November/December 2016
Faithful Friends
Managing conflicting views at school Family Resort Retreats
Managing conflicting views at school
Plus: Do-it-yourself snow globes, holiday reads, French winter dining set, and socially responsible shades
Holiday Traditions
Families share their imported rituals for the festive season
EDITOR'S NOTE
I’ll be home for
D
Christmas
uring the first year we lived in Beijing, my husband abruptly cut me off as I was talking about Christmas decorations, “Why do we need a Christmas tree?” If I were an anime character, a dramatic face plant on the floor would have been appropriate. Without the blessing of such a blatant visual cue he went on, “I mean really, what does a Christmas tree have to do with actually rejoicing over the birth of Jesus?” Ever since we moved to China, we found ourselves in a joint cultural identity crisis. We began identifying much more often with our Chinese neighbors and friends than with our foreign coworkers. Both of us never really felt genuinely “American,” and we began to question everything we did, getting rid of old habits if the only reason we did them is because we were “American.” Our cultural celebration of Christmas didn’t comprise part of a holy ground, not to my husband at least. So we researched other traditions and celebrations of Christmas from around the world that were centered in authentically Christian roots. We learned about the Advent season of the Orthodox and the Jesse tree, a calendar of ornaments with symbolic meanings related to verses in the Bible. Though we didn’t make a compromise per se, we did agree that the Christmas tree of my childhood nostalgia was the best background for ornaments carrying deep meaning. Henceforth, we now have a new family tradition of celebrating Christmas by daily reading a short passage of scripture and putting on one ornament that matches that scripture, following a fusion of the Advent season and the Jesse tree calendar. When we finally reach Christmas almost thirty days later, the tree is full and beautiful, and
I always want to keep it up for a week or so longer. For me, the Advent season including Christmas and Epiphany has become my favorite time of year, and oddly I have China to thank for that. Thus, proving to me at least, I don’t need to be in a country full of my common language and culture to feel at home. To help you feel at home in Beijing for the holidays, we’ve packed this issue with lots of goodies, from shopping the Christmas bazaars to your advantage (p12) to making a lighter and more colorful version of the Yule log (p22). Dawn Davison got a makeover in time for all of the many galas and parties this season brings (p14) while Bernadette and Diedrik told us what they thought of Ernest’s French Bistro (p20). 3e International School suggested making snow globes for spending time together with your child inside (p27), and we found plenty of skiing spots when the air is nice and crisp (p25). We also asked other families to share what traditions they keep alive (p46) and rounded up some family friendly resorts in Asia for sliding across slopes or getting out of the cold (p42). Regardless of what you choose to do this season, here at beijingkids, we wish you all the happiest of memories for the holidays!
Vanessa Jencks Managing Editor
CONTENTS
LIVING
12 Shopping Special All bazaars with expert shopping tips
14 Indulge
November/December 2016 Playing 25 Playing Outside
Ski safely this winter on local slopes
27 Maker’s Corner
DIY and kid friendly snow globes
Prepare for Beijing parties and galas
16 From the Blog
Stay vigilant and safe during the holidays
17 Talking Shop
Buy one support one with Mantra
HEALTH
18 The Natural Path
29 Schooled
How do schools teach about faith diversity?
33 When I Grow Up
Hockey coach Mike Kusy visits ISB
34 Blank Canvas 36 Off the Shelf
Dr. Rodriguez reviews Argan oil
19 Doctor’s Orders
Keep healthy bones this winter
Holiday reads from Ivy Schools an Daystar Academy
37 Tech Corner
Sworkit will keep the whole family fit
DINING
20 Dining Out
Bernadette and Diederik review the winter set at Ernest’s Bistro
22 Food for Thought
Mom and daughter share their healthier, swirled up Yule Log
27
LEARNING
38 Meet the Teacher
Keystone Academy’s Vivek Bammi
PARENTING
39 West Meets East Is this a festive season for you?
40 The Echo Chamber 41 Beijing Baba
FEATURES
46 Snow and Sand The best family resorts in Asia
50 Keepsake Traditions
Families share how they keep holiday traditions close at heart
ESSENTIALS 2 7 10 49 50 56
Editor’s Note What’s New Events School News The Circuit Family Favorites
《中国妇女》英文刊
WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly Sponsored and administrated by ALL-CHINA WOMEN’S FEDERATION Published by WOMEN’S FOREIGN LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS OF CHINA Publishing Date: October 8, 2016
Adviser 顾 问
2016 年 11/12 月（下半月）
WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly 中华全国妇女联合会主管/主办 中国妇女外文期刊社出版 本期出版时间: 2016年11月7日
彭 云 PENG PEIYUN 全国人大常委会前副委员长 Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee
Adviser 顾 问
顾秀莲 GU XIULIAN 全国人大常委会前副委员长 Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee
Director and Editor-in-Chief 社长 · 总编辑
Yun Pengju 恽鹏举
Chief Editor 主编
Wei Liang 位亮
Managing Editor
Vanessa Jencks
Senior Editor
Nimo Wanjau
Contributing Editor
Andrew Killeen
School Editor
Jessica Suotmaa
Shunyi Correspondent
Katherine Zhao
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CN11-1704/C
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When AJ Warner is not with his two sons, he’s coaching Chinese students on how to get admitted to the top 30 US universities. He also guides Chinese families through the process of sending their child to the US for high school and related homestays. Contact him at ajwarner@touchdown.org.cn.
Mike Signorelli
Mike arrived in Beijing in 1994 as a student and has called China home ever since. He has held several senior management roles over the past 20+ years, including his last corporate job with NBA China. Mike is the founder of Signature Wine, China’s first independent subscription wine club. Contact him at mike@sigwine.com.
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Michael Wester Toni Ma Vanessa Jencks Nimo Wanjau Andrew Killeen Jessica Suotmaa Katherine Zhao Lareina Yang Emma Xu Scott Devoy Su Sharon Shang, Helen Liu Susu Luo Joey Guo Penny Wu Yuki Jia Sui, Uni You Sheena Hu Gladys Tang Winter Liu, Sasha Zhang, Olesya Sedysheva, Wilson Barrie, Renee Hu, Serena Du Yan Wen, Arvi Lefevre Judy Zhao, Vicky Cui Laura Su Minna Zhao 5779 8877 5779 8877 ext. 6693 5941 5387
Sara Wramner-Wang
Over the past 20 years, Sara Wramner-Wang has worked in various senior management positions at companies like Ericsson, Ikea, and Oriflame. She is currently the director of sales and marketing and head of admissions for EF Academy International Boarding Schools’ Asia operations. Contact her at sarawramner@hotmail.com.
Eyee Hsu
When CCTV talk show host and mom-preneur Eyee Hsu is not chasing after her two kids or the family dog, you might catch her at a Pilates studio, one of the Counting Sheep boutiques, or on TV. Find out more about the baby and maternity retailer she co-founded at www.countingsheepboutique.com.
Caroline Nath
Caroline Nath moved to Beijing as a teenager after having grown up in the US, Canada, France, and India. She is a filmmaker, radio host, Parent Effectiveness Training teacher, founder of Bonne Nani Jams, and an organic food promoter. She has two multi-ethnic and multi-lingual children. Contact her at kulfidoll@gmail.com.
Want to Join? We’re looking for parents passionate about the Beijing family, kids, and school community. Find out what’s in it for you along with the very minimal requirements by sending an email to editor@beijing-kids.com.
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ON THE COVER:
Four months old Wairimu Wa Waigwa or “Nish” delighted the crew at Dave’s Studio with her smiles and coos. Proud mom Carol Waigwa works for Sunworld Dynasty Hotel, Wanfujing, while dad Anthony Waigwa Kaburu is a Grades 7-13 Science Teacher at Harrow International School Beijing.
Photography by Dave’s Studio
Bye-bye to Max Brennan? Happy Holidays
If you’re reading this at the beginning of November, Christmas may seem a long way off. But it comes around quickly, so from all of us here at beijingkids, we’d like to wish you a peaceful Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, cool Yule, joyous Kwanzaa, delightful Dongzhi, and good cheer whatever you celebrate at this time of year. beijingkids magazine will be back in the New Year, but throughout the festive season we’ll be keeping you informed and entertained as usual at beijing-kids.com.
Zaijian to Jessica
Our sensational School Editor, Jessica Suotmaa, is off to pastures new – to Los Angeles, California, to be precise. We wish her and her family all the very best in their future adventures.
Sad news for Beijing’s chocaholics: the doors are locked at the Max Brennan Chocolate Bar, after opening less than six months ago. At the time of going to press, we had no confirmation that the closure is permanent; however the lights are off, the chains are heavy, and the signs are not good.
Didi Difficulties
photos: David W Carmichael (Wikimedia Commons), Andrew Killeen, and Courtesy of The Hatchery
If, like many Beijing families, you rely on Didi to get around the city, you might have noticed that cars have suddenly become harder to hail. This is because of a clampdown on drivers who don’t have Beijing hukou, the all-important registration that entitles them to live and work in the city. Following the sudden rise in prices that marked Didi’s victory over Uber, the shortage of drivers means that traditional green and yellow cabs aren’t headed for the scrap heap yet.
Go Figure
Top figure skaters from all round the world will lutz and mohawk into town in November for the Audi Cup of China 2016. The Cup forms part of the ISU Grand Prix, a series of six annual elite competitions across the globe, equivalent to the Grand Slams of tennis. You can watch skating at its very best at the Capital Gymnasium, 54 Baishiqiao Rd., Haidian District, from November 18-20.
Harmony and Steve
Hatchery Rehatched
Beijing’s very own “culinary incubator,” the Hatchery, has reopened at a new location in Dongsi. The Hatchery provides a space to support and showcase new food ideas from local entrepreneurs, like the Yeyo dairy-free coconut yogurt we featured in our August 2016 issue. Find them at 88 Dongsi 9th Alley, Dongcheng District (北京市东城区东四九条88号).
by Jin Chan Yum Wai and AK
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Nov/Dec Events Wed, Nov 9 BSB, Shunyi Open Day For adults. Tour and visit BSB Shunyi’s Primary, German Primary, and Secondary classrooms and other facilities, talk to the faculty, and pop in at the Chatterbox Café for drinks or snacks then chat with other parents. Registration required. Free. 8.30-11am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3558, www.bsbshunyi. com/openday) BSB, Shunyi Workshop “Ivy League or Oxbridge?
1 How to get into the world’s best universities”
For adults. This workshop will focus on university application procedures and how to get ahead - what parents need to do and how they can help. There will be a Q&A after the workshop. Registration required. 8.45-9.45am. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi(8047-3588, www.bsbshunyi.com) Fri, Nov 11 DCB Senior School Open Day For adults. Learn about the Dulwich’s curriculum, their focus on pastoral care, and the transition from Junior to Senior School in an informative talk by DCB’s Head of Senior School at their Legend campus. 9-11.30am. Dulwich College Beijing (6454 9068, Flora.Zhang@dulwich-beijing.cn)
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2 St. Martin’s Lantern Walk 2016
All ages. HoK, Shunyi campus hosts their annual St. Martin’s Lantern Walk. The wintry evening will have a traditional lantern walk with songs, foods, and drinks such as goulash, sweet treats, hot mulled wine or a hot cocoa, and more. Transportation to Shunyi campus is available from Chaoyang West Gate Campus. Free. 5-8pm. House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten (vg@hokschools.com)
3 Sat, Nov 19
3 Inaugural Innovation Expo
Tue, Nov 22
4 Hyde Academy Open House
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
For adults. Hyde Academy welcomes prospective parents to learn more about their offerings and take a tour of the facilities. Registration required. Limited space. Free. 9-10.30am. Hyde Academy (8046 7085)
photos: Courtesy of ISB, BSB Shunyi, HoK, Hyde
All ages. ISB hosts its first-ever Innovation Expo, which features exhibitions by students and local markets, maker’s space workshops, kids’ games and activities, and a food bazaar. Attendees can take a tour of the school. Free. 10am-4pm. International School of Beijing (8149 2345)
events ESSENTIALS Editor’s Pick
Dining
Playing
Learning
Community
Living
Health
Parenting
Want your family-friendly event to appear in our February issue? Upload it at www.beijing-kids.com/events by Jan 6.
