Kang Chiao Spotlight Issue 9 (小學部)

　　Recently, the government announced a ban on plastic straws starting in 2019. Banning single-use plastic bags and straws is a great step forward in making people aware of the dangers that plastic can do to our environment and oceans. Kang Chiao International Culture Week 2018 focuses on Global Citizenship to raise our students' awareness on the issues of ocean trash and prevention of deforestation. We hope parents can join our children to take global responsibility to protect our environment for our children's future.

　　Congratulations to all our grade six students as they will continue with middle school soon. What are the most unforgettable events throughout their six years? Read the special issue Looking Back on Elementary School Life, from the graduates of Muggles News, who share their memorable experiences at Qingshan Campus.

　　Wow! It is the last week of school! Thank you for a great school year. I would like to wish all students and families a safe and enjoyable summer. Have a great summer vacation!

　　政府宣布明年7月開始，禁止提供一次性使用塑膠吸管，意外讓「沒有吸管如何喝珍奶？」成為熱門話題，沒有塑膠吸管確實讓喜愛喝珍奶的人困擾，但更值得大家關心的是，塑膠垃圾對海洋生物造成的危害，根據歐盟執委會提出的警告，再不採取行動，不用到2050年，海洋底的塑膠廢棄物將比魚類更多。當我們享受塑膠用品的便利性，也把這個環境問題留給我們最親愛的下一代去面對。每年六月國際處會舉辦國際文化周課程，今年的主題是「全球公民意識」，帶孩子一起探討如何保護海洋和雨林，珍惜資源，保護環境，創造永續的地球。歡迎家長們跟孩子一起來宣示，承諾盡量無紙化，不用一次性塑膠用品，加入全球公民，採取積極行動，保護地球。

　　六年級的英文小記者在畢業前製作了精彩的畢業特刊，回顧小學六年讓他們最懷念的學校活動，並留下對老師們的懷念和感謝，請您一定要翻到最後一頁，好好欣賞孩子們心聲，恭喜所有畢業生，期待他們帶著六年習得的武藝，展翅高飛。

　　暑假即將來臨，祝福每個康橋家庭都能有個清涼、愉快、充實的假期。

　　Global Citizen Festival 2018 encourages students to take action to show their love for planet Earth. Kang Chiao’s International Culture Week focuses on providing opportunities for all students to make tangible changes, taking action in their daily lives.

　　“Should I stop drinking water from plastic bottles?” a Kang Chiao student asks. The answer is yes and no. A Kang Chiao global citizen would not take this question lightly because he/she has learned that our oceans are home to hundreds of thousands of marine species. It is also where trillions of plastic items end up. To effectively respond to environmental challenges, our green citizens must be well prepared to take action!

　　Global Citizen Festival 2018 embodies three themes: (1) Non-Plastic Homes and Schools, to reduce ocean trash, (2) Trees in My Book Bag, to prevent deforestation, and (3) Earth is My Best Friend, to reverse global warming. Each theme is implemented with three global citizen practices - raising global awareness, taking global responsibility and joining global action. By taking part, students progress toward becoming environmentally-minded citizens.

　　For the Non-Plastic Homes and Schools theme, students explored hidden hazards for sea creatures, such as sea turtles that are unable to distinguish between plastic and jellyfish. Consequently, ocean life suffers tremendously. “What role can I play to make a difference for marine animals?” a Kang Chiao global citizen asks. Time to take action! Beach cleanups, using personal thermoses and food containers, and eliminating straws are just a few simple actions students can take to make a global contribution.

Protecting our Forests

　　For the Trees in My Book Bag theme, students explored a jungle of life-sized trees and realized that every piece of paper used for Reading Street books, worksheets and even tissue paper, is made from a tree, which can take over 30 years to grow to a usable size. “What can I do to save the rainforests?” a Kang Chiao global citizen asks. Time to take action! Through daily recycling, reusing, and reducing activities, students feel empowered to know that their conscious choices can affect the reality that a forest the size of a football field is disappearing every two seconds.

Taking a Pledge

　　Earth is My Best Friend was the final stop during Global Citizen Festival 2018, where students took a pledge to become global citizens: “I promise I will use less paper every day and stop using plastic straws!” Our green warriors now feel more empowered and deeply connected to our beloved planet Earth!