请收下这份新学期校长寄语

兰天笑

 苏州市相城区诺德学校

执行校长

今天是开学第一天，但也是学生因为疫情暂缓返校的第一天，我们一方面非常谨慎地对待疫情带来的风险，另一方面仍然对新的季节充满信心。苏州诺德今天开始了第二个学期。我们迎来了返校的学生，同时迎来28位新生。这些新生的体验可能会和去年加入的学生稍有不同，但我相信他们也很快会融入社区，开始自己的学习新历程。

相比于去年秋天的开学，苏诺处在一个更好的阶段：我们的教育教学更加有条不紊，并会在这个学期关注一些学科学习，尤其是如何把英语教学的个性化支持做到更好；我们的设施设备经过使用调整，攀岩、烹饪、游泳、音乐、戏剧等100多个活动会更为丰富多彩；我们被越来越多的机构和家长认可，将在校园举办一系列高端的学术教研活动。

更重要的，我们的社区富有凝聚力。家长更好地了解到我们的教学理念和实践，非常热情地提出建议和采取行动，提供资源给学校。“仁义礼智信”的核心价值观成为团结老师家长和学生的共同语言，成为学校文化日益坚实的基石。这是学校一切方面发展中最重要的部分，我非常有信心，苏州诺德的孩子，会在新的一年里收获满满！

跨越虎年，我们遇到了不少让人惊喜的吉祥物：虎虎生威的壬寅虎，人见人爱的冰墩墩、雪容融，当然也包括我们有力量、有智慧的苏州灵犀！这些吉祥物都富有象征性，让我们在困难和挑战的世界里获得希望和快乐。 

希望我和我的学生们在新学期里教学相长，用专注和努力换得成长的快乐。我更希望您也能加入到这一美好的教育之旅中来！

祝您春天好！

Selena Dumble

 苏州市相城区诺德学校

学监

Welcome back to semester 2. 

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that adaptability and resilience are qualities that will set apart this generation. 

Our students know that at any given time we have to make sure that we do not allow anything from interrupting our learning, our living or deter us from our goals. 

While we will begin online learning, please be reassured that our school and staff will calmly and clearly take our students through the first days and help them progress into a different but never the less, effective virtual learning. 

Only a few short weeks ago I was thinking that having spent 13 years in China experiencing different celebrations for Chinese New Year, I can honestly say that the performances of our students just before the holiday were the best that I have seen. It really showcased how quickly our students have come together to feel a unified pride in their school and the solidarity of their friendships. 

While we were constrained by the time of the live streaming that saw over a thousand parents joining us, we eagerly look forward to the end of year awards ceremony where grades that did not have an opportunity this time to be on stage will take precedence. 

Other events that we had looked forward to were the School in Sneakers, the opening of our rock-climbing wall, the Color Run, end of year discos and of course our amazing Madagascar. We hope with the recent covid situation we will not have to amend, postpone or go online but as adaptable and as resilient as our students, we will find a way to help you appreciate and experience these events. 

But mostly we look forward to having many more opportunities for our students to feel special, individually and as part of a team. Academically our students are visibly progressing through our Fortnightly reports and in their subject courses, but it is how they are stepping up and volunteering for the charitable events, competitions and school service such as hosting assemblies or being elected student advisory board members that is wonderful to see. 

In a few short months we have changed from being a building of individuals into a cohesive and supportive unified school. 

We would especially like to welcome the newest members of our community as the school increases by an amazing 17%. If you are just joining us, you can look forward to new supportive friends and caring teachers who will help you settle in. 

We also now look forward to introducing to parents the chance of becoming a member of the PSG. The possibilities are endless to the advantages of being a NAS Suzhou community member. Student, parent, teacher, faculty and administration, together this semester we have the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. 

Welcome back, virtually for now and hopefully in a short time, in person. Happy New Year to you, your family and to NAS Suzhou.