Thank you to everyone who joined the Conversation with School Leadership this week. Your reflections, analysis, and recommendations helped us unpack the Community Felt Experience Indicator survey data and work on next steps. We deeply appreciate your partnership as we continue working together to strengthen the WAB experience for every student, parent, and employee.
WS PALS | Transition Session for Families for Leavers & Stayers | Wednesday, April 30, 8:30am – 10:00am at Lotus Lounge: As we approach a key transition period at WAB, we invite you to a special session focused on ensuring smooth transitions, whether you and your family will be staying with us or moving on to new opportunities. This session is designed to provide valuable insights and resources to help navigate the changes your child may face. We will discuss topics such as emotional readiness, academic adjustments, and building connections, all aimed at supporting our students during this pivotal time. Scan the QR code in the poster and join us for an engaging conversation where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and learn how we can work together to create a positive transition experience for yourself and your family.
MSHS Late Bus Cancellation: Wednesday, April 30: Please note that there will be no MSHS Late Bus (6:00 PM departure) on Wednesday, April 30. All WAB ASAs will finish at 4:25 PM, and students will be expected to take the ASA Bus at 4:35 PM instead. Students with individual instrumental lessons are kindly asked to arrange private transportation if the ASA Bus is not suitable.
This adjustment is being made in anticipation of heavy pre-holiday traffic, which in past years has led to significant delays for the Late Bus. Consolidating all student travel to the earlier departure time will help ensure a safer and more timely journey home. Thank you for your continued support in helping WAB manage student travel smoothly and responsibly.
Nourishing Young Minds: Meat-Free Monday was wonderfully received as part of another successful Earth Day celebration! With strong encouragement from our WAB students, every canteen on campus went fully plant-based, from the main service lines to sandwiches and even break-time snacks. Together, we saved hundreds of thousands of liters of fresh water and dozens of trees in the process of procuring, preparing, and enjoying vegetarian ingredients only for lunch.
Fun fact: if a school serves one meatless lunch a month, it can reduce its annual carbon footprint by thousands of kilograms of CO?, equivalent to planting dozens of trees or driving several thousand fewer kilometers! Small actions, when multiplied by many, can lead to big change.
Farewell Celebration: We invite our leaving families to join us for a Farewell Celebration, where you can say goodbye to friends and share your favorite memories of WAB.
- Date: Saturday, May 31 (Rock in the Park and Fun Fair day)
- Time: 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm
- Location: ES Chinese Garden
There will be some cold drinks, cake, commemorative photos, and a special gift for students who are leaving. This event is open to all WAB students who are leaving, from Early Years to Grade 11. Let’s celebrate the memories, the milestones, and what’s to come.
May Holiday: Campus Access & Guidelines
Campus Closed:
-
Campus will be closed on Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2, for the Labor Day National Holiday.
Campus Open:
- The campus will be open to students, parents, and employees on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
- Entry is permitted through the Elementary School or Middle School main gates.
- Please note: The campus will also be open on May 1 and 2 only for Grade 12 students taking IBDP exams.
Important Notes:
- The High School building will be closed to community use and reserved for Grade 12 IBDP exams.
- Some areas may be closed for maintenance and cleaning. Please adhere to all posted signage and follow security guards' instructions.
- WAB sports teams and pre-organized events will take priority over general community access.
- In the event of an emergency while on campus, follow all PA announcements and security guards' instructions.
- In case of a medical emergency, guests should alert a security guard for assistance.
Accessible Facilities:
- ECC Playground
- ES Playground
- Tiger Field
- HUB Gymnasium
- Tiger L’air Dome (tennis courts and Adrenalin fitness center)
- Please note: The pool will be closed throughout the holiday.
Campus Use Guidelines:
- All employees, students, and parents must visibly wear their WAB ID at all times.
- Guests must be accompanied by a community member, present a photo ID, and sign in at the guardhouse.
- No food deliveries are permitted on campus.
- Employees, parents, and HS students may use the facilities during open hours.
- ES and MS students must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
- For groups of 10 or more, high-risk activities (e.g., softball), or activities requiring an entire facility, employees, parents, or HS students must coordinate with Caleb Liu ([email protected]) and use the booking system.
- For detailed booking information, please visit: Booking Spaces.
