Beijing now has nearly 150 English-medium, K-12 international schools, and the number is growing every year. Priorities for these schools are usually focused around providing high-quality academic education, and offering a range of extracurricular activities to encourage students’ interests and talents. But what are schools doing to help students cherish their own unique cultural characteristics, while also discovering, experiencing, and possibly adopting the cultures of the country that they currently call home?

Whether you are from a multicultural family or a third culture kid (TCK), the process of finding your identity or sense of home is never crystal clear. That’s why culturally-focused study and increased sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student body are taken very seriously in Beijing’s international schools.

Ralf Mayenberger, in addition to being an English and German teacher at Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA), is a parent of two Third Culture Kids. Last year he was asked as part of a BWYA student’s independent study project to take part in a TEDx talk on campus exploring this topic of TCKs. He began his research by creating a 78-question online survey for students to get involved. What he began to realize through his findings is that many children don’t have the luxury of the universal idea of home being a single place filled with familiar people, and a sense of familial history, like he had grown up within Germany.

Ralf Mayenberger

New definitions of home are created by the connections made through being in and exploring a particular place, specifically the schools which these students attend. It was through this that he realized the importance of friendship and the school environment for TCKs. It’s friendship which not only allows kids from multiple cultures to find comfort in very foreign settings, but it also gives them the necessary skills to adapt and create a sense of home anywhere around the world.

Being an international student means receiving an education that was created to establish globally-minded individuals. While many consider this to be one of the essential skills of the future, becoming globally-minded doesn’t come without its own set of challenges and confusion.

About this Mayenberger commented: “One thing about identity is that it’s not so easy to say what you are. So if I ask my children, ‘What are you? Are you German, or are you Filipino?’ it’s not so easy to answer. They might say ‘I’m Chinese’ because they were born in China. At one point my daughter said she was English because that was her first language. I’m from Germany, and my wife is from the Philippines, so both of those choices have nothing to do with our household.”

For many expat children born in China, being considered Chinese by the general populace is not an option. There are obvious hurdles in regards to receiving physical proof in the form of a Chinese passport, but then there are other differences that are glaringly apparent. For many, when it comes to being viewed as Chinese, you either are or you are not.

So there is a big responsibility for international schools to compensate for this deficit and create a classroom environment that’s equally accommodating to foreigners and locals alike, building the perfect foundation to influence students to think more globally, and adapting traditional and local methods to make sure the needs of all students are met.

One example of adapting a curriculum to fit the needs of a diverse student body can be found at The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB), where currently 21 nationalities are represented. One thing that’s notable about MSB is that its approach towards Montessori learning has been altered to better suit the needs of Beijing’s foreign children, along with the children with foreign passports who might nonetheless identify as being Chinese. They call this the Dual Language Program (DLP). Kids are made to split their day between both English- and Mandarin-focused instruction to make sure they get equal exposure to each language, along with its respective cultural and social offshoots.

MSB’s Principal Rufus Samkin, says; “There’s a big part of the Montessori curriculum called Cosmic Education, and so, kind of ironically, Cosmic Education focuses on how civilizations of people are the same, what their similar needs are. From early elementary school, the children are challenged with this concept that there are all of these people coming from different places. They look different, they speak different, they eat different things, they have different religions or beliefs or ceremonies, but they are tied together by similarities.”

Rufus Samkin

As a child, Samkin was in a similar position to many of his students. He too was a TCK, following his father as he was assigned to work on engineering projects across Africa. He went to local schools, learning the local language, and did his best to assimilate into these cultures. These formative experiences also influence his understanding and governance of MSB, as he’s well aware of the importance of providing students with a learning environment which is mindful of the local culture, but which also needs to remain in line with the international standards of the Montessori pedagogy. It’s about finding balance.

Though MSB’s dual language program has an established track record, providing young students with the best of both worlds, currently they are also looking into the One Person, One Language model (OPOL), which has also proven to be highly effective in this sort of multilingual learning environment.

Samkin said “One of the beautiful things about the Montessori model is that it’s so adaptable. By design, and something that Maria Montessori wanted from the inception, it is something that could transcend cultural barriers and could be taught anywhere by anybody because it’s taught in the language of humans and not in the language of any one culture.”

