CIS Secondary｜Joyful Moments in October: From Pumpkin Fest to the DEAR Project, the Fun Never Stops!

Written by Peggy Fok, Secondary STEAM Teacher

The past couple of weeks at CIS have been filled with creativity, community spirit, and plenty of Canadian pride across the Secondary School.

Pajama Day kicked things off with laughter and warmth as students arrived in everything from matching silk sets to the most unexpected bedtime outfits, sparking good-natured jokes and surprised exclamations of “You sleep in that?!” The morning began with milk and cookies during homeroom, creating a cozy start to the day.

Students also took part in our new DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) program, reading during homeroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This initiative encourages students to pause, unwind, and rediscover the joy of reading — a simple, shared moment that nurtures a love for books and quiet reflection.

Next, our Grade 9 students shone in the Pumpkin Poster Design Challenge, showcasing their outstanding artistic and design talents.

The “Best Pumpkin Poster Design Award” was ultimately shared by Sunny Lu and Rui Chen, whose works perfectly captured the festive spirit of the Pumpkin Festival with bold creativity and clever composition.

Pictured: Sunny Lu and Rui Chen

Student Council members transformed into campus decorators, turning the gym into a lively party venue filled with music, lights, and creative costumes that brought the Pumpkin Festival to life.

The following day, students across the school continued the celebration in costume, going “trick-or-treating” around campus and turning CIS into a joyful carnival of creativity and fun.

Adding to the excitement, the CIS community came together for a celebration of sportsmanship and school spirit. With the Toronto Blue Jays representing Canada in the World Series, our students learned about the perseverance and teamwork that define athletic excellence. 

The energy carried through the week as fans followed the games closely, and by the final match, conversations about fair play, teamwork, and resilience filled the hallways. Though the Blue Jays did not win the championship, pride and admiration for the team’s determination remained strong. At CIS Foshan, students and staff alike shared in that spirit of unity and respect — values at the heart of both sports and learning.

As October came to a close, the school’s focus turned to our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) theme of “Collaboration.”

It was the perfect time of year, as students had found their rhythm, built friendships, and settled into their learning communities.Through interactive activities such as “Rescue the Ball,” “Team Pipeline,” and “Our Shared Canvas,” students practiced communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

These experiences remind us that collaboration isn’t just a value at CIS Foshan — it’s the heartbeat of how we learn, grow, and thrive together.