Mark your calendar! WAB Fun Fair & Rock in the Park is happening on May 31: the biggest outdoor event of the school year, organized jointly by Parent Link and our school community. It’s a fun-filled day with games, live music, and multiple stages featuring performances from students, staff, and parents. A true celebration that brings our community together.
We’re offering the sponsors from outside the education sector to showcase the local businesses and organizations to get involved and connect with families in our school community. If you're interested in sponsoring, please contact Kun Jiao at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to a fantastic day together!
Community Swimming Times 2024-25 School year: Please note there is NO COMMUNITY SWIMMING or SWIM@WAB on Saturday, 3 May.
The WAB Swimming Pool is available for WAB ID card holders (employees, students, and parents only), on Saturdays 4.30 pm - 6.30pm (not including school holidays, public holidays, or school events as notified). Due to the limited size of the pool, changing rooms, and lifeguard supervision ratios, the pool is not accessible to friends, spouses, partners, or children of WAB ID cardholders (unless they are also WAB employees or students). For general inquiries, please contact the Aquatics Director, Don Watson Brown (WeChat: Donwb1971) for any further information.
SWIM@WAB: SWIM@WAB is the Swim School arm of our Aquatics program, offering Water Safety, Learn-to-Swim, and Stroke Correction lessons during community times at WAB. To find out more or to book a class, please scan the SWIM@WAB QR code or contact Coach Don Watson-Brown (WeChat: Donwb1971 ).
Parent Link information:
Join Parent Link! Parent Link is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our committee for the 2025-26 school year. We are seeking to fill the roles of Cashier, Treasurer, Early Years Rep, and Communications Chair. To express your interest or to find out more, send us an email at [email protected]
Parent Mixer on Friday, May 9: Community Link invites you to the Spring Parent Mixer! Join us at the Lotus Lounge and Deck for a wonderful spring night of entertainment, mingling with fellow parents while enjoying BBQ, free flow, and live music on the deck, followed by an indoor DJ. Proceeds will be donated to the Changemaker Social Innovation Grant. See poster for details!
Tiger Den's Opening Hours for April: (Dates and times are subject to change)
**NEW STOCK HAS ARRIVED**
- Friday, April 25, JPAC Soccer POP UP - MS HUB 11:00am - 1:00pm
- Wednesday, May 7, 9:00am - 11:00am
- Wednesday, May 14, 9:00am - 11:00am
- Wednesday, May 21, Parent Link Coffee Morning - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Please note that if Tiger Den cannot open on any of the above dates, we will post a message in the WeChat groups.
It's important to note that elementary school students (ES) need a TD Purchase Form or a handwritten note signed by a parent to purchase items from Tiger Den. Please be aware that volunteers cannot accept verbal approval.
If you would like to get in touch with the Tiger Den team with any questions or queries, please contact us at [email protected].
On behalf of the volunteer team at Tiger Den, we are very much looking forward to welcoming all of you to the shop!
Tiger Den now has a Catalog of all our products for browsing. Please note this is for reference only, and we do not offer an online service. Before you start, please review our frequently asked questions document in your language (TD FAQ in English; FAQ in Chinese; FAQ in Korean). Our standard sizes in the shop range from 100 to 200, but we also have a limited supply of sizes 90, 210, and 220 for specific items.
???
Subject: Energy Conservation Efforts at WAB: As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, WAB is making a concerted effort to reduce unnecessary energy use by turning off lights in areas that do not require them during the day, including in unused classrooms and offices. Additionally, during community time, only essential lighting will be used.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to make WAB a more sustainable and environmentally responsible community.
WAB Mobile Connect Bus Change Function: We’re excited to introduce a new WAB Mobile Connect (WMC) function that makes it easier to contact the Transportation Department regarding your child's bus needs! With this feature, you can also view bus schedules and identify your child's assigned bus numbers.
Important Notes:
- Only ES students need to inform the school about a One-Time Daily Change. MS and HS students do not need to report daily bus changes.
- All students (ES, MS, and HS) should use this function to request Permanent Changes, Long-Term Adjustments, or make general inquiries.
- MS and HS students continue to have the flexibility to choose their bus on a daily basis without informing the school.
How to Use the Bus Change Function:
- Open WMC on your mobile phone.
- Click on Transportation.
- Click the "+" icon.
- Select your child's name.