(one student plus two parents), RMB 380 (one student plus one parent). 2pm-8pm. R3 Discovery (131 6758 5964 (English), 185 1133 4363 (Chinese), r3discovery@sina.com)
4
Star Kids Book Fair at BSB, Shunyi All ages. Adults and kids can increase their libraries or buy loved ones gifts at the Star Kids Book Fair at the BSB Shunyi foyer. The new titles and popular authors will be available for immediate purchase. This will take place from November 30 to December 2. Free admittance. 9am-4pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588, www.bsbshunyi.com)
7 Winter Ski Camps with Imagine. Fri Nov, 25 CISB StageCats “Nothing but the Truth” All ages. CISB’s StageCats perform an originally scripted play, “Nothing but the Truth”, which centers around Elizabeth Warren - a young girl on trial . In this family-friendly comedy with an important message for all ages, a colorful cast of characters take the witness stand to give many different versions of the truth. Advance tickets only at CISB front desk from Nov 7. RMB 50 (adults), RMB 30 (students). 7pm (Nov 25), 2pm (Nov 26). Canadian International School of Beijing (6465 7788)
Ages 4-7. Kids itching to get on the slopes? Qualified, Englishspeaking ski instructors from Imagine. will once again be holding their annual Winter Ski Camp. Each day, the transport takes kids from Lidu and Shunyi to Jundushan and Nanshan ski resorts and back, with all logistics, ski tickets, and equipment included. Classes are matched to level of expertise. This will be available December 19-23, 26-30, January 2-6, 23-27, January 30-February 3. Registration required. RMB 900 per day. 8am-5pm. Imagine. (www.imagine-china.com/ski-camp)
2
Tues, Nov 29
5 PAL Workshop: Learning Support
photos: Courtesy of ISB, BCIS, Imagine., johncarljohnson (flickr)
For adults. BCIS holds a Parents as Learners (PAL) Workshop on Learning Support, which will be led by Learning Support Teacher Dr. Reed Rhodes. Registration required. Free. 8.45-10am. Beijing City International School (Zhuofei.yang@bcis.cn) ONGOING Illustrated Book Workshop by R3 Discovery and Atelier Art School Ages 8-12. This six-week course (November 6–December 15) focuses on kids learning the process of creating and telling a story from conceptualization to publishing including the illustration process. This will be taking place every Thursday (4.30-7pm) and every Sunday (2-4.30pm). Registration required. RMB 4,388 per student. 2-7pm. Atelier (6416 1614, 132 4018 4908) Come & See “The Wizard of Oz” at BSB, Shunyi Ages 7+. BSB, Shunyi’s Secondary school thespians will be performing their own rendition of The Wizard of Oz on November 25 (7pm) and November 26 (2pm and 7pm). RMB 100 (adults), RMB 65 (kids). 2-7pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588, www.bsbshunyi.com)
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6 Thanksgiving Week at R3 Discovery Ages 4-10. Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with different themed activities at R3 Discovery that ends with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from November 21-25. The activities include card marking, baking, decoration making, story-telling, movie watching, and more. Registration required. Thanksgiving Week (5 days plus dinner) RMB 1,288 (one student and two parents), RMB 1,188 (one student and a parent); Thanksgiving Dinner RMB 580
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November/December 2016 beijingkids
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LIVING Shopping Special
That’s So Bazaar! By Nimo Wanjau
T
grab that journal he holidays are upon us again and before you to get your need you tions, resolu year’s to jot down your new ful since stress ly usual is gifts of ing Think gifts. loved ones things, te favori their of you probably have already given them most (I am you to back gift the give sneaked in one of yours so they can could they all have y alread they or this), not saying I have ever done available rous nume the is g Beijin in living of perk possibly want. The bazaars, fayres, and markets. changing vendors every With free entries to most bazaars and But to avoid marketaway. e brows brisk year, a great gift is only a maximize a visit to best to how on plan game a shell-shock you need the bazaar. Here are three tips:
. Generally, I find its 1. Plan: Decide which bazaars and when afternoon rush. Most the e befor and time ng openi best one hour after product and service so vendors are settled and ready to explain the you’ll get a better idea of the value. plan and see what is on 2. Recon: Briefly walkthrough the floor al list (or quick photo ment a keep and are, ities sale, where the amen done a lap, jot down your list) of what to come back to. Once you have tes are beyond budget. favori top five favorites plus five in case your to be a few food stalls sure are There 3. Eat Before Shopping: s it’s a food event unles but eat to light thing some where you can grab ehand, especially if you then best to have eaten something small befor get “hangry” (irritable from hunger).
Roundab out Holid erman as Fayre & G ay Bazaa tm A ris ll ages. Kic Ch yi r, Nov 14 BSB Shun king off th 19 ov N t, e spendin is Round Marke ive g spree st a fe b e o th u t’ e s at bazaar to funds fo e and celebr help rais r their n itional All ages. Com ad tr a e ith w umerous causes. T B, Shunyi charitable here will zed by seasons at BS ni ga or t ke ar b e vendors high end tmas m selling products German Chris ill be live and othe ation. There w ci s e so rv As s ic nt e r offering re d s an y rs o the Pa oi u ch ’s c ol a n sign u 11am-4p from the scho p for. Fre oto m. Marrio performances e. ble will be a ph la t Northe ai 1 av 8 so 7 Al 7 . 7 ast (137 , 7 es 6 m 1 ga orchestras (E s, n or g nd li ve sh us ), (Chinese)) 137 1805 a, vario . 3814 op with Sant e British ee. 4-8pm. Th Fr . es iti tiv , ac 88 35 and 7 04 (8 ijing, Shunyi ristmas School of Be 3e Annual Charity Ch ) om .c yi un 26 v Bazaar, No www.bsbsh l Charity All ages. The 3e Annua place to a is r zaa Ba Christmas and bargain enjoy holiday feasting m-noon.3e gift shopping. Free. 10a 37 3344, (64 ool International Sch The Very Gift Bazaar Christalschool. ion nat ter ein @3 community mas Market, Nov 27 org) All ages. Enjoy pippin’ hot cocoa or mulled wine while browsing for a gift for a loved one. Free. 10am-4pm. Café Zarah (8403 9807, info@cafezarah.com)
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
photos: Courtesy of German Bazaar, BSB Shunyi, 3e
German Chris tmas Charity Baza ar, Nov 26 All ages. This packed bazaar is a good ch experience G ance to erman food, buy Christmas and enjoy so presents, me choral m usic. Pre-sale available and tickets are limited on site tickets. There blue, and ye are red, llow tickets va lid from mor noon, and kids ning, afterunder 14 year s respectively. tickets are av Pre-sale ailable at the German Emba (9.15am-1pm ssy School ), Beijing Rivier a Clubhouse (9 U Coffee on Xi am-7pm), ndong Lu (10a m -6pm). Valid id tion required entificaat the gate. RM B 100 (adults (kids). 11am-6 ), RMB 25 pm. German Em bassy Beijing (c christmasbaza ontact@ ar-beijing.org)
BCIS and MCF Chri stmas Charity B azaar, De All ages. T c3 his joint b azaar betw BCIS and een Migrants Children’s ily is a fu Famndraising event for that featu MCF res live p erforman shopping ces, , food, an d minglin friends a g with nd the w ider BCIS MCF com and munity at the main campus. BCIS Free. 11a m-3pm. B City Intern eijing ational Sc hool (Zhu yang@bc ofei. is.cn)
inter The Hutong W 10 ec D Fayre, fayre brings All ages. This anal products food and artis s for a spot to the hutong ere a wide Th . of shopping fferent goods selection of di 0104 6127, on sale. (159 g.com) info@thehuton
photos: Courtesy of WAB
WAB Charity Bazaar, Dec 3 BeiAll ages. The Western Academy of reds hund ures feat ar jing’s Charity Baza gifts, of vendors offering homemade ns doze holiday food and drink, and s eed Proc . sale of uniq ue item s for ral seve t assis to go will from the event Chi charity organizations, including the HIVHen g Fou nda tion , sup port ing ugh affected children in rural China thro tern Wes . 0pm -3.3 10am . education. Free wabAcademy of Beijing (5986 5588, info@wab.edu)
13 s, Dec ristma ual Christh C h ic ann A Dulw tures DCB’s at fea ets oin in J h t . s s e ie All ag d trink estivit ifts an cluding ime f mas t s themed g in oods ma ed mas f t Christ , minc is r m h a C h , d e le mok mulled on sa rkey, s cider, u t lle d p e p r ’s c e carv e, a is ye a ional it cak h u r T f . , e it pie or rad a n d m o include t or w in e , light f als l le il d w n a s c n e io y t e b Coll g ebra ols ulwich as car D @ m . t g is n m r Ch -8p a.Zha in in. 3 , Flor all to jo 6454 9068 g ( ) Beijin ing.cn h-beij ic dulw
Hilton Beijing Chris tmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Chari ty Bazaar, Dec 3 All ages. Hilton Be ijing once again ce lebrates the holiday s with its Tradition al European Christmas Train & Village fro m December 3 to Jan uary 2017. The Ch ristmas Village features a Giant Christmas Tre e Lighting Ceremony and a children’s ch orus from 5.50-6.30pm. There will also be over 70 bazaar booths (28pm) with all proce eds from sales going to support the Morning Tears Organization . Free. 2-8pm. Hil ton Beijing (jane.yin@hil ton.com)
November/December016 beijingkids
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Dawn Davison becomes thread-rich and fashionable with this special apparel edition makeover by Vanessa Jencks
Indulge LIVING
H
photos: Uni You
ere at beijingkids we thought we’d help our readers get ready for all of the upcoming galas and banquets with an apparel makeover, especially since the gala season in Beijing doesn’t end until the summer lull. We took Dawn Davison to Linlin Wu of Linvina Bridal, which carries custom and premade wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and evening wear. While at this special edition makeover, Davison mentioned she was planning to go to the British Ball and had already picked out several dresses borrowed from a friend.“Many think that red and blue both look great on me and I also think green because of my hair,” Davison piped. She added later that she doesn’t consider herself fashionable and typically is willing to let her hair and makeup stylists do whatever they want before a banquet. Wu agreed, “Yes, I think red and blue both would look good, but I would say to avoid lighter colors since your skin tone is so light.” Davison picked out dresses she liked first and then started trying them on, one by one. Wu stayed by her the whole time, helping her make sure the fit was appropriate, commenting on the style and how it looked on Davison’s body. “I know many people have different style ideas and so sometimes I’ll wait until a client says, ‘Ok, you’re the designer, you tell me how this looks,’” she continued, “I feel really bad when the dress looks awkward on my client’s body, and I don’t want anyone to go to an event in a dress not suited to body type.” When Davison reached a specific dress with beaded shoulder caps, Wu commented, “This dress was already picked by another client to be worn at the British Ball, so I would suggest avoiding it.” Davison settled on a bold two-piece dress, and laughed, “This is my first two piece since the baby!” She ended up wearing the dress to the British Ball instead of what she had previously borrowed. She mentioned she and her husband both loved the dress and fit. Due to the built in bra, she was kept from having to adjust the dress the entire night. Truly, quite a feat since her first child is only seven months old and still breastfeeding. Davison enjoyed her time at Linvina Bridal and would recommend it to friends since the experience got her out of her eveningwear comfort zone, though those who are much larger than her would not enjoy the experience. Wu said, “Davison is really the best size (US 6, bust 86-88, waist 66-68, hip 94-96) for trying on my stock since I use my own body as the mold for my designs. I do have some sizes in US 8 and US 10, but the selection is limited.” Davison walked away with this dress free thanks to the Wear it or Not style makeover, but ended up buying a second dress later. Dresses are typically RMB 500 – 6,000 dependent upon beading. Linvina Bridal Best by appointment, but walk-ins welcome. Tue to Sun 10.30am-7 .30pm. Rm1905, Kuntai International Apartments, Chaoyangmen Outer Street, Chaoyang District. (185 1077 5296) linvinabridal.com朝阳区朝 外大街昆泰国际公寓1905
Get a Custom Look and Fit 1. Make an appointment with Linvina Bridal at least six weeks before the event. The space accommodates up to six if you’d like to take friends. 2. Choose to either try on dresses or take your ideas for a custom dress from a magazine or a drawing. 3. For simple designs, alterations take two weeks, while beaded dresses will take four to six weeks.
November/December016 beijingkids
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LIVING From the blog
Holiday Nightmare for Shunyi Mom by Andrew Killeen
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Shunyi mom contacted beijingkids with a frightening story of a holiday incident, which reminds us that however safe and crime-free China might be for the most part, we still need to be vigilant to ensure our safety and that of our family. Polina Savelyeva-Gumbu, originally from Russia, has resided in Beijing for nine years. This summer she traveled to Sanya with her husband and four-month-old baby, for what she hoped would be a relaxing vacation. However, it turned out to be a terrifying experience. The family checked into the Holiday Inn Resort Sanya Bay Hotel on August 14. Savelyeva-Gumbu noticed that one of the hotel staff was particularly attentive, carrying their bags up to their room, and showing them all the facilities. She thought his behavior was odd, but was preoccupied with settling her baby. Before going to bed that night, she locked both the room and the balcony doors. At 6am, she woke to nurse her baby as usual, but noticed that the balcony curtains were blowing in the wind. She called her husband, who confirmed that he hadn’t opened the balcony door. They looked out onto the balcony to find their belongings thrown there. They had been burgled. Their money, passports, and wallets had been taken. Perhaps most frighteningly, a mobile phone had been taken from under the pillow on which Savelyeva-Gumbu’s husband was sleeping.
