In the refreshing breeze of October, the campus air was filled with joy and vitality. This week, Hongkou Campus welcomed its annual sports celebration— Sports Week. This sports extravaganza, created for the children, filled every corner of the campus with the sounds of laughter and cheer.

On the morning of October 14, with a gentle breeze blowing, the highly anticipated sports meet officially began. The young athletes from Grades 1 to 3 at Hongkou Campus, dressed in bright sportswear, entered the venue with high spirits. Their faces beamed with bright smiles as they warmly waved to their parents.

This year's sports meet innovatively featured twelve teams named after different sports, each shining with unique decorations: the Team Baseball players wore striking baseball gloves, Team Cycling donned colorful helmets, Team Football uniformly wore headbands printed with soccer patterns, and Team Snowboarding sported cool-looking ski goggles. These carefully designed team accessories not only lit up the field but also visually strengthened team spirit, showcasing a strong sports atmosphere and distinct team characteristics.

Once the competitions began, the twelve teams, guided by their teachers, orderly rotated through six main events.

In the "Ballaroo Jump" race, the children clenched soft balls between their legs and hopped forward like little kangaroos. If a ball dropped mid-way, they quickly picked it up, readjusted, and persisted to the finish, demonstrating unwavering determination.

The "Home Run" area frequently erupted with exclamations of amazement. Whenever a child swung the bat hard and sent the ball flying into the distance, their team would burst into enthusiastic applause. The "NFL Quarterback Target Practice" tested the children's accuracy. They aimed carefully and threw with force, leaping for joy each time they hit the target number.

The "Noodle Run" relay greatly challenged the team's collaborative efficiency. The children divided tasks clearly: some members firmly pressed both ends of the "noodle" to the ground, creating a stable "bridge," while others quickly crossed over in turn. After completing the support task, that members would immediately pick up the "noodle," swiftly move to the front of the line, and set it up again. The whole team advanced steadily towards the finish line like a moving relay dragon.

The "Big Volleyball" game was particularly fun. The young children worked together, lifting the two-meter diameter inflatable volleyball and trying to hit it over the net. Some dashed to save the ball, while others organized effective attacks, seizing every scoring opportunity. Their small figures looked especially adorable against the backdrop of the huge ball, and cheers erupted constantly from the scene.

The "Obstacle Course Relay" on the field was the most intense. The children had to conquer six layers of obstacles: climbing over soft mat "hills" and crawling through colorful tunnels. When a young teammate's shoe came off while navigating an obstacle, they showed no panic. Instead, they quickly picked it up, put it back on, and immediately continued the race, while their fellow teammates cheered them on enthusiastically. As the final runner crossed the finish line, the entire team erupted into cheers and applause, sharing the immense joy of success together.

The success of this sports meet was made possible by the strong support of parent volunteers. Team helpers helped homeroom teachers care for the children, reminding them to hydrate and stay safe; game judges diligently recorded scores, ensuring fairness and impartiality; audience supervisors carefully maintained order and guided parents. Spectating parents went the extra mile, creating beautiful cheer signs and banners. Whenever children from their class competed, they stood up, waved pom-poms, and cheered them on.

In the afternoon, the children participated in a reflection and review session about the sports meet. They shared their favorite events and warmest memories, and conducted self-evaluations of their performance during Sports Week. One child described their experience pushing through the obstacle course, writing: "Even though I was very tired, I didn't give up." Another recorded a scene of teammates encouraging each other: "When our team lost, we all shouted 'It's okay, let's go for the next one!'" These sincere expressions showcased the growth the children gained from the activities.

The joy of Sports Week extended from the sports ground into this week's PE classes. The children strived hard in five challenges: Hurdle Relay, Tug of War, Agility Testing, Fixed-point Shot, and Driving a Train. Each challenge passed earned them a stamp on their "Junior Sports Bingo" card. When they finally achieved a full Bingo, they raised their cards high, their faces filled with the joy and pride of success.

The themed dress-up days each day excited the children even more. On Monday's "Sports Hat Day," children wore various sports caps like baseball caps and bicycle helmets. On Wednesday’s "Sports Socks Day," colorful sports socks became the most vibrant scenery on campus. Thursday’s "Favorite Sports or Sports Star Day" brought the excitement to its peak, with children transforming into elegant rhythmic gymnasts or imitating basketball stars, deeply experiencing the unique charm of sports through immersive role-playing.

Although Sports Week has concluded, the joy of sports continues. These wonderful experiences have not only planted seeds of teamwork and courage to challenge oneself in the children's hearts but will also become valuable treasures on their growth journey. May the children carry this spirit of sports with them, continually surpass themselves, and create more brilliance on the path ahead.

(Written by Nina Kang

Pictures by Parent Volunteers and Rachel Wu

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Grace Gilmore)