泓 河 中 文 学 校
Grand River Chinese School

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2024-2025 School Year Calendar

Meet&Greet Day: Main site Sept. 21, 2024, Satellite Site Sept. 23, 2024
First Class:
    Main site: Saturday, September 28, 2024
    Satellite Site: Monday, September 30, 2024
No classes:
    Main site: Oct 12 , Dec 21, Dec 28, 2024 | Jan 4, Feb 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 19, May 17, 2025
    Satellite site: Oct 14 , Dec 23, Dec 30, 2024 | Feb 17, Mar. 10, Apr. 21, May 19, 2025
Last Class:
    Main site:  June 7, 2025
    Satellite site:  June 9, 2025

 


Grand River Chinese School was established in 2007, it is a non-profit Chinese school serving the greater Kitchener-Waterloo (KW) region, Ontario, Canada. Beginning September 2009, most Chinese language courses have been converted to the international language courses managed by the school board (WCDSB), and after that Grand River Chinese School as a non-profit organization continues to contribute to the enrichments and enhancements of the Chinese language programs.
 
Grand River Chinese School offers a series of Chinese language courses for school age children, including CFL (Chinese as a Foreign Language) course for students from non-Chinese family backgrounds, 3-year-old Chinese language course, elementary Chinese language courses (JK through Grade 8), secondary Chinese language credit courses (Grades 9 though 12, including a beginnner level credit course). 
 
In addition to Chinese language programs, the school also provide a series of extracurricular interest classes, including
● Fine Arts for Kids ● Watercolor & Acrylic painting ● Sketching ● Chinese painting
● Chinese Folk Dance ● Erhu (a.k.a. Chinese violin) 
● Music and Movement for kids ● Singing for kids ●  Vocal
● Programming ●Arduino and programmable hardware ● English Writing  ● LEGO ●LEGO robot
● Fun Math ● Olympic Math (in 5 levels) ● Math enrichments
● “Go” ● Chess

Chinese language camps in summer are another set of feature programs that attracted many students. The camps include courses of Chinese, Math for Fun, Fine Arts, Chinese History, Chinese Geography and Tradition, Craft, and Stories in Chinese, Chinese cooking for kids, etc. The camp also include a rich series of recreational activities such as Chinese Cartoons, games and sports. Students learn while they play.

 

Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest , Grand River Cup Speech and Recitation Contest in Chinese, and 'The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art' Contest are organized annually. Many participants of these contests further won awards in Canadian Math Contests and World Chinese Student Essay Contest, as well as other contests in Canada, China and international contests. For example, Fiona MacDougall of our school represented Canada to have won the 2020 Global Champion in "Hanyu Bridege Contest", an International contest of Chinese proficiency.


Student Council and multiple student clubs also provide opportunities for students to develop leadership and other skills. 


Excellent teachers, small class learning environments, teaching methodology that combines Chinese tradition and Canadian style, strict safety measures and rich student activities are among the reasons that attract more and more students.

 

Elizabeth Witmer, MPP, The Hon. Karen Redman, P.C., M.P., Brenda Halloran, Mayer of Waterloo, and The Hon. Andrew Telegdi, P.C., M.P. sent letters respectively in 2007 to congratulate the establishment of Grand River Chinese School. In 2009, Harold Albrecht, MP also sent letter to our school recognizing the service to the community.


GRCS celebrated 10th anniversary in September 2017. Canadian Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Consul General He Wei of the People’s Republic of China, MP Hon. Harold Albrecht, MP Hon. Bardish Chagger, MPP Hon. Catherine Fife, MPP Hon. Michael Harris, MPP Hon. Daiene Vernile, Mayor Dave Jaworsky, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, WCDSB Director of Education Loretta Notten, Principal of St. Louis Cont. Edu. Centres Paul Cox sent greeting letters, respectively, to the GRCS Journal.