They notified the hotel, and the security manager came to the room. After taking some pictures, he advised them to wait for the police. He then went and knocked on the room next door, which is when SavelyevaGumbu realized the family staying there had been robbed as well. The burglar had apparently crossed from one balcony to the next. Savelyeva-Gumbu told us that she was very unhappy with the hotel’s response. The family was moved to another room, though reluctantly, she says. However the hotel manager did not come to see them throughout their stay, despite repeated requests. After they had returned home, they were contacted by a regional manager for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which owns the Holiday Inn chain. He apologized and gave them some insurance forms to complete, but said he could not offer them any compensation other than money-off vouchers. They would need to wait for the insurance claim to be processed, which could take up to six months. Recently, Savelyeva-Gumbu was contacted by the Sanya police who advised her that an arrest had been made. She believes it possible that an employee of Holiday Inn may have been involved, but the person she suspects continued to work at the hotel throughout their stay. IHG were invited to comment on this story, but to date have not responded. However, there is a happy ending of sorts: within a few hours of us contacting them, the insurance company notified Savelyeva-Gumbu that her claim had been accepted, and she would receive full compensation.
photoS: IHG.com
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
Talking shop LIVING
Mantra
One Pair for Style and The Other for Sight by Katherine Zhao
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through mass promotion. Instead, Waldo himself often goes to a main business street, such as Wangfujing, to showcase sunglasses displayed in an old time leather suitcase, on an old bicycle or simply on a table. His marketing worked. He got lots of attention and orders, often far more than their stocks could immediately supply. “We hope that when we do it this way, people will see who we are and begin to build trust. We meant for this project to be a positive contribution to the society at large rather than just selling sunglasses.” Mantra glasses are designed by Australian designers based on inspiration from Chinese ethnic minority life and local Yunnan scenes such as terraced fields and lakes. Each pair has a unique name reflecting its inspiration; for example, Superfly in Dali Old Town, Hero in Er-Hai Dusk, and 88s in Kawagebo Sunrise. Materials are from the U.S. and produced to the highest quality standard. They cost RMB 360 for each pair. There are currently 21 types, mostly unisex with some particularly suitable for women. They don’t offer kids’ sizes at present. For more information, subscribe to their WeChat account: findyourmantra.
photos: courtesy of Mantra
hose who buy a pair of Mantra sunglasses might feel this is their ever-best purchase. One pair of Mantra’s stylish sunglasses will support the donation of a pair of near-sight glasses to children in China’s remote areas. A graduate of Columbia University in Economics and East Asia Studies, Sam Waldo first came to China’s Yunnan province six years ago, as a teacher. Being a young first-time teacher, Waldo initially was not regarded seriously by his students. But he worked hard to gradually gain their respect, by spending time with them through home visits, motivating and encouraging them. It was through such daily time spent with them that Waldo realized many children didn’t perform well or lost interest in study simply because they couldn’t see properly what was written on the blackboard. After the teachiing program he then came to Beijing in 2012 to start up Mantra (which means “original heart”), raising funds by selling stylish sunglasses to support the donation of near-sight glasses to children whose families cannot afford them. Waldo sees having lived in one of China’s more underdeveloped area as a great privilege, helping him to not be locked up in a tiny community. “People in these areas are so welcoming. They gave me their hands and time, sharing their stories with me, allowing me to witness their lives, and putting their children’s education in my hands. I got to experience the uniqueness of a convergence of lifestyles. In our current world when everything is moving so fast, I am really fortunate to be able to understand other people’s perspectives.” When asked what made him decide to come to China and directly place himself in a poor remote area, he said he owed this to his very international education. He was born in Holland then lived in England, Scotland, Kuwait, and the U.S. He attended different types of schools and at an early age gained a global perspective and the desire to help those in need. Over the last four years since Mantra was started, Waldo and his team have gone through considerable challenges. He considers perseverance as an important character quality, which has helped him stand firm in times of extreme challenges. “You have to just keep trying after a long time of no success”. Thus far, Mantra has not gone the usual route of printing leaflets or advertising their products
November/December016 beijingkids
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HEALTH THE NATURAL PATH
Argan Oil
by Dr. Melissa Rodriguez
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his summer I had the opportunity to travel to Morocco and spent almost a week in Marrakesh. It’s a beautiful city, a visual feast of color and design. Morocco is unique for many different reasons, one of them being that they are the only producers of argan oil. In recent years argan oil has received a lot of publicity and for good reason. Argan oil contains a high level of antioxidants, fatty acids (read good fats), and vitamin E, which can contribute to its skin smoothing benefits. It’s claimed argan oil can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fade dark spots, and even help decrease stretch marks. Studies show these properties to be true of the oil when applied topically and used for consumption. Edible argan oil is made by roasting the kernels before extraction. It has many health benefits, including improving cholesterol, blood sugar levels, as well as decreasing blood pressure. The oil that can be eaten is different than the cosmetic preparation, so don’t eat the argan oil you put on your face! I am a lover of all things natural, especially when it comes to cosmetic products. Naturally, when I went to Morocco I had to get my hands on some argan oil. This is where my story ends on a sour note. Due to my naiveté and my limited exposure to argan oil, I was sold the edible version which is cheaper than cosmetic argan. After that experience I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could about the real thing. Thankfully for us natural beauty lovers, there is now a source of good quality argan oil right here in Beijing. Safia is a relatively new company which imports argan oil directly from Morocco (safiaarganoil.com). I tried their product and looked for signs that it was authentic. Here is what I found. Argan oil has a mild nutty smell.
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
The scent of Safia oil is very faint, but it’s there. Check. Some sources claim that true argan oil must be a little cloudy and have sediment at the bottom. That’s not exactly true. If it’s filtered carefully the sediment can be removed. My bottle of Safia has no sediment and is clear. Argan oil is absorbed quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on the skin. Safia is easily absorbed. The color of the oil is a light golden yellow, check. The bottle has a pump that doesn’t allow oxygen to mix with the oil, this helps to maintain its freshness. Unfortunately the bottle is clear so I would suggest keeping it in the dark. Safia is also certified organic, which is great! I use the oil on my body and face. Application is best when skin is slightly damp, to help seal in moisture. I also use it on my hair to add shine and prevent breakage. It can be used on lips and nails as well. Argan oil may be touted as the cure-all to every skin ailment, but some people seem to react to it, especially on the face. I would suggest trying it on a small part of your body first, especially if you have sensitive skin. If you’re trying it for the first time, go easy and use only a small amount.
Got a question? Dr. Melissa Rodriguez is a naturopathic doctor and mother of two, who works at Beijing United Family Hospital. To find out more, check out her website at www. drmelissarodriguez.com
DOCTOR'S ORDERS HEALTH
D for Dense Bones
Vitamin D will keep you healthy this winter
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By Dr. Dorothy Dexter
itamin D is produced naturally in our skin when exposed to the rays of the sun. It has an important role in taking the calcium from the food we eat into the body. Calcium is necessary to make our bones strong, our muscles contract, and also helps our body fight against infections, among other things. Children and adults who have little exposure to sun or are not consuming enough vitamin D and calcium begin to remove calcium from their bones to make up for the deficit. If this goes on for a long time there can be pain in the bones and they become very weak, meaning that they can become fractured easily. We could get enough vitamin D from the sun, but during winter the days become short and often we are on our way to school or work when it is still dark and return home when the sun has already set. An increased awareness of the effect of sunlight on ageing and skin cancer has made us use umbrellas, hats, and sunscreen on sunny days. So the rays that would have touched our skin are stopped by these physical or chemical barriers before they are able to create vitamin D in our skin. An additional factor is air pollution, it creates a shield which decreases the amount of sun that reaches our skin. Also, on polluted days we tend to choose indoor activities to avoid breathing “outdoor� air. On the good air days we should make a special effort to walk or play outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon sun because exercise, sunlight. Vitamin D is found in salmon, tuna, and vitamin D enriched juices or dairy products. Make sure to check and confirm if products contain vitamin D before thinking they may be supplying your daily needs. How do I know if I need to take a vitamin D supplement? It is important for everyone to take vitamin D daily during the winter season, sometimes all year round. D3 vitamin D has the best absorption, and since it is a fat-soluble vitamin it is best if you take it in oil form after a meal. This can be in drops for children or soft gel capsules for adults. There are special conditions when you need higher doses of vitamin D. For example if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are growing or have asthma, if you have bone pain, feel very tired all the time, or have had fractures that were hard to explain. You may have vitamin D deficiency and you should check your vitamin D levels to see what daily dose is appropriate for you. On the other hand a few people who suffer from kidney stones or have special health problems may have too much calcium in their body and should check their calcium and vitamin D levels before they begin taking the supplement.
Need more info? Dr. Dorothy Dexter is a family medicine physician at Beijing United Family Hospital. She has several years of clinical experience, and speaks English and Spanish. Contact her at dorothy.dexter@ufh.com.cn.
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Cozy Cuisine
Warm up and tuck in to creative food at Ernest’s French Bistro Text by Vanessa Jencks, Photos by Dave’s Studio
Bernadette enjoys a mouthful of Brussel sprouts playfully stolen from Diederik’s fork.
Dining Out DINING
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ost families might not feel fancy enough for an upscale French meal, but if there’s a time to rouse the spirits, it’s the holidays. We think the best place for this is Ernest’s French Bistro, where Chef Ernest Yan passionately devotes himself to his foodie creations. The atmosphere of the bistro has more of a home feel than a coattails-and-bow-ties vibe, so children needn’t necessarily be on their best behavior or pull out those Christmas white tights. Though the bistro has become a new favorite among Francophiles and foodies alike, the real test, we believe, is if the entrees appeal to a younger palate. We brought in seven-year-old Bernadette and five-year-old Diederik, who attend Daystar Academy and Ivy Academy, respectively. Dad Albert van Lawick van Pabst is a Dutch entrepreneur working in sustainable energy. Mother Elisabeth Koch, of the eponymous millinery label, loved the food and presentation, but was a bit concerned whether her children would enjoy everything offered. Though she raises them both with an open mouth to all cuisines, she could easily see the set would be best enjoyed by adults. First up were the garlic prawns (RMB 98), which Diedrik quickly devoured. Bernadette later confided in us, “The garlic shrimp were my favorite, but I didn’t like that Diedrik ate almost all of them.” They tried the homemade foie gras parfait with a rose wine jelly topping served with house made brioche (RMB 98), but it wasn’t a favorite of Diedrik. Bernadette did enjoy the foie gras with the jelly removed.
Pa nse
are d
Sca llop s (RM B 168)
Bernadette began dipping the brioche into the remaining prawn garlic sauce, and Diederik quickly followed suit. Both children snapped up the pan-seared scallops served with sautéed asparagus, shitaki mushroom, corn, and chicken veloute (RMB 168). Next the boeuf cheeks bourguignon (RMB 198) came in an appealing presentation paired with sautéed baby potatoes, candy beets, and fresh asparagus. “The meat is very tender,” Mom commented. “I like the cheeks,” Diederik replied, then added, “Because I like beef and chicken.” Deep fried Brussel sprouts with almonds (RMB 88) might not have appealed to most children, but Bernadette happened to absolutely enjoy them. Playing around, Diederik fed her a few, which Bernadette snapped off the fork. Would you recommend other kids come here, we asked. Diederik thought for a moment before giving a decisive “Yes.”
Boeuf Cheeks Bourguignon (RMB 198)
Family-friendly Notes: Bathrooms are kept clean. High chairs and kid’s cutlery are available. The space is relaxed, not stuffy, and appropriate for a homey holiday meal or date night.
White Wine Braised Lamb Neck with Ham Cassoulet
Ernest’s French Bistro 艾尔尼法式小馆 Tue-Thu 11am-8.30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11.30pm. Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi District,(8042 2106) 顺义荣祥广场（馨园一街2号院，3 幢03）
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Rolliní Up a Brighter Yule Log Cutting down on sugar and turning up the color in this traditional sponge cake Text by Vanessa Jencks, Photos by Uni You
Instructions 制作方法：
2. Taking whites, add 20g of sugar and whip into a meringue. Fold whites mixture into yolks mixture.取蛋白，加入20g糖，搅拌成 蛋白糖霜。将蛋白糖霜倒入蛋黄混合物，将 两者混合起来。
1. Separate yolks from whites; set aside whites. Add 20g of sugar into yolk and whip. Add oil then yogurt. Add flour through a sifter. Consistency should be runny, not gloppy; add a small amount of water if consistency is not right. Set aside. 将蛋黄与蛋清分离；蛋白放 一边稍后使用。在蛋黄中加入20g糖，搅拌均 匀。在蛋液中加入食用油和酸奶。加入筛子筛 后的细面粉。保持蛋液为液态，加入少量的水 防止变稠。搅拌好后搁置一边。
3. Separate cake mix into the amount of colors you want and add drops of color until you reach the hue you like.按你想烘焙的蛋糕颜 色取所需蛋糕粉量，加入食用色素，以达到 理想的颜色。
Food for Thought DINING
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tarting from the end of October, the winter holidays can bring in one sugar crash after another, especially when even our hot chocolate drinks are packed with sugar. Miyee Woon of Miyee美颐@家KITCHEN shared with us a recipe that’s light on sugar for a dessert alternative that won’t send you or your kids down a sugar slide. Woon’s daughter Carol, age 9, attends Fang Cao Di International School Section in Grade 3 and joined Woon to make these sweet rolls at the café in Funwork (CBD area), where Woon and Perlita Pengson founded R3 Discovery, a place for children to delve into reading.
