July 14, 2006
VSCSO cultural group have been invited to participate in the Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Festival series. The event, Celebrating Vietnamese Culture, is scheduled for Saturday, August 12 at the Washington Park Amphitheater from 6 to 8PM.  The even is organized by the Oregon Vietnamese Community Association ( www.ovca-usa.org ).  Click  here  for more the complete summer festival schedule. Details of the evening program will be posted later.

June 18, 2006
Lac Hong Vietnamese School Now Accepting Registrations

April 2006
VSCSO staff volunteers will be conducting a series of Money Smart classes for the Vietnamese community in April.  Classes will be taught at PCC Rock Creek campus on Saturdays from 3 - 5 PM.  First class is April 8th, 2006. Click here for complete schedule.

March 18, 2006
VSCSO along with Asian Pacific American Senior Coalition & Susan G. Komen Organization  is sponsoring a  workshop in Vietnamese about the prevention of Breast Cancer.  Interested parties are invited to the event on Saturday March 18th from 1:15 to 2:45PM in building #2 Room 123 of the Portland Community Rock Creek Campus.  Free refreshments and gilfts! Click here for the flyer.  Click here for Presentation.

Feb 25th, 2006
"An Evening in Vietnam" Fundraiser - a Great Success! 
Thank you everyone for making for making the event a great success.  Below is a beautiful summary of the event written by our friend Polo from the Asian Reporter:  Please click here for the pictures from the Portland Event.  Click here for the Salem event.

From The Asian Reporter, V16, #10 (March 7, 2006), pages 13 and 20.

On what we can all agree

February’s fundraising concerts for the Village School Foundation

By Polo

There are so many issues still unsettled. Exiles are that way. There is a world of deeply held feeling, from dark bitterness to irrepressible hope, about Viet Nam. The nation and the war.

So many things invite angry debate — the loyalty of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the lyrics of popular singer Trinh Cong Son, the current intentions of the Socialist Republic’s smiling CP leaders. Oregon’s vigorous Viet Kieu community is that way. But after passions cool, this immigrant community and their not-so-far-away homeland both benefit from each side’s struggle to understand their shared and difficult history. And the future looks good again.

“Well, about one thing we can all agree,” emcee Chi Jones said, deftly handling introductions at the Village School Foundation’s benefit concerts last month, “one thing we can all agree on is our children. Their need for the best education we can give them.” His audiences, one at South Salem’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, the other at Portland Community College’s far-west Rock Creek Campus, had to nod, had to smile.

There is also a world of difference between poor rural children in Phan Thiet Province, the focus of Village School Foundation’s construction and scholarship efforts, and the tall, polished, suburban cul-de-sac kids enrolled in Chi Jones’s Vietnamese Science & Cultural Society of Oregon’s (VSCSO) educational enrichment programs based at the Rock Creek Campus. That painful distinction was lost on no one. Mr. Jones’s subtle point was profound. So everyone surrendered to an evening of inspired entertainment.

Inspired music and elegant dance

After an invocation by the Venerable Fa Thai of the Hawthorne district’s Miao-Fa Chan Temple, VSCSO students took the stage and immediately filled the packed auditorium with traditional Dan Tranh music, with notes of both longing and joy. Elegant young Viet ladies in flowing ao dai danced, elders in their audience dreamed, younger ones were captured inside their lovely moment. Appreciative of the bridge between past and present, home and here, the crowd clapped loud and long. 

Nationally acclaimed guitar man and concert storyteller Tinh played next, backed initially by two of Monmouth Taiko’s mighty war drums and Village School Foundation trumpeter Dan Enbysk. Tinh then went solo, talking story about what’s in his American baby boy’s eyes and what flutters around his Phan Thiet pagoda’s garden.

Tinh’s concerts blend many things. He bends his refined American six-string guitar licks around his stubbornly Viet sensibilities. He loses the distance, in decades and geography, between a lonely monsoon-soaked GI patrolling an Ap-talai rice paddy and our audience of fashionably casual Oregonians soaking up an evening of his acoustic rain. In recognition of his musical originality, First Lady Laura Bush invited Tinh to the White House in 2003.

