The phrase “Thank you” expresses respect, care, and a grateful heart. Life becomes more significant when we know how to show thankfulness for everything we have.

Saying “Thank you” is not only showing appreciation of others, but more importantly is a lifelong ability from an early age. Putting thanks into action is the best way to learn the real meaning behind a grateful heart. At YCIS, international education is defined by what goes on inside the student. For success in life the development of good character and a strong inner moral compass is as, if not more important than, academic excellence.

Beginning on December 7 the first Friday of every month will be celebrated at Yew Chung International School of Qingdao as “Thank You Day.”

During our first YCIS “Thank You Day” teachers helped the students to design a “Thank You Brick” to make a “Thank You” wall in the school lobby.

This was to show their thanks in a visual or verbal message to parents, friends, and teachers, and also to give thanks for experiences they had whilst in our school. Teachers were also encouraged to design a “Thank You Brick”. The bricks will be displayed on the wall in the lobby throughout next week as our wall continues to grow with the thanks we have for being a part of the YCIS community.

At YCIS Qingdao, we have lots of people to say “thank you” for and to express our thanks in different ways. Other than students, teachers, and parents, we also need to give thanks to the school support team who give the most robust non-academic support, such as the cleaning ladies, and the maintenance staff, as well as the lunch ladies who serve our students’ lunches every day. The thanks we give might be significant for them because our thanks show the affirmation of their hard work, as well as serving as an inspiration. The YCIS Qingdao support team also had a brainstorming meeting yesterday in order to have their part of the “Thank You Day” put into action.

Let’s start to show our thanks to others: beginning with the first YCIS Qingdao “Thank You Day”! Let’s develop learning communities full of gratitude and profound education!