Ingredients 原料 For the cake: 制作蛋糕所需食材： 40g Sugar糖 80g Flour面粉 30 ml Cooking oil食用油 4 cold eggs鸡蛋 65g Yogurt酸奶
For the cream: 制作奶油所需食材： 100g of Millac Dairy Whipping Cream 英国进口蓝风车淡奶油 15g sugar糖
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius. Temperature may vary depending on individual oven.将做好的蛋糕胚放置于170 摄氏度烤箱，烘烤15至20分钟。烤箱温度因 烤箱而异。
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6. While cake mix is baking, add 15g of sugar to the 100g of cream and whip.烘培蛋糕胚 的过程中，在淡奶油中加入15g的糖，搅拌 均匀。
4. Put cake mix into bags to easily line the pan. You can use a toothpick to make a design or place diagonal alternating lines for stripes.将 蛋糕粉放入袋中，以您喜欢的方式排列蛋糕 盘。您可以使用牙签设计图案，或者沿对角 线方向画出条纹图案。
7. Flip out baked cake onto baking paper and let cool down totally in order to avoid cracking during the rolling process. Once cool, smear whipped cream in step 6 across it then roll. Wrap the roll with baking paper to trap moisture and refridgerate for 30 minutes to an hour.烘烤完蛋糕后，将蛋糕放在烘焙纸上 冷却，以避免在包裹过程中开裂。一旦冷却， 将步骤6做出的奶油涂抹在整个蛋糕上，然后 包起来。用烘焙纸包裹卷来锁住水分，将放 置在冰箱中30分钟至一小时。
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Sloping Off Where to ski with kids around Beijing by Andrew Killeen
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
photoS: courtesy of Wanlong
ith the Winter Olympics coming to Beijing in 2022, skiing facilities in the region are receiving substantial investment and development. So there’s never been a better time to take your family out onto the slopes. But even if you’re an experienced skier, taking children can be a challenge. And if you’re used to the slopes of the Alps or the Rockies, then Beijing’s resorts, with their crowds and artificial snow, can come as a shock. For some informed advice we talked to Charlotte Friis Lodahl, a Danish freelancer. Friis Lodahl has been in Beijing for 12 years, and regularly skis with husband Jesper, a company director, and daughters, Laura Justine (9 years old), a student at Harrow International School, and Asta (7), who attends House of Knowledge. What, we asked, are the particular challenges of skiing in China? “It very much depends on where you go,” Friis Lodahl told us. “I think safety is a big issue. A lot of beginners go on the slopes without any lessons, and therefore don’t know how to control the ski and don’t know the basic traffic rules on the slopes.” (Perhaps the most important rule, and the one most flouted on Chinese pistes, is that it’s the responsibility of the skier upslope to look out, and go safely around, people below them.) “For foreigners in particular,” she added, “language can also be a challenge – though the newer resorts near Wanlong also have English speaking instructors. What advice would you give to a family skiing together for the first time? “If you go skiing during public holidays, all places are quite crowded, which makes it a bit more challenging to enjoy. So try to go outside holiday periods at first, to get a feel for it. If your kids have never been skiing before, start with an instructor that can give them a lesson on basic skiing skills. “If you don’t have your own gear, you want to make sure that the bindings are correctly set for your weight, height and experience level – particularly for the kids. If the bindings are too tight the ski won’t come off when you fall and you can break your leg! “Make sure you check the marking of the slopes. Green is for beginners and is recommended if you haven’t tried skiing before.” Families should remember a good helmet and snow glasses, she told us. “Choosing the right lenses can be a science in itself. Personally I prefer yellow with mirror reflection, but the fit is really important too. “Don’t forget warm clothing – it is not the Alps! It gets really cold.” (Layers provide good insulation, and also allow you to adjust if your children get too hot or cold.) “And something to eat. You can often buy food, but it is the usual instant noodles. In some cases you can get chuanr; but to be on the safe side, bring good snacks for the kids.”
Playing outside PLAYING Best for Experienced Skiers “Wanlong has long and challenging slopes. Most skiers there are experienced.” Opens for the season: Beginning of November, depending on weather. Call the number below for more information. RMB 420 for four hours. RMB 590 for equipment. RMB 590 one-day pass (RMB 850 with equipment), RMB 900 two day pass (RMB 1310 with equipment). Book viaWeChat for a 15 percent discount. 400 6822 999, wlski.com
Where to go
Best for Beginners “Yunding. It’s relatively new with great facilities and beginner friendly. It has quite a few different slopes both challenging and wide and easy ones. Our kids love it there!” Opens for the season: November 5, 2016 Prices vary from RMB 400 for an off peak four hour lift pass to RMB 1,150 for two days during public holidays. RMB 300 for equipment rental. 400 168 1234, www.secretgardenresorts.com
Genting or Yunding? Genting Secret Garden takes its name from a mountain resort in Malaysia. The company which developed it expanded to open resorts and casinos all over the world. Their Chinese name is Yun Ding (云顶yúndǐng, meaning Cloud Top). But it’s the same place!
photos: courtesy of yunding,wanlong,NANSHAN
The Newcomer Thaiwoo Ski Resort only opened last winter, but with 18km of trails, a 500m drop, and pistes to suit skiers of all abilities, it might become the new all-round favorite. Opens for the season:Beginning of November, depending on weather. Call the number below for more information. Prices: RMB 320 four hours, Monday-Friday, RMB 420 four hours Saturday-Sunday, and on holidays RMB 520. Additional equipment charges. RMB 1600 for two days during the holidays with equipment. 400 601 3300, thaiwoo.com Getting to the “Chongli Cluster”: Wanlong, Yunding and Thaiwoo, together with the smaller Duolemeidi, make up the “Chongli cluster”. Wanlong and Yunding are very close together, and you can ski from one area to the other, but be aware that the lift passes are not interchangeable. If you’re driving, take the G6 Expressway at Beijing Jianxiangqiao as far as the Chongli South Exit, and keep going until you reach the resorts. Genting runs a shuttle bus which departs from Guomao at 7am, with stops at Huixinjie Station (south exit) and Jiandemen Station, and returns at 4pm. The bus takes about four and a half hours. Or take the bus to Chongli, if you have the patience for a long journey, or the train to Zhangjiakou, from where a cab to the resorts will cost about RMB 200.
For an Inexpensive Day Trip
“Nanshan can be very crowded: too many people that don’t know how to ski and just go as fast as possible down the hills, without knowing rules and how to stop. But if you are skilled and can navigate around the crazy people who have never skied before – then it’s a quick day trip from Beijing and gives you a good break away from the city.” Opens for the season: December 1 as of presstime, though it may open earlier depending on the weather (call the number below to confirm). Prices: RMB 165 for four hours Monday-Friday.RMB 255 for four hours Saturday-Sunday and holidays.RMB 185-295 for full day pass. Includes equipment and insurance. 8909 3301, 8909 3302, nanshanski. com Getting to Nanshan: By car, take the Jingchengexpress way to the No.16 Miyun Downtown Exit, then go straight and follow the signs to Nanshan Ski Village. Alternatively, take the airport express south line, then the Jingping Express to Muyan road exit. Turn left at the exit to Muyan road, and take Henanzhai Crossroad. Turn right at the signpost. Shuttle buses depart every day at 8:30am from three stops (Sanyuan Bridge, Shaoyaoju subway station and Wudaokou subway station). Return fares are RMB 45 per person, and you need to book one day in advance by calling 8909 1909. The public bus is number 980 from Dongzhimen; get off at West Bridge (RMB 14). A taxi from there to Nanshan will cost about RMB 25.
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Winter Snow Globe
Creating holiday memories one snowglobe at a time with 3e International School Text by Jessica Suotmaa, Photos by Uni
is proudly memorialized in a keepsake snow globe ornament. 2016 November/December 26Aydinbeijingkids
MAKER'S CORNER PLAYING
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he relaxed, casual atmosphere at 3e International School is even warmer as teachers prepare students for the holiday season. We visited the Lido campus after hours and met Amanda Boarman, first and second grade teacher from Indiana, US. While Boarman’s current passion is travel, having visited over ten different countries since leaving the US last year, she also has a knack for creative projects. She excitedly pitched the DIY snow globe to us, tested the project out, and was eager to show 3e kindergarten student, Aydin Rwanyagatare, how to make a personalized snow globe.
Estimated time: 45 minutes Suitable for: 5+ (with parental help) Materials: - Color photo - Scissors - Glue gun - Card stock (blue, in the example, to simulate the sky) - Clear plate - White confetti (you can make your own) - Silver glitter - 2 gold pipe cleaners - 1 silver pipe cleaner - Cotton (for the snow ball)
Step 1: Take a picture of your child acting like they’re playing in the snow. Step 2: Print the picture and color and cut it out.
Step 5: Decorate with glitter and white paper confetti to simulate snow. Step 6: (Optional) If your child (in the photo) looks like he is throwing a snowball, take some cotton and ball it and glue it to their hand.
Step 3: Glue the photo onto the blue card stock.
Step 7: Glue clear plastic plate to the blue card stock on top of the picture, glitter, and snow.
Step 4: Use the clear plastic plate to draw a circle for your ornament on the blue card stock
Step 8: Cut out the extra blue card stock from around the plate. Step 9: Glue decorative pipe cleaner around the outside of the clear plate. Step 10: Fold silver pipe cleaner in half and glue to the back of the ornament. Leave a loop at the top so that you can hang it. And we’re finished!
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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A Question of Faith How respect lies at the core of two Beijing schools’ approach to religion By Andrew Killeen
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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eligion can be a sensitive issue. There are those who believe that it should be an entirely private matter, and has no place in the public sphere. Others say that a faith which does not express itself in one’s day to day life is no faith at all. No Religion in school is an even more conel T homas tentious question. In the Unites States the teaching of religion is forbidden in public schools (although teaching about religion is permitted), while in the arguably less religious United Kingdom schools are still required by law to begin each day with a “collective act of worship,” a requirement generally interpreted in the loosest possible way. A ban on religious instruction in the Australian state of Victoria last year caused controversy which still smolders on. In China freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution, but the same clause also forbids the “use of religion to engage in activities that… interfere with the educational system of the state.” We talked to the lead educators of two Beijing schools, to search out how they find the right path through this tricky area. Noel Thomas is Co-Principal at Yew Chung International School Beijing (YCIS Beijing). The Yew Chung Foundation, which runs schools across China and in the US, has among its educational objectives to “uphold moral and spiritual values based on Christian faith.” I asked Thomas what he understands by that. “What I find in schools,” he told me, “is that you tend to get people saying ‘we accept Christian values’. Personally I struggle with the idea of Christian values that are not rooted in Christ. Values must be rooted in something.” What does this mean for YCIS Beijing in practice? “The Director of the Foundation, Dr Betty Chan is a committed and devout Christian. There’s an openness of communication – there’s no fear of expressing your Christianity, for example saying ‘Bless you’ or
beijingkids 2016 November/December
photoS: courtesy of YCIS, Daystar Academy
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‘blessings’ in an email, that sort of communication is welcomed. Of course it’s not required, there’s not a religious test for employment, but staff are made aware of the fact that Christian faith is important to many of the leadership of the organization. “We are a partner of Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF). Christine [Xu, the other Co-Principal] and I presented at one of their meetings. We have an agreement where eligible students are members of the fellowship, there’s special arrangements for children of pastors, and so on. We have services after school; not in competition with local Christian communities, but supplementary to them. So for example there’s a service for staff on a monthly basis. “We honor Christian festivals – although there’s no religious test to the enrollment of children. We offer voluntary Bible scripture classes as an after school activity. We have a school hymn. We pray, on occasions; every assembly includes a prayer. However, if there is any religious observance, it’s always couched in terms of ‘Christians believe that...’ rather than saying to the students ‘and on this day Christ rose’. “When I was interviewed for my position here, because I knew there wasn’t a religious test, I was surprised and pleased that they wanted to explore my faith background. Then when I came here I thought it might be more obvious that the school had a Christian foundation than it was. But my view has changed again. In a subtle but constant way, it is more of a Christian school than I thought. My first two impressions were wrong! “It’s more subtle here than in an overtly practicing Christian school, where there would be liturgical activities, where there might be religious staff involved, and so on. It’s not done in that way. I’d say though the Christian ethos is subtle, but not meaningless. Parents who are devoutly Christian respond to this school as a Christian school.” For Elizabeth Hardage, Head of School at Daystar Academy, the emphasis is different. Daystar is part of Ivy Education Group, which does not refer to religion at all in its mission or values. That’s not to say that religion is taboo at Daystar. “Nobody’s embarrassed to admit that they practice a religion!” Hardage emphasized. However she put forward one good reason why an understanding of faith issues is an important part of a rounded education. “You can’t be truly bilingual without being bicultural. The majority of our students are preparing to go to university overseas. If you go to the US, or another English-speaking country, during December the colors are red, green, and white. There’s Christmas music on the radio. You can’t forget it’s Christmas!” As an expat it’s easy to grasp the point she’s making. Understanding the festivals, traditions, and core beliefs of a culture, is crucial to understanding the worldview which underpins its language. If Chinese students are to have a successful experience of living and studying overseas, they need to appreciate the subtleties of their environment. For the same reason students at Daystar from a non-Chinese background are immersed in Chinese culture, which, as Hardage told me, is even reflected in the architecture of the school buildings. There are around twenty nationalities represented among Daystar’s 500 students, and a variety of faiths, among them Christians, Muslims, Bahá’ís, and Buddhists. The religious requirements of students are respected, and based on what the families themselves tell the schools their children need.
schooled LEARNING
photos: courtesy of YCIS, Daystar Academy
“Nobody knows how important [a religious requirement] is to a person except the person themselves,” as Hardage put it. Thomas too leads a diverse Eli zab school, where the rhythms of the eth H ardage year can be different for different students. “We know, for example, that during Ramadan there are students for whom it has its challenges, and the teachers are aware which kids are fasting. We don’t make special arrangements, but we honor the fact that’s going on,” Thomas explained. And if a student needed time off for a religious festival, I asked him, would you permit it? “It wouldn’t even get to my office. If a child needed time off, they’d get support from their teachers organizationally. The coordinator wouldn’t need to bring it to our attention as principals.” I asked how, in a multi-cultural, multi-faith environment, you deal with conflict over the issues, or talk about the conflict that’s going on in the world. “That’s where some of the Christian ethos would come through,” Thomas said. “If you look at what I see as the core of Christian faith, a belief in the fundamental worth of every single individual, in the dignity of human life, in forgiveness, if you see those as the core things then you are inevitably teaching tolerance. Where there is conflict your natural inclination is to try to teach understanding and respect. My Christian faith is driven by seeing Christ as the perfect example of those characteristics. Hardage agrees that respect is central to this issue. “What we say to the students is that you might believe something very deeply, but the person next to you might not. Just because you disagree with someone, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a mutually respectful and constructive relationship. And how you handle these questions is really important, because the outcome can either be enormously positive or enormously negative.”
