Dear parents,
To go with "Earth Day" which was celebrated world-wide on April 22nd but should obviously be celebrated every day, we have worked with dedication throughout the past month(s) to improve our environmental awareness and education. On April 16th, the new re-cycling and waste management center in the B-level opened together with a revised, more efficient and easily measureable daily standard of how we manage both recyclables, organic and hazardous waste at school. E.g. all food waste must be returned to the kitchen cleaning room to be sorted into cooked and uncooked bins for composting/disposal and measured by volume to keep a record of how we, as a business, can minimize food waste. Further, all non-organic recyclable materials must be divided by 1) paper 2) plastic 3) metal 4) glass 5) re-useable for art projects and hazardous by 1) sharp objects 2) batteries 3) light-bulbs and 4) toxic residue e.g. paint containers.
On April 20th, Newton K2 teacher Ms. Celia presented together with Ms. Mandy and Biolan about the dangers and solutions to the growing environment problem that is "plastic". Even though I would have liked to see many more parents and grandparents join the presentation, I appreciate those dedicated spirits who showed up and wish we can work together to start a trend, saying "no to plastic", "yes to earth" and begin making good choices when we buy products at the super-market. I was personally surprised to learn that most plastic that claim to be recycled or recyclable actually isn't, because the cost of recycling is much higher than producing new plastic. We were shown a video of an ocean full of plastic bags, fish mistakenly eating the plastic bags that looks like jelly-fish and ending up on our dinner plates. A study shows that 80% of all water, even bottled water contains plastic contaminants. Plastic has only really been in mass-production since the 1950's and we (humans) have already managed to cover vast areas, destroy oceans and pollute our water. Something needs to be done, it starts with us and how we wish the Earth to be for our children and their children's future. Stop buying plastic products when there are other alternatives e.g. ear buds, straws for drinking, chopsticks, cups, plates and choose condiments in glass jars instead of plastic e.g. ketchup, curry paste etc. In an effort to showcase environmentally friendly alternatives, we are sending home a free organic bamboo toothbrush next week to all Hui Xin students courtesy of Dylan's dad from PN-306 who has made it his business to care about organic and environmentally sustainable alternatives to common plastic products, such as the toothbrush www.brushwithbamboo.com. Every year, more than 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes that will never biodegrade are dumped in landfills and oceans worldwide. If something so small, can amount to such a huge, harmful impact on earth it is time to pay attention. From the bottom of my heart I wish to encourage all parents, who either by personal or professional choice work to make their life or business an environmentally friendly one to write me on anders@internewton.com and see if we can work together to inspire our children and community!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE COMING MONTH(S):
- April 28th - May 1st (from/to & including): School is closed for Labor Holiday.
- May 12th: Withdrawal/refund application deadline for deposit refund.
Anders S Christensen, principal
and the Hui Xin team!
We are currently finishing the 2nd week of "Open Classes" and I have been excited to see so many parents coming to school, supporting teachers daily work and having a bit of fun together, bridging home and school in a very meaningful way. Teachers, students and parents played games on the play-ground, made arts & crafts together and enjoyed samples of every day lessons.
On to a different subject, though still about our shared environment. I wish to congratulate Mr. Li feng Xu (N-304 parent) for entering the photo competition "flowers & trees at Hui Xin campus" and winning with his wonderful photo of the Hui Xin train station in the background of a blossoming Japanese plum tree. Before the holiday all families will receive a postcard of his campus photo.
Finally, I wish everyone a wonderful Labor holiday. Hopefully the weather will be nice and allow everyone to travel outside, enjoy a picnic under the green trees, appreciate nature and in doing so, remember not to support the use of plastic!
- May 3rd: Class-photos and K2 graduation photos at campus (rescheduled in case of bad weather)
- May 9th: PN & N Spring Fieldtrip to "Teddy Bear Farm" (sign-up papers sent out already)
- June 1st: Children's Day (please submit ideas to class-teachers)
- June 15th: Dragon Boat Event (Making "Zhong Zi" at campus with parents/grandparents. Green or Golden clothes allowed)
Wishing you a great holiday, see you back on Wednesday May 2nd!
