Caring for public property is our warmest way of giving back – On caring for public property and having a grateful heart

Hello everyone, teachers and students!

I'd like to ask everyone to close their eyes for a second and think back to one of our most ordinary days:
We sit in clean classrooms, write on sturdy desks, attend classes using smooth multimedia equipment, run on the spacious playground after class, eat lunch in a clean cafeteria, and finally borrow a book from the well-stocked library to take home.

Does all of this seem as natural to us as breathing? Have we ever thought about what lies behind this "taken-for-granted" attitude?

Dear students, every piece of public property around us did not appear out of thin air.
• That desk we used to write and draw on came from a tree; it was cut, polished, and transported by workers before reaching us. • That interactive whiteboard that allowed us to access the wider world was carefully purchased and maintained by the school with a considerable sum of money.
The basketball court and auditorium beneath our feet were maintained by the logistics staff and workers braving the scorching sun and rain. The book we casually picked up from the shelf was carefully sorted, disinfected, and cataloged by the librarian to ensure it was there accurately.
All of this is thanks to the contributions of taxpayers, the investment of the government and society, and the hard work of every staff member in the school. When we realize this, will our perspective on public property change? They will no longer be cold "objects," but gifts that carry expectations, effort, and care.

Schools always emphasize "cherishing public property," which we usually understand as a rule, a discipline that cannot be violated. That's true, but today, I'd like to invite everyone to understand it from a higher level—gratitude.

Protecting public property is not out of fear of being penalized or fined, but rather a heartfelt and warm way of giving back.

Gratitude is embodied in "respect": respect for the designer's craftsmanship, respect for the workers' hard work, and respect for the contributions of teachers and staff. Not carving on desks is a sign of respect for the carpenter's labor; not kicking classroom doors is a way of responding to the technicians' efforts in maintaining the school.
Gratitude is embodied in "responsibility": We are not only users of these beautiful environments and facilities, but also their guardians. Turning off lights and air conditioning when not in use shows our appreciation for resources; handling laboratory equipment with care shows our respect for science; and returning exercise equipment to its proper place shows our consideration for the next user.
Gratitude is reflected in "good manners": A truly well-mannered person is not defined by the designer brands they wear, but by how they treat everything in public. The coolest form of good manners is to treat every blade of grass and every tree with gentleness even when no one is watching.

So, how can we translate this gratitude into our daily actions? It's very simple:

1. Treat things like they're your own: Treat your desk like your own study desk, the school library like your own treasured comic book collection, and the public computers like your own gaming laptop. Would you dare to scribble or draw on them?
2. Small acts of kindness can lead to wonderful things:
• If you see a chair that's leaning, straighten it out.
• If you see litter on the ground, even if it was left by someone else, pick it up.
• When leaving the classroom, turn off the lights and air conditioning.
3. Be a "gentle" user: Open and close doors gently, use equipment gently, and handle plants with light footsteps. Your gentleness will be felt by the school.
4. From "I" to "We": Not only should we do it ourselves, but when we see classmates damaging public property, a kind reminder like, "Hey, that'll hurt the table!" is far more powerful than accusation. Let's influence each other and create a warm atmosphere of caring for public property.

Dear students, our school is not only a place where we acquire knowledge, but also our second home. We grow, laugh, and cry here; every inch of this land bears witness to our youth. To cherish everything here is to cherish our own youthful memories.
Starting today, let's look at the desks, doors, windows, books, and playgrounds around us with a different perspective. They are not just public property; they are "silent companions" who silently accompany and support our growth. Let's repay this silent companionship with care. Let's demonstrate our generation's gratitude and good manners through our actions.
Because caring for this campus is the warmest and most powerful way we can give back to it.
Thank you everyone!