Our community's appreciation has grown for the importance of athletics in developing a well rounded person. This dovetails perfectly with the enormous opportunities in sports and PE that our new campus affords us. Recognizing this, we started getting ready a year in advance of our campus move by creating a Sports & PE Task Force in 2023-2024. These community stakeholders explored the question, “What role do sports and PE play in a CAIS education?” Grounded in the school mission and core values, the resulting statement (“Firedragons Vision for Healthy Bodies Supporting Healthy Minds 火龙队对健康身体和健康心灵的愿景”, see below) reflects input from CAIS parents, coaches, faculty, students and recent alumni. Our Sports & PE Philosophy Statement is a framework for planning and decision making for our the programs. In addition to being posted prominently online and in our Ang Athletic Center, the statement has been shared directly with athletes, coaches, and team parents alike.

CAIS Administrators and Parent Annual Fund Volunteers kicked off the Firedragon Annual Fund last Friday! As parents passed out sparkly stickers, bubbles filled the air, adding extra fun and excitement to the event. It was a magical start to our fundraising efforts!

During Design Tech, our sixth grader haberdashers enjoy making cardboard hats for each other! This fun and creative activity not only sparks their imagination but also helps them develop important skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and design thinking as they experiment with shapes and structures. It's all about teamwork and innovation!

"I am excited to join the Chinese American International School as the new grade 6 math and science teacher. After 15 years abroad, including 8 years in China, my family and I are thrilled to repatriate to the USA. Professionally, I specialize in inquiry-based learning and individualized learning paths, aiming to inspire curiosity and a love for learning in my students. My family will also be part of the CAIS community. My two children will join the Elementary School, and my partner, Ginger, will be the new K-4 counselor. We look forward to this new adventure together. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, golf, and squash. I can't wait to explore the Bay Area and become an active member of the CAIS community."

Dong Laoshi shared, "We’ve recently been learning about the parts of our body. The children learned to sing the 'Body Scale Song' and created their own body drawings. Each child expressed themselves in their own unique way through their artwork. It’s been such an exciting and creative process!"

#ChooseCAIS Our Family: “Matthew and Carrie, Evelyn (6th Grade) and her little sister Olivia.” Why CAIS: “We chose CAIS for its exceptional bilingual education program, its commitment to fostering a multicultural environment, and the strong sense of community we felt during our visits. Evelyn has a keen interest in learning Mandarin, and CAIS offers the perfect environment to foster her interest. When Evelyn spent a day at CAIS, she felt confident, encouraged, and very welcomed by both the teachers and her future friends. The warmth and support she received made her excited about joining the school. As parents, we are really happy to see her transitioning smoothly into this new chapter.” Our experience during the admission process this year: “The admission process was smooth and informative. The staff was incredibly supportive, providing clear communication and answering all our questions, which made us feel confident in our decision.”

Blue blocks are fun and great for educational development! They help children improve their fine motor skills, foster creativity, and encourage problem-solving through hands-on play. Whether building structures or creating imaginative designs, students are learning while having a great time!

In-Service to a Collegial Community✨ At last week's In-Service Days, faculty and staff found numerous ways to build connection across grades and departments. Whether it was the fun (and awesomely competitive) name games designed by Lower School Head Kimberly Kaz, peer-organized affinity group lunches, or the faculty-led wellness activities, colleagues came together in a kaleidoscope of joyful configurations and purposes.