Village School Foundation

Tinh founded the Village School Foundation in 2002. It is a federally recognized nonprofit charitable organization. The Foundation has since built three one-room elementary schools. A volunteer team will be building another this summer in Tinh’s ancestral province of Phan Thiet. The cost of labor and materials for a country schoolhouse is approximately $8,000. All proceeds from February’s benefit banquets and concerts go directly into construction and scholarships. The Foundation welcomes all volunteers, skilled and unskilled, Viet and American, on its trips to Viet Nam.

Coordinating this summer’s project are the Foundation’s trumpet man, Oregon environmental activist Dan Enbysk, and recent Portland State University (PSU) graduate Vy Le, daughter of a nationally prominent painter of the former Republic of South Viet Nam, who settled his family in Portland after the Fall of Saigon.  

This season’s awareness and fundraising efforts are coincident with the release of a tribute album for the late great American folk guitar legend, John Fahey. Tinh is a protégé of the Salem musician who passed away in 2001. The tribute album includes Paul Geremia, John Doan, Woody Mann, Terry Robb, and George Winston, among others.  All album sale proceeds go to Village School Foundation.

“Helping to ensure education in Vietnam seems a fitting and poetic gesture, truly blurring the boundaries between philosophy and life,” says Tinh of the album and all the efforts associated with Village School Foundation. “Finding inspiration in rediscovering my roots, reconnecting with children in need, and especially remembering John Fahey’s music and mentoring, have all come together in this project.

“Putting things right again has become a legacy of this story,  and  to  the  children in us all — the circle comes full round.”

At the end of each of February’s concerts, lights came on, smiles took the place of tears, audiences spoke softly, left quietly, maybe even drove home a bit more peacefully on than the drive there. According to VSCSO president Chi Jones, the PCC event alone raised $7,000. Enough to raise another small school house. Almost enough to erase a little bitterness.

Bev Silveira, who along with her husband Ben attended Salem’s banquet and concert, said, “When I look at those children’s sweet little faces, the hope there, I know that education is going to help them and their country be a part of the world. Our world.”

For more information on the work of the Portland-based, federally recognized nonprofit educational organization, Vietnamese Science & Cultural Society of Oregon, please visit <www.vscso.org>. For more information on the work of the Village School Foundation, visit <www.vsfoundation.com>.

Feb 4th, 2006
New Year Festival at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King).  Program Details
There will also be a concert that night featuring Hương Lan / Tuấn Anh / Lươnng Tùng Quang / Minh Tuyết.

Over 30 Lac Hong students and staff participated in this year's Tết celebration.  The Dan Tranh students peformed beautifully, the May Hong dance group along with the Buom Trang dance teams danced gracefully.  We had a game booth that let children throw darts at the balloons. We went thru almost 1000 balloons and prizes.  Our president of VSCSO, Chi Jones, received the Citizen of the Year award from the Oregon Vietnamese Community Association of Illinois.  Chi's speech, which was right after Mayor Tom Potter of the city of Portland, spoke about unity in the Vietnamese community and support for our nonprofits.  More pictures of the event can be found at www.thuyen.com

Jan 30th, 2006
Pictures fromTết 2006.

Jan 28th, 2006

Celebrate Tết 2006 - Year of the Dog
Lac Hong school will host the Vietnamese New Year celebration on Jan 28^th, 2006 at Building #2 where the auditorium is located. Click here for more info.

January 7, 2006

Everyone is invited to the PCC Sylvania Vietnamese Student Association "Tet" festival.  There will be games for children and then an entertainment program at toward the evening.  Please click here for more info.

Christmas Party
Dec 23 6-10PM

Dec 3, 2005
The Parents Teacher Association of Lac Hong is organizing a Christmas party at the Beaverton Community Center on Friday, December 23, 2005 from 6 PM to 10 PM. Click here for details.

Dec 1, 2005

Letter from the President
Dear Friends,

 It is about that time of year when your company is asking you to support your favorite charities in the community by making a financial donation of which will be matched by your company. I asked that this year, you would consider making a donation to the Vietnamese Science & Cultural Society of Oregon (VSCSO).

 Hi, my name is Chi Jones.  I am the president of VSCSO.  We are an IRS exempt 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to promoting the Vietnamese culture and to use our scientific background to promote technology and science to our young children. We have a large organization of over 25 people who have dedicated their time to achieve these goals.