Thinking about what we share as human beings is essential in keeping students engaged in what they are learning, and able to apply it to their own lives. Instead of school just being a lengthy and tiring exercise of rote memorization, kids need to be able to take materials learned in class and apply them to situations common to their own experience.

When talking about choosing the right teaching materials that align with the experiences of his students, Mayenberger explained: “Based on their interests they start using what’s presented in the unit and transform it, creating connections to their own lives, and with that, they work on something they want to work with. Though still working on the unit, they are doing it with people with the same ideas, and it helps to create a sense of community.”

In addition to the selection of appropriate materials used to teach throughout different units of a particular subject, students are given opportunities to dive deeper into ideas of culture and identity outside the classroom.

“Students learn a lot through the unspoken, and through interactions with each other. After-school activities are very rich experiences because you are putting the kids together, they’re socializing and interacting in a way that’s not a traditional classroom environment. It’s very much real world. Whatever the activity is, they stop thinking about who they are and where they come from. Actually, when you’re talking about cultural diversity or cultural education, that’s what you want. It’s not ‘my friend who’s Chinese; it’s just ‘my friend’. That’s exactly what happens through the subconscious and the unspoken, and it’s really important,” Samkin stated.

At Harrow Beijing, the founding of the Zhi Li Society, a club intent on injecting more elements of Chinese culture into the school through a collaborative effort between students, staff, and parents, was inspired not by the lack of Chinese culture on campus, but by the need to have more of a student voice in the process of planning these activities.

Harrow Beijing’s Zhi Li Society

This need led to the society’s founding last year, in January 2018. At that time the school was also considering this question, because of the increased popularity of Harrow among Chinese families, and more students expressing interest in Chinese culture.

Rosemary Zhao, Assistant Head Mistress of Harrow Beijing said: “Through the Zhi Li Society we want to help and facilitate our students to understand who they are, where they come from, and what they would like to be in the future. Because they are all, in a way, in a third culture environment at this school.”

While the arts and crafts, which are very much a part of the Zhi Li Society, provide entry points into a greater understanding of Chinese culture, their main focus is the organizing of events and other school-wide activities that correspond to the Chinese holiday calendar. So far they’ve run poetry contests, left Lantern Festival-themed riddles around campus, and are even hosting a “Dragon Boat Race” between Harrow Houses on the football pitch in June.

While the society’s weekly meetings are only open to students in Year 4 and above, Nathan Moore, Economics and Business Studies teacher, said; “I think it was the activities that we’re running within the wider school community which allow us to include everyone. So the lower school students very much take part in the Zhi Li Society just by participating in the activities that we’re running.”

Vicky, one student who is heavily involved in the Zhi Li Society, told beijingkids: “The Zhi Li Society has had a lasting impact on my future because as I’m applying to schools to study politics, I wrote about conflicts in cultures and civilizations and how these shape the world. I wrote in my application how my experience in the Zhi Li Society, in such a multicultural environment, helped me to see the world and to rethink what I want to do in the future.”

Emily, another advocate for the group, said: “It offered me a lot of opportunities because many of the events are discussed by everyone including teachers and parents, but it is mainly run by us, the students. It has given me a lot of leadership opportunities.”

An international school is a complex ecosystem of identities, which has to address the needs of students who come from many parts of the world. At the heart is the paradox that the globally-minded citizens of the future need to start by having a clear sense of who they are and where they come from. For children growing up in a culturally complex environment, this is a challenge; but with careful handling, helping them rise to this challenge can be empowering and enriching.

This article appeared in the beijingkids May 2019 Identity issue.
Photos: Kipp Whittaker; courtesy of Harrow Beijing

It’s notable that we consider a blue sky a rare occurrence in Beijing. They were even rarer in the first few years of this decade, when the capital was shrouded in a cocktail of toxic gray fumes belched by hundreds of factories from the developing zones in China.

Zou Yi

And that was exactly what engineer Zou Yi saw on a winter day in January 2013. The tower opposite his apartment in Dawanglu, just east of CBD, became almost invisible, and he took a photo to document the strange occurrence. He photographed the same view every day for the next two months, and pieced the photographs together in a collage. “It’s very shocking that we breathed in that air for two months,” Zou said.

