Two primary schools in Xicheng and Fengtai District have suspended in-person classes due to fever outbreaks – but it seems norovirus and H1N1 are to blame, not a new Covid-19 outbreak.

According to several education-related WeChat accounts, at least two schools in Beijing have sent notices to parents that fever outbreaks have occurred, but instead of closing down schools and moving online (as had happened at multiple points during the Covid-19 outbreak), only those classes with multiple ill students have been temporarily shut.

Concurrently, other schools have been warning of outbreaks of norovirus and H1N1, and according to The Global Times, a similar fever outbreak in a Shanghai school has been definitively traced to H1N1.

Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea that often spreads easily in schools. H1N1 is a type of influenza virus that can cause respiratory illness, and also transmits easily in schools.

What’s interesting is that Covid-19 has not been mentioned as a factor in any of the outbreaks, and neither has it been ruled out – as one might have expected there to be during Covid-Zero. This by and large is a sign that Beijing has stepped out of the shadows of the Covid days when entire schools would go online at a moment’s notice when one student tested positive.

It was reported that one Fengtai public primary school had five students from one class that contracted a fever. In addition, three students from a neighboring classroom that shared a bathroom also fell ill. According to the provisions of infectious disease prevention and control, this warranted the temporary suspension of these two classes. The students are asked were self-monitor at home for four days.

With masks now optional at many schools, the one thing parents are likely to need to adjust to is more frequent transmission of viruses that were for the past three years slowed down by near-universal mask-wearing in Beijing’s classrooms.

Images: Pexels

Despite rumors to the contrary, English language learning will remain a critical component of the local education system, the Ministry of Education reiterated earlier this week.

The comments came in a response the Ministry of Education gave to suggestions that Chinese culture should be a larger part of the national curriculum. This is indeed underway, but it will not come at the cost of foreign language learning, the ministry said.

“Foreign language is an important part of students’ all-round development, which helps to cultivate and develop students’ language ability, cultural awareness, thinking quality, learning ability and other core qualities, and cultivate students’ Chinese feelings, international vision and cross-cultural communication ability,” the ministry stated.

According to the ministry, foreign language learning – which in most cases is English –has historically accounted for 6% to 8% of classroom time, and will remain so into the future.

This percentage is significantly lower than that of Chinese (20-22%), Mathematics (13-15%), Physical Education & Health (10-11%), the ministry pointed out.

The ministry suggests that while “it is necessary to study English, it is not necessary to spend too much time on it. Pay less attention to high scores on English tests but focus more on using English for use in daily life — such as dialogue and conversation.”

As for each subject’s value in the highly-regarded local collage examinations, better known as 高考 (gāo kǎo), all subjects including English would carry the same weight as before.

English learning remains a hot-button issue, with some advocating a de-emphasis on learning a foreign tongue, while others advocating it remaining the same or even strengthening it.

One parent commented that time spent on teaching English should, in fact, be increased, as local schools do not provide an immersive English environment for kids to pick up the language.

While foreign language will remain as is, the ministry said that plans are afoot to increase time spent on teaching Chinese traditional culture such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, in order to allow children to “connect with Chinese culture and increase cultural pride and confidence”. It was also recommended that elements of Chinese traditional culture be included in the college entrance examination. This suggestion was met with largely positive feedback and agreement by local parents.

KEEP READING: Our Picks for Upcoming Education Events

Images: Pexels

Good news! All the efforts in the recent Covid restrictions are finally beginning to pay off! During the press conference on May 28 the city announced that starting today (May 29) many of Beijing’s residents will start to feel a sense of normalcy once again.

First and foremost, most of the Didi, taxi and public transportation limitations in Shunyi, Fangshan and parts of southern Chaoyang and Changping have been lifted. Fifty subway stations however remain closed — refer to this map for details.

50 subway stations have reopened this morning but many remain closed, here’s a map:

Additionally, starting today (May 29) all parks and outdoor tourist destinations can resume operations at 50% capacity.

