At Stamford American School Hong Kong, we recently celebrated an important day that holds great significance in our academic and community calendar — Be Well Day. This day, celebrated globally across Cognita Schools, was themed around “Giving,” a concept that we embraced wholeheartedly to inspire and engage our students, teachers, and parents in meaningful acts of kindness and community service.

This year’s Be Well Day was marked by a special initiative called the “Be Well Impact Hour,” where our entire school community was encouraged to contribute at least one hour to actions that could bring positive change. From volunteering to simple acts of kindness, our ambition was to collectively log over 100,000 hours of community service across the Cognita network by October 4th. This effort was designed to enhance community spirit and underline the importance of giving back—a core value we hold dear at Stamford.

Among the many initiatives undertaken, our Grade 3 team’s collaboration with Hanuman Charity stood out. They assembled care packages for the elderly and homeless, a group that often includes individuals who collect cardboard in our city to make ends meet. Each care package, thoughtfully put together in a large ziplock bag, contained essentials such as napkins, wet wipes, Pocari Sweat bottles, cloth gloves, band-aids, face masks, and meal coupons. This initiative was not only about providing immediate relief but also served as a valuable educational experience for our students, teaching them the profound impact of empathy and service.

The theme of giving was creatively woven into our curriculum through the efforts of our drama department. Led by Ms. Greenfeather, our students performed a series of skits and plays that explored the theme of generosity. The eighth graders, in particular, presented a skit that delved into stories of giving, showcasing their understanding of altruism and its importance. Ms. Greenfeather emphasized how these performances were not only a part of their summative assessments but also opportunities for emotional and social learning, highlighting the role of drama in developing resilience, teamwork, and empathy.

Adding an artistic flair to our Be Well Day, the visual arts department embarked on a unique project – the creation and sale of hand-crafted fortune cookies. This project not only allowed students to engage creatively but also served a philanthropic purpose. The sale proceeds were donated to Impact HK, a local charity supporting the homeless, thereby reinforcing our commitment to local community needs and teaching our students the value of art in supporting social causes.

Be Well Day was also a celebration filled with joy and school spirit. Our courtyard buzzed with music from our Secondary School Band, and guest speakers engaged our students with insightful discussions about poverty and the importance of giving. The entire school community, dressed in colorful shirts representing their houses – Dolphins, Porcupines, Monkeys, and Boars, gathered to support their teams, fostering a sense of unity and pride.

Reflecting on Be Well Day, we are reminded of the powerful role we play as educators in nurturing compassionate, socially responsible individuals. Through thoughtfully organized activities and initiatives, we not only taught our students about the virtue of giving but also enabled them to practice it in meaningful ways. As we continue to inspire change within and beyond our walls, we are proud to set an example of how education can extend into meaningful community engagement, truly embodying our motto to “Be Well and Do Well.”