Dear Parents/guardians of CAIS students:

Warm greetings from CAIS! We are thankful for the high level of support and affirmation we continually receive from parents and guardians. The strong sense of ownership and community is most evident when parents, students and staff regard CAIS as their school. Your involvement and continued commitment to the School is deeply appreciated!

The 2009-2010 academic year is already more than half completed and has already proved eventful and rewarding in numerous ways. The full implementation of Alberta curriculum is a year ahead of schedule and the academic program continues to be enriched at all grade levels. School teams have proven that small can still be competitive as the U-12 Boys Basketball Team finished with a silver medal, losing by a mere 4 points to HKIS and U-14 Boys and Girls Basketball teams were both crowned champions in their respective divisions. Special events such as Read-a-thon, Fall Festival, camps, sports days, and musical concerts have enhanced the educational experience of our students and ensured that education is much more than simply classroom learning. There is, of course, much more to look forward to in the second half of the school year. We are deeply grateful for God’s blessing upon our school.

Once again, CAIS is at capacity enrolment with more than 500 students; many of our classes are full and have waiting lists. The School Management Committee (SMC) has explored several options for provision of additional space in order that the quality of education that your children have come to enjoy can be further enhanced. One of these is described below (see #5).

Several changes have been implemented this year. The number of hours of second language instruction – Putonghua and French – has been increased significantly and tri-level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) programming in Putonghua introduced. New programs have been added including several Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses in grades 9 through 12, AP Macro-economics in grades 11 and 12, and Sociology in grade 10.

There are a number of important matters that I wish to bring to your attention and for which I will provide a brief explanation. If you should have questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact the School for further details.

(1) Tuition Deposits and Re-Enrolment Forms

The Application for Re-Enrolment form(s) for your child(ren) for the next academic year is (are) enclosed. Please complete the form as indicated and return to the School along with the tuition deposit(s) by 01 March 2010. Submission of tuition deposits is required in order to ensure that a place is held for your child(ren) for the next academic year. After March 01, all unsecured places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to new and qualified applicants. Please refer to Table 1 below for tuition deposit amounts.

Table 1: Tuition Deposit 2010-2011

Category	Tuition Deposit  2010-2011
Kindergarten	$4,000.00
G1-3	$8,900.00
G4	$9,400.00
G5	$10,000.00
G6	$10,700.00
G7-9	$11,700.00
G10-12	$12,700.00
Family Rate	$15,000.00

(2) Tuition Fee Increase for the 2010-2011 Academic Year

Tuition fees are reviewed annually to ensure that financial resources are adequate for provision of the educational program for students. Since CAIS is a non-profit organization, all tuition fees collected are applied directly towards securing needed equipment, resources, facility and programming for students and are not used to generate surplus income for the School. A decision to raise tuition fees is always a difficult one and can only be justified in view of a commitment to operating in the best interests of students.

This year, the School is applying to the Hong Kong Education Bureau (EdB) for approval to increase tuition fees by 5.5% in each category for the 2010-2011 academic year. Table 2 below compares the annual tuition fees of the current year (2009-2010) with those proposed for the next academic year (2010-2011). A complete Schedule of Annual School Fees will be posted to you shortly.

It should be noted that the increase in tuition fees is not precipitated by plans for the future construction of a new school. The School’s operational budget for 2010-2011 is independent of the capital expansion of the new premises in Lai Chi Kok.

Last year, the School increased tuition fees by 2.5% and operated with a deficit budget. The increase in tuition fees for 2010-2011 is necessary to facilitate a balanced budget for 2010-2011.

Table 2: Tuition Fees: Comparison of Current with Proposed

Category	2009-2010	2010-2011**
Kindergarten	$32,200.00 (1/2 day)	$67,900.00 (Full day)
G1-3	$71,600.00	$75,500.00
G4	$75,300.00	$79,400.00
G5	$80,700.00	$85,100.00
G6	$86,100.00	$90,800.00
G7-9	$93,600.00	$98,700.00
G10-12	$102,200.00	$107,800.00

** Indicated fees are subject to the approval of the EdB.

(3) Fee Reduction Applications

The School has a limited fee reduction program intended for families experiencing financial hardship. A Fee Reduction Application Form may be obtained at the General Office (contact Mrs. Kwan). Please note that the due date for fee reduction applications is 15 March 2010.

(4) Fee Waiving for Families with More than One Child

In order to assist in reducing the effects of the increased tuition fees upon families with more than one child in the School, the schedule for waiving of fees for siblings has been modified. Table 3 below provides a comparison.