However, tourist destinations have been advised to adhere to the “limited, served, and staggered admittance” to reduce the number of visitors at one given time and ask visitors to book online in advance. It’s highly recommended to call ahead to find out what regulations the venue you’re hoping is following.

Those in Fangshan and Shunyi districts can go back to work (100%) while Chaoyang and Tongzhou districts can begin to allow people to go back to work, but not all at once. The specific plan for these two districts was not mentioned during the press conference.

As of yesterday, there’s still no news as to when restaurants can resume indoor dining or when schools will be allowed to resume.

The city also announced an opening plan for much of the city’s other facilities: Any district that has gone seven days without a community transmission (“in the wild” case) can reopen its movie theatres, libraries, art galleries, cultural and sports centers, museums, theaters, and gyms at 50% capacity. (The exception to this rule is any venue located in basements, are still required to remain closed for the time being).

Hotels, B&Bs, and homestays in Mentougou, Pinggu, Huairou, Miyun, Yanqing will be allowed to resume operations starting today (May 29).

As recommended in the Safe & Sane groups, people should expect openings to be subject to interpretation, often these sorts of things can take a while to percolate through the city. It’s also worth noting that the rules to change at any time. We highly recommend you call ahead before visiting any venues.

The next question on everybody’s mind is: do I need to get tested?

It’s a little bit of a difficult question to answer, but these is our suggested guidelines：

Testing checklist:

1. Is there a general order for the city to get a test?
2. Is there a general order for the district you are in to get a test?
3. Does your community require testing?
4. Does your employer require testing?
5. Does your child’s school require testing?
6. Does your occupation require testing?

If the answer to any of the above is “yes”, follow their lead and get tested as they request.

If the answer to all of the above is “no”, then you do not need to get tested UNLESS you need access to a gated venue.

If you need access to a gated venue, you will need a test no older than 48 hours. You may test at any time, as long as you can find an open testing center.

If you are still not sure, just go get tested every day or every other day until someone tells you otherwise.

To keep yourself informed and sane through the latest Covid panic, make sure you’re getting your information from reliable sources. True Run Media’s founder, Mike Wester, started the first Safe & Sane WeChat group back in 2020, and since then the Safe & Sane network has been helping the Beijing English-speaking community do just that – stay safe and sane.

There’s reliable updated information on the latest Covid regulations in Beijing, and you’ll be able to ask Covid-related questions of other members of the group.

Scan the QR code below to join a Safe & Sane group.

If this group gets full, just add TBJButler on WeChat and request to be added to one of the Safe & Sane groups.

Images: Michael Wester, Pexels

Life in Beijing is never dull if you know where to look. Here’s what you might have missed this week. Click on the headlines to read the full article.

International School of Beijing’s (ISB) student film, I’m Thinking of Changing Things, wins Best Acting award!

Students were given just 48 hours to produce short films for Clash of the Titans (COTT), a film festival involving 10 international schools from around the world with developed film programs.

International Package Policy Changes

As of Mar 21, delivery companies are stepping up inspections of international mail and packages, with orders to disinfect and withhold the parcels for a week before delivery. Local couriers such as SF Express and ZTO Express have confirmed that there will be delays of approximately six to seven days for international parcels. There have also been reports of suspended deliveries from cities such as Hong Kong and Shanghai at the time of writing.

GlobalMoms Initiative (GMI) is Looking for Volunteers

GlobalMoms Initiative (GMI) is a decentralized nonprofit organization that supports every mom in her pursuit to “be yourself.” This network is run by volunteers all over the world.

According to founder Jane Li, “Right now we’re in urgent need of volunteers, so we will hold an online Q&A session with potential volunteers through Tencent Meeting Room in early April. For whoever is interested to join the session, please kindly add me (WeChat ID: iamhyxljfamily) or GMI Global Partnership and Program Director Ms. Mari (WeChat ID:mariamski), or send emails to us through info@globalmomsinitiative.com.”

Birthday Cakes That Have Been Kid Tested and Approved

Curious where to find Beijing’s finest birthday cakes made by some talented bakers in our very own expat community? Look no further! Whatever the theme of your kids’ party, and whether they want a dinosaur or princess cake, these creative pastry chefs have got you covered.

