Written by: Roseline Yang, Parent Relations Officer
Everyone is unique. Everyone has a unique way to perceive and interpret the world in which we live. No matter our age, gender, cultural and social background, we all have a special story to share regarding how we have lived and experienced this unprecedented worldwide pandemic situation.
Let me share with you what I have witnessed about our school community and the spectacular way in which every member of our school community has come together to join forces and find creative ways to engage our children in their learning.
Phase I: Beginnings
“Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved”- School leaders and teachers worked together to establish basic e-Learning structures, and class parents took the initiative to help each other by sharing e-Learning materials to overcome the technological challenges with downloading.- “All things are difficult before they are easy” by Thomas
Fuller – Prompt and direct communication from parents to class teachers (and students to teachers) regarding e-Learning allowed the School to keep re-
adjusting this new, unknown way of teaching and learning for all. - “Remember upon the conduct of each depend the fate of all” by Alexander the Great – Using appropriate channels of communication to address questions to the school leadership team also allowed the School to quickly take appropriate action and
recalibrate internal structures of communication to better serve parents & students. - “Unity does not mean sameness. It means oneness of purpose” by Priscilla
Shirer – Trust in each others’ roles and abilities to do their job, as well as proactivity offering support and help, were key elements in the creation and continued development of this e-Learning programme.
Phase II: Learn to re-adjust
“It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it and appropriately act on it.” by Stephen Covey – School leaders reached out to families of younger children to check-upon their wellbeing and learning adaptation.
- “Every cloud has a silver lining” by John Milton – Parents and teachers discovered children with a high capacity to adapt to a new situation and exhibit skills and qualities that had not been visible before.
- “It’s encouraging to see that we’re not alone. We can learn from each other” by James Kim – School counsellors offered parent workshops and parent support group meetings for parents to connect and share about their tips to face and adapt to the situation.
Phase III: Share & Grow
“By sharing and exchanging ideas, people will get to know each other and learn about their community” by Linda Ashcraft – Various opportunities for our students and parents to be part of the spirit of our community.
- Design the Yearbook cover for this year on the theme of ‘YCIS Pudong Stories’ by Friday, May 15
- Share your photos and experience about what you have learnt about yourself during your ‘Stay at Home’ & ‘E-Learning’ period, ‘Earth Day/Climate Action Day’ and soon ‘May the Fourth’
- Get involved from now in our international school event ‘Global Community Day’ by:
- Joining the virtual flag parade on May 15 (you will just need to prepare your traditional costume & do a Zoom rehearsal)
- Teaching a special recipe from your region or country in the week of May 15
- Contributing a song to the Global Community Playlist for the day of the event
- Creating material related to your favorite myth, legend or hero by May 8.
No matter who you are: parent, teacher or student, when you take the time to share about your experience and vision, you will not only be able to help others learn & grow, you will also be able to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your relationship with your home culture and build a new relationship with other members of our school community.
We are looking forward to hearing from you! Please email us at: shareyourstorypd@sh.ycef.com