From that episode, Zou found his new calling: to appeal to the public to participate in the management of air pollution, in line with the government’s anti-pollution plan which encourages everyone at the community level to get involved in monitoring. His independent research project and non-profit group, BeijingAirNow or 一目了然 (yīmùliǎorán, “At a Glance”) was born shortly afterwards.

BeijingAirNow is Zou Yi’s independent project where he captures the progress in Beijing’s air quality, as shown in this collage.

Zou has taken more than 2,200 photographs of the same view since he started documenting pollution in 2013. The progression is so strikingly visible that the published collage became a hot topic on Chinese social media and featured on various media channels, including state networks and publications.

For Zou, addressing the problem of air pollution goes beyond the boundaries of governments and even generations. In March 2019, he was invited to present his photographs and research work at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. But before anyone from that worldwide conference heard about his outstanding project, he visited the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) and answered the questions of Grade 6 students about environmental protection and pollution management.

Shiraz, 12: As a child, did you know that you wanted to become an environmentalist? When did you find your passion for studying air pollution?
Zou: I never thought I would be an environmentalist. I’m a structural engineer by profession and I do high-rise buildings, including the tallest one in Beijing. In January 2013, Beijing suffered bad air days so that I couldn’t open the window because it was very smoggy. Instead, I took a picture. The following day, it was the same scene so I took another picture again. I did this every day for two months and put 64 photos together, and it was a big shock for me. I couldn’t believe that those were the days that we had just passed. So that gave me a goal to continue it for a year to know what a year’s worth of photos of Beijing’s air would look like. And I’ve been doing that up to this present day.

Hector, 11: What is the deadliest source of pollution, and why?
Zou: China is now a big factory, and we understand that several industries that use chemicals and generators discharge too many waste products. And there are too many vehicles on the road too, and all of these are the main causes of pollution. So what can we do to reduce air pollution? We should ride cars less and instead take the subway or use bicycles when we go out.

Isabella, 12: You’re an engineer, so why did you choose to record Beijing’s air pollution?
Zou: I quit my work in 2018 to focus on air pollution. I have a son and I don’t want him and this generation to suffer. So we must do something. We must stop air pollution for the future of this generation. In March 2019, I will go to Nairobi, Kenya and attend the United Nations Environment Assembly. I will talk about air quality, and they want me to tell the world my story about taking those photos and to encourage people that they can do something to save the Earth.

Matthew, 11: Does PM 2.5 stay in your lungs forever?
Zou: I was told by other experts that it is possible. PM 2.5 is a very fine and harmful particle that reaches the lungs through the bloodstream so you cannot just cough it out. And according to the World Health Organization, at least 6 million people die of pollution and half of those come from Asia. That’s why we need to protect ourselves and always wear a mask when it’s a polluted day.

Abril, 12: What is the most polluted city in the world, and why is it so polluted?
Zou: The most air-polluted country is India. Out of the ten most polluted cities in the world, eight of them are in India and two in China. And that pollution comes from people, because we strive for a higher quality of life. But we need to be concerned about the other things that would affect the environment.

Oscar, 11: How long do you think you will keep on taking photos of Beijing?
Zou: I will dedicate the rest of my life to work on getting better air quality. But for taking photos of Beijing’s air, I will take at least three more years to document the progress.

Emily, 11: In 2017, the government shut down many factories and it turned out to be one of the best years in terms of air quality. If the government decides to do it again, will we be able to have another good year?
Zou: Yes, I believe the factories that use coal for energy need to be shut down. But there are factories that are moving towards becoming more sustainable. So if we can do that, we have the confidence that we will have much better days within three to five years.

Marshall, 12: What is the best form of transportation that doesn’t make too much pollution?
Zou: When I found that many forms of transportation increase pollution, I stopped driving my car about 5 years ago. Each day when I go to the office, I take the subway. Compared to cars, the subway is a much cleaner form of transportation.

Aishling, 11: Why does a lot of pollution come suddenly and then goes away the following day? 
Zou: That’s because of the wind, which blows away pollution particles. But Beijing’s geography makes it difficult for polluted air to dissipate completely. We have mountains in the north and we need a strong wind to blow the pollution away.

