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Upcoming Events:
- Encourage incoming kindergarteners to register for CI!
- BCIC Graduation Party
- Sunday, April 26 5:30-8:00 pm
- Pier 91 at Barrington Boat Club
- To be an adult volunteer, contact Becca Patchak at beccapatchak@bcic220.org
- BCIC Booth at Barrington KidFest
- Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 am-3:00 pm
- Citizens Park
- No registration required, but 8 volunteers needed.
- BCIC Open Board Meeting with guest speaker, D220 Director of Equity, Race, & Culutral Initiatives, Nate Rouse
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Spread the Word to Join CI Now
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Have you heard the news?
- As of 4/2/26, 10 families have completed registration for Fall 2026 CI Kindergarten
- Due to increased enrollment, the rising first grade cohort will expand to two sections beginning Fall 2026
- Therefore, the BOE is discussing potential changes to the CI program structure in the immediate future
- Incoming Kindergarten CI will be hosted at Countryside in Fall 2026 - marking a change from the 2-year cycle
- Multi-grade combination options for K-2 in Chinese Immersion.
These updates, along with proposed options for implementation, were shared at the Board of Education meeting on 4/7/26. Check out these resources to learn more:
It is still early in the enrollment season, and we are optimistic that additional families will opt into CI throughout the spring and into the summer. Adding more students to the incoming kindergarten cohort will serve to strengthen and secure the future of the CI program.
How is BCIC Responding?
- BCIC is requesting additional details about program implementation from the district.
- BCIC is actively seeking partnership and open communication between the district and the CI community.
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- BCIC will host tables at the following community events, to share information about the CI program.
- ELC Multicultural Family Dance - 4/23
- Countryside Multicultural Night - 4/23
- Barbara Rose Multicultural Night - 4/24
- Barrington Park District KidFest - 5/2 - Sign up here to volunteer
What can YOU do to help?
1. Email district leadership to share your personal concerns, opinions, ideas, and preferences.
2. Join the BCIC Recruitment Committee as we make a final push to recruit new families to our program. Please fill out this Recruitment Committee Interest Form if you would like to join the effort!
3. Recruit and Refer! - Please speak to your friends, neighbors, teammates, etc. about the Chinese Immersion program. Please connect any prospective families to Erin Lales at ErinLales@bcic220.org.
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Volunteers Needed for CI Class of 2026 Graduation Party
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Sunday, April 26, 2026
Pier 91: Barrington Boat Club
We need a few more adult volunteers for the Class of 2026 Graduation Party specifically from 4-6 or 6-8 pm. If you are available during these times, please contact Becca Patchak at beccapatchak@bcic220.org by Wednesday. |
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Everyone is Invited to KidFest!
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The Barrington Park District is bringing this FUN and FREE event back this spring! It is a great opportunity to connect with the broader Barrington area community and build our pipeline of new students! Bring your kids to enjoy the event and volunteer for a shift at the BCIC booth while you are there! So join us at Citizen's Park on Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Even if you can only cover an hour or two, your time would be greatly appreciated!
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Register and Submit Questions for the May Open BCIC Board Meeting
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Join us at our next open BCIC Board Meeting to hear updates from and ask questions to Nate Rouse, D220 Director of Equity, Race, & Cultural Initiatves. We request all attendees to register here ahead of time. Please submit quesitons for our guest speaker or the board in your registration as well.
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Everyone is Invited to Celebrate with BCIC at the End of Year Party
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Wednesday, May 27 from 5:00-7:00 pm
North Barrington Elementary
As in past years, Kona Ice will be available for purchase (from 5:30-7:00) with a 20% kickback going back to BCIC.
New this year--Kurbside Pizza truck will be on site for purchase as well. Pizzas are $14. Drinks are $3. Sweets are $5.
Feel free to bring your own food if you prefer as well. BCIC will have a few snacks as well.
In addition to the playground and blacktop at NBS, BCIC will have a wide array of activities to keep everyone busy--crafts, Chinese games including weiqi & mahjong, sensory stations, and more!
WE NEED A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS! Please sign up here!
If you have questions, please contact Leeann Chang at leeannchang@bcic220.org. |
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Congratulations to our CI BHS Students Inducted into the CLASS World Language Honor Society!
On March 10, famlies gathered to celebrate the 214 BHS students from Chinese, Latin, German, French, and Spanish were inducted into various World Language Honor Societies. BCIC and the CI community are incredibly proud of the 37 CI students inducted into the CLASS Honor Society that night. A few seniors were also honored for their outstanding achievments and participation in Chinese. Special thanks goes to our high school CI teachers, Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Stumpf, for sponsoring this! |
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Thank You: Transition to Middle School Participants and Team
We give thanks to the middle school teachers, Mr. Yu and Mrs. Weerts, for giving of their time to share about their classes. The current 5th graders and their families asked some great questions. The amazing panel of current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders shined as they shared what CI looks like in middle school and gave their best tips to find success. From lockers and hallways to homework and tests, the panelists helped to ease the nerves of our incoming middle schoolers--as well as their parents! Thank you to board members, Becca Patchak and Deepta Ramesh, for planning this informative and helpful event.
If you missed or have any follow up questions, please direct questions to our middle school teachers, (Mandarin language) Mr. Yu hyu@barrington220.org and/or (History in Mandarin) Mrs. Weerts mweerts@barrington220.org. |
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Thank You: Character Bee Participants and Team
More than 50 students, from grades 1-5, participated in the annual Chracater Bee! It was impressive to see how well our students all did. The competition showed how bright and talented our CI students truly are. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of the students that participated in the bee.
We give thanks to D220 teachers Ms. McKee, Ms. Chin, Ms. Wang, Ms. Zander, Ms. Du, Ms.Pauwels, and Mrs. Weerts for planning and helping to run the Character Bee! We especially thank the volunteers that made this event possible: Zheng You, Yiming Wang, Lin Jin, Qi Ten, Zaoli Zhang, Annie Xiang, Alice Brinkley, Yijen Kuo, Mia W, Meilien Wen, Beth McMahon, Erin Lales, Deepta Ramesh, and Becca Patchak. We also thank board members and co-chairs, Becca Patchak and Deepta Ramesh, for planning this event.
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Every spiritwear order helps support BCIC!
Do you need a BCIC shirt to wear to our LNY event? We've got t-shirts & sweatshirts--and lots of other fun gift ideas too!
Adults, grab some CI gear to wear around town or at upcoming BCIC events like LNY.
Kids, grab some new CI gear to wear on Fridays to show your school spirit. |
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Stay up to date on everything BCIC
& subscribe to our newsletter.
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Your donation will help us to more generously support our events, students, & teachers! BCIC welcomes donations of any size. We very much appreciate all company matches.
This link is a general donation towards BCIC that helps with all the things we support.
This link is specifically for a donation towards books to be used in our CI classrooms.
This link is specifically for a donation towards recruitment efforts. |
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DISCLAIMER: BCIC is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or otherwise connected to the organizations or events below. The appearance of our name, logo, or any reference to our organization in connection with this/these event(s) does not constitute endorsement, approval, or support of the event, its organizers, or its activities.
We have not authorized the use of our name or branding for promotional purposes related to this/these event(s). Any views, opinions, or representations expressed in connection with the event are solely those of the event organizers and participants and do not reflect the views or positions of BCIC.
For questions regarding this/these event(s), please contact the organizations below as shared. |
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Barrington Chinese Immersion Council
PO Box 283, Barrington IL 60011
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