MS Student Socials: Building Relationships and Strengthening Community

By Angel Jin, ISB Communications

Published on Friday, May 10, 2024

At the International School of Beijing (ISB), nurturing meaningful connections in our community is important to us. That is why the Middle School (MS) introduced Student Socials for each grade level held once per semester. This new initiative culminates in a Middle School-wide Student Social at the end of each semester. This is a special event that brings together students from all three grades. It is a time for students to celebrate their shared experiences and bond over their collective accomplishments throughout the semester.  

At the grade level Socials, held after school, students have had the opportunity to engage with their peers in fun activities. This includes team and communication building activities like Twister, Limbo, and Treasure Hunting. The Socials were introduced to allow them to socialize across classes and therefore allow students to build connections with peers they may usually not interact with. 

Speaking with Jenni Johnson, MS Dean of Students at a recent MS Student Council (Stuco) meeting, she had this to say about the fun get-togethers: “We not only want students to be academically thriving, but we also want to support student life outside of academics. These events are social activities outside of the academic day that are not a sport or a club. Sometimes the students just need to relax, connect, and have fun.”  

The Socials are also a great way to exercise students’ planning and creativity skills as MS Stuco arranges these events. All the details, from the venue, food and drinks, music, to the activities, are all decided by the students. At ISB, it is important for students to be involved in how to create memorable moments for themselves and their peers and have opportunities to develop leadership skills.  

Charlie T, Grade 6 Student and MS Stuco member highlighted “They’re [MS Socials] really fun, to be leading the events, announcing prize winners, it’s nice to see people having a lot of fun, even the teachers join in. It’s nice that we get to plan them because we understand what our classmates want to do more than teachers. School can be busy so it’s good to have everyone come together at school for something that isn’t academic related, it’s just to have fun and be with friends.” 

At ISB, we believe that building connections and fostering a sense of community among our students is essential for their social and emotional growth. Not only have the MS Student Socials been a time for students to have fun and unwind after a day of classes, but they have also served as a platform for students to form new friendships and strengthen existing ones beyond the classroom. By interacting with peers from different classes, students have had the chance to broaden their social circles and develop a stronger sense of community. These Socials have not only fostered a sense of belonging and camaraderie but have also created lasting memories that students will cherish for years to come. In a bustling school environment focused on learning, the MS Socials serve as a refreshing reminder of the importance of balance, connection, and simply enjoying the company of friends.