Opening Message

Welcome to Grade 1!

The first week of school is filled with little moments that mean something big—a first walk into a new classroom, a first “hello” to a new friend, a first independent morning routine, and the proud feeling of saying, “I can do it!”

This week, our newest SHSID Hongkou students began an exciting journey.

From the moment they arrived on Orientation Day, to the final smiles and celebrations at the end of the week, our Grade 1 students showed curiosity, courage, kindness, and an amazing readiness to grow.

In just one-week, unfamiliar hallways began to feel familiar, new faces became friends, and new routines started to become habits. Welcome, Grade 1. You belong here, you are ready, and you will grow here.

01 | A NEW INITIATIVE

Big Friends, Little Friends: A Helping Hand on Day One

Starting school is a big step—and this year, our youngest students had some special friends helping them take it.

On Orientation Day, ten Grade 3 and Grade 4 student volunteers welcomed our new Grade 1 students and helped them begin their school journey. The older students guided their younger schoolmates to their classrooms, helped them unpack their backpacks, showed them how to organize and use their cubbies, and offered plenty of encouragement along the way.

For our Grade 1 students, it meant beginning school with a friendly face beside them.

For our older students, it was an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, responsibility, and kindness. It was a wonderful reminder that at SHSID Hongkou, growing up also means helping others grow.

02 | FINDING OUR PLACE

From New Faces to New Friends

On Monday, many faces were still new. By Friday, those same faces had become classmates, partners, playmates—and friends.

Through games, introductions, partner activities, teamwork, and everyday classroom moments, our students began learning something just as important as their subjects: how to belong to a community. They practiced listening to one another, taking turns, sharing, helping, and including others. Sometimes, all it took was one small question: “Do you want to play with me?” “I made a new friend!” “We played together at recess!” “I like my new class!”

03 | LEARNING HOW SCHOOL WORKS

Little Routines, Big Growth

Learning in Grade 1 is not only about letters, numbers, stories, and discoveries. Our students also learned the many little routines that make a successful school day possible.

They practiced:

· unpacking and organizing their belongings;

· using their cubbies independently;

· lining up and moving safely around campus;

· listening and responding to classroom signals;

· raising their hands and taking turns;

· washing their hands and following lunch routines;

· keeping classrooms and desks tidy;

· playing safely and kindly at recess; and

· packing their belongings at the end of the day.

Each routine may seem small, but together they build something very important: Confidence. Responsibility. Independence.

04 | THE WEEK IN LEARNING

A Whole New World to Explore

Our first graders quickly discovered that every classroom opens the door to a different kind of adventure. They read, counted, questioned, created, moved, sang, discussed, experimented, and explored. Most importantly, though, they discovered that learning begins with curiosity.

English:
Stories, sounds, words—and the confidence to share our ideas.

Math:
Thinking, noticing patterns, solving problems, and explaining how we know.

Chinese:
Listening, communicating, reading, and discovering language together.

SSS / Inquiry Learning:
Looking closely at the world and asking thoughtful questions.

Art:
Turning imagination into something we can see and share.

Music:
Finding rhythm, melody, movement, and joy together.

PE:
Moving safely, working as a team, and challenging ourselves.

Personal Growth:
Learning about ourselves, our classmates, and what it means to be part of a community.

05 | OUR GRADE 1 COMPASS

Growing into a HERO

As first graders begin their journey at our school, they will also be introduced to an important set of core values: H.E.R.O.

H — HONESTY

We tell the truth and make good choices.

E — ETIQUETTE

We use good manners and show consideration.

R — RESPECT

We care for ourselves, others, and our school.

O — ORGANIZATION

We take responsibility for our belongings and our learning.

Throughout the year, these four values will help our students navigate school life. During the very first week, we already saw HERO moments everywhere—in a student helping a friend, waiting patiently for a turn, carefully putting away materials, listening to a classmate, or remembering a new routine without being reminded. Big values often begin with very small actions.

06 | VOICES OF OUR FIRST WEEK

In Their Own Words

Student Voices

After a week of settling in and learning, our first graders took the stage during the “First Week of School Celebration” to share their favorite moments from their first week of school. When asked, “What did you enjoy most about your first week of school?”, their answers were full of joy and childlike wonder:

“I really love PE class!”

“I made new friends!”

“I love playing with everyone during recess!”

“I love every class!”

Behind each cheerful answer are the little discoveries, joyful moments, and meaningful growth that our children have quietly gathered throughout their very first week of school.

Teacher Voices

While our students were making new discoveries and growing each day, our teachers also shared the moments that made them most proud. Ms. Sheng shared, “What made me most proud this week was seeing how the children gradually became more independent. At first, they needed frequent reminders, but by the end of the week, they were beginning to greet and share with their classmates on their own, slowly turning our classroom into a warm and caring little community.” Mr. Knowles said, “I’m especially happy to see the children grow from feeling nervous when they first arrived to now walking into the classroom with a smile, greeting their teachers and classmates, and independently completing their morning routines, such as handing in homework and filling in their contact books.” PE teacher Ms. Wei shared, “During PE class, the children went from having trouble finding their places and telling left from right at the beginning of the week to quickly responding to instructions and completing simple formation changes in an organized way.” Music teacher Ms. Jasmine said, “What touched me most was how quickly