- Choose "One-Time Daily Change" or "Permanent Change / Long-Term Adjustment / Query".
One-Time Daily Change (ES Students Only):
- Select the date.
- Choose the reason for the change.
- Add a note/message if needed.
Permanent Change / Long-Term Adjustment / Query (ES, MS, or HS Students):
- Submit a request for a long-term change to your child’s bus schedule or ask a question by entering it in the text field.
Confirmation & Future Updates:
Currently, confirmation of your WAB Mobile Connect bus request will be sent to the email address listed in PowerSchool. We are working on adding two-way communication via WAB Mobile Connect in the future.
Parent ID Badge:
- Parents are reminded that it is an expectation they visibly wear their WAB ID upon arrival at the school gates and while on campus.
- School ID badges are a safeguarding requirement to help security guards and employees identify community members and ultimately keep WAB safe.
- Please take the time to ensure you have and are wearing your ID whenever you come to WAB for meetings and events.
Student Pick-Up Reminder:
- Parents are kindly asked to pick up their children at the end of the day from the following locations.
- Elementary School: ES Chinese Garden
- Middle School: MS West Gate parking lot
- High School: HS parking lot
- For logistical and safeguarding purposes, parents and caregivers should not access the school buildings at the end of the school day, unless for a scheduled meeting or school event.
- Venues such as the swimming pool, Tiger Field, dome, gymnasiums, Atrium, HUB Link and ASA classrooms are off-limits during this time.
Photos and Privacy on Campus:
- Out of respect for the privacy of our community, parents accessing campus are requested to avoid taking photos or videos of children other than their own and of other parents.
- If photos are taken that include people not in your family, please do not post these images on social media, including WeChat.
Library Access for Parents:
- Parents can access WAB's libraries Monday to Friday, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm (MS library is closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays), to browse the stacks and check out books.
- Parents can find more about library resources and programs from WAB Learns: ES Sabrina Brady Library, MS Red Scroll Library, and HS Green Sky Library.
- WAB's libraries are closed to the parent community on weekdays after 4:30pm, and on weekends, because there are no library staff working at these times.
- Parents are asked to email ES ([email protected]), MS ([email protected]) or register your information via this link to access the High School Green Sky Library, so the respective library staff can register you at the school guardhouse.
- Upon arrival, please enter the guardhouse, show the guard your WAB ID, and let them know you are registered to visit the library.
Facility Availability Calendars:
During WAB Community Center Time (weekdays 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; weekends 8:00 am to 9:00 pm), various WAB facilities are available for community use. However, WAB programs and other scheduled activities take priority over drop-in access. We recommend checking the Facility Booking website before your visit to ensure the space you need is available and to avoid any frustration or unnecessary hassle. Thank you.
Emergency Evacuation Information for Parents and Guests:
Western Academy of Beijing is committed to ensuring the safety of all community members during an emergency. In the event of an earthquake or alarm, specific evacuation and shelter procedures are in place for parents, guests, and visitors. Please familiarize yourself with the evacuation assembly points and safety protocols outlined by clicking here, to ensure a smooth response during any emergency situation.
??
Update your Child(ren)'s Records and Permissions: Access WAB Mobile Connect through this QR code and review and update all four sections. Please make sure that your child's Passport/ID and Visa are up to date. This information is required for all students and incomplete or out-of-date data will impact your child’s ability to join any off-campus activities. If you have any problems accessing the platform please contact IT at [email protected] or via WeChat using this QR code.
?? Transportation
Departure Times and Bus Changes:
- Regular Bus departure time: 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
- ASA Bus departure time: 4:35pm Monday to Thursday. No ASA bus on Friday.
- Late Bus departure time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 5:45pm. Wednesday 6:00pm.
- Elementary School parent are kindly asked requested to inform the Transportation Department, via email, of any changes to their child's bus schedule by 10:00am on the day of the change. For changes after 2:00 PM, please call the Transportation Department at +86 10 5986 5588.
- For any questions regarding your child's bus route, please contact the Transportation Department via email [email protected].
GPS on WAB Buses:
We are excited to introduce a new GPS tracking system for our school buses, providing you with real-time updates on your child's bus location. To access this feature, please download the GPS51 App from your preferred App Store. Click here to see the app icon.