A Common Dream ©
 (Anthem of Grand River Chinese School)
Music by Meng Weidong
Lyric by teachers of Grand River Chinese School

(Play it: Solo Choir)

The warm spring breeze caresses the earth.
The Grand River flows quietly and nourishes everything in silence.
The maple leaves near and far colour the northland red.
The ringing sound of children reciting reverberates through the campus.
We will take the long journey in spite of numerous hills and streams ahead,
Our teachers' encouragement and their smiling faces will always live in our hearts.
On each sunny day of great joy,
Hand in hand we have a lot to say.
Our childhood is as merry as the snowflakes dancing in the sky,
The Grand River flows into our souls.
Our shared language brings us together,
And our shared heritage gives us a common dream.
The sunshine harmonizes all the languages.
The gentle breeze carries the stories of the Devine Land.
Our shared language brings us together,
And our shared heritage gives us a common dream…
A common dream.


  

Activities and Announcements


  • Today the 15th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC2024) was successfully held at Grand River Chinese School. The contest questions and honour roll have been posted at the NCC24 page. NCC is organized by Grand River Chinese School, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2024/11/23] updated [2024/12/03]

  • Today, in "The 7th International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy", a paper authored by "the Project Group of AI-Aided Chinese Language Teaching" of our school entitled "New experiments of AI to help teaching Chinese language to overseas students" has been presented. This paper summarized the one-year experiment in Grade 4 using AI  to provide comprehansive reading materials that match closely to the intensive reading texts, a first of this kind of work in the world, as confirmed by ChatGPT. [2024/08/10]




  • AI Chinese language reading platform 泓河开卷™ is online today for testing, currently it supports grade 4. [2024/06/01]


  • Today Chinese New Year gala was held, about 1500 student family members attended the event, Kitchener Mayor Mr. Berry Vrbanovic, Waterloo Mayor Ms. Dorothy McCabe， Director of WCDSB Mr. Tyrone Dowling, Superintendent Ms. Annalisa Varano, Senior Manager of Equity, Ms. Lynn Garrioch, Principal of St. Louis Continuing Education Centres, Ms. Lisa Mackay, Vice-Principal Mr. James Rodrigue, IL program mamager Ms. Susan ElNagar, Community Use of School Officer, Mr. Chris Zamin came to the celebration.  [2024/02/10]

  • Today the 14th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC2023) was successfully held at Grand River Chinese School. 94 students of grade 3 to 10 attended this year's NCC. The contest questions, solution sand honour roll   have been posted at the NCC23 page. NCC is organized by Grand River Chinese School, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2023/11/18] [updated 2023/11/24]


  • In early July, we established a research group of AI-aided Chinese language education, using AI technology including ChatGPT to help students learning Chinese language. We have started the experiment in Grade 4 using the AI method in learning. [2023/11/12]


  • The 14th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" contest NCC will be held on Nov. 18.  To register and find out more, please cklick this page. [2023/10/03]
  • Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds announced today the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) funding results. [2023/08/17]



  • Today the 13th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC2022) was successfully held at Grand River Chinese School. The contest questions, solutions and honour roll have been posted at the NCC22 page. NCC is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute in Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2022/11/19] [updated 2022/11/29, 2023/01/20]



  • After suspended for two years due to COVID, the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" contest NCC will be back, and will be held on Nov. 19.  To register and find out more, please cklick this page. [2022/10/06]
 
  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2019 was successfully held on Nov. 23 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 118  students wrote the contest. The contest questions and honour roll have been posted at the NCC19 page. NCC2019 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute in Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2019/11/23][updated 2019/12/03]

  • The 12th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest will be held on Nov. 23. Registration information and other details can be found at NCC19 page. [2019/10/06]