 In the first 2 years, we have:

1. Organized the only non-denominational Vietnamese language school, the Lac Hong School, in the Beaverton/Aloha/Hillsboro area.  This year we have over 105 students enrolled.
2. Organized Lego Robotics programing classes to teach our young children engineering concepts and at the same time have fun with Lego.
3. Organized cultural dance teams and traditional instrument recitals to promote our culture in the community.
4. Chartered Vietnamese Boys Scouts and Cubs Scouts troops.

As a young organization, we are in need of your financial support. Many local corporations, such as Intel, Tektronics, and Nike, will match dollar for dollar any contributions that an employee make to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit such as VSCSO.  Contributions are typically solicited via United Way contribution forms, but employees always have the option to select another nonprofit organization.  There is a box on the form where you can fill in our organization information.  Please go to www.vscso.org/donations.php for more info.

Let’s build up a strong and productive community organization that we all can be proud of.  If you can volunteer your time – great!  If not, we welcome your financial support.  Let’s take advantage of your company generous matching program and help today.

If you need any more info, feel free to contact me at 503-997-2260 or by email at ChiJones@vscso.org

Sincerely,

Chi Jones
President

P.S. Once you make a contribution to us and make a subsequent matching gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust, you will be eligible to receive a 100% tax credit on your gift to the Trust. That means you can double your contribution to Oregon culture! Find out more at www.culturaltrust.org or call 503 986 0088.  VSCSO is the only Vietnamese nonprofit organization that is on the Oregon Cultural Trust approved list.

Oct 4, 2005
Asian Reporter publication of MMT Grant news release in their October 4 issue.  Go to page 10.

Sept 23, 2005
On Sept 10, 2005, Lac Hong dan tranh students participated in the Huong Viet Cultural Concert 2005 in Seattle, Washington.  The students participated as part of the Tieng Hoai Huong group led by their teacher Ms. Huong Thu Pham.  Click here for pictures.

Sept 21, 2005
VSCSO Awarded $8620 Grant  from Meyers Memorial Trust

(Aug 10, 2005)
Lac Hong School News Letter Vol 1 Issue 3

(July 8-10, 2005)
Camping pictures at Jessie Honeyman State Park in Florence, Oregon
 

NEWS RELEASE
June 20, 2005
Lac Hong Vietnamese School Accepting Registrations

 Lac Hong Vietnamese School (LHVS), a unit of the Vietnamese Science & Culture Society of Oregon, is now accepting registrations for the 2005-2006 school year.  Students will be taught how to speak, read, & write Vietnamese.  Classes are held at PCC Rock Creek campus at 1 – 3 PM each Saturday from Sept – June during the school year.  LHVS serves students from the West Portland/Beaverton/Hillsboro/Aloha area.  Costs will be $70 per student for 30 weeks of instructions.  Registrations will be limited to the first 120 students. Registration forms &  additonal info are available at our websites www.LacHongSchool.org and www.VSCSO.org .We can also be reached  by phone at 503-997-2260  (Chi Jones)  or 503-614-8472 (Tri Than).

April 12, 2005
Lac Hong School Charters Boy and Cub Scout Troops
Click here to get info

(April 2, 2005)
Lac Hong Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 2

(March 3, 2005)
Lac Hong School acquires a new domain name
The new domain name   www.lachongschool.org  will make it easier for parents and supporters to remember the website address.

(Feb 12th, 2005)
Lac Hong School celebrates Tet on the year of the Rooster

(Feb 12th, 2005)
Lac Hong School celebrating Tet on Saturday, Feb 12 from 1:30-4:30PM
The celebration will include award ceremonies for top performing students and several cultural performances by children.  It is a "potluck" affair, so please bring your favorite dishes. Drinks, utensils, and pizzas will be provided by the school.