New Exhibition, ‘Alice Curiouser & Curiouser’ Takes Visitors Down the Rabbit Hole

There’s a new Alice in Wonderland exhibition from the recently opened museum, U2, that sits at the entrance of a brand new restaurant, making it perfect for date nights and relaxing afternoons.

U2 is UCCA’s latest creation and this interactive exhibition takes visitors through the history of Alice in Wonderland, with plenty of immersive exhibitions providing awesome photos and a cool video souvenir.

The Ultimate Campsite List

Spring is here and for those who like to spend time outdoors, this list of campsites that are within the city limits will surely come in handy over the next few months.

KEEP READING: Last Chance To Win an Easter Brunch at Universal Grand Hotel!

Images: Pexels

Multiple schools in Dongcheng district are closed as of today in reaction to Beijing’s recent Covid-19 outbreak which is concentrated in the district, Beijing News Radio reports.

Beijing No. 55 High School International Students Section, as well as public schools including Fangjia Hutong Primary, Fuxue Primary, and Huiwen Secondary School, issued a last-minute notice to parents last night indicating that classes will be moved online as of today.

Beijing News Radio reported that parents were contacted by their children’s teachers informing them to stay home for at least a week and to get nucleic acid tests as soon as possible.

Some indicated that the shutdown of in-person classes could last just a week, while others said to make preparations for online classes.

The decision was announced following another positive case in a Dongcheng District school, where a Grade 4 student at Branch Hall Primary School tested positive.

This is the second school in the district to have reported a positive case. Dongcheng’s Ping Li 4th Primary School reported seven infections amongst its students last week. As of yesterday, 275 students and teachers from seven of the school’s classes have been placed under quarantine. According to Beijing News Radio, each of the students are accompanied by one parent or guardian.

Currently, there are no signs that schools outside limited areas of Dongcheng are planning to go online, but the situation could change if more infections are found.

However, many schools across Beijing have been told to conduct Covid testing once a week. Schools can have their own testing plans to accommodate the size of their student and faculty but must ensure that everyone will be tested at least once a week.

Images: Pexels

Is kneeling down before your parents a sign of respect or shame?

Recently, a photo of a woman demanding that her 7-year-old kneel in front of her on a crowded subway of Beijing’s Line 7 went viral. Seemingly without guilt or embarrassment, the lady pinched her child’s face so forcefully that even his mask fell off. She then dropped her son’s school bag on the ground and demanded that he kneel before her for nearly the length of an entire station.

One commuter attempted to intervene but quickly gave up on the idea when the woman angrily told her to mind her own business. “I can do whatever I want with my kids!” the woman said.

In Chinese culture, “kneeling down” has traditionally been a way of showing respect to elders, however, such an act has drawn opposing views among netizens who see the practice as nothing more than a way for parents to manipulate their kids into submission.

“I have no idea what the boy has done, but kids today have big egos. It just doesn’t feel right to order your kids to kneel down in public,” said one commenter. “Why do parents even do such things to their own kids? They are individuals who have their own train of thoughts. Parents should not treat children like they are their own properties,” another said.

Some people are worried that such behavior might negatively impact a child’s early development. “It might take an entire life for children to get over the humiliation and shame they experienced. Some kids are confident, while others are insecure, and it really has a lot to do with the way they were raised when they were little,” argued one netizen.

“Every kid is different. As parents, I feel like we need to treat them as individuals to help them reach their full potential. Some kids might be ok with parents being a little strict with them, while others might not. The bottom line is not to physically abuse your child!” says Michael Gao, a Beijing dad with an 8-year-old.

In China, physical punishment had long been viewed as an acceptable way for parents to force their kids to behave. It stems from a mentality held by older generations that believes kids will be “spoiled if you spare the rod.” But in modern society, such behavior is increasingly frowned upon and many are beginning to criticize the harm it may inflict on kids. In fact, China even launched a new family law earlier this year that focuses on guiding people to become better parents. In short, many forms of child abuse are now forbidden and the judiciary can intervene if parents fail to comply.