  • Over 1500 students, parents, teachers and guests celibrated the Chinese New Year in school in two separate sessions. MPs Bardish Chagger and Raj Saini, MPP Catherine Fife and MPP Laura Mae Lindo's representative Mr. Aaron Francis, Mayor of Kitchener Berry Vrbanovic, acting Mayor of Waterloo Royce Bodaly, Trustees Bill Conway and Tracy Weiler, Director of Confucius Institute in Waterloo Prof. Yan Li and school board leaders also came to the celebration and presented awards to winners of Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art Contest. MP Harold Albrecht was not able join in the event due to health reasons but delivered Lucky Pouches to students. MP Chagger brought New Year greetings on behalf of Prime Minister the Right Honourable Justin P. J. Trudeau. [2019/02/02]
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  • In the 2018 new City Council inaugural meeting of Kitchener, students Vivian Yuan and Disheng Zheng of Grand River Chinese School were invited to join a culturally diverse group of students to sing O Canada (video). [2018/12/03]
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  •  "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2018 was successfully held on Nov. 24 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 118  students wrote the contest. The contest questions and honour roll have been posted at the NCC18 page. NCC2018 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute in Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2018/11/24][updated on 2018/12/06]
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  • The 11th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest will be held on Nov. 24. Registration information can be found at NCC18 page. [2018/10/03]
  • Students, parents, teachers and volunteers over 1500 people celebrate the Chinese New Year at main site. MP Mr. Harold Albrecht, MPP Mrs. Daiene Vernile, Mr. Michael Harris, Mayor of Kitchener Mr. Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Waterloo Mr. Dave Jaworsky joined the event and sent greeting messages for the Year of Dog. MP the Hon. Bardish Chagger sent greeting video while visiting India. Director of Confucius Institute Prof. Yan Li attended the gala and award ceremony of Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art Contest. WCDSB leaders including Chair of Board of Trustees Ms. Wendy Price and Director of Education Ms. Loretta Notten also participated in the event. [2018/02/24]


  • Chinese New Year's Eve, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosted Lunar New Year celebration in Toronto, delegate of Grand River Chinese School was invited to attend the event. [2018/02/15]
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  •   "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2017 was successfully held on Nov. 25 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 111  students wrote the contest. The contest questions and honour roll have been published at the NCC17 page. NCC2017 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute in Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2017/11/25] [updated 2017/12/08]
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  • The 10th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest will be held on Nov. 25. Registration information can be found at NCC17 page. [2017/10/06]
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  • School Journal today published a special issue to celebrate 10th anniversary of Grand River Chinese School. Canadian Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Consul General He Wei of the People’s Republic of China, MP Hon. Harold Albrecht, MP Hon. Bardish Chagger, MPP Hon. Catherine Fife, MPP Hon. Michael Harris, MPP Hon. Daiene Vernile, Mayor Dave Jaworsky, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, WCDSB Director of Education Loretta Notten, Principal of St. Louis Cont. Edu. Centres Paul Cox sent greeting letters, respectively. [2017/09/17]
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Students at satellite site celebrate 150th Canada Day!
  • Students, parents, teachers, WCDSB leaders and guests over 1500 people gathered today for Chinese New Year celebration at main site. MP Mr. Harold Albrecht, MPP Mrs. Daiene Vernile, Mr. Michael Harris, Mayor of Kitchener Mr. Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Waterloo Mr. Dave Jaworsky joined the event and sent greeting messages for the Year of Rooster. MP Ms. Bardish Chagger also visited during the event. Directors of Confucius Institute Prof. Yan Li and Dr. Min Zhou also came to the gala and award ceremoney of Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art Contest. [2017/2/04]
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  • Mayor of Kitchener, Mr. Berry Vrbanovic, visited 3-year-old class and sent Lunar New Year greetings message to the Asian community [video]. [2017/01/21]
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  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2016 was successfully held on Nov. 19 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 95  students wrote the contest. The contest questions have been published at the NCC16 page. NCC2016 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute in Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2016/11/19]