This article first appeared in the beijingkids March 2019 Sustainability issue.
Photos: Uni You; courtesy of Zou Yi

A child’s school lies at the center of their life, second only to family as the place where they grow, learn, play and make friends. We’ve taken a look back at some of the events and stories from Beijing’s international schools during 2018.

The educational year began, of course, with the Jingkids International School Expo 2018 (JISE 2018). (Learn more about the 2019 event here.) Among the hot topics under discussion was the shortage of graduates in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math):

Shortage of STEM Graduates “a Crisis in Education,” Says Speaker at Beijing International School Expo 2018

In May, artist William Boyd, an old Harrovian, visited Harrow Beijing to talk about his creative work and collaborations:

June 2018 School News: BSB, Shunyi Collaborates with MIT, DCB’s “Sounds of Spring,” and More!

Our most-read education story of 2018 concerned the financial crisis at Beijing BISS International School (BISS). We’re happy to report that the school was saved and is returning to normality.

“No Soap, No Pencils”: Former BISS Teachers Describe Life at Crisis-Hit School

August was an important month for the British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (BSB Sanlitun), as they opened their state-of-the-art new Early Years building, the Li Building:

Space to Grow: BSB Sanlitun’s New Early Years Building Has the School’s Values Built In

And the new school year rang in the changes for several schools, with new principals or co-principals at BSB Sanlitun, 3E International School, the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB), and Yew Chung International School Beijing (YCIS Beijing).

September 2018 School News: New Leaders, New Facilities

In September our columnist Hamilton Gregg reported on the chaos surrounding the SAT and ACT, tests used by US colleges to make decisions on admission. (Note: although these acronyms originally stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Testing, they now officially don’t stand for anything.)

Old College Try: More Testing Chaos

Amid a competitive academic environment which can be stressful for young people, the city’s international schools are leading the way in highlighting the importance of the mental and emotional health of their students. Harrow Beijing held a “Well-Being Week” from October 29 to November 2, sharing a theme with World Mental Health Day 2019: “Youth in a Changing World.”

December 2018 School News: Well-Being and Sports in Focus!

And the year ended on a high for Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) and Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), with both schools shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious International School Awards:

Beijing Schools Shortlisted for Prestigious Awards

Photo: coventrytelegraph.net

Here in Beijing we’re lucky enough to have some superb schools with extraordinary facilities, where our kids can learn almost anything, from languages to robotics to entrepreneurship. One thing though is not on the curriculum: how to be happy.

Local dad and serial entrepreneur Sam Goodman is out to change that. He is the founder of Fulfillment Source Code (FSC), a course which teaches kids to understand how their brains and bodies work, and what science tells us about happiness. Following a successful pilot at a Beijing school, he has now launched a Kickstarter to fund the further development of the program.

Sam Goodman

“FSC is what I wish I was taught when I was 10,” he says. He is also motivated by the desire to make sure “that my daughter will be better equipped than I was.” And that’s why he piloted it with his daughter’s class at the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB). Class teacher Elaine Kinlough was certainly impressed by the course.

“Much of the content covered in FSC may seem to be above the level of the children,” she says. “But it is in fact presented in a format that is both understandable and challenging for the students, and brings them to a higher order of thinking.”

She describes it as “the program that teachers have been waiting for”.

“As teachers we have hopes and aspirations for our students, and beyond the academics, we want them to live a long, happy and successful life. FSC is a program which allows you as a teacher to guide students towards this life while also challenging them academically.”

Goodman doesn’t take all the credit for the ideas behind the course.

“Nearly 100 percent of FSC course content is from recognized experts,” he says. “All I did was bring it together, weave it into an adventure, and made it fun for kids.”

And he sees it as an essential corrective to an excessive emphasis on academic success.

“The traditional ‘education’ culture in China (and everywhere else, for that matter) is mostly about taking tests, to get into good schools. It has virtually nothing to do with teaching useful life skills. The idea of teaching something that is going to be meaningful to THAT student is rarely part of the teachers’ thought process – due to the school’s system and the parental pressure.”

The Kickstarter ends on December 14, so there’s still time to join in the adventure. Find out more at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471307710/educating-kids-to-lead-a-life-fulfilled.

