Great and Wonderful Kids at ISB!
It goes without saying that COVID has been difficult for all of us. How we handle the difficulties and what we do as a result is what is important. Our seniors have had loads of life’s memorable events canceled. It is unfortunate, but I believe they will handle it like the stars that they are. There is no shortage of events where seniors were involved that you never would have known that everything wasn’t normal.
If you watched any of the sporting events, theater performances, band performances, debate, and many others you would see ISB students being great! As we prepare for virtual graduation it is a reminder that not everything is the same, yet everyone is doing their very best.
Just take a look at the fence outside ISB. Our young panthers are always so supportive of the upperclassmen and this again is no different. To show their support they hand drew pictures of all the seniors and put them out front. Think about how important this is to those seniors as they come in the gate and see these images. What has been amazing to see is the number of families that have stopped by to look and admire all this work.
Another example of great kids is right before we went back to virtual school the Tech Council had been running a Tech Waste Donation. People brought in their eWaste and the Tech Council arranged with the Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities International to collect the waste and donate it to the organization. The organization then takes the waste and has it turned into prosthetics for those in need here in Thailand.
All you have to do is look around this school and you will see these types of things and much more happening. Yes, this pandemic has put a damper on things, but ISB and the students have decided to not let it get us down. We carry on doing our very best.
Bell’s Recommendation:
Disappearing Moon Cafe – by Sky Lee
This is the amazing story of four generations of Chinese immigrants during the gold rush on the west coast of Vancouver. During this time many immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada. From the hardened individualism required to mine to the strife of being ostracized as a foreigner, we follow this family through their story. Mixing together loads of Chinese culture and stories of buried bones, murder, love, and loss this story has something for everyone. This is a super interesting look at how difficult immigration is for those coming from strong cultural backgrounds and different genders.
Melinda’s Recommendation:
Prairie Lotus By Linda Sue Park (Middle Grade – Historical Fiction)
Set in a small town in America’s heartland in the 1880’s, Hannah is half Asian American. Her mother, who was Chinese, passed away and since then her father and Hannah have been on the move, never staying in one place for very long. Finally, in the heartland they hope to make a new home and start again. But it is easier said than done when you have to contend with the town’s prejudice against Asians. All Hannah wants to do is graduate from school, make one friend and become a dressmaker. Hannah is an unlikely heroine and you find yourself rooting for her as well as admiring her strength, dignity and determination.