  • The 9th "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest will be held on Nov. 19. Registration information can be found at NCC16 page. [2016/10/07]
  • Over 1500 students, family members, teachers and guests celebrated Chinese New Year with two gala sessions and children's games. Award ceremony of   "Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest" and "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art Contest" was also held. MP Mr. Harold Albrecht, Mayor of Waterloo Mr. Dave Jaworsky, Councillor and Acting Mayor of Kitchener Mr. Zyg Janecki spoke to the audience with greetings for the year of Monkey. [2016/02/20]
  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2015 was successfully held on Nov. 21 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 105  students wrote the contest. The contest questions, solutions and results have been published at the NCC15 page. NCC2015 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2015/11/21, updated 2016/01/04]


  
School Location:
Main site: Resurrection High School
(3-year-old, CFL, JK to grade 12, adult beginner)

Satellite site: St. Nicholas School
(JK to grade 8)
525 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo

Class Time:
Main site: Saturdays
9:30 am - 12:00 pm (elementary)
9:30 am - 12:30 pm (secondary)

Satellite Site: Mondays
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Email:
 
Phone: 
519-208-2068  

Online Registration

 

St. Louis International Language Web Page

School Facility

 

  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2015 will be held on Nov. 21. Registration information can be found at NCC15 page. [2015/10/05]

  • Congratulations to 6 students who wrote AP Chinese exam and they all achieved excellent scores, among them 5 achieved top score 5 (extremely well qualified) and 1 achieved score 4 (well qualified). It qualifies them to earn university credit. [2015/07/11]

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  • Today a group of students of our school completed their AP Chinese Language and Culture exam. We wish they will receive good results soon.  [2015/05/05]

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  • Over one thousand students and family members gather together to celebrate Chinese New Year with two gala sessions and children's games. Award ceremony of   "Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest" and "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art Contest" was also held. [2015/02/28]
  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2014 was successfully held on Nov. 22 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 92 students wrote the contest. The contest questions, solutions and results have been published at the NCC14 page. NCC2014 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2014/11/22][2014/11/30][2014/12/31]
 
  • Chinese New Year celebration for the year of horse 2014 and award ceremony for "Beijing Golden Bridge Painting Contest", "Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest", "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art Contest" attracted over one thousand people.[2014/02/01]


  • WCDSB senior leaders met with parents and some senior students of GRCS to share information and exchange opinions. Mr. Larry Clifford, Director of Education, Mr. Gerry Clifford, Superintendent of Learning, Mr. Paul Cox, Principal of St. Louis Adult Learning and Cont. Education Centers, Mr. Lou Bellini, Vice Principal of St. Louis, and Mrs. Lilianna Sosnowski, Manager of International Language Programs attended the meeting. [2013/11/23]

  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2013 was successfully held on Nov. 16 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 97 students wrote the contest. The contest questions and awards have been published at the NCC13 page. NCC 2013 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized and sponsored by Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo, and sponsored by Canadian Mathematical Society. [2013/11/16][2013/11/24]


  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2013 will be held on Nov. 16. This year, Canadian Mathematical Society starts to support and sponsor NCC. Registration information can be found at NCC13 page. [2013/10/15]




  • The satellite site at St. Nicholas School will extend the grade range up to grade 8, i.e., from JK to grade 8, beginning September 2013. Grades to be offered will be determined by the number of students registered in each grade. Same as the main site, the satellite site also teaches in small classes, smaller than the Ministry standard class size. [2013/05/16]

  • Chinese language summer camp starts to accept registration. Form can be downloaded here. [2013/05/01]

  • Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival celebration for the year of snake, 2013. [2013/02/23]


  • Professor Edward Wang today gave a seminar entitled “Eureka! The Joy of Mathematics Problem Solving". Many students who are interested in mathematics attended, including some coming from other cities such as Hamilton. Dr. Wang has been teaching mathematics in universities for decades and has retired from Wilfrid Laurier University as Professor Emeritus in Mathematics. He has been a member of Canadian Math Olympiad Committee for many years and was the Chair from 1993 to 1995. Watch the video (1.5 hours).[2013/01/26]


  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2012 was successfully held on Nov. 17 at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 90 students wrote the contest. The contest questions and results have been published at the NCC12 page. NCC 2012 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized by St. Louis Continuing Education Centers, and Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo. [2012/11/17] [2012/11/26]