However, there are still those who believe that parents shouldn’t feel guilty about lighter punishments. “I have spanked my kid before when they act out occasionally. I don’t think there is anything wrong as long as it’s a gentle swat and not physical violence,” one said.

Another Beijing parent, Marie Wirsing tells Jingkids, “I would occasionally yell at my kid. But ordering your kid to kneel down is a behavior that will cause irreversible damage to their development. It seems like the kid is already used to it, and I can only imagine how much efforts it will take for the kid to erase such bad memories.”

The question remains though: Is physical punishment the most effective way to change a child’s unwanted behavior? To what extent should parents punish their children without damaging their dignity? Let us know in the comments.

KEEP READING: His/Her Cheating Might Be the Least of Your Worries

Images: Irene Li

I just discovered something life-changing! That’s an exaggeration, I just discovered something super convenient that will save me money, and I thought I would share. If you are anything like me the warmer days of Spring make biking to work a much more enjoyable alternative to jam-packed subway cars. I recently found out that rather than paying per ride there is an option to purchase unlimited passes from Alipay’s Hello Bike. Or as I always refer to them, “the blue ones”.

Currently, a 30-day unlimited pass will run you RMB 13.50, 90 days RMB 37.97, and if you are willing to make a rolling commitment a mere RMB 10.50 for the first month (but the price is introductory and goes up after that).

On average I spend RMB 6 per day on my bike commute so the 90 day pass day rate of RMB 0.42 was a no-brainer. Here’s how I downloaded my pass and how you can too!

Step 1: Go into your Alipay app and click on the Hellobike icon

Step 2: Click on the wallet icon

Step 3: Choose your pass by clicking on its corresponding button

Step 4: At this point it may prompt you to download the separate Hellobike app. If you don’t already have it download it. Click the blue button to continue.

Step 5: Select how you would like to pay

Step 6: Go into the Hellobike app and click the wallet icon at the bottom. It should show your purchased pass.

Step 7: Go ride a bike!

KEEP READING: WATCH | How to Call Every Ride Hailing App All At Once

Photo: Unsplash and Julie Wolf (screen shot of Alipay app)

It’s hard being an expat parent. Helping your child adjust to a new environment, school, friends, food etc is a hefty task under the best circumstances, but being an expat with a differently-abled child offers some unique challenges.

The same is true of expat teachers. Navigating the social customs in a foreign school, designing a new curriculum, and figuring out how to function in your own day to day life while still providing the best possible resources to your students and families takes on an entirely new layer when you know one of your students requires extra attention and support.

These are not complaints. Parents and teachers do what they do out of love and a desire to give all of our children the best possible life and education. But everyone needs a little help once in a while. That is where SENIA can be an invaluable resource to anyone working with children.

SENIA stands for Special Education Network and Inclusion Association. It is a nonprofit global network of educators, professionals, and parents on a mission to advocate, support, and provide resources to differently-abled individuals. There are more than 25 chapters around the world including one here in Beijing. They provide, newsletters, specialist listings, events, and networking opportunities as well as an active WeChat group to offer support and information. You can find them on we chat under the group name SENIA-Beijing!

Their upcoming conference promises to be an exciting and educational event. It kicks off on April 22^nd with a special screening and discussion of The Kids We Lose with the official conference beginning on April 23^rd from 9:00-16:15. Parents and educators can attend virtually or in person at the Harrow School. There is no fee for the event but attendees are encouraged to make a donation to help support the programs.

The full conference schedule is also on their website and you can easily register at the QR code above.

In other SENIA news they are currently expanding their award and scholarship programs. If you know of a worthy individual you can nominate them for the World Changer award for individuals in the community that make a difference in the area of inclusiveness and a Student Award that provides a scholarship for a differently-abled student on their website. https://www.seniainternational.org/beijing/

KEEP READING: The Kids With The Designer Genes – It’s World Down Syndrome Day

Photos: Seniainternational.org/beijing

Thursday we did a short biography of Chen Shu who helped create an iconic traditional Chinese art form, and today we want to feature a modern Chinese artist who just might change art history again.

