Within the vibrant campus, the library is a beloved place for many students. Here, students can freely sit down to read and study, experiencing the joy that books bring. The librarian, Ms. Jenny, and the library volunteer stars have planned a series of diverse activities, creating a warm and creative platform for learning and communication. From "Books on Trees" to Thanksgiving Charity Sale, and from Biodiversity to Double-Blind Poetry Session, each activity is filled with unique charm, allowing us to explore the fascinating stories behind the library together.

Books on Trees

We live in a beautiful campus environment, but many of us struggle to identify the various plants and flowers. To familiarize more students with our beloved campus, the library volunteer stars created signs for tall trees and labeled the smaller shrubs. They also researched and created QR codes for each plant and flower. Starting from these seemingly insignificant details, they began to truly consider the campus as their home, collectively nurturing and caring.

Thanksgiving Charity Sale

Continuing the tradition from previous years, the library organized a Thanksgiving Charity Sale. Ms. Jenny led interested students in making various handmade soaps (Marseille soap, silk soap, Australian sweetheart soap, lard soap, Charlie soap, coffee grounds soap, etc.). They also made soapberry bracelets and scented candle lamps. The process of making handmade soap involved not only the chemical reaction of mixing oils and alkalis but also cultivated a mindset necessary for life and learning. Patience was required, and many things require persistence. Eventually, one would discover the beauty of the scenery after persevering through the journey.

Biodiversity

Due to our school's location in the ecologically beautiful Qingpu district, adjacent to the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, we encounter many small animals. We often have hedgehogs accompany us during evening walks, stray cats choosing to settle in our campus, and caring teachers and students. The students created a series of panphlets of "Species Directory of SHBS and Surrounding Areas," divided into sections for birds, aquatic organisms, reptiles and amphibians. Students participated in content research, writing, translation, and layout. This activity allowed more students to become acquainted with the creatures in our environment, increased their attention and understanding of the local ecological environment, raised awareness of environmental protection, and through the creation of the "Species Directory," developed students' observational, research, and practical skills.

Double-Blind Poetry Writing

This activity was planned and organized by a 12th-grade student, Shen. Its purpose was to provide a platform for showcasing students' poetry writing talents. We specially invited Chinese double-star Mr.Wang and Mr.Wu to be the judges. They provided in-depth critiques and guidance on the students' poems with their professional insights and unique perspectives. The students' poems were interwoven with profound references, showcasing their remarkable literary accomplishments. Through this activity, we discovered the hidden poetry potential within our classmates and witnessed their literary competence.

Dinner with the Principal

At the end of the semester, based on the depth of participation in library activities, the top three students with the highest scores were given the opportunity to have dinner with the principal. The winners for this semester are Ivan, Perry, and Evony. In the following days, they will discuss the specific time and restaurant with Principal Chris. We look forward to the students and the principal dining together! This activity marked the end of the semester and aimed to provide an opportunity for students to sit with the principal on an equal footing, discussing future life, cultural differences between China and the United States, and more, as friends.

Through these warm and creative library activities, students not only appreciated the beauty of nature and developed a sense of belonging to their campus, but also witnessed the seeds of friendship and sparks of talent blossoming into beautiful flowers throughout the semester. We eagerly anticipate more diverse and exciting activities in the library, adding more wonderful chapters to our campus.