Photos: courtesy of Sam Goodman

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Holiday Markets

Couleurs de Chine Bazaar, Nov 20
The Couleurs de Chine Bazaar puts a French twist on Christmas shopping. Join them at the Institut Francais de Pekin on November 20th and help support Couleurs de Chine’s charitable mission. All ages. Free admission. 9am-3pm. Institut Francais.

BSB Shunyi Christmas Fayre & German Market, Nov 24
Enjoy the sights and flavors of a traditional German Christmas market at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. Watch out for the highlights of their annual Christmas Fayre: a concert from BSB choirs and orchestras, the lighting of the tree that will definitely have you singing along to the holiday music, and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. All ages. Free admission. 4-8pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi.

MCF Christmas Bazaar, Nov 24
The Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) once again holds their annual Christmas Bazaar at Beijing City International School. Feel extra good when you stock up your bags with holiday goods, because the bazaar is also a fundraiser, aiming to help MCF send migrant children for a much-needed medical checkup. Last year’s event raised money for the checkup of as many as 60 kids! All ages. Free admission. 10am-2.30pm. Beijing City International School Main Campus.

WAB Winter Charity Bazaar, Nov 24
Considering a winter fiesta? Then head to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) for their Winter Charity Bazaar, which ushers everyone into the festive winter season, complete with a fair full of handcrafted goods and gifts from dozens of local vendors and non-profit organizations, holiday food and drinks from around the world, and entertainment throughout the day. All ages. 11am-3pm. Western Academy of Beijing.

Riviera Christmas Market, Nov 25
Come out to Beijing Riviera Country Club in Shunyi exactly a month before Christmas for a market where you can have a sip of hot mulled wine, get authentic holiday food, and enjoy special offers on Christmas gifts sales from many vendors from Beijing. All ages. Free admission. 10am-6pm. Beijing Riviera Country Club.

Cafe Zarah’s “My Christmas Cookie for You” Cooking Baking Party, Nov 25
Grab your cookie cutters and come to Cafe Zarah to craft cookies for you and the kids supported by the Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) as a Christmas gift. Part of the participation fee (RMB 250 per person, RMB 150 for kids 6-11, free for kids below 6), goes to MCF for their initiatives for migrant kids. All ages. The fee includes ingredients for cookie baking, Christmas dinner buffet, one drink, and an MCF apron. 5pm. Cafe Zarah. (RSVP: 8403 9807, info@cafezarah.com)

More Events

Introduction to Chinese Dinosaurs, Nov 20
This event for school teachers will help them teach their class about Chinese dinosaurs. Taught by Dr. Corwin Sullivan, an associate professor at the University of Alberta, this exhibition includes a guided English-language tour of the museum exhibits and information on new museum programs for K-12 students. School teachers. RSVP by Nov 19. 6-8pm. Paleozoological Museum. (info@chinacultureplus.cn)

INN Sanlitun Coffee Morning, Nov 20
Join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for their last Sanlitun Coffee Morning this year at The Bookworm. Wind down for the upcoming holidays while relaxing and spending a great time with new friends. Adults. 10am-noon. The Bookworm.

Sustainable Talk: “Saving the Planet is an Art”, Nov 20
In this talk, artist Catherine Sarah Young speculates on alternative futures and human behavior through her ongoing works that explore climate change and sustainability, and science and society. Catherine will also speak about her participation in Plan International Residency, supported by the International Climate Initiative; Institute for Future in Palo Alto; ETH Zurich Future Cities Laboratory in Singapore and many more. Adults. RMB 50 (buy tickets here). 7.30pm. Crossboundaries Office Sanlitun.

MSB Open House, Nov 22
The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) will be hosting its first Open House of the year next week. Parents will have the opportunity to know more about the school curriculum and their English and Dual Language Programmes. There will be a brief information session on the extensive academic curriculum and programs as well as the expansion plans. All ages. RSVP required. 9-11am or 1-3pm. The International Montessori School of Beijing. (admissions@msb.edu.cn)

Painting Beijing Opera Masks (Hua Lian Pu), Nov 24
The International Language & Culture Center (LCC) offers a Chinese course on painting Beijing opera masks, which is a national art in China. Learn how to paint a Beijing opera mask while delving into its rich history. All ages. RMB 168 (includes all materials). 2.30-4.30pm. Beijing Guangming Building. (WeChat ID: LCS13031077791)