Both schools see character education as crucial. “We have a structured character education program running through the school,” Thomas told me. “In secondary it occurs with a specific teacher, in primary it deliberately permeates all classes. We have a character trait of the month: this month it’s respect. Respect’s probably a good example. You can respect other people’s religion, and the dignity of other human beings. You can tie it to both secular and religious concepts. There’s a belief system as well as a social system around respect. “One of the mottos of YCIS is ‘We will align with love and charity’ – it’s one of the three tenets of the school. We have a charitable foundation which runs right across the Yew Chung Foundation, which is called Seeds of Hope. Students are actively engaged in fundraising, but not only for Seeds of Hope. Another area where you see love and charity in action is through the Community Activity and Service (CAS) program in the International Baccalaureate diploma. Many of our children meet their CAS requirements through charitable work; not just raising funds, but being directly engaged in helping others. For example, they might volunteer at an orphanage. If they’re actively involved that’s more powerful.” Daystar students too are encouraged to put their values into action. For example, on December 10-11, Daystar Academy will host the “Be the Change Celebration,” where children from around the world are encouraged to showcase their involvement in making change happen. “We also have the Family Lunch Program, where students from different grades will sit around a table as a ‘school family’ and share a meal. It’s one of the ways we bring the students together.” I asked Hardage how much she sees this sort of education as the responsibility of schools, and how much it’s the role of parents and families. “We as a family talk about our faith and our values, and I think it’s something every family should do. In the US this question will often guide parents’ choice of a school, because you want to know what the school is teaching your children. That’s certainly owed to parents, to know what their children are being taught about religion.” “The answer is almost inevitably glib,” Thomas said when I put the same question to him. “It’s both, it’s a partnership, it can’t occur in one without the other.” I asked him how he sees that partnership developing at YCIS. “I’d like to explore this year being a little bit more overt about responding to the school’s Christian dimension, but it will never be the case that walking into YCIS will be like walking into, for example, a Christian Brothers school, where it’s evident that the Christian faith is constantly brought before children.” Both educators were clear that what different faiths share is more important than what divides them. As Hardage put it, “I don’t know that there’s any religion which doesn’t want people to be kind, caring, and respectful.” And when you compare these principles to the core socialist values which the Chinese government aims to instill into children – civility, equality, friendship, integrity, and so on – it’s impossible to escape the conclusion that what we all want for our children is fundamentally the same, in the words of the Ivy Group’s mission statement, for them to be people “who will make our world a better place.”
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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I Want to Be a
Hockey Player
Mike Kusy and ISB Students Hit Around Nutrition and Pro-Athlete Questions by Jessica Suotmaa
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From left to right, Marisa, Iris, Max,November/December Mike Kusy, Ivana, and Cindy beijingkids 2016
When I Grow Up LEARNING
A
lthough Beijing is not well-known for sports, students at International School of Beijing (ISB) not only practice sports in their free time, but many are also interested in pursuing a career in sports. Former pro-athlete Mike Kusy, originally from Saint Catharines, Ontario, Canada, left the Bloomington Prairie Thunder (Illinois, US) in favor of the University of Guelph (Ontario, CA) varsity team. After successfully balancing sports and studies, Kusy has been furthering his education, studying Chinese History at the University of Guelph. He came to Beijing amidst his Master’s studies, taking the opportunity to engulf himself in the culture and environment of his studies and gaining a transnational perspective on his Master’s thesis, written on the development of ice hockey in China. Kusy, a certified Hockey Canada coach, has now been in Beijing for a little over a year, coaching a junior hockey team, Tiger Club, in Beijing’s rinks.
photos: Uni You, courtesy of Mike Kusy
Max, 17 When you were playing professionally, what problems did you encounter? How can what you learned playing hockey in North America be applied to what you do today? Playing professionally had its challenges, because you are being paid to play. Every game is meaningful in that it determines whether you have a job the next day. In university hockey, depending on where you are in the lineup, because you can’t change the university you’re at, get traded, or easily leave and start afresh somewhere else. The university is where you’re studying, and you can’t just leave because you’re stuck in a rut in hockey. Turning things around, you just have to take a positive outlook. Even if you’re not playing well, you have to be a good team mate, a good person in the dressing room, and a team player on the bench, cheering on your teammates. At the end of the day, no matter what, if you’re having success or if you’re struggling, as the late Pat Summit would say: being a team player is something we all should strive to be while playing sports. What can be applied today from my hockey playing career to my coaching career is that you need to be prepared. Preparation as a coach is more work than preparation as a hockey player because you’re preparing for the entire team’s success. You’re responsible for every player on the ice, and you need to motivate not just yourself, but the whole team. Playing hockey gave me a passion and understanding of the game, and the realization that being effective is important. As a player, I looked forward to the games, but now as a coach, I look forward to the practices because that’s my classroom, where I can make a difference. Ivana, 18 How important is nutrition in training? Nutrition is very important. You have to eat good foods, catering to all the different food groups. Eat your carbs! But, eat good carbs, like rice. You don’t want to be having sugar carbs, but your body needs fuel and carbohydrates are fuel. Most of us remember to eat before a game, but don’t forget to refuel after working out! Fluids, carbs, and protein are the most important ingredients for your postworkout recovery. Whether it is practice, a game, or training, you need to eat to help your body recover and recoup. Your body will be craving nutrients, so eat carbs to give your body the energy it needs. If you’re stressed out before a competition and can’t eat, or just lost your appetite, refer to liquids over solids. Sports nutrition drinks and liquid meals can be digested more quickly than solid food as they don’t need to be broken down.
Marisa, 17 How different are your workouts now, compared to before? When I was younger, I worked out to look big and muscular. But, I’ve realized that with big muscles you lose mobility, flexibility, and sometimes even acceleration. Since then, I’ve wanted to be less bulky, but more strong. To achieve this, I do more body and band workouts with high repetitions.
Cindy, 17 Have you had severe injuries? Did you do rehabilitation? I’ve had severe injuries; I’ve broken half a dozen bones and separated my shoulder multiple times. You just have to fight through the adversity and pain, letting the healing process take its course. My advice is to listen to your body, take rehabilitation, and listen to the physical therapists’ professional advice. Take all the necessary steps it takes to get your body back to the way it was before, to make it stronger. Don’t push it, because you only have one body, so take good care of it.
Iris, 17 How do you keep yourself motivated? To keep myself motivated, I read and watch inspiring stories about former pro-athletes, current athletes, or just motivational people with wise things to say about life and how to keep improving yourself. You always want to be a better version of yourself, to not compare yourself to anybody else, but to improve yourself every day. In a similar way, I am motivated to be an influential coach and mentor for younger generations. For example, hockey has always come easily to me, while school has not. When I became a student athlete, I didn’t know how to be a student. But, the approach is similar as in sports and hockey. When you’re playing hockey, you have a group of people who all have different emotions, and different feelings towards certain things, but you’re all there for a common goal, to win. Winning fixes everything, but it’s the attitudes that can take you to the next level. I’m on a team. I’m engulfed in a culture that’s good for my lifestyle; it keeps me busy and active. I have to think about how it’s benefiting my life even if the on ice is not going well. I used the same discipline, motivation, and determination to face adversity and become a better student.
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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Students from
Etonkids International Kindergarten fill in this month’s Blank Canvas
Cloud, 6 - China “I drew a dinosaur park!”
Selina, 6 - China “My drawing has magic plants!”
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
Owen, 5 - China “I drew animals in the forest at night.”
Alice, 5 - China “I drew the mountain top with colorful buildings.”
BLANK CANVAS LEARNING
Liuge, 5 - China “My picture is of the universe and a space shuttle.”
James Shiyu Bao, 5 - China “My painting is of a treehouse at night.”
Liaoliao, 5 - China “Look at the Halloween night!”
Yaoku - China “My painting is of a tiger.”
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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LEARNING Off the shelf
Holiday Bedtime Stories
Educators from Ivy Schools and Daystar Academy share their favorite read alouds with the holidays in mind By Jessica Suotmaa
Canadian Danny Glasner, PYP Teacher Librarian at Daystar Academy, shares a progressive winter holiday story about mixing traditions, teaching your child to embrace both similarities and differences.
Singaporean Rashidah (Ako) Aziz, English Teacher Coordinator, and English Lead Teacher at Ivy Schools shares her favorite bedtime story to tickle your child’s imagination. The Tickle Tree by Chae Strathie is a fantasy story for children with advanced imagination, written in whimsical rhymes rivaling Dr. Seuss. Even the words are printed in curvy lines, adding to the whimsical aesthetics of the book, along with the tickling episodes it inspires. Perfect for young children between the ages of two and five, budding readers will also enjoy the challenging, yet manageable syllables in the simple storyline. The cool toned illustrations by Poly Bernatene are full of detail, piquing the child’s curiosity and wonder while challenging their power of observation.
The Tickle Tree assures young ones that even when it’s challenging to imagine the creatures in the story, children can visualize their own thoughts, creating their own creatures. The story helps affirm that every child has the ability to imagine beautiful things, and that every child’s thoughts and ideas are precious and valuable.
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
Alko’s mixed-media collage illustration style is eye-catching and more visually appealing thanks to the different textures she uses, of textiles and paint and paper cutouts. Children enjoy the detailed depictions of holiday decorations and foods against the backdrop of family coziness. While Glasner enjoys the story for its modern family elements, such as how the author gave Sadie’s father a tattoo, when asked why the children love it, he says, “What kid wouldn’t want to be part of a family that celebrates two gift-giving winter holidays?! ‘Mountains of gifts are placed under the tree for eight nights of Hanukkah, plus Christmas Day!’” Glasner proceeds to explain how Alko manages to include an environmental awareness message when Hanukkah Mama “tosses wrapping paper into the recycling bin” and endorses cooperation and teamwork when depicting the preparation of the holiday feast: “Daddy stuffs the turkey with cranberry kugel dressing” and “Mama makes jelly donuts and fruitcake for dessert” but by then he’s made his point already.
photos: Courtesy of Ivy Schools and Daystar Academy
In The Tickle Tree, readers are asked whether they’ve seen wonderful things and creatures (of the imagination) and interacted with them. Has your child seen galumph? Or the Grimbles on Mars? Have they danced with the marvelous musical meep, or walked with a wibblebird made of jelly? Young readers are assured that if they haven’t already, eventually they will, subtly teaching children to remain positive and to never give up.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by author-illustrator Selina Alkois an open-minded holiday story that truly brings families, communities, and peoples together in the celebration of the mixing of traditions and the integration of shared universal values. Although the book is recommended for children aged four to eight, the book touches on central questions of tolerance and sameness as the main character, Sadie, takes readers on a journey to learning about her family holiday traditions. Children will learn about aspects of both Christmas and Hanukkah holiday traditions, such as the candy canes hung on menorah branches, or the latkes and milk left on the mantel for Santa Claus, and how the two different religious and cultural traditions can be combined under one joyous household. Combined with the multi-racial cast of neighbors and relatives, Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama delivers a positive message about diversity, tolerance, and acceptance.
LEARNING
Tech Corner
Work It Out!
ISB recommended fitness app for the holiday season
By Nimo Wanjau
T
Kids provides customizable or preprogrammed workouts with video demonstrations that are designed for strength, agility, or flexibility and balance. With an iPad or tablet, anywhere can become a workout space! Sworkit Kids does not provide as many pre-programmed workouts as its parent app Sworkit, but does give a good Ca leb number of accessible exercises for H il l kids. Sworkit apps are available over thirteen different languages including English, French, Chinese, and Russian. The free versions of both the adult and kids have in-app purchases starting at USD 6.99 - 55.99. Platform: iOS, Android, Web Age: 7+ Price: Free to download with in-app purchases
photos: Courtesy of ISB, Screen Shot
he feasting indulgences during the holidays are hard to resist for adults; try and imagine how kids defeat their urges. It’s very tough! The challenge of your family eating healthily during the holiday is like getting an elephant to tightrope walk while 60m in the air. Why not have your kids join you in a work out specially designed for them in your living room? Canadian Caleb Hill recommends the Sworkit app. Hill joined the International School of Beijing’s Elementary Physical Education department in August 2016 after working in Beijing No. 25 Middle School as part of their Sino- Canadian program. Hill holds both a Bachelor of Education specializing in Physical Education and Social studies from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Brock University in Ontario Canada. Two fitness aficionados wanted to bring the gym’s smaller bodyweight workouts home through technology and thus, Sworkit was born. The Sworkit stands for Simply WORK IT and has 20 million users after debuting in popular venture capital funding TV show, “Shark Tank” earlier this year. A similarity with apps like MyFitnessPal, is the ability of the user to create their own playlist of tailor made routines from the custom workout builder. Hill says, “ the fitness app takes you through 5 to 60+ minute strength, yoga, pilates and stretching workouts requiring no equipment. Sworkit Kids scales down the adult-sized app to give kids aged 7-12 the motivation and video examples necessary to complete their own home workouts. Sworkit
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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LEARNING MEET THE TEACHER
Meet the Teacher
Keystone’s Theory of Knowledge teacher challenges students to view the human experience from all angles by Jessica Suotmaa
V
ivek Bammi, Theory of Knowledge teacher at Keystone Academy, teaches his bilingual International Baccalaureate course with a Chinese co-teacher, enabling him and his students to witness the Chinese love of deep learning in a global context. Fueled by a desire for fresh challenges and a fascination for Chinese history and culture, Bammi came here two years ago from Indonesia, where he taught at an international school for over 25 years. Although Bammi enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle as a child in East India’s Assam, where his father worked as a manager of a tea plantation, he did not follow his father’s footsteps, but was led to academia by his love for learning. Since then, he has never regretted his decision, but enjoys teaching the subjects he loves most: the humanities—history, geography, literature, and the arts—for the rich, multi-dimensional perspectives the subjects offer into the human experience How would you (or your students) describe your teaching style? My teaching style reflects my passion and enthusiasm for lifelong learning: I want to engage the students in an active exploration and discussion of ideas and issues that are shaping their world. Ultimately, the teacher must hand over the control of learning to the students, so that they can move away from ‘traditional’ and ‘out-dated’ models of thinking.
