Written by: Roseline Yang, Parent Relations Officer
Kindness is essential in everyone’s lives, especially now during this worldwide pandemic. At YCIS, we are lucky to be surrounded by community members who possess this trait of character, which impacts positively on our wellbeing and inspires us to be bold and courageous. Let me share with you some examples of some acts of kindness.
“Doing our part of the job can make a big difference:
As we know, every morning can be chaotic if we haven’t had a good night’s sleep. Parents might struggle with getting their children prepared for school, children might struggle to wake up and go through the morning routine of taking a breakfast and getting dressed to catch the school bus. No need to mentionwhatit feels like for parents who are working or teachers who are parents themselves, because teachers are the ones who need to provide this positive learning environment for these same children.
The ‘new normal’ has brought an extra task to this already challenging morning for all parties: parents who need to fill out the temperature form, students who need to make sure they have brought all their cards and school staff & teachers who need to check if all these details have been submitted.
This extra task requires every parties’ contribution. Therefore, if any of them forgets to do their part, this impacts on the whole and can create extra work to the last person in the ‘assembly line’. Multiplied by the number of every individual that forgets on a same day, this becomes a source of stress. This is the reason why making sure of doing our part is actually an act of kindness.
“Silence, active listening and a greeting smile are acts of kindness”:
Although we are lucky to be in Shanghai and able to live as if ‘everything was normal like before’, in reality we are still touched by this worldwide pandemic. Our family and friends who are abroad are not as lucky as we are and we are not able to go and meet with them like we were able to do before. Restrictions in traveling across countries not to mention across regions or cities within China havebrought anxiety for the loss of freedom we used to have. Everyone is going through hardships that we are not disclosing to others.
This is why it is very important for all of us to be patient with one another by being mindful of not spreading our anxiety and frustrations on others. It is better to be silent and mindful of our emotions than spreading them or saying harsh words that can hurt others.
This is also the reason why receiving or giving a “hello” with a smile in the morning can make a difference in our day and other people’s day.
“Getting to know others, researching and anticipating people’s needs are also expressionsof kindness”
While organizing events and activities are limited, our school leaders and specialist directors (Performing Arts, Athletics) have been looking at various ways to engage with our families, in order to keep connected and enhance our community spirit.
Parents were able to enjoy virtually the ECE & Primary Chinese New Year Celebration as well as the streamline photos from the Secondary Sport Fest recently. Y5-Y13 students & staff were able to attend live the Secondary Musical so that the students can still have the real experience of performing in front of an audience.
As the COVID situationimproves in China, Secondary students are able to go on their EOTC (Education Outside The Classroom) trips and our Y5 and Y6 students will goon their camp.
Don’t miss the upcoming ‘Screenagers II‘ viewing that our Technology Director has organized in collaboration with the school counselors from YCISPuxi and Pudong to bringour parent community together for an insightful and thought-provoking documentary and discussion about students and social media usage, next April 25 at the Pearl.
“Taking action to care is an act of kindness”
Our school, students and parent volunteers are always looking at ways to continue to care for our community. While the Student Council at Century Park Campus organized their Kindness Week recently, our parent volunteers have been looking at ways to create opportunities for parents to connect. They have brainstormed with the school on how to support parents and students not only with the second-hand uniforms & lost and found tables but also in organizing activity gatherings and the two big events they care for: Staff Appreciation & the international event GCD!
Don’t miss the next opportunity for parents and children to connect through the Global Community Event! Based on the school motto “Love & Charity”, the focus of this year is about ”Taking Action to Care” and the theme of “ Being a candle in the darkness than a star in the sky”.
Be part of the next chapter. Feel free to share your thoughts by emailing: shareyourstorypd@sh.ycef.comorcontact me at: rpcp.parentrelations@sh.ycef.comif you want to connect or need help!
It takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes it takes only one act of kindness to change a person’s life.
No matter if we are a child or an adult, no matter if we are a boy or a girl, no matter if we are strong or weak, no matter what languages we speak, we all have that same possibility to decide how we want to interact with others. And remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.