World Children's Day: On Friday, November 20th, ACS Athens 4th graders wore blue to celebrate the anniversary of the 1989 signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Despite the lockdown, the children were excited and eager to showcase their blue colors through their screens while honoring and commemorating this important day throughout their daily virtual learning.

Teachers and students alike engaged in conversations and made important connections to the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Quality of Education, Gender Equality, Peace and Justice, and Reduced Inequality.

The students used their critical thinking skills and personal experiences to reflect on what it means to have the right to the best healthcare possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help them stay well.

Furthermore, through the creation of colorful posters, our students acknowledged that not all children in the world have access to such resources. Students also used their work to share their gratitude and appreciation for their own needs and rights being met.

Most of all, however, the 4th graders cherished their privilege to education and learning in a school that challenges all students to realize their unique potential: academically, intellectually, socially, and ethically, to thrive as responsible global citizens.

As soft skills in the classroom are becoming core skills in the virtual learning realm, our ACS Athens students are experiencing that grit, resilience, empathy, good organizational and effective time management skills are key to becoming future leaders in a world that never ceases to change.