What topic was the most challenging to cover with children? Why? In my subject area, we cover many topics with multiple perspectives, which often challenge the students to re-examine their own viewpoints and opinions and to consider alternative ways of thinking and reasoning. This can be upsetting for young adults; it is also difficult to convey uncertainty and ambiguity in knowledge, since much of school education is predicated on the opposite.
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
What class project in your teaching career was the most meaningful to you? I taught a course in anthropology in Indonesia; after studying the concept of “culture” in some depth, we organized a field trip to Central Java, which included a range of activities: a paleontological ‘dig’ at the site where “Java Man” was discovered, and visits to a Javanese village, an art school, the Palace, and a museum of “batik” cloth. This kind of “experiential learning” is very meaningful, and changed many students’ perspectives: most of them were international and tended to have a superficial view of Indonesian society based on their narrowed world view. After this experience, they began to appreciate the depth and beauty of Indonesian culture, its tolerance and acceptance of others, the kindness and mellow temperament of its people. This experience was transformative for me as well, and Indonesia is my favorite land in the world!
photoS: Uni You, courtesy of Keystone Academy
What are some of the topics you cover? I cover different topics of world history, including aspects of social (such as family, food, sports) and aesthetic (music, film, art) history, since every individual is constructed by multiple influences. In Theory of Knowledge, we focus on contemporary issues which are often contestable and exciting, such as plastic surgery, cloning, genetic engineering, abortion, preserving or discarding cultural practices, consumerism, gender orientation, and equality.
What topic was the most interesting to your students? Why? Paradoxically, the topics that are the most challenging (involving different perspectives and examining contemporary issues) are also the most interesting for most students! Many let me know that the active interaction and discussion with their peers helped to clarify their own thinking and stance. The teenage years are fluid, and an active engagement in the classroom begins to shape an identity (or identities) which they can further explore in the wider world.
West Meets East PARENTING
Happy Holidays Is this a festive season for you? by Andrew Killeen Brenda Hackbarth is a teacher at Yew Chung International School (YCIS) Beijing. Together with husband Scott she has five sons, two daughters-in-law, a a d granddaughter, and a grandson on en lip Br hil 7) the way! The grown up children : P ( ft le rth, rth though have been left back home a p a to kb kb in Minnesota, and only seven-year-old m ac Hac fro tt H Philip is with them in Beijing. e o is c
n, Yi
na An
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Do you celebrate Christmas? My husband and I have each celebrated Christmas with our respective families our entire lives, and we have also celebrated with our own children and grandchild their entire lives. What do you tell your children about Santa Claus? We don’t really make a big deal about Santa Claus, because the culture and television do a good job of promoting him! When our children have asked about Santa Claus, we have always told them that he is an example of what we should all be, not just during Christmas time, but all year long…selfless. We try to stress the GIVING of gifts at Christmas and not the GETTING. When do you start preparing for Christmas? I’ve always liked to have the house decorated for Christmas after the beginning of December. I enjoy Thanksgiving, so I like keeping those decorations around for a while. I have become a minimalist through the years; we used to spend many days, hours, or weeks on preparation, but then realized that the day comes and goes and the children focus on the little things and not the big things. Having them give input into what they enjoyed for traditions really helped us to make the holiday season meaningful for them. One of the traditions I took from my family was making special breads for Christmas morning. My mother always did it, and so did I, until one year I assumed it was not that important to our children and chose not to incorporate it into our year. The children voiced their unhappiness about this and I’ve continued the tradition since then. Do you stay in Beijing, or visit family? This is our first experience of being expats, and we’ve never in our lives spent a Christmas season without our children. It will be a different experience, but we hope that it will encourage them to start their own traditions with their families. Because of the cost and time, we felt that we would wait until summer to go back to the US to visit. We will, indeed, be spending Christmas in Beijing or somewhere in Asia. What sort of presents do your children get? Presents are very minimal. The children draw names and get one or two gifts for each other, and we give them a few. We usually try to focus on things that have some comical meaning or something they really want. We have tried to do silly things, too, like have clues hidden around the house to help them find their gifts. Or follow the string to their gift. We hope that the children enjoy the fun of being together more than the THINGS themselves.
Do you celebrate Christmas? We regard Christmas more for kids. It’s a good occasion to introduce western culture. Last year, my daughter couldn’t relate Christmas to the birth of Jesus Christ. Her favorite part was Santa Claus and all the gifts. Most of her Christmas ideas come from the cartoons she watches, like Peppa Pig. Last year, I organized a Christmas family party for her playmates. Santa came, and all the kids got a present. The children gave presents to each other and they were all very happy. What do you tell her about Santa Claus? For my daughter, Santa Claus is a lovely old man. All the good kids will get a present from him. But she also has doubts: how can Santa know I was being naughty or good? Does he have a telescope? Santa is also magical; he can fly on a sleigh with his reindeer. A few days ago, my daughter said that she wanted to see Santa right away. She said she can make this come true by waving her magic wand. When do you start preparing for Christmas? Last year, I started preparing for Christmas two weeks before Christmas, since we were having a party. This year, she is old enough to know that Santa comes at night, and she wants to stay up all night waiting for Santa and her present. So we will hang up a stocking by her bed, and she will have a surprise on Christmas morning. Do you stay in Beijing, or visit family? Most Chinese parents have to work on Christmas Day, so we usually celebrate Christmas in Beijing. When our daughter grows older, we might want to take her abroad to celebrate Christmas. What sort of presents does your child get? Last year, my kid was 3 and her present was a Christmas-themed toy box. This year, I will ask her what she wants. If she has no clear idea, we will give her toys or picture books as gifts. What family traditions do you have? My husband and I are both Chinese, so we celebrate Chinese Spring Festival, and other Chinese traditional festivals like QingMing Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Day, Children’s Day, and National Holiday. At Chinese Spring Festival, we make dumplings and stay up late waiting for the first day of the Lunar New Year. Since we live in Beijing, and we are far away from our parents and relatives, we don’t do much visiting during the holiday. We go out to eat at restaurants on holidays. If the weather is good, we will play outside but we enjoy indoor activities when the weather is bad. e ev St
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photos: courtesy of Brenda Hackbarth, Jenny Tu
kw , S oc th Cl bar ck Ha
Beijingers Jenny Tu and Steve Yin are busy people. Yin works for a Chinese corporation, in charge of overseas energy investment, while Tu is employed by a British transnational company, and in her spare time organizes all kinds of child-friendly events for families. Their daughter Anna is four years old.
November/December 2016 beijingkids
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PARENTING The Echo Chamber
Longing for Twirls
I
by Ember Swift
n late 2013, I went home to Canada to birth my son who was born during the coldest and snowiest winter Ontario has had in 30 years. I loved it. I loved every minute of the huge snowdrifts against the patio glass doors, the crackling fire in the fireplace of my parent’s home, and the crystallized frozen breath that stiffened my scarf after a crisp walk outdoors. It was divine. Winter is a season I’ve come to appreciate all the more since moving to Beijing in 2008. Winter here in the Chinese capital is, frankly, a disappointment. The bone-chilling indoor cold thanks to poorly insulated buildings makes the much colder temperatures in Canada seem so much more bearable; at least in my home country, when you return indoors, you can remove your down-filled vest. And without the pristine beauty of regularly falling snow, this city is just like one giant grey-infused shoulders-slumped sigh as it endures the long wait for spring.
I want both my kids to understand the beauty of skating on an icy surface—like ballet on blades, even if holding a hockey stick. My son was only six weeks old when I took my daughter ice-skating for the first time in Canada. We went to a homemade skating rink that is maintained by local volunteer organizations and serves as a place for shinny hockey or free skating for the small population of local kids. My daughter had never been on skates before. Together, with her godmother, we walked the fifteen minutes to the rink and strapped her into toddler skates much to her excitement. Her godmother and I (both in boots rather than skates) took turns holding her hands and directing her across the ice as she reveled in the feeling of floating. “Mommy, it’s fun! Mommy, I’m dancing!” I was so proud. I imagined her doing twirls on ice in a few years, able to skate away on her own, flying across the ice freely like most Canadian kids can do by the time they’re six or seven years old. I want both my kids to understand the beauty of skating on an icy surface— like ballet on blades, even if holding a hockey stick. It’s been nearly three years since that snowy day of Canadian maternal pride, and I’m sad to report that we haven’t been ice-skating since. Sure, there have been a few roller skating attempts in warmer months, but we haven’t been back in Canada in winter since my son’s birth. And, with small ice rinks mostly tucked away into the basement of malls, iceskating is an under-appreciated activity in this snowless city. That’s why I just left my Canadian friend a message announcing my plan to take the kids ice-skating in Beijing as soon as possible. I got the response I needed: a resounding yes. Stay tuned! A proud Canadian ice-skating team will imminently overtake the Solana mall’s indoor rink.
About the Writer
Ember Swift is a Canadian musician and writer who has been living in Beijing since late 2008. She and her husband Guo Jian (国囝), who is also a musician, have a daughter called Echo (国如一) and a son called Topaz or “Paz” (国世龙).
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beijingkids 2016 November/December
Beijing Baba PARENTING
Guys and Dolls
Remember, remember...what was that date again? by Andrew Killeen
“W
hy,” Noah asks, with the tone of one addressing life’s great mysteries, “do people dress up as Disney princesses for Halloween?” “Yeah,” Joseph adds, “and superheroes. That’s not very scary, is it?” “I suppose it’s just a festival of dressing up,” I suggest, but I’m not convinced myself. The growing importance of Halloween mystifies me too. When I was a kid in England, Halloween, though recognized and celebrated, was not such a big deal. It was far secondary in significance to another annual event which falls a few days later. I decide to test my boys’ knowledge of their culture. “What’s Bonfire Night?” I ask Joseph. “A night when you go out and have bonfires,” he replies confidently. “And fireworks.” “Why?” This stumps him, and he shrugs. “Have you heard of Guy Fawkes?” “Oh, Guy Fawkes!” he says. “Of course. Guy Fawkes. That’s right, I remember now, Guy Fawkes.” “Who was Guy Fawkes?” “I don’t know.” I recite a traditional rhyme to him:
However the anniversary has been celebrated for four hundred years, and it represents a deep connection to the country’s past. Traditionally people would make scarecrow-like effigies of the unfortunate Fawkes and burn them on bonfires; “a penny for the guy” was the equivalent of “trick or treat”. Even in England though, Guy Fawkes Night is under threat from Halloween. It’s part of the much lamented but perhaps unstoppable Americanization of British culture and language. “Trick or treating” was once seen as an alien invader, like the gray squirrel, but is now the norm. I want my children to grow up citizens of the world, respectful of other people’s cultures, but I don’t want them to lose their own. So I’ll do what I can to make sure my kids retain their Englishness, that they use taps and pavements rather than faucets and sidewalks. Guy Fawkes though might be a hard sell in Beijing. “All right boys,” I say, “let’s sort out your Halloween costumes. Do you want to be Elsa, or Ariel?” “DAD!” Cheap, I know. But as a parent, you take your fun where you can get it.
Remember, remember, the fifth of November With gunpowder treason and plot I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot “What were they going to blow up with gunpowder?” I ask Joseph. “A bank?” he suggests, then something stirs within his memory. “The Houses of Parliament.” “That’s right! And who were they trying to kill?” “The President.” We’ve been in China for 15 months, which feels like a mere blink to an adult, but to 7-year-old Joseph it represents a substantial portion of his life; perhaps a third of his memories. I worry that he might lose touch with his heritage. Already there’s a transatlantic twang creeping into his voice, and a tendency to “uptalk”, that rising intonation at the end of sentences which is the mark of young international English. Ten-year-old Noah fares better with the quiz: he knows that Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who plotted to assassinate the Protestant King, James I. The date, though, escapes him. “Remember, remember… the sixth of September?” On reflection it’s hard to see a reason why the fifth of November should be remembered, more than any of the other significant days in British history. It’s a strange tradition, and at root an unpleasant one.
