School helps to make Chinese adoptees and parents feel at home
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

TASTE OF THE EAST- Children perform a traditional Chinese dance as part of a weekly program at the West Valley Chinese Academy that allows youths to explore their Asian roots.

Every Sunday morning at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, a group of more than 80 children and their parents come from all over the Conejo and San Fernando valleys and beyond to submerge themselves in a culture they want to better understand.

The West Valley Chinese Academy, an independent program that holds its classes at El Camino Real, provides an opportunity for kids and adults to learn Chinese language and culture.

More than 20 of the children are enrolled because they were Chinese babies adopted by Caucasian parents.

"They are learning the language and the culture," said Jeff Jang, who sits on the WVCA's board of directors. "They are putting so much love into these adopted kids. It's unbelievable the time and money they put in."

When the program started six years ago, there were less than 30 students. Now, with eight classes for students from kindergarten to high school and one adult class, the WVCA boasts of more than 80 members.

"We emphasize small classes so students have the chance to speak up and dialogue with one another," said Principal Ingrid Ye. "We want to make it like a family."

Aside from adopted children and their parents, some of the students are from multicultural families, and about half are from traditional Chinese families.

"The parents may not know the language, but they want their kids to be able to," Ye said.

More than 20 of the families live in Calabasas, and others come from Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Moorpark, Northridge, Santa Monica and beyond.

Dr. Stefanie Feldman, a Calabasas resident and doctor for Kaiser, started bringing her daughter, 6-year-old Lily, to classes almost four years ago. She is a student in the adult class.

"When I adopted her, I knew I wanted her to know the Chinese language and have the Chinese cultural experiences," Feldman said. "There are really wonderful people here. And it's fun for me to take the classes while she's learning too."

Feldman stood out in a parent performance of a Chinese song, although she said learning the language is very tough.

"It's much harder for me," Feldman said, comparing herself to her young daughter. "The kids are like sponges. This (pointing to her head) is more like Teflon."

Moorpark resident Bibi Stankiewicz was taking Chinese from the Conejo Valley Adult School when she found out about the WVCA. She and her husband Ed have a 4-year-old son, Ethan, and a 3-year-old son, Justin, who they adopted in May 2006 at 18 months.

Ethan takes classes and Justin will join him next year. Bibi is also a student.

"I can read and understand much better than I can speak," Stankiewicz said. "I find that learning the writing is very calming. But it's hard to learn to make the sounds you need to with your mouth.

"Ethan has the attention span of a 4-year-old of course, but he's picking up a lot of things so far."

Last Sunday was a special day for the group. Instead of classes, students and their families gathered in the high school's auditorium for an elaborate Chinese New Year celebration.

Giant red lanterns painted with images of cherry blossom trees hung high above the stage, and Chinese characters were pinned to the walls.

All the students, from 4yearolds to members of the adult class, got involved in the more than 10 dances and songs.

There were poem readings and a kung fu demonstration. Dance troupes also came in to perform the popular "Lion Dance" and "Fairy Children." WVCA parents and students put on a fashion show at the program's end.

Eric and Andi Bergman are very involved with the school, and say they help out as much as they can. The couple endured a 15-month wait before adopting then-1-year-old Brooke in July 2003.

"It was very important to my wife and to myself that Brooke know her culture," said Eric Bergman.

The Bergmans started coming to WVCA in 2005, taking the adult classes while Brooke learned alongside them.

Eric and Andi also have a biological daughter, 3-year-old Avery.

"When she got a little older, she decided she wanted to do it too," Bergman said. "We thought it was great. Everyone is so great here. It's become such a part of our life. Every Sunday we are here."

The WVCA works closely with Families with Children from China, an organization of families who have adopted kids from China.

"These parents who have adopted Chinese children give a sweet home to a child in need," said Lisa Burak, one of the two hosts of the celebration. "They change a child's life forever, as well as the child in turn changes their lives forever. Love is all we need for this world."

For more information about the West Valley Chinese Academy, call Principal Ingrid Ye at (818) 8719859. For more information about Families with Children from China, visit www.fwcc.org