend a trial class and register:
  • 🧮 Abacus Mental Math
    Using the abacus and the principles of abacus calculation, students will practice the four basic operations, square roots, and more—helping improve focus and calculation skills.
    • Instructor: Ms. Yali Gan (Accounting Professor)
    • Course info: ➡ [Link] | Teacher bio: ➡ [Link]
    • Time & Room:
      • Period 1 (9:00–9:45) | Room 209
      • Period 3 (10:55–11:40) | Cafeteria (inner room)
    • Tuition: $300 + $15 (abacus)
  • ✂️ Arts & Crafts | Little Hands, Big Creations
    Through a variety of hands-on projects, students will develop imagination and creativity, strengthen fine motor skills, and build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
    • Instructor: Ms. Xiaojie Liu (Professional Illustrator & Designer)
    • Course info: ➡ [Link] | Teacher bio: ➡ [Link]
    • Time & Room:
      • Period 3 (10:55–11:40), Room 207
    • Tuition: $330 (materials included)

📣 Community Public Seminar: The College Application Journey — Rescheduled to March 8

The U.S. college admissions landscape continues to evolve, with ongoing changes in admissions data, evaluation approaches, and policy trends. To help local families better understand today's college application environment in a clear and informed way, the School will partner with InGenius Prep to host a free community seminar. A former admissions officer with professional expertise and hands-on experience will share insights and discuss topics families care about most, including:
  • Interpretation of 2025–26 EA / ED early-application admissions data
  • How top colleges evaluate applications holistically
  • Academic and extracurricular planning recommendations by grade level
  • Recent admissions trends and policy changes

A Q&A session will be included. You are welcome to submit questions in advance: 👉 https://forms.gle/KJ3ZEUHvh9kCCuVG7

  • 🕘 Time: Sunday, March 8, (exact time TBD)
  • 📍 Location: High School Cafeteria

🖼️ Lunar New Year Festival Submissions | Kids' Artwork & Family Photos

For the upcoming Millburn Lunar New Year Festival, we're putting together a warm community display featuring children's artwork and real family photos. We are collecting the following submissions for on-site display:
A｜Kids' Artwork (K–12) — choose one or both themes:
🐎 Year of the Horse: Spring & Home Impressions
✨ Chinese American Spotlight: Illuminating 250 Years (Chinese American history and modern-day impact; role models around you)
Note: No rankings—just sincere expression. Selected works under “Chinese American Spotlight” may be featured in Millburn's U.S. 250 commemorative activities.
B｜Original Painting Competition Artwork (participants only)
We are collecting original artworks from students who participated in the 2025 "Huaxia Cup" International Youth & Children Painting Competition for display at the festival.
C｜Family Photo (1 per family)
Submit your most treasured family photo—heartwarming, unforgettable, funny, or even an old photo filled with memories. A short caption/story or the year taken is optional.
✅ Display note: All submitted works (photos/artwork) will be protected with plastic coverings for display.
✅ Return of originals: All physical submissions will be returned in full after the event (including original artwork and printed photos).
📍 Submission deadline: No later than Sunday, 2/1/2026
📍 Drop-off location: MHS Classroom 219 (during Chinese School hours, Sundays 9:00–12:30)
📌 Note: Please write on the back of each piece: student name + class, and parent email + phone number (for return purposes).
💖 We look forward to seeing your family's story and the springtime dreams in our children's artwork at the festival.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Stay safe and warm!

Millburn Institute of Talent
January 23, 2026

亲爱的家长们，大家好！

受可能的强降雪影响，中文学校本周日（1月25日）停课。请家长们提前安排，注意出行安全并做好防寒保暖。以下为本周更新与安排调整：

📅️ 校历调整（补课安排）

因本次停课，学校计划将另选一个原定不上课的日期调整为正常上课日。具体日期确定后将及时通知大家。

🆕️ 新开课程 — 顺延至下周日（2月1日）

中文学校下半学年新增两门课程，欢迎试课与报名：
  • 🧮 珠式心算课
    以算盘为工具，运用珠算原理进行四则运算、开方等训练，帮助孩子提升专注力与运算能力。
    • 任课老师：甘娅丽老师（会计学教授）
    • 课程简介：➡ [点击链接] ｜ 老师介绍：➡ [点击链接]
    • 时间与教室：
      • 第一节课 9:00 - 9:45｜209教室
      • 第三节课 10:55 - 11:40｜餐厅内间
    • 学费：$300 + 算盘 $15
  • ️✂️ 手工艺术课｜小手创造大世界
    通过多样手工活动，培养孩子的想象力与创造力，锻炼精细动作能力，增强成就感与自信心。
    • 任课老师：刘小洁老师（专业插画师、设计师）
    • 课程简介：➡ [点击链接] ｜ 老师介绍：➡ [点击链接]
    • 时间与教室：
      • 第三节课 10:55 - 11:40｜207教室
    • 学费：$330（含材料费）

📣 社区公益讲座：美本申请全程解读（趋势·数据·规划） — 改期至3月8日

美本申请形势不断变化，录取数据、评估方式和政策趋势也在持续调整。为了帮助社区家庭更清晰、理性地了解当前的美本申请环境，中文学校将与引知（InGenius Prep）合作，举办一场公益讲座，邀请具有专业视角与实务经验的前招生官，围绕大家普遍关心的问题进行分享与交流：
  • 2025–26 年 EA / ED 早申请录取数据解读
  • 名校在审核申请材料时的整体评估思路
  • 不同年级阶段的学术与活动规划建议
  • 近年美本招生趋势与政策变化解析
活动设有问答交流环节，欢迎提前提交关心的问题：👉 https://forms.gle/KJ3ZEUHvh9kCCuVG7
  • 🕘 时间：3 月 8 日（周日），具体时间待定
  • 📍 地点：高中餐厅

🖼️ 春节联欢会作品征集｜少儿绘画 & 家庭合照

在由密尔本华夏中文学校与密尔本华人协会联合举办的蜜镇春节联欢会中，我们希望用一张张真实的家庭照片与孩子画作，拼成蜜镇及周边社区最温暖的新春风景。现征集以下作品（均用于现场展示）：
A｜少儿绘画（K–12，主题二选一或均可）
🐎 马年绘春 · 家园印象（马与春天、社区、未来想象）
✨ 华裔之光 · 照亮 250 年（华裔历史与当代闪光、身边榜样）
说明：不以技巧论高低，重在表达与真诚；“华裔之光”主题优秀创作有机会走进蜜镇建国 250 周年相关纪念活动展示。
B｜总校绘画比赛原作（参赛孩子）
征集参加过今年总校绘画比赛的孩子提交原作，用于现场展出。
C｜家庭合照（每个家庭 1 张）
欢迎提交你最珍藏的家庭合照：温馨的、难忘的、让人笑出声的，或带着岁月痕迹的老照片都可以。可附一句话故事/拍摄年份（可选）。
✅ 展示说明： 所有征集作品（家庭合照/绘画作品）将统一使用塑料膜妥善保护后进行展示。
✅ 原作归还： 所有提交的纸质作品将于活动结束后完整归还（含绘画原作及照片打印件）。
📍 提交截止：不晚于 2/1/2026（周日）
📍 提交地点：华协办公室 219 教室（9:00–12:30中文学校上课时间）
📌 注意：请在作品背面注明孩子姓名+班级，以及家长邮箱+电话（便于归还）
💖 期待在新春现场，看见你家的模样，也看见孩子们笔下的春天与光。

感谢您的理解与配合，祝您和家人平安顺遂、注意保暖！

密尔本华夏中文学校
2026年1月23日