By Ms. García, Head of Kindergarten and Homeroom Teacher.

Yesterday, we celebrated the biggest event we have had in our school, our first anniversary as an international school. When the good news came last year, we couldn’t celebrate because COVID-19 was in full bloom. The world came to a standstill, and so did the celebrations. But, our Executive Director, Madame Duan, has spent months preparing a well-deserved party. Thanks to her, we could have this wonderful event.

Due to the proximity to Christmas, it was also a Christmas show. All the families of the students of the school as well as other important members of the community of our city, Shenyang, were invited to celebrate and enjoy this anniversary party. Needless to say, it was a great success.

But, do you want to know a little more about what was happening behind the scenes?

The army:

Before arriving at the hotel, while the children and teachers were at school, the army arrived at the Conrad hotel. The army consisted of all the Chinese staff that our executive director Madame Duan arranged. They were chosen specifically to ensure that everything went perfectly and that all the families and their children were taken care of as they deserve. Finally, they were their to help the teachers – leaving instruments, costumes, and accessories in the right places, and preparing the welcome tables. They did this all spectacularly well, and always with a smile. Here is my little tribute to those men and women who make our school a welcoming place every day where children and teachers go happy to work.

Magicians, Orchestra director, and superheroes:

You didn’t get to see a magic show, but we had two magicians in the show. Mr. Maldonado and Ms. Hobson appeared and disappeared – arranging, coordinating, playing instruments, solving problems, and proposing solutions. This display of skills would seems like magic to anyone. But the reality is, it is not magic, we were lucky; lucky to have teachers with as much experience as them to coordinate and prepare a show like this.

Leading the children’s orchestra, teachers, and the rest of the school staff, our Vice-Principal, Dr. Francisco Sabate. In this case, he had no baton, but eyes, a voice, and feet to make sure everything was in order.

The stars:

A river of excited and happy children. It was a great performance. Everything was prepared as indicated by Mr. Maldonado. There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place. We waited for our moment, we all had a role. The children played happily, I loved watching them play. We, the adults, nervous, wanting everything to go well. But the children were not nervous, they knew what to do, they had worked hard.

The moment arrived:

Mr. Maldonado put on his Christmas hat. Glances were exchanged with Ms. Hobson, sometimes I thought that they could read each other’s minds …

The masters of ceremony – Ms. Zhang and Mr. Steinberg were ready. They have plenty of talent and a great disposition. It did not matter if they were wearing a gold dress and a suit or the school uniform, like any superhero, they were ready and prepared like good professionals at all times.

Testing sound: Daniel, Ms. Yang and Ms. Zhang with earpieces,. I joked with Ms. Zhang and asked her for a menu with hamburgers and fries, they laughed and relaxed. There were new microphones. Ms. Hobson was to the rescue. Mr. Maldonado tuned the guitar. One after the other. We rehearsed all the songs and speeches once more.

Ms. Kim, read and reread the papers in her hand. She wanted everything to be perfect in the choir. You could see her foot and hand move at times. She went over it again and again. I guess she also has superpowers, because it makes all the children’s voices harmonious.

Ms. Ghazala Sajid and I had to welcome Dr. Pang, Mr. Prescott, Madame Duan, and other distinguished members of the community. Ms. Ghazala was perfect for the assignment. She wore her traditional Pakistani gold dress. After, I had to go to my other role in the locker room. Ms. Sun Siwen had many powers.  She could make thing appear instantaneously – thermometers, flags, and, coffee, she made sure guests were welcomed in a way that made them excited for the evening, and made sure the little masters of ceremony were prepared and ready to take the stage. 

While I waited outside for the guests, Mr. Paulo and I played in the hall pretending that his crutch and my thermometer were pistols. His crutch was a machine gun. Then came a moment of rest. The children he had accompanied to the bathroom came out and they adjourned back to the hall. That man always makes us all laugh, both children and adults, it does not matter. He has superpowers too. When he left I played some more with Mr. Steinberg,  he shot me with his hand and we laughed. He then left with Ms. Zhang and the MCs. 

The MCs shun in their suits and dresses. I heard the voices of the masters of ceremony, I opened the door a little, the families were seated, the VIP guests were in the front row. Mr. Allers, Mr. Hobson, and Ms. Dugdale were requesting for the MYP children to sit and the doors to be closed. We can see that they can really help with anything – expected or unexpected.

The performances:

The first dance was with Ms. Merry. There was no room in the changing rooms. Teachers and TAs unpacked costumes and changed children. Everyone was ready. Ms. Merry put on her heels. 

They had to wait a little longer in the hall. The kids were making a lot of noise. Ms. Dugdale came to the rescue and played “Simon Says”.  The moment came, and children in beautiful new animal costumes lit up the stage for the dancing club.

Then we had to fly to change the grade 1 students who just danced into their snowman costumes. Ms. Lola in front. She had already placed all the costumes on the couch, a bag for each child, and a costume in each place. Ms. Hobson teleported to the changing room, among her duties, she had to change Lea. I took care of Andy. The changing room turned white, now there were no children, there were snowmen ready to sing and dance. Ms. Lola left. Ms. Tang and Ms. Bobo rested for five minutes. Grade 2 began to come to change: hats and Christmas sweaters. I had to help them because Mr. Maldonado was on the stage with grade one. “Where are the candy sticks?” Ms. Bobo said worriedly. Dr. Sabate ran. They were already at the entrance, everything was under control.

I helped Ms. Ahktar, the changing room was full of elves. “Please fold your costumes, don’t lose them” said Ms. Ahktar. Her superpower is her patience and calmness. I helped Ms. Ahktar to put the children’s things on. Five minutes of quiet.

I felt a draft of air. I thought, ‘what is it?’ It was Dr. Allers coming like a flash. These children were older, and under the orders of Dr. Allers, they were more than fine. The changing room was red full of dresses. 

Grade 5, well they were ok, they had Ms. Hobson. 

Second Part: 

When the whirlwind of the changing room ended, I went to the big room to see the show. PYP was wrapping up “Christmas is coming” with Mr. Maldonado playing the Beat Box and Ms. Hobson on the piano. Then it was MYPs turn: Merry Christmas and Santa Claus Rock. Teenagers sanf and danced, teachers cheered them on. Everyone was excited. It was a success too. I whistled and the little ones looked at me like WOW! Now only the chorus remained. Ms. Kim stood in front, her hands, her mouth, her eyes, and eyebrows accompanied the children. The performances were now over. Everybody is tired but proud of the good job.

Everything went as well as always.

Ms. Lola, Mr. Maldonado, Dr. Allers, Ms. Akhtar, Ms. Hobson, Ms. Bobo, Ms. S. Zhang, Ms. Kim, Mr. Paulo Seabra, Mr. Hobson, Mr. Steinenberg, Mr. Allers, Ms. Dugdale, Ms. J. Zhang, Ms. Ghazala Sajid, Ms. Sun Siwen, Ms. Yang, Ms. Li, Ms. Tang, Dr. Sabate and myself. We all wore a cape, but you couldn’t see it. Our superpower?

We are teachers.