Dear Yungu students,

Hello! I am Chen Gang, and you may call me Principal Gangzi.

This July, I came to Yungu and became a new member of the Elementary School. In many ways, I feel just like a new first grader. There are still doors on campus I have not yet walked through, many names I am still learning, and so many new things waiting to be discovered. But I already love this place. I love seeing you run out of the Learning Center with books in your arms. I love the sweat and laughter on the playground. I love the way you raise your hands and follow your teachers with one question after another: “Why?”

You may wonder, “What does a principal do?” My answer is this: together with your teachers, your parents, and each of you, I hope to make our school a place where everyone is seen, respected, and able to grow with a steady heart.

Still, I may sometimes forget that I am already a grown-up. I may use an adult’s way of thinking to guess what you are thinking. I know that would not be right. So, when you see me in the hallway, the classroom, the dining hall, or on the playground, please say hello. Tell me what has made you happy, what has troubled you, or even say, “Principal Gangzi, I don’t quite agree.” I will listen carefully. Before I make any decision, I should first ask myself: What would our students think? What do they truly need?

I have always believed that education is a little like planting trees. It is something that happens slowly. Every tree grows in its own way, and every person grows at their own pace. Some people find answers quickly; some are especially good at asking questions. Some love to shine on stage; some prefer reading quietly. Some are strong runners; some can patiently work on one small thing for a very long time. You do not need to copy anyone else, and you do not need to doubt yourself just because something feels difficult for now. “Becoming the best version of yourself” does not mean coming first in everything. It means knowing yourself a little better each day, being a little more willing to try, and having the courage to face imperfection.

Dear Yungu students, I hope you will always keep your curiosity. When you meet something you do not understand, ask “why.” When you face a hard problem, first think for yourself and give it a try. Books matter, and the real world is also a great book. Through reading, you may meet places far away. Through plants, seasons, and nature, you may discover patterns. Through a project, an experiment, or an interview, you may learn how to work with others. Today, AI may be able to give answers very quickly, but it cannot choose for you what to believe in, what to love, or whom to be responsible for. Learning how to learn matters more than remembering a great deal of knowledge.

I also hope you will learn to see others. Courtesy is not only saying “thank you” and “I’m sorry.” It also means following rules, listening well, and respecting differences. Kindness does not always have to be something grand. Saving a seat for a classmate, picking up a piece of paper from the floor, doing your classroom duty carefully, and offering a hand when someone needs help are all small acts of warmth and responsibility.

Please also take good care of your body and your heart. Rest when you are tired. Speak up when you feel sad. When you meet a problem you cannot solve, ask your teachers, family, or friends for help. Being resilient does not mean hiding every hurt inside. It means being able to stand up after a fall, being willing to try again after a failure, and also knowing when to ask someone to lend you a hand. I hope you will have the strength to focus deeply, and also the ability to feel happiness; that you will chase big dreams, and also notice the small beautiful things in life: a good lunch, a favorite book, a sincere hug.

Your teachers and I have made a promise too. We will work hard to give more time back to you, so that you can ask questions, express yourselves, make things with your hands, and create. We will bring the world into the school, and we will also help you walk bravely toward the world.

Dear Yungu students, I am not a principal who knows everything. I will keep learning, and I will keep listening to your voices. Growing up is never something children do alone. You are growing. Your teachers are growing. Your parents are growing too. All of us are growing, slowly and together, with Yungu.

May you grow at Yungu with freedom and courtesy, curiosity and focus. May you become children who are true, warm, and resilient. May you come to know yourselves, care for others, embrace the world, and grow into people you are proud to become, people who can also bring light to those around them.

Grow slowly. Learn joyfully. Live well.

Your new friend,
Principal Gangzi