The sunshine of September filled the Hongkou campus as SHSID welcomed a sea of eager young faces! The incoming class of first graders arrived with curiosity and excitement, ready to begin their journey of growth and discovery. From the moment they stepped through the school gates, teachers greeted them with warm smiles, beautifully decorated classrooms, and surprise-filled "First Day Welcome Kits," creating a heartfelt and joyful start to their school life.

Stepping into a Bright Beginning

On Orientation Day, the new first graders, accompanied by their parents, stepped into their classrooms for the very first time. Waiting on each desk were thoughtful surprises  prepared by the teachers— a colorful pinwheel, a lollipop, and a welcome letter. With joy and curiosity, the children explored their new learning space, discovering cubbies and desks labeled with their own names before sitting down to complete a coloring activity. At the Opening Ceremony, the students received a special "First Day Gift Kit" carefully prepared by the school. Inside were the school panda, school stickers, a water bottle, and more. With these warm touches and thoughtful preparations from their teachers, the first graders officially embarked on their exciting primary school journey.

New Friends, Big Smiles

To help the first graders quickly adapt to their new school life, teachers prepared a series of fun icebreaker activities. The children created "All About Me" posters and shared them with their seatmates. The first grade teachers also introduced themselves and even recorded a special welcome video for the students. To help everyone relax and feel like a part of the new community, the teachers also led the children in a lively warm-up dance following the video. Through these engaging interactions, the students began to get to know one another, filling the classrooms with laughter, energy, and the first sparks of new friendships.

Routines that Help Us Shine

During their first week of school life, the new first graders have already shown remarkable growth. With the guidance of their teachers, they quickly became familiar with campus routines and class rules. On the playground, they lined up straight and quietly; in the classroom, they organized their schoolbags neatly by category; in the cafeteria, they followed dining etiquette and took the initiative to clear their trays. Each of these small moments reflected the children's progress in just one week.

Adventures Across Our Classes

For the first graders, each day in class is a fresh journey of exploration and discovery. Whether it is the engaging world of math, the wonders of nature in science, or language learning in English and Chinese, each subject opens a new door of curiosity. Beyond the core subjects, students also enjoy a variety of enriching classes: joyful music, rhythmic dance, imaginative art, and energetic PE. In these diverse learning spaces, the first graders immerse themselves with full enthusiasm. Whether mastering new knowledge or creating colorful crafts, they approach every task with passion, exploring and learning together through both cooperation and play.

Growing Independence Every Day

After just one week of learning and practice, the new first graders have gradually adapted to their daily routines and study habits. They have learned how to take care of their belongings and prepare the necessary materials for class. They now know how to organize their homework each day, bring it home for parental signature, and return it on time. In the classroom, under the guidance of their teachers, the students are also able to complete tasks more independently— actively participating in lessons, engaging in discussions, and finishing activities on their own. Each accomplishment fills them with pride and satisfaction, while also helping them form positive habits that will support their growth in the future.

Voice from Our School Community

Throughout the week, the teachers witnessed every bit of progress made by the new first graders. Some remarked that the children adapted even faster than expected, others shared touching moments, like when students took the initiative to help their classmates organize their schoolbags— an inspiring display of cooperation and care.

To celebrate these accomplishments, the first grade teachers organized a special "First Week of School Celebration" ceremony. During the event, students proudly shared their own highlights from the week: some spoke about the joy of making new friends, some expressed their love for expressing creativity in art class, and others shared their pride in learning how to line up quickly and neatly.

Parents noticed the changes in their children as well. These small yet meaningful steps marked the beginning of a beautiful journey of growth.

As the school bell rang on Friday afternoon, the first graders joyfully wrapped up their very first week of school— a week filled with curiosity, challenges, and growth. During these days, the children planted the seeds of friendship, absorbed the nourishment of knowledge, and took important steps toward independence. Looking ahead, we believe they will continue to learn more, achieve more, and flourish on the fertile ground of our school, growing with confidence and shining in their own unique ways.

(Written by Becky Yang

Pictures by Rachel Wu, Elaine Zhu

Edited by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Grace Grilmore)