Environmental Week Artwork Show at Ivy Bilingual School, Nov 23
Ivy Bilingual School Ocean Express Campus holds an artwork show on November 23, which showcases students’ creativity in turning waste materials into something valuable. All ages. Free but registration needed. 2-4pm. Ivy Bilingual School Ocean Express Campus. (8446 7286, wenwen.gao@ivyschools.com)

Craft for Charity, every Wed and Fri until Dec 7
Join The SLab crew at the Palette Bakery for this free craft session where volunteers are invited to drop-in crafting sessions twice a week as they prepare items to sell at holiday markets around Beijing. Materials and instruction are provided by The SLab. All proceeds benefit the Migrant Children’s Foundation. All ages. 10am-noon. Palette Bakery. (WeChat ID: Elizaj)

Photos: Courtesy of BSB Shunyi (featured photo) and event organizers.

New Principal Appointed to Lead BSB, Sanlitun
The British School of Beijing (BSB) Sanlitun, a Nord Anglia Education school, has a new principal. John Brett started on August 20, at the beginning of the new academic year.

3e New Head of School Announcement
3e International School announces Gary Bradshaw as the new Head of School. Bradshaw brings to 3e his vast experience as a teacher and educational leader for over 25 years, with 16 years spent within international education and the last 11 years spent in China.

MSB Welcomes New Principal
The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) welcomed Rufus Samkin as its new principal. A British native, Samkin has lived and worked in Europe, the US, and Africa. He brings with him 20 years of teaching experience, having held various roles as principal, assistant principal, superintendent, and CEO in the US.

ISB Campus to Get Better with New Facilities
Construction is underway on new facilities at the International School of Beijing (ISB), strengthening the school in academics and co-curricular activities. The project includes new arts and theater centers, plus remodels of the Early Years Learning Center and MS/HS Design Center. These innovative learning spaces will open from August 2019.

YCIS Beijing Welcomes New Western Co-Principal
Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Beijing welcomes Dr. Timothy Gray as their new co-principal. Dr. Gray’s career in international education spans 30 years and four principalships. He was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for Services to British Education Overseas in 1999.

Daystar Academy Authorized as an IB MYP School
Daystar Academy announces Daystar Beigao Middle School’s authorization from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization, as an IB World School offering Middle Years Programme (MYP).

Photos: Courtesy of featured schools
This article appeared on p57 of the beijingkids September 2018 Teen Takeover issue

House of Knowledge Community Yard Sale
Both the Shunyi and Chaoyang Park campuses and members of the House of Knowledge Schools and Kindergartens (HoK) community gathered on May 19 at the Community Yard Sale where many stallholders manned their tables of a variety of items for sale. The amount raised for charity across both campuses reached RMB 4,791 in four hours and it will be used for the medical needs of a child beneficiary, who urgently needs a bone marrow transplant.

Harrow Beijing Hosts ‘Careers in Business and Finance’ Seminar
Harrow Beijing hosted a career seminar for Year 9 and Year 10 students on May 25. Nine experts from the business and finance industries shared their experience of working for leading multinational companies and setting up their own successful businesses.

First Etonkids International Arts Festival at the Great Hall of the People
On the occasion of the 28th National Day of Disabled Persons and the International Children’s Day on June 1, 300 children from Etonkids and disabled children came on stage to show off their passion for art and extraordinary artistic talent.

MSB Grade 6 Graduation
It was an exciting day for Grade 6 students of The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) as they officially graduate and enter middle school. Each student proudly presented their special speeches to the audience and commented on their time at MSB.

BSB Students presenting at UN Forum in New York
Edward and Deborah, two students from The British School of Beijing, Shunyi will be attending the UN High-Level Political Forum at UN Headquarters, New York. They will present how BSB students have worked with local communities to create solutions for SDG issues.

First Place and Best Game Strategy Award for DCB Robots
Five of Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Year 10 STEM students competed in the Botball China Regional Competition. Their team ‘Cuboid’ was the only international school team amidst 30 others from different parts of China. Their enthusiasm has won them a First Place award as well as a special category award for Best Game Strategy!

