Dear Parents，
Good morning!
Although it will be cooler and wet this week, it looks like the temperatures will get higher again moving later into next week. This is a beautiful time in Xi’an when the cherry blossom and magnolia trees are in full bloom around the city.
This past weekend, XLIS hosted more than 500 athletes, their coaches and parents for the ACAMIS Jr. Swim Competition. It was a huge success, and a wonderful opportunity to bring students together from across China to showcase their love of swimming, sportsmanship, and to have the opportunity to make some new friends! In addition, XLIS sent its first-ever golf team to participate in the ACAMIS Golf Tournament in Hainan. Congratulations to our students and coaches for their achievements and participation!
In today’s email, I would mostly like to focus on the upcoming Mental Health Awareness week, when we would like students, teachers (and parents) to have a “digital detox”.
Mental Health and Digital Detox Week
As I mentioned in my last email two weeks ago, we are going to have our Mental Health and Digital Detox Week next week (March 23 – 27). Our student support team has been preparing a variety of activities for students to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and how to manage stress for themselves. In addition to this important topic, Dr. Liu has proposed to have a Digital Detox week, which is “an intentional pause to recharge, connect authentically, and lighten the mental load for both our students and ourselves. In an era where screens dominate our work and daily lives, constant digital engagement often leads to burnout, reduced focus, and diminished in-person connections. The goal of this initiative is simple yet powerful: to create space for rest, mindful interaction, and intentional presence.”
We are excited to announce that during the Digital Detox Week, students and teachers will take a break from screens during the school day. Teachers will be mindful not to use technology in front of the students and will plan activities in the classroom and for homework that are hands-on and device-free.
We invite you to join us in this initiative at home, promoting quality family time and encouraging creativity without the use of devices.
Here are some fun and engaging activities you can do together as a family:
1. Board Games and Card Games: Dust off those board games or a deck of cards! Enjoy classic games like Monopoly, Uno, or Go Fish for hours of fun and laughter.
2. Arts and Crafts: Gather some supplies and get creative! Try drawing, painting, or making collages together. Create a family art gallery to showcase your masterpieces.
3. Cooking or Baking: Choose a recipe together and cook or bake as a team. Let your child help with measuring, mixing, and decorating. Enjoy the delicious results as a family!
4. Outdoor Adventures: Go for a nature walk, hike, or bike ride. Explore local parks, gardens, or even your neighborhood. Collect leaves, rocks, or other treasures to inspire conversations and learning. Look for signs that Spring is here, observing the sounds of the birds and the buds and blossoms in the trees.l
5. Reading Together: Choose a book to read aloud as a family. Discuss the story and characters, or take turns reading different parts for a fun shared experience.
6. Family Talent Show: Organize a mini talent show at home! Encourage each family member to showcase their unique skills or talents, whether it’s singing, dancing, or telling jokes.
7. Puzzle Time: Work on a jigsaw puzzle together. It’s a great way to practice teamwork and patience while enjoying some quiet time.
8. Gardening: If you have a garden, spend time planting flowers or vegetables together. If not, you can create a small indoor garden with pots and seeds.
We hope you find these activities enjoyable and enriching as you connect with each other away from screens. Thank you for your support in making this Digital Detox Week a success!
In addition to the Digital Detox, the Primary Student Council has organized a week where students may come to school dressed according to a theme. Rather than school uniforms, students may wear these clothes:
Early Release Tomorrow – 2:30pm
Tomorrow, students will be dismissed at 2:30 pm. School buses will leave at this time, and if you pick your child up from school, please be at the gate then. Teachers in primary will be attending workshops led by their peers to discuss their pedagogical knowledge and share teaching and learning strategies with one another.
Please do reach out at any time to let me know how your child is doing at XLIS. You can find my details below.
Have a lovely day!
Sincerely,
Marly Song
Primary Principal
Email: marly.song@xalis.com
WeChat: principal_marly
