Student grants up for grabs

By Nick Yates, ISB Communications

International School of Beijing (ISB) students can apply for project grants from a special fund set up for the school’s 40th anniversary.

The Birthday Gift Fund supports initiatives proposed by students and aligned with ISB’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values in the areas of service learning, sustainability, and creative learning in academics, arts, design, and athletics.

The fund is among a number of ways that ISB is celebrating four decades of commitment to education services dedicated to Beijing’s inspiring international community. The grants will provide further opportunities for students in areas that have long been valued by the ISB faculty and community. For example, classes at ISB are encouraged to learn through service – they are regularly involved in charitable and benevolent work. And ISB students have become agents for environmental improvement since the launch of sustainability goals that have made the campus a significantly greener place.

Visit the Celebrating 40 web page for more information on the Birthday Gift Fund and other anniversary celebrations.

The fund is an initiative of the ISB Advancement Office, which was established under the leadership of Jerry Oldfield in the spring of 2018 to consolidate ISB’s strong community networks and leverage them to finance transformative educational opportunities. In 2019-2020, financial donations from parents and community members of more than 2 million RMB supported faculty professional enrichment programs that enhance teaching quality. The spirit of philanthropy and giving, such a common feature of the finest colleges and schools around the world, is alive and well at ISB!

ISB Head of School Patrick Hurworth said, “Every day at ISB, students enjoy programs that we design very intentionally to be most effective for their learning and social-emotional needs. We are driven by our new Mission statement in all we do, and in that we ‘serve others.’ The Birthday Gift Fund allows us to deepen that part of who we are and to empower students to make service an increasing part of their experience at ISB.

“In our 40th anniversary year, the Birthday Gift Fund is a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together and provide yet more opportunities for students. The learning students derive from serving others is truly both ‘challenging and joyful.’ We can’t wait to see how students use these grants to explore their passions, strengthen the school, and benefit the world around them.”