  • In the KW area "5th Annual Learning and Sharing Workshop: Celebrating Success", Vice Chair of Student Council Rongzhao Li and Executive Member of Student Council Tinghan Hu presented in the success story session, on behalf of St. Louis Continuing Education Centres Grand River Chinese School. They are the only teenager delegates in the workshop. [2012/09/08]
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  • Chinese New Year Gala was held today. With the increased student numbers, this year for the first time the gala had to be split into two sessions. Mayors of Kitchenr and Waterloo, Director of Confucios Institute at UW and leaders of WCDSB participated in the first session, and presented awards to the winners of the Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and NCC'11 Math Contest. [2012/01/28]




  • In City of Waterloo New Year's Levee, "GRCS Student Band" and some other students and teachers of our school performed Chinese traditional music and folk dance. Mayor Halloran spoke highly about their performance, and took pictures with the dancer and students. [2012/01/08]

  • In the Open House event held on Dec. 10, senior administrators of WCDSB, Roger Lawler, Director of Education, Paul Cox, Principal of St. Louis, Lou Bellini, Vice-Principal of St. Louis, Vic Degutis, COO of Research & Development Office came to meet parents of Grand River Chinese School and answered their questions. [2011/12/10]
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  • "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest 2011 was successfully held today at Grand River Chinese School. A total of 83 students wrote the contest, including quite a few who traveled a long way to Waterloo from other cities. The contest questions, solution and results have been published. NCC 2011 is organized by Grand River Chinese School, co-organized by St. Louis Continuing Education Centers, and sponsored by Confucius Institute at the University of Waterloo. [2011/11/19][2011/12/10][2012/01/26]
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  • "Grand River Chinese School Journal" (in Chinese) has been published. You may download the electronic copy here. [2011/07/20]
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  • Since Jan. 22, 2011, KW Counselling provided a Parenting Training Workshop to over 20 parents at Grand River Chinese School. This workshop is given in 6 sessions in Chinese language. [2011/03/05]

 

 

  • The Chinese New Year Gala of Grand River Chinese School is for the first time organized by the student council, and has been concluded with a great success. Mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo as well as other guests also presented awards to winners of Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest. The event was reported on today's CTV News. [2011/02/05]
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  • Waterloo Math Club and Math Contest Team welcomes students of grade 7 to grade 12 who are interested in math. The weekly training sessions take place 2:30 to 4:00pm on Saturdays at room 101. [2011/01/17]
  • 2010 "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC10) successfully concluded today. A total of 59 students participated. Results, questions and solutions are posted on the NCC'10 page. [2010/11/20][2010/11/25][2010/11/27]
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  • Grand River Chinese School Student Council has been founded (details) [2010/11/17]
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  • The Year of Tiger Chinese New Year Celebration attracted nearly one thousand students, teachers, parents and guests. Mayors of KW, Principal of St. Louis, Assistant to Director of Confucius Institute at the UW, Problems Committee Chair of NCC10 also presented awards to the winners of Grand River Cup Chinese Essay Contest and NCC10. [2010/02/20]

Poster made by School Board

Recording broadcasted by Waterlooo Radio Chinese
  • 2009 "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC09) was successfully held. A total of 56 students wrote the contest. Questions, answers and solutions was well as Student Honour Roll are posted on the NCC'09 page. [2009/11/14][2009/11/28]
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  • Students and teachers perform at KW multicultural festival, and are well received. [2009/06/21]

 


 

  • The 2009 Chinese New Year Gala of Grand River Chinese School was held on Jan. 31. Over 500 students, teachers, parents and guests attended the event. Award presentation ceremony of KWCG Chinese Essay Contest in Support of Sichuan Earthquake Relief and “The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Arts” Contest was also held in the event. 

 

 


 
  • 2008 "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" Contest (NCC08) successfully concluded. Results, questions, answers and solutions are published at the NCC'08 page.