Working in a school like SAIS, it can sometimes feel like there is always ‘something’ going on: R U OK? Week, Reading Carnival, Halloween, International Cultures Days... Every time we commit to these events, we are investing the time and efforts of our staff and students. As we come away from our joyful Halloween celebrations and see our next school event, the Terry Fox Run, approaching on the horizon, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the vital role these events play in our schools and communities.

在SAIS这样的学校工作，总是会感觉到有“活动”在进行中：Are you OK?阅读嘉年华、万圣节、国际文化日……我们组织了各种各样的活动，每次都投入了大量的时间和精力。当我们还在回想快乐的万圣节庆祝活动时，下一个学校活动又即将来临——泰瑞福克斯义跑活动。这些活动在我们学校和社区中都发挥了哪些重要作用呢？值得我们认真思考反思下。

1. Student Leadership

Our student council, under the leadership of Samantha (teacher leader) and Sara (student council president), plays a crucial role in our school community. Every time we see our wonderful events running smoothly, it is thanks to their efforts and preparation. For Halloween, for example, the student council designed a book scavenger hunt throughout the school, including clues, puzzles, and treats.

Leadership is one of the core values that our school promotes. It can be easy to establish a student council as little more than a vanity project—good for college applications but with no real responsibility. School events are one of many ways we can hand leadership over to our students, allowing them to build their leadership, critical thinking, and organizational skills in the real world.

学生领导力培养：我们的学生会在老师萨曼莎和学生会会长萨拉的领导下，在学校社区中扮演着至关重要的角色。每当我们看到精彩的活动顺利进行时，这都是他们的努力和准备的结果。例如，在万圣节期间，学生会设计了一场书籍寻宝游戏，包括线索、谜题和奖励。

领导力是我们学校推广的核心价值之一。大家经常会认为，学生会的设置就是一个虚荣项目——对大学申请有好处，但没有真正的责任。学校活动是我们把领导权交给学生的重要方式之一，让他们在现实世界中建立领导力、批判性思维和组织能力。

2. Fostering School Community

Creating a strong sense of community within our school is essential for student well-being and conducive to effective learning. Our R U OK? Board exemplifies this initiative, where students can create and share "R U OK?" advice player cards. This interactive board not only encourages students to support one another but also fosters a culture of care and empathy. Events like R U OK? Week promote a sense of belonging, which is crucial for our students’ mental health. When students feel connected to their peers and school, they are more engaged and motivated to learn.

营造学生归属感： 在我们的学校内营造一种强烈的归属意识，对学生的发展至关重要，并且有利于高效的学习。我们学校的活动“Are you OK？”公告板就是这一倡议的例子，学生们可以编写和分享“你还好吗？”建议卡。这个互动公告板不仅鼓励学生们互相支持，还培养了关心和有爱的文化。像“你还好吗？”这样的活动促进了归属感，这对我们学生的心理健康至关重要。当学生感到与同龄人和学校紧密联系时，他们会更加投入和积极学习。

3. Engaging Parents

Education is not just a partnership between the school and the student; it involves cooperation between home, school, and the child. Our events provide an excellent opportunity to bring parents closer into our school community, giving them a window into the joyful atmosphere at SAIS. Our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), led by Sophia, is vital in this regard. Without her dedication and hard work, events like the Reading Carnival and our community garden would have been impossible. These gatherings not only foster connections between parents and teachers but also help parents understand and appreciate the educational experiences their children are having.

家长参与其中： 教育不仅是学校与学生之间的合作；它涉及家庭、学校和孩子之间的协作。我们的活动为家长提供了一个与学校社区更紧密联系的绝佳机会，让他们能够感受到SAIS的快乐氛围。我们的家长教师协会（PTA）在这方面起着至关重要的作用。家委组织负责人Sophia老师在深美家长天团的给力支持和辛勤协助下，一起在短期内为学校建立了社区花园、阅读嘉年华和社区-学校身心健康关怀月等活动。这些聚会不仅促进了家长与教师之间的联系，还帮助家长理解和欣赏他们孩子的教育经历。

4. Connecting with the Community

Many of our events involve reaching out to our local community, enhancing our connection with those around us. For instance, we provide free talks on well-being and psychology, and we take our Halloween celebrations to SiHai Park, where we can engage with passersby. Checking in with people to see if they are "R U OK?" adds a touch of warmth to their day. By participating in community activities, we not only enrich our students’ experiences but also strengthen the bond between SAIS and the wider community.

与社区紧密联系： 我们的许多活动都涉及与当地社区的互动，加强了我们与周围人的联系。例如，我们提供关于心理健康和幸福感的免费讲座，并将万圣节庆祝活动扩展到四海公园，与路过的行人互动问好。询问人们“你还好吗？”为他们的生活增添了一丝温暖。通过参与社区活动，我们不仅丰富了学生的体验，还加强了SAIS与更广泛社区之间的联系。

5. Promoting Student Well-being

At the heart of our events is a commitment to promoting student well-being and shaping the character traits we aspire to see in our students. R U OK? Week helps our students become better friends, even to strangers. The Reading Carnival engages them as readers and learners, fostering a love for literature. Halloween contributes to their sense of community, while the upcoming Terry Fox Run promotes their charitable instincts and compassion for the less fortunate. As we progress through our school calendar, these events encourage our students to become more globally minded (as seen in International Day), compassionate (as highlighted during Anti-Bullying Week), and academically engaged (as showcased in our student work exhibitions).

学生们积极正向： 我们活动的核心是促进学生积极正向，并塑造我们期望在学生身上看到的品格特质。“你还好吗？”活动帮助我们的学生成为更好的朋友，甚至对陌生人也是如此。阅读嘉年华使他们在阅读和学习上更加投入，培养了他们对文学的热爱。万圣节增强了他们的社区意识，而即将到来的泰瑞福克斯义跑活动则促进了他们的慈善意识和对弱势群体的同情。随着我们在学校日历中的推进，这些活动鼓励我们的学生变得更加具有全球视野（如国际日）、富有同情心（如反欺凌周）和学术参与（如学生作品展示）。