To locate your child's bus:
- Open this WAB GPS51 PDF to find the specific bus your child is assigned to.
- Enter the bus's login account number and password into the app, then tap Login/done.
- To track an additional bus, tap 'My' and 'Log out'. Input the new bus’s details and tap Login/done.
- Both buses will now appear in the login drop-down menu for easy access.
- Please note: You must always log in to switch buses. You can only view one bus at a time.
Important Notes:
- The GPS system is intended as a guideline for bus location and should not be relied upon as a definitive source of real-time 'exact data'. We hope this new system adds convenience and peace of mind to your daily routine!
- If a bus is replaced with a temporary bus, the temporary bus will not have GPS tracking capabilities.
- If a bus route splits into two routes, and a new bus is added, the WAB GPS51 PDF will need to be updated with the new information. This update may take one or two days during which GPS tracking for affected buses may be unavailable.
- ES students
- If Regular buses are affected an email will be sent to families to inform them.
- If ASA buses are affected an email will be sent to ES families to inform them.
- The updated WAB GPS51 PDF is posted in the WAB Weekly.
- MSHS students
- If ASA or Late buses are affected, no email will be sent.
- The updated WAB GPS51 PDF is posted in the WAB Weekly.
- ES students
??? Food @ WAB
Food Service Provider: Sodexo is WAB's strategic partner in food service. Parents are asked to contact them directly if they have questions about their child’s food account or if they have catering requests.
- WAB Unit Manager: Fred Baron - [email protected]
- WAB Catering Manager: Ben Potter - [email protected]
Food Deliveries: WAB discourages food deliveries to maintain high nutrition standards and ensure student health and safety. Students are welcome to bring food from home with them in the morning. This policy applies during both school hours and community center time. The policy is based on the following considerations:
- Nutrition: Deliveries increase access to fast foods that don't meet our nutrition goals for students.
- Environment: Excessive packaging from deliveries contradicts our sustainability efforts.
- Safety: Delivery personnel and unattended food at gates or guardhouses pose logistical, security, and food safety risks.
- Compliance: We must adhere to FDA standards for schools in China.
To accommodate students involved in late afternoon or evening activities, WAB is working with our caterer to provide a warm meal option for purchase. For full details, please refer to WAB's food policy.
Food-Related Feedback Process: If students have concerns about their food, they should:
- Notify the on-site manager, who will document the feedback with photos.
- Provide their name for follow-up. The manager will review and respond accordingly.
- If adjustments are needed in the kitchen, the manager will take appropriate action.
- The manager and chef will assess the situation. If it involves a product concern, the supplier will be contacted.
- Staff training will be conducted as needed to ensure quality and consistency.
?? Student Portraits
We are pleased to announce that student portraits are now available to order. To find out how to place your order, please click here. To protect student privacy, all photos are stored on WAB's online photo-sharing system Vidigami. Parents are welcome to view and download the high-resolution photo of your child(ren) by logging in to your Vidigami account. Once logged in, you can click on EXPLORE and go to the folder under the 01 STUDENT PORTRAITS group.
For more information on how to use Vidigami, please click here for Training for Parents to learn more. For questions and more, please contact WAB Photographer Mako Borres.
??Health Information
Health Policy Update: We have reviewed our Health and Illness Policy and Procedures, effective as of April 2025. To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students, we encourage parents to review the updated guidelines here.
Review and Update Your Child's Health Information: Please ensure that your child’s health information (including vaccination records, food allergies, dietary requirements, medications, etc.) is up to date in WAB Mobile Connect (WMC). This is crucial for maintaining safety on campus and during field trips.
If your child is unwell, please follow the Home-based Symptom Screening Guidelines and please keep your child at home. Report absences through WMC to inform your school section receptionist and nurse.
If your child is diagnosed with a reportable infectious illness, please submit a medical certificate to your school section nurse and follow the nurse's instructions for home quarantine and return-to-school procedures.
A gentle reminder: WAB aims to be a nut-free school due to students with severe nut allergies. Please avoid sending peanuts and other nuts, or nut-based products, with your child to school or on field trips.
For any questions, feel free to contact us:
- EY/ES Nurse's Office: [email protected]
- MS Nurse's Office: [email protected]
- HS Nurse's Office: [email protected]
- Dawn Guo (Head Nurse): [email protected]
