By Dr. Francisco de Asis de la Serna Sabate.

Another year has almost passed here at the Canadian International School of Shenyang and everyone is getting ready for their vacation. That will be our 3^rd year since its creation in 2017 and we have come a long way since then.

In western tradition, this is a time to spend with family, be nice to each other, forgive those that have not been kind to you, be generous, and most of all, be happy. Even though the last three weeks have been hectic in our school, full of classes, assessments, rehearsals, performances, etc, we haven’t allowed this to cast a shadow in our spirits. Together we have been able to make this a fun, positive and productive time.

Every day I have greeted smiling students to our school eager to start their day, full of energy and with great expectations, and every day they haven’t been disappointed. Our teachers have worked hard to educate them as IB learners, global citizens and future leaders, they are growing as full individuals writing the best life story with our guidance.

From today, 18^th of December, we all will have a 2-week vacation to re-charge our batteries and get ready for the second part of the year, and our teachers have helped your children to get ready for some quality family time, to enjoy this vacation and try to take better decisions at home, in life, in their communities, with the people they love.

For the new year, we are the school will continue to not only meet, but to exceed the expectations of our communities. Our teachers are already planning for the whole second part of the year, imagining how to better teach them, dreaming about the person they will become in the future, and getting ready to put everything we have, everything we are, everything we have learnt, to give them the best opportunities to become the best versions of their selves.

From CIS Shenyang, I would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a very happy new year full of joy, good health, success and challenges conquered. See you next year!