YCIS Beijing Appoints New Western Co-Principal
Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) has appointed Dr. Timothy Gray, MBE as its new Western Co-Principal. Dr Gray’s career in international education spans over 30 years and four principalships. He was awarded an MBE for Services to British Education Overseas in 1999. YCIS Beijing is looking forward to welcoming him in August.

WAB Welcomes New Director
Western Academy of Beijing (WAB)’s new Director Marta Medved-Krajnovic and her family are joining WAB from Stockholm International School. Marta’s leadership, passion, and experience will build on the school’s outstanding work.

Photos: courtesy of featured schools

How many times have we made our mommies swoon over the cards, portraits, and other crafts we’ve created to show how much we love them? In this month’s Maker’s Corner, we go back to basics, because we know moms love everything made by their kids. We invited a dad-son duo from The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB), who gave us a simple yet meaningful project: a gift card with flowers!

Dad Janusz Jaskulski and his 5-year-old son Jakub told us about how easy it is for other kids to finish the project. In fact, it took only 20 minutes to do everything.

When asked what his previous presents to his mom Karolina were, Jakub told us he has given her treasure boxes, portraits, and cards. So this project is basically a combination of everything, as the flowers can have anything from photos to drawings to small messages like “I love you mom” and “You’re the best mom!” We’re very excited about what Jakub will write in the flowers once he gives this card to mommy!

Materials
Colored paper, bottle caps of different sizes, a pair of scissors, glue

Step 1
Use bottle caps to draw circles of different sizes on colored pieces of paper. While the child is tracing circles, dad can start cutting the finished circles and also thin rectangles.

Step 2
Glue a small circle onto a bigger circle. These will be the petals for your flowers. Paste them onto the thin rectangles, or the stalk of the flower.

Step 3
From the remaining cutouts, fold a piece of paper that will resemble a flowerpot. Then paste that onto the top of a piece of paper folded into a card.

Step 4
Put the finished flower cuttings inside the pot. Make more flowers of different colors and lengths.

Step 5
Your card is ready! But ask daddy to help you draw the most beautiful image of mommy.

Photos: Lens Studio
This article appeared on p30-31 of beijingkids May 2018 issue

Do you have an upcoming Mother’s Day event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids! Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below. You can also email us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com or follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids). You can also join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR Code. 

Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our event page.

Mother’s Day Celebrations

Family Workshop: Make the Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day, May 13
All ages. Atelier presents a family workshop to celebrate Mother’s Day: how to make handmade hairpins/sticks on May 13. The workshop is designed for one adult and one child. It will be a well-spent Sunday afternoon with art and Fablab teachers helping you to design your trendy mom a nice piece of jewelry/hair decoration with love. RMB 400 for 1 camp. 2-4.30pm. Atelier Sanlitun (WeChat ID atelier_apas).

Jewelry Workshop with Suzhou Embroidery, May 13
All ages. Just in time to create something for Mother’s Day or for yourself, come to The Local on May 13 to create your own brooch or bracelet with Suzhou Embroidery. Use handmade Suzhou embroidery techniques and beading to find your awesome inspiration. Classes are bilingual, all materials are included, but you’re invited to bring any old jewelry pieces that you may be able to incorporate into your design. RMB 358 (RMB 298 for early birds). 11am-5pm. The Local (158 1071 3743, mr_j.c.zhang@hotmail.com).

Treat Mom to a Fresh Air Break in Mutianyu!, May 13
Ages 10+. The Brickyard knows how to treat mothers! Come out to the fresh air at Mutianyu and enjoy the flower-filled Brickyard garden, complete with champagne, roses, live jazz, elegant buffet, activities for the kids. Contact The Brickyard for prices. Starts 11am. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall. (6162 6506)

Mother’s Day High Tea Celebration, May 13
Adults. Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast. Nothing tells your mom she’s wonderful like a special afternoon tea. The dress code for the event is smart casual, and ladies should wear dresses and hats. RMB 280. 3-6 pm. Beijing Marriott Hotel Northeast (151 0151 7496).  