Mier Tang is a force of nature. She is young, ambitious, and looks to advance Chinese animation to give it the global recognition it deserves.

A graduate of The Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University here in Beijing, and the prestigious Academy of Art University in San Francisco, she holds both a BFA and MFA, has worked for multiple international publishing houses, created and produced countless animation projects, started Floating World Animation in 2015 and is now giving back by helping to educate and inspire the next generation of Chinese animators.

Her business partner Dalton Grant told us “[Tang] is pretty innovative because she has a different way of thinking about the markets. She intrinsically knows how to identify flaws in logic while having a passion for finding solutions…Her ability to remain flexible makes her an awesome partner in an ever-changing market, in the Chinese animation community and the international world of animation in general.”

Despite being young they have garnered several awards for their work including such high-profile festivals as The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival and EXPOTOONS International Animation Festival. And they have already signed a deal with Tencent for upcoming projects.

I sat down with this modern artist and businesswoman to find out what’s new and what’s next in the world of animation.

Jingkids (JK): Everyone’s passion gets ignited somewhere. What got you interested in Animation?

Mier Tang (MT): I started to get really interested when I was in college. There was “The Art of the Film” as an elective course that really sparked my interest. My college major was Visual Design, but I was more towards graphic design. Out of all the classes in school, my favorite was “film and illustration”.

In the last two years of college, I started some freelance work as an illustrator for magazines, publishing houses, and advertising companies where I got to use visual imagery to tell stories in different ways. And my boyfriend at the time is one of the most talented concept artists I’ve met. He was recommended for post-graduate work in Animation but his teachers had never worked on animation productions before, so he pretty much taught himself through school and I was learning with him at the same time.

JK: So basically, you two had to self-teach even at the college level? That’s amazing. Is that part of why you are starting on this new project to help educate the next generation of animators?

MT: Yes! The industry changes so fast. It’s hard for students to have access to the most recent technology and techniques. We are working with college students to give them internships and practical hands-on experience learning from current artists and filmmakers, so they can have the most recent industry knowledge, access to the newest technology, and build their resumes before they even enter the workforce.

We are hoping to expand programs to middle and high school students soon with a focus on basic animation and storytelling skills.     

JK: Speaking of being a kid, what did you watch growing up and what kind of content do you want to create for modern children and families now?

MT: We didn’t have a lot of Chinese animation options when I grew up. Most were foreign shows like Transformers, Tom and Jerry, The Smurfs, Lulu. But there are a couple of Chinese animation shows like Black Cat Sheriff.

The content we want to create for kids needs to be fun and inspirational. We want it to deal with things like problem-solving, open-mindedness, and creativity.

JK: You certainly have the talent pool to do that. You have an international team of incredibly well-respected animators, directors, and writers so you could have chosen anywhere in the world as home base. Why set up your studio in China?

MT: That was actually part of my intention when I went to the US for my master’s degree. My college was a top art school in China, there were many talented artists around me, but the Chinese animation industry was in a very chaotic stage; there are big blank spaces in Chinese animation. It started in the 1920s, there was great animation created in the 1940s and the 70s/80s but after the 1990s there weren’t any animated movies or TV shows that stand out. I didn’t understand why all these great talents were here but weren’t producing good projects. So, I want to use what I learned from the US and help Chinese animation to grow. The Chinese market has grown so fast and has huge needs in the entertainment industry. There are good opportunities to build something we believe in in this market.

JK: What do you see as the future of animation? What is next for this art form?

MT: Technology is rapidly developing; Creating Animation could be easier in the future. Right now animation production is very expensive and time-consuming and a big team effort. But in the future, there could be some tools people can easily use to tell their stories in an animation format. No need for big production budgets or lifetime training.

We are currently developing an idea that can use AI technology to simplify some of the processes. This is just a very early-stage idea, I can’t get into a lot of detail at the moment, but we are excited about that. It’s going to require some innovative tech people to pull it off.

KEEP READING: Not “Just Playing”: Your Child’s Brain On Creative Arts

Images: Mier Tang