About the Writer
Andrew Killeen is a novelist and creative writing teacher. Originally from Birmingham, England, he studied at Cambridge University and now lives in Beijing with his wife and two crazy boys, Noah (age 10) and Joseph (age 7). In between he was at various times a DJ, festival director, positive parenting practitioner, and homeless support worker. His critically acclaimed historical novels are available from Dedalus Books.
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Dump winter slumps by swimming and skiing under bluer skies by Jasmin Yang-Spooner and Vanessa Jencks
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FEATURES
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ver wondered where to go for the perfect winter break, action-packed, and fun-filled for kids and parents alike? Check out this year’s deals at locations only a short flight away from Beijing.
HARBIN Famous for its ice sculptures and skating on the frozen river, Harbin is also a convenient place to go skiing from Beijing.
Where to stay? Club Med, Yabuli: 200km from Harbin city is Yabuli ski resort, the largest ski resort in China. Club Med Yabuli does a great family package deal with activities including Nordic walking, flying trapeze and yoga as well as use of facilities such as the spa by beauty brand L’OCCITANE. DEAL: The package (including accommodation, open gourmet food and bar, ski passes and lessons, evening entertainment, and kids activities, including activities like making craft masks, cooking pizza, playing group games, and kids ski lessons) starts from around RMB 5,700 per person for 5 days in December. Skip the January peak season for better prices in 2017.
Getting There Flights are only 2 hours from Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), or you can take the Beijing-Harbin High-speed Railway (6-7 hours).
photo: Clubmed.co.uk, grand-hirafu.jp
JAPAN Japan is home to some of the most famous ski resorts in Asia, and boasts high quality powder snow, which has earned Japan an international reputation among skiers and boarders alike. There are over 500 resorts to choose from, featuring luxury hotels, onsen hot springs (the perfect post-ski pastime!), lively restaurants, and friendly locals. The most renowned resorts are located in the north of Japan, on the island of Hokkaido. Family-friendly packages are often discounted at early-bird prices, and there is plenty to do - most of these resorts have a variety of activities such as sledding and play zones for young children, some even with childcare rooms, as well as activities for adults aside from snowboarding and skiing.
Where to go? Niseko is known internationally and has been voted the best overall resort in Japan by the powderhounds.com. Sub-arctic Siberian winds mixed with the warmer Sea of Japan create the perfect climate for regular, light powder snowfall throughout the whole winter, and the view of nearby Mount Yotei, a dormant volcano, and the Shiribetsu River also make it the perfect destination for photographers. This resort is also one of the few places in Japan that offer top-quality off-trail skiing. These areas are accessible through special gates and guided tours - helicopter tours even allow you to ski off-piste on the volcano Yotei! Niseko is made up of three main resort areas and an allinclusive ski pass allows you to access all of the slopes on the mountain (Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri). DEAL: A 5-day pass for peak season (December 10, 2016 – March 20, 2017) is approximately RMB 1,470/880 for adults/ children. Grand Hirafu is the largest of the resorts at Niseko, and is adjacent to the town Hirafu at the foot of the mountain. Here is the most popular place for night skiing, as well as having a Snow School, Snow Park for children, and hiking tours available around the snowy slopes. This resort also has a Kids Room where parents can safely leave their children to be cared for while parents zip around. Hotel Niseko Alpen, Grand Hirafu: this simple hotel is only a short walk away from the main Hirafu ski lift, the perfect location for making the most of your skiing experience. Guests can choose from Japanese-style with tatami mats or Western-style rooms with beds, or a mixed style combining the best of both worlds. DEAL: Prices start from RMB 400 per person per night including breakfast, access to hot springs and a perfect location for skiing. AYA Niseko: newly opening in December 2016 is the AYA Niseko, a ski-in ski-out serviced apartment complex right at the bottom of the slopes. For those looking for a more independent holiday, this may be the perfect option. Guests are able to enjoy services such as the yoga room, natural onsen hot springs, art gallery, kid’s club and ski school as well as 24-hour reception. DEAL: Rates start at around RMB 1,000 per person per night for a 47sqm Studio in January.
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Hilton, Hokkaido: there are also many other resorts in the surrounding area. For those looking for a more luxurious stay, look at the Hilton branch in Hokkaido. Ski-in/ski-out access, a fitness centre, golf course, and hot air ballooning are only a couple of examples of the amazing amenities. Crowned Japan’s Best Ski Hotel by the World Ski Awards (2013, 2014 and 2015), there isn’t much that beats the location or view of the ‘sea of clouds’ blanketing Mount Yotei from the Hilton. Expect spectacular panoramic views of the slopes, and top quality hospitality. DEAL: December rates start from ~ RMB 1,800 per room per night for 2 adults and 1 child in a King Deluxe Family Suite.
Club Med also provides a relaxing stay, offering horserides, hot springs and various activities for kids as off-slope pastimes. DEAL: December is peak season, but discounts are available for February/March 2017.
Getting There Flights go from BCIA to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. Resorts will run shuttle buses with around 2.5 hours travel time, and most packages will have the option to include airport transfers.
CAMBODIA
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perience at great value and in one of the most beautiful cities, this boutique villa complex may be the perfect fit. Family suites and tailored tour guides are available on request. DEAL: Rates start at RMB 2,000 per night for a Royal Family Suite Villa (with Private Pool), 3 persons, December 2016 to January 2017.
HanumanAlaya Villas: the Hanuman travel group has set up a beautiful, spacious and perfectly located holiday spot. The villas are only a short walk or tuk-tuk ride away from the major sights, yet set in a quiet and private environment. Whilst areas like the Old Market and other tourist spots may be heaving in peak season, nearby areas such as Wat Bo or along the river near the villas are more relaxing yet beautiful places to explore. The HanumanAlaya Villa complex also works with its sister company, Hanuman Tourism, to bring reliable guides and well-organized tours of Cambodia to its guests. Tickets and tours can be arranged through the resort this way, which saves parents the stress of finding all activities themselves whilst taking care of children. The space available in these villas is ideal for families, and the perfect oasis in the busy city for children to relax and enjoy their holiday. DEAL: The Pool View Suite is recommended, fitted with 2 queen-size beds and a balcony. Rates for a Deluxe Suite Room start at RMB 1,580 for December 2016 to January 2017.
Getting There As there are no direct flights to Siem Reap from Beijing, plan at least a day for travel, maybe two, depending on your family’s constitution and organizational ability. Stopover options include Kunming, Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou. If you can’t make a day of the layover, we suggest Hong Kong International for its views, Hongqiao in Shanghai for the children’s rest area, and Seoul Incheon for the many free perks, from shower areas, massage chairs, transit tours, to rest lounges.
photo: desaranvilla.com, hanumanalya.com, Hilton.com
Why Cambodia? The majestic temples, phenomenal food and perfect climate to get away from the Beijing cold are only a few reasons to visit this beautiful country. November to February is the best time to go – the weather is relatively dry and the temperature is ideal for either lounging by the pool or wandering around the temples. Whilst it is therefore busy at this time of the year, there are still plenty of family deals for you to enjoy. Travel in the first week of December or late January to avoid peak airline fares and tourist crowds. Optimum weather continues in February so Chinese New Year is still a perfect time to travel! Here are a few options for a spacious but welllocated base from which to explore Siem Reap.
Where to stay? De Sarann Villa: for those looking for a unique family ex-
FEATURES
SANYA The closest tropical resort to Beijing, Sanya is located on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. With beautiful beaches and an abundance of water-sports and resorts to enjoy, Sanya is very well known as an ideal holiday getaway from the mainland. Yalong Bay in particular is popular due to the large concentration of luxury hotels – almost all international 5-star brands will have a branch there. However, this does mean the beach can get crowded in places – it is recommended to find somewhere with a private pool as another option, or a spacious villa complex in which a family can have more privacy instead of having to mix with tourist crowds. Some families also rent apartments nearby other beaches, perfect for social family gatherings.
Where to stay? The Mandarin Oriental, the international luxury 5-star brand, combines “contemporary design with laid-back beach chic” in Sanya. This hotel consciously caters for families. Their services include the CoCo Kids Club and they provide any complimentary amenities you may need such as baby cots, highchairs, bottles and sterilisers, as well as kids’ bathroom items including bathrobes and slippers, available on request. There is a range of rooms, suites and villas with sea views or private pools to choose from, as well as extensive dining and spa facilities. DEAL: Rates start from RMB 1,550, with complimentary round-trip transfers for villa guests. A luxurious gem on the Yalong Bay PGA International Golf Course, the Grand Metropark Resort Sanya is a spacious villa complex ideal for families and large groups. They have spacious villas and activities for all ages, from a playground and kids club for the younger ones to (non-motorized) watersports, hot tub and a private beach for teenagers and adults to enjoy. December rates start from RMB 800 for a Deluxe Room per night for 2 adults, and approximately RMB 2,500 for a Deluxe 2-Villa Bedroom per night including tax and service fees (4 adults).
photo: grandmetroparksanya.com
Getting There Deals on the four hour flights from Beijing to Sanya dip to a low RMB 540 (one way), but cost per person is typically in the RMB 2,000 – 4,000 ranges. Train sleepers range from RMB 850 – 2,900, but the trip isn’t for the faint of heart or the easily bored child, as the wheels keep turning for an astonishing 39 hours.
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Traditions to Keep
No matter where they are in the world, these holidays keep families tight-knit By Anastasia Levina and Vanessa Jencks
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Being surrounded by representatives of various cultures, Chris and Nadine P., a Canadian couple from Vancouver married for 15 years, enjoy sharing customs and traditions in both directions. The couple and their son Tate (9) moved to Beijing a year and a half ago due to Chris’ geology job. There is a very tight-knit and supportive North American community in their neighborhood. They meet a lot of friends just daily passing by on the streets and celebrate many holidays together. There is an obligatory Halloween party every year with friends coming over for a meal and kids going out trick-or-treating. For the P. family, Halloween takes on the same home feel as in Canada. They use favorite candies from Canada, and Nadine makes costumes. Nadine said, “Last year I made an octopus and a jellyfish with built in glowing lights, which was handy for keeping tabs on Tate on a dark night!” “Christmas is the biggest family gathering of the year, but last Christmas was the first one we celebrated abroad,” Nadine added. Nevertheless, some of their relatives came to Beijing, and many of the traditional elements were maintained, from tree decorating to exchanging gifts to turkey dinner with all the fixings. On Christmas Eve Santa delivered pajamas, another tradition Tate is used to. Every year Nadine makes a cake on Tate’s birthday. So far, they’ve had a standing 3D dinosaur, a soccer ball, a circus tent, and last year, a minion. These are mainly all activities Nadine and Chris enjoyed as children, so for them keeping all the familiar customs is one of the main connections to home.
photo: Courtesy of Ekaterina Zhun,Michael Fötsch (Flickr)
ne would be hard pressed to find an expat, even a might-as-well-be immigrant, who didn’t feel a twinge of homesickness during festive holiday seasons. Regardless of the upward mobility of the quality of life for many families in Beijing, the fondest memories of home tend to surround holidays, often the thread keeping many close to home countries while far away. We asked expats of all different nationalities what holidays and traditions they keep up for their families while in Beijing. Russian traditions are dominant in the Zhun family, comprised of Lang (Chinese) and Ekaterina (Russian) with their daughter Yana (age 2.5). Yana was born on the day of Orthodox Easter, and the new dad came to hospital with a basket full of colored eggs. He also strictly follows the custom of bringing flowers home for no particular reason. On New Year’s Eve they invite Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa, to come and Ekaterina, Lang, and Yana cheer Yana up with presents. March 8 is Women’s Day, when Ekaterina expects perfumes and flowers, and on February 23, Defense of the Fatherland Day, she prepares a treat for Lang in return. Lang is not religious, but still supports Ekaterina who aims to baptize Yana in Russia. Since many of Lang’s relatives live in Beijing, national holidays mean all the relatives get together under the roof of the oldest grandmother to enjoy traditional meals. On these big family gatherings Ekaterina always adds Russian food to the holiday table: borsch, bliny, dressed herring, and caviar.
FEATURES
photo: courtesy of Mattjlc (Flickr), PeteR Girrer
Girrer family skiing with friends.
Peter Girrer, his wife Barbara, and their three children, Yakob (14), Lavrin (11), and Valerie (7) moved to Beijing almost six years ago from Austria. Now, their children are trilingual: all speak Chinese, German, and English. However, Chinese was the easiest to learn for Valerie, the youngest. Peter calls their family a very traditional one. They celebrate birthdays and the important Christian feast days, though in China it is much harder to keep traditions when nothing except the calendar reminds them of special dates. There are no vacations, public celebrations, nor decorations to put holiday celebrations in a festive mood. The major holidays for them are Christmas and Easter. “During Advent season, [the four weeks leading up to Christmas], we have the advent wreath. In Austria we would make it by ourselves, but here we cannot easily get the materials.” But Peter said cooking is the best part. “Our kids like the ‘vanille kipferl.’” They use a recipe handed own from Barbara’s mother. Last year the kids wanted to have a real Christmas tree, and so the family ordered a fir from Taobao. However, there was a delay, and the tree arrived three days late. “It was funny. It finally came all packed, but completely useless and there was nothing we could do,” Peter said. The family decorates the tree on Christmas Eve, and typically “everyone gets his or her turn to do something special.” The most fun at Easter for kids is coloring eggs and receiving presents of chocolate bunnies, if the parents manage to get them delivered from their home country. Beijing supermarkets sell Easter stuff as well, but not on a permanent basis. A national holiday, Austria Day on October 26, is celebrated at the embassy. There is usually a family-friendly reception, and all the Austrian community gathers together, meets famous guests from Austria, and enjoys traditional food, such as the vanillekipferl.