Mother’s Week Buffet at SwissôTel Beijing, May 7-11
All ages. During Mother’s Week, all mothers can enjoy 50 percent discount on daily buffets at Café Swiss as they provide you various authentic Swiss cuisines, such as Swiss sausage with potato, Raclette cheese, veal in Zurich Style. RMB 124 (lunch), RMB 149 (dinner). 11.30am -9.30pm. Swissotel Beijing (6553 2288).

A Mother’s Day Takeover at FEAST, May 13

All ages. This Mother’s Day don’t miss out on this one of a kind kitchen takeover at FEAST. The chef’s will be handing over their cleavers to their moms so that they may cook up some of their favorite recipes for all to enjoy. There will also be plenty of complementary fresh flowers, a special rose infused beer, and lots of games for the little ones. RMB 398. 11.30am-3pm. East Hotel (8414 9820)

Mother’s Day at Park Hyatt Beijing, until May 20
All ages. Give your mother a break in the kitchen and indulge her with a relaxing meal in China Grill or The Lounge where special dishes will be available on the menu. L66, China Grill (until May 13), L63, The Lounge (May 13-20) Noon-10pm. Park Hyatt Beijing. (8567 1098, 8567 1795)

This Week’s Spring Fairs

For a list of upcoming similar activities, visit Your Spring Fair Calendar: Celebrate the Season of Blossom and Sunshine at These Schools. 

Obido Book Fair at BSB Shunyi, May 7-11
All ages. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned book fair to ignite a passion for reading. The Obido Book Fair is coming to The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB, Shunyi). Drop by to select books for all ages in both English and Chinese. Free. 8am-5pm. BSB Shunyi (8047 3588; marketing@bsbshunyi.com).

YCIS Beijing Global Community Day 2018, May 12
All ages. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) invites everyone to their 10th annual Global Community Day. This year marks Yew Chung Education Foundation’s 85th anniversary with Global Community Day celebrating the foundation’s history and diverse community. The event features delicious food, performances, games, creative activities, art demonstrations, and much more, with all proceeds donated to charity. Free. 10am-3pm. Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8585 1857, jessica.franklin@bj.ycef.com).

Dulwich College Beijing Founder’s Day, May 12
All ages. Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Founder’s Day 2018 is a celebration of who they are as a community and everything they value as a school. It is DCB’s biggest community event of the year with highlights like family-friendly activities, international food stalls, and live musical entertainment on the main stage. Everybody is welcome to join. Free. 3-9pm. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9000, admissions@dulwich-beijing.cn).

3e Charity Community Day, May 12
All ages. 3e International School and Roundabout welcome everyone to the annual 3e Charity Community Day. Come to find bargain treasures and entertain the family with games and activities!  Families are invited to sell well maintained second-hand goods: toys, books, and other household items. Families and vendors can book a table for RMB 100 (the fee will be donated to Roundabout). Browse hundreds of books on sale at the Roundabout Book Fair section. Families can also bring along unwanted items to donate directly to Roundabout. Free. 10am-noon. 3e International School (6437 3344, community@3einternationalschool.org).

The Beijing Flea Market, May 12
Check out the Beijing Flea Market’s triumphant return. This time it will be popping up at the TechTemple in Sanlitun. The market will be bursting with vendors and unique treasures galore. With the usual commitment to locally-made food, drinks, crafts, indie design products, and art,  you’re guaranteed to leave with bags of goodies, a full stomach, and refreshed from a from a variety of fun refreshments. Free. Noon-6pm. TechTemple.

More Upcoming Events

Sleeping on the Great Wall, May 12-13
Ages 6+. Chinese Culture Center offers everyone two memorable experiences on the Great Wall. The early morning hike along the Great Wall on top of the mountain range gives you breathtaking views in relative isolation, while spending the night just by the Great Wall under the evening stars. RMB 1,200 (RMB 950 for children aged 6-11). Chinese Culture Center (6432 9341).

Yoga Workshop: Healing the Lower Back, May 13
Adults. Many people who suffer chronic lower-back pain invest a lot of money and time pursuing the magical cure, but are often disappointed by the lack of results. To fundamentally address back issues, one must first understand the human body and use and care for it properly. Join Snow for this bilingual workshop and heal your lower back. RMB 450. Visit the website for more information or to register. Yoga Yard. 

Photos: Freestocks.org via Pexels; courtesy of all featured event organizers