How to Enroll

About CHI-PAC

chipac volunteer

The Chinese Immersion Parent Advisory Council (CHI-PAC) is committed to the academic and cultural excellence of the Forest Hill Public Schools Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program and advocacy for the families of Chinese Immersion students. We are dedicated to enriching the educational experience of all of our children by supplementing the resources of the program via advice, materials, services and financial support.

CHI-PAC, which is made up of volunteers who have children in the Chinese Immersion program, is a formal way to include parents’ and students’ perspectives in the school district’s decision-making process. CHI-PAC members engage families in district policy discussions and represent parent and student concerns to district leaders.

In supporting a student population of about 450 K-12 students and 300+ families across four schools, CHI-PAC has helped build our Chinese Immersion community. Support activities include:

  • Promoting kindergarten enrollment
  • Supporting middle school and high school students with information about dual enrollment applications and transitioning into that program
  • Supporting teachers
    • Celebrating Teacher Day with gifts and flowers
    • Providing Lunar New Year celebration materials
    • Offering grants for classroom materials and professional development
    • Sponsoring classroom resources such as ArchChinese, a web-based Chinese handwriting tool
    • Supporting communication with Chinese Immersion families
  • Hosting cultural events
    • Dinners at Fuji Buffet & Grill to celebrate Moon Festival (fall), Lunar New Year (winter) and Kite Festival (spring)
    • Pastry sale featuring authentic, fresh treats
  • Holding an annual no-show fundraiser
  • Selling Chinese Immersion spirit wear (fall)

Board Meetings

The CHI-PAC board meets monthly, August to June. Meetings are 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

2025-2026 meeting dates are:

  • August 15
  • September 12
  • October 10
  • November 14
  • December 12
  • January 16
  • February 6
  • March 6
  • April 17
  • May 15
  • June 12

A year-end meeting is held each May to approve the budget and board members for the following school year. The 2025-2026 year-end meeting date is forthcoming.

Chinese Immersion families are welcome to attend CHI-PAC board meetings. Please email chipac.info@gmail.com to request a Zoom link.

Board Members

Board members are required to attend board meetings. Board members are encouraged to lead or assist with various projects as needed and as interested throughout the year.

Erica Powell
President
The president serves as the liaison to teachers, district administrators and principals at Meadow Brook, Northern Trails, Northern Hills Middle School and Northern High School, overseeing events and initiatives promoting the program.

Marie Ridley
Vice President
The vice president is responsible for email communications to families as well as updating Chinese Immersion directories and assisting the president.

Lauren Cook
Treasurer
The treasurer manages the budget and finances, keeping records of all receipts and disbursements as well as provides a summary of the budget and a reconciliation of deposits and expenditures at every board meeting.

Elizabeth VanSickle
Secretary
The secretary takes board meeting minutes that are made available for review within one week of the meeting, keeping a record of all final drafts of board meeting minutes and meeting agendas.

Vinayak Manohar
Cultural/Social Chair
The social chair organizes and coordinates volunteers for events such as the Kindergarten/1st Grade Welcome Picnic, Honor Your Teacher Day, Fall Moon Festival activities, Ada Holiday Parade and Chinese New Year activities.

Gloriane Peck Schmidt
Social Media/Website Chair
The social media/website chair promotes Forest Hills Chinese Immersion on social media channels and manages the Chinese Immersion website.