Table 3: Fee Waiving for Siblings

Category	Normal Fee Waiving	2010-2011*
First (most senior) child	0%	0%
Second child	10%	11%
Third child	15%	16%
Fourth child (and so on)	20%	21%

*In 2011-2012, normal fee waiving for siblings will resume.

(5) Relocation of Grades 1 to 3 to Shek Kip Mei

The present premises of CAIS in Kowloon City can no longer accommodate the high demand for school places. Additionally, it is evident that the expansion from the current enrolment of 525 students to 1600 students in the near future requires a transitional plan. As such, the School Management Committee has explored various options for alternative school space and has arrived at a decision to lease space at a vacant school on Tong Yam Street in Shek Kip Mei.

While the premises are quite old, they will be renovated and refitted with furniture, electronics, appliances, computers, equipment and other resources before school begins in August to ensure that the standard of educational delivery and learning environment is not diminished by the move. The program offering will remain intact. Bussing will be available for students in the same manner in which it is presently provided.

Please feel free to contact CAIS administration if you have questions or concerns.

(6) Full Day Kindergarten

Effective August 2010, kindergarten classes at CAIS will change to full day-operation from half-day. Tuition fees will be adjusted accordingly as indicated in Table 2. Kindergarten classes will continue to operate at the existing campus.

(7) School Expansion and Prayer / Fasting Days

As you are aware, the Kowloon Tong Alliance Church has been awarded a land grant for the purpose of constructing a new 1600-student international school, the future home of CAIS. The construction of the new premises is a massive undertaking which requires significant planning and resources. The CAIS community is encouraged to join together in prayer and fasting on behalf of the School on the first Wednesday of each month, with the exception of the month of April when the designated day will be April 14. Some items you may wish to pray about include:

• Wisdom and direction for the CAIS Project Team (CPT) and the Campus Finance Team (CFT) as they set the course of expansion and funding for the new campus
• Efficient work of sub-consultants conducting various studies on the allocated green-field site
• Formal granting of a land lease will be accomplished without delays
• Site availability will be ahead of schedule in order that construction can begin soon
• Wisdom for architects designing the school
• School project can be completed on time and within budget
• Adequate financial resources to construct a high quality facility

(8) Operating Schedule and Breaks 2010-2011

 

Operating Schedule and Breaks 2010-2011
Total Days	Instructional Days				Month	Description
9	K=2 1-12=4				Aug	Teacher PD and Prep. Days: Thurs. Aug.19 to Wed. Aug.25 1st Day of Classes for G1-12 Students: Thurs. Aug.26 1st Day of Classes for Kindergarten: Mon. Aug.30
21	20				Sep	Mid-Autumn Festival: Thurs. Sept.23 Teacher PD: Fri. Sept.24
17	17				Oct	National Day Holiday: Fri. Oct.01 School Holidays: Wed. Oct.27 to Fri. Oct.29
22	21				Nov	G7-12 Parent-Teacher Interviews /  PD: Fri. Nov.05 K-G6 Parent-Teacher Interviews: Fri. Nov.26
13	12				Dec	Teacher PD: Fri.Dec.17 Christmas Vacation: Mon. Dec. 20 to Fri. Dec.31
20	19				Jan	Classes Resume: Mon. Jan.03 Semester Break: Fri. Jan.21 Lunar New Year Holiday Begins: Mon. Jan.31
15	15				Feb	Lunar New Year Holiday: Tues. Feb.01 to Mon. Feb.07 Classes Resume: Tues. Feb.08
23	K-6=22 7-12=23				Mar	K-G6 Parent-Teacher Interviews: Fri. Mar.18
13	K-6=13 7-12=12				Apr	Teacher PD: Mon. Apr.04 Ching Ming Festival: Tues. Apr.05 G7-12 Parent -Teacher Interviews: Thurs. Apr.14 Easter Vacation: Fri. Apr.22 to Fri. Apr.29
20	19				May	Day Following Labor Day Holiday: Mon. May 02 Classes Resume: Tues. May 03 Teacher PD: Mon. May 09 HK SAR Holiday: Tues. May 10
19	K=12 1-12=18				Jun	Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival Holiday: Mon. June 06 Last Day of Classes for Kindergarten: Fri. June 17 Last Day of Classes / Exams for G1-12 Students: Fri. June 24 Teacher Year-end Work Days: Fri. June 24 to Tues. June 28 G7-12 Awards Ceremony / Final Reports: Wed. June 29 G1-6 Awards Ceremony / Final Reports: Thurs. June 30 Summer Vacation Begins: Fri. July 01
Total Days	Instructional Days
192	K = 172 G1 - 6 = 180 G7 - 12 = 180