(Feb 5th, 2005)
Lac Hong School is CLOSED on Saturday, the 5th of Feb. 
Happy New Year and enjoy the many Tet festivities in our community.  The largest festival is by the Oregon Vietnamese Community Association (OVCA) at the Oregon Convention Center: www.ovca2006.com

(Jan 6th, 2004)
VSCSO and the Lac Hong School to Raise Money for Tsunami Victims in Asia
For the  next two weeks ( ending Jan 15th ), we will collecting donations to help out the tsunami victims in south Asia.  Donations can be dropped off at PCC Rock Creek Building #3 on the next 2 Saturdays Jan 8th & Jan 15th during the Lac Hong school hours from 1-3PM.  All donations will be distributed to  the Northwest Medical Teams, Mercy Corps, or Red Cross. We would recommend parents to encourage  their children make personal contributions to the relief effort.  So many children perished in this tragedy, it will be a great lesson in altruism for the children.  It does not matter if it is 50 cents for $5, just that they learn that they can help.  You can make immediate contribution by clicking on the DONATE button.

(Dec 27th, 2004)
Paid Internship for High School or Community College Students
If you have children who are 16 years and older, you can help them apply for an internship at the Business Education Compact (BEC) website.  Students will receive valuable industrial experience and get paid at the same time.

(Dec 11, 2004)
Lac Hong School Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 1

(Nov 6th, 2004)
Lego Robotics Link Active

Thanks to our webmaster, Tan Nguyen, our website is slowly coming online.  From the feed back that we have gotten so far, the graphic designs by Tan is a HIT!.  Thanks again.

(Nov 5th, 2004)
IRS Grants  VSCSO Tax Exempt Status

Federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status was granted to the Vietnamese Science & Culture Society of Oregon (VSCSO).  Tax-exempt status is contingent on meeting all requirements during an advance ruling period which began in 2004 and ends in 2008. At the end of that period, VSCSO must submit information to establish that we have been a publicly supported organization.  Our status enables contributors to VSCSO  to deduct their donations for tax purposes.  The tax-exempt ruling qualifies VSCSO  for future grant applications and matching donations from many local corporations.  VSCSO  will now apply to be on Oregon Culture Trust list of approved nonprofit cultural organizations.  The Oregon Cultural Trust www.culturaltrust.org is a long-term funding plan for preserving and strengthening Oregon's arts, heritage and humanities. The Trust is funded in part by private contributions made by individuals and corporations who receive a tax credit on their Oregon income tax when they (1) donate to a nonprofit cultural organization and (2) donate to the Oregon Cultural Trust.

(Oct 30, 2004)
Halloween at Lac Hong

Our first annual Halloween costume contest brought a HUGE turn out.  About 35 students ( almost 50% ) participated!  Big thank you for all the parents who helped out - especially all those candy bags.  View the Halloween pictures under the Lac Hong web pages.

(Sept 18th,2004)
Lac Hong Vietnamese Language School Opens

Lac Hong Vietnamese Language School opens its door on Saturday Sept 18th of 2004.  Due to the demand of the Beaverton/Hillsboro/Tigard Vietnamese community, the number of students enrolled ballooned to almost 80.  The staff originally planned to enroll no more than 60 students.

Lac Hong currently staffs 5 classes – MGA (beginners 6 – 9 yrs old), MGB (beginners 10 and up), 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level.  Levels 1 and MGB are closed to further enrollment.  Level MGA will accept up to 5 more students.  Levels 2 and 3 are still accepting students.  Anyone interested in enrolling please contact Mr. Tri Than (Principal) at 503-614-8472 or Mr. Chi Jones (Public Relations) at 503-997-2260.

Classes are held at PCC Rock Creek Building 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on every Saturday during the school year.


(Sept 14th, 2004)
Lac Hong Robotics Team Starts Training

The Vietnamese Science & Culture Society of Oregon (VSCSO) and the Lac Hong staff  volunteers formed a  Lego Robotics team to compete in the local and state Lego Robotics tournament.  The competition team consist of 9 – 14 year old Vietnamese American students.  The staff also accepted younger students under 9 that were interested in just having fun and wanted to prepare for competition in the coming years.

In the Lego Robotics program, students are taught engineering concepts in mechanical, electrical, and software engineering concepts.  Working as teams, students learn how to work together and solve complex problems.  Volunteer instructors from local technology company such as Intel and ESI provide their times both as mentor and coaches for the students.  ESI, a local technology company, have generously provided the facility and multimedia equipments for the team.  Thank You ESI!!!

With over 15 students, we are forced closed the robotics program to any further enrollment.  The current program runs thru December when the students start tournament competition.  At the end of the year, the staff may open a spring program for those who are interested.