Vanillekipferl* Ingredients: 250g flour 1 msps baking powder 125 g sugar 1 vanilla bean 2 egg yolks 200 g of butter, cold 125 g almond 50 g of powdered sugar 4 packs of vanilla sugar
A typical advent wreath.
From right to left, Yakob, Peter, Lavrin, Barbara, Valerie, and two family friends.
Directions 1..In a mixer bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. 2..Using mixer on low, combine sugar, the meat of the vanilla bean, egg, butter, and almonds. 3..On a lightly floured surface, knead into a smooth dough. Then let rest on a large plate in the fridge for 30 minutes. 4..Roll 4 – 5 cm pieces into a horseshoe shape and put on parchment paper. 5..Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius. 6..While baking, mix the powered sugar and vanilla sugar, then when cookies are still hot, powder them with the sugar mixture. * Sourced from chefkoch.de
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FEATURES
Jenny Lin, an American, met her future husband Jack, a Beijinger, 15 years ago when she came to Beijing to work as a copy editor at CCTV. After a few years stint for bilingualism in Beijing, they moved back to the US where their three kids were born, twins Ethan and Isaac (11), and Joshua (7). We asked if they still celebrated Chinese New Year, though they’re so far from Beijing. The Lin family is connected to the large Ohio-based Chinese community through Jack. “We mainly do dumplings and go to local festivals,” says Jenny. Their favorite mix is ground pork, cabbage, cilantro, green onion, garlic, ginger, an egg or two, Dumplings at the Lin home. salt and pepper. They prefer to just buy the skins. “My husband calls family and gives the kids hongbao.” Engaging the kids in celebratory gatherings and performances helps them to get familiar with the culture and history of their second motherland. The boys have also shared their cultural heritage with school classmates through their love of dumplings.
photo: Courtesy of Dawn Bennet, Jenny Leal Lin
Dawn Bennet, a New Zealand diplomat, and her son Luca Viscapi (11) have been in Beijing for three years. Bennet’s father was also a diplomat, and she grew up as an expat in a bilingual family, as her mother is from Belgium. Luca is also half-French, speaking perfect English, Chinese, and French. “On April 25 every year New Zealanders and Australians celebrate ANZAC day. On this day we remember all soldiers killed in war, and honor those who have returned from war. The date is significant as it commemoDawn Bennet and her son Luca Viscapi rates the day New Zealand and Australian soldiers (the ‘ANZACs’) landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey in 1915, during the First World War,” Bennet explains. The New Zealand and Australian embassies hold a large dawn ceremony on this date, and kids play a significant part in the day. Luca, in the past three years, has participated in several roles there – handing out red poppies (the symbol of war remembrance), laying a wreath, and, most importantly, raising the New Zealand flag as the culmination of the whole event. Since he participates, “we have to be there early, even earlier than the guests who also have to be there before dawn, around 4am!” Bennet exclaims. “When all the guests have arrived and have their poppies, just before dawn, the service starts,” says Bennet, adding, “It’s Anzac Cookies actually a kind of funeral service. It’s very red poppies Ingredients solemn, and very beautiful. There’s bagpipe 1/2 cup standard flour playing, hymns, traditional readings, and wreaths 1/3 cup sugar are laid by representatives of the countries and organi2/3 cup finely desiccated cozations attending the ceremony.” conut “Just as dawn is breaking, the last post is played on 3/4 cup rolled oats the bugle, then there is a minute’s silence. Everybody 50g butter stands in complete silence and remembers the soldiers 1 Tbsp golden syrup killed. It’s quite moving. After a minute another piece 1/2 tsp baking soda is played on the bugle, ‘Reveille’, and at the same time 2 Tbsp boiling water the flags of Australia and New Zealand, which were at half-mast, are raised. One year Luca got to raise the 1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Line a baking tray with flag. That was his favorite ceremony. He felt very imporbaking paper. tant!” Most finish by eating a good breakfast together 2. Mix together flour, sugar, coconut and rolled oats. and enjoying traditional ANZAC cookies. 3. Melt butter and golden syrup. Dissolve baking soda in the boiling water and add to butter and golden syrup. Stir butter mixture into the dry ingredients. 4. Place level tablespoons of mixture onto cold greased Luca’s favorite reading, called “The Ode”: trays and flatten with a fork. These don’t spread as they They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: bake so you can place them close together. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 5. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden. Leave on the At the going down of the sun and in the morning tray for 5 minutes then place on a wire rack to cool. We will remember them.
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School News
BSB Shunyi Implements New Science Program Created by MIT The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi is one of the 13 inaugural Nord Anglia Education schools which will collaborate with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to enhance science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) teaching and learning for all primary and secondary students, starting this academic year. The program, created by MIT, includes the development of a series of in-school challenges for students which focus on the juncture between the five STEAM disciplines. In addition to the in-school activities, BSB students will travel to Massachusetts to participate in an exclusive program each spring along with students from other Nord Anglia Education schools around the world.
Beijing 55 Students Attend the Greenpower China Project Launch Students from Beijing No.55 High School International Section attended the launch and award ceremony of the Greenpower China Project at the National Olympic Stadium on September 15-18. The students assembled a vehicle on-site then used it to race.
YCIS Beijing Students Receive Gold in Global Mathematics Exam Yew Chung International School of Beijing students once again achieved outstanding results in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) global mathematics examinations. This year, six students received gold medals, signifying their placement in the top 6 percent in a pool of over 300,000 exam takers worldwide.
Photos : Courtesy of BSB, Shunyi, Etonkids, dcb, keystone, hok, ycis beijing, beijing no. 55, bwya, msb, wab
BWYA Celebrates 15th Anniversary Beijing World Youth Academy’s 15th anniversary kicked off with the entire student and staff body posing for a special photo. This marks the beginning of a year of celebratory events and activities.
Renowned Montessori Trainer Heads to Etonkids Dr. Paul Epstein, a renowned leader and trainer in the international Montessori community will visit the Etonkids Educational Group in the coming months. Epstein will be the first in an ongoing series of top Montessori trainers visiting from abroad to support the growth of the staff through the Etonkids Montessori Teacher Training Academy (EMTTA).
DCB Students on Film On September 27, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) hosted a screening of post-apocalyptic indie teen musical The Remnant, which was a hit at the 2016 Portland Film Festival as an official selection out of more than 3,800 submissions, and the winner of the prestigious Director’s Choice Award. With nearly all cast members between the ages of 8-18, the film features five students from DCB, including the main character, played by DCB’s Year 12 student Kayla Cao. The event was organized by the film’s bilingual ChineseCanadian director, writer, and composer, Karmia Chan Olutade.
HoK Gets New Elementary School Principal House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten (HoK) welcomes new Elementary School Principal Nellie Townsend to their Shunyi campus. Townsend has a Master’s degree in Education and many years of leadership and training experience in the field, which includes the development of a new curriculum program for English Reading Literacy in the USA, and participation in the development and teaching of the “New School Model” curriculum. She’s excited to join the team, and will help facilitate the implementation of the International Primary Curriculum at HoK.
Parent Study Group Talk Series at MSB The International Montessori School of Beijing’s Interim Acting Principal hosted the third series of Parent Study Groups on the theme, “How to Support Executive Functioning.”
Keystone Welcomes Two College Counseling Directors Founding College Counseling directors Amanda Yan and Percy Jiang joined the Keystone Academy this academic year, to assist students with their career planning and university applications. Yan has previously worked at an IB boarding school in England and international schools in Mainland China and Hong Kong, while Jiang joins from the Beijing National Day School.
WAB Students Race at British Motorsport Festival Western Academy of Beijing students built an electric car that revved its engine alongside the world’s most famous British cars, like Aston Martin and Morgan, at the British Motorsport Festival on October 1. WAB raced its battery-powered car in a Greenpower race against other school teams in Beijing.
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The Circuit is a chance to check out what’s happening on the Beijing family scene. Want to see your event on these pages?
Pie Lovers United On October 15-16, 8,000 festival-goers attended the Beijinger’s annual Pizza Fest to sample over 20 pizzas from the different vendors. Kids took part in a planking competition organized by the Spartan Race, and had the option of taking part in pizza-making activities hosted by GungHo!
photos: courtesy of uni you
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THE CIRCUIT Send an email with the date of your event, a brief description, and high-resolution photos (at least 1MB each) to webeditor@beijing-kids.com by January 9 Keystone Students Join Global March for Elephants and Rhinos On September 23, Keystone students and staff came together to join the global movement against elephant and rhino poaching and to enforce a ban on ivory. By marching around the grounds, students showed solidarity with the world and pledged to continue to learn more about the illegal wildlife trade and protect these species for generations to come.
photos: courtesy of keystone and cisb
CISB Students Perform Own Production Selfie Performed on September 20, 22-23, Canadian International School of Beijing’s StageCats’ new production – Selfie featured only 8 cast members taking on a leading role. The unique show drew inspiration from “life is not about what other people think; it’s about the picture you have of yourself.”
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YCIS Beijing Marks 21st Founder’s Day On October 14, YCIS Beijing celebrated 21 years in Beijing with a full day of remembrance, celebration, and sport. The day’s highlight was a live telecast with over 8,000 students and staff from schools across Greater China and the US.
ISB Marks 23rd Annual Terry Fox Run On September 30, hundreds of International School of Beijing students, teachers, and parents laced up for a 10km run on the school grounds to mark the 23rd annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer research.
photos: courtesy of ISB and YCIS, Beijing
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THE CIRCUIT BSB Shunyi Students performed at the FOBISIA Orchestral Festival in Hong Kong Students at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi joined musicians from other Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) schools to perform a concert together in Hong Kong on September 26 under the baton of esteemed conductor, Mr. Ken Hseih.
photos: courtesy of bsb, shunyi and hok
HoK Students Learn How to Haggle at BeDong Market On September 30, House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten’s Grade 2 students visited the BeDong flower market in Shunyi to apply their learned math skills to real life scenarios by bargaining for items within a set budget.
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BSB, Sanlitun Students Visit Inner Mongolia In a five-day trip that took place from September 19-23, Year 6 students went to Inner Mongolia for their residential trip. The students toured the city, rode camels through the desert, and visited the grasslands.
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photos: courtesy of bsb, sanlitun and beijing 55
Milan Manzuoni High School Visit Beijing 55 Students from Italian High School Milan Manzuoni visited partner school Beijing No.55 High School, International School Section from September 15-24 for a cultural exchange program. The students were welcomed by Communist Party Secretary Mr. Wang Huibo and the school director Tian Jieping. They toured various Beijing attractions such as the Bird’s Nest, Dongcheng District Youth Science and Technology Museum, and more.
THE CIRCUIT 3e Celebrates Families Around the World On September 24th, 3e International School Parent Council held their annual event “Families Around the World� to invite all families to enjoy an extravaganza of cultures, food, and games from countries represented within 3e. Families celebrated their home countries as well as educating the 3e community about traditions and geography with fun games and tasty traditional food.
photos: courtesy of 3e and Side by side
Australian Ultra Marathon Runners Gobi and Dion Visit Side by Side Isaac, Dominic, Johann, and Max have been following a story about a dog called Gobi. An Aussie runner, Dion Leonard, was running an ultra marathon across the Gobi Desert when a stray dog started running with him. The dog, now called Gobi, ran more than 125 km of the race and then Dion decided he wanted to adopt Gobi. Gobi and Dion stopped in Beijing before moving to Scotland. Everyone at Side by Side, even Pepper and the cats, were excited that they came to visit. They made a colourful poster, and Dominic and Isaac wrote about them in their journals.
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Favorite Weekend Activities Family time on Sunday and seasonal sports activities such as soccer.
Adopted Chinese Culture Chinese language. We all can fluently communicate in Mandarin.
Favorite Chinese Shop (s) Chinese teashop to learn Chinese tea culture, fine Chinese silk, and Chinese calligraphy.
Favorite Family Way to Relax Hangout with best family friends in a park or at home.
Kids Beg to Go To Latitude in Shunyi. Favorite Seasonal Activity Skating on Houhai Lake during winter.
Best Place for a Day Trip Yang Qi Lake Favorite Chinese Dessert/Snack Moon cake, steamed and deep fried mantou, Chinese strawberry almond tofu dessert, and dim sum-style Chinese sesame balls.
The Nair Family by Nimo Wanjau
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Favorite Parents’ Date Night Kempinski Deli Best Place to Celebrate a Special Occasion Picnic with friends at either Chaoyang or Side Park.
Favorite Chinese Restaurant Haidilao, South Beauty, Beijing Duck, Mr. Fish, and Cai Xi Yan at Four Seasons. Haidilao is very child friendly compared to the other restaurants.
photos: Uni You
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eteran Beijing residents of 18 years, the Nair Family, from India, are Sukesh (dad), Sonia (mom), 15-year-old Yash, and 13-year-old Sparsh. Sukesh has worked with BMW China since arriving in the city while Sonia initially came to complete her master’s in Chinese Language from the Beijing Language and Culture University. She now works at the Canadian International School of Beijing as a preschool teacher. Both boys attend Canadian International School of Beijing. The family gives us insider favorites for family fun in the capital.
Family Rituals Most weekends are spent trying different Chinese dining such as hot pot, mala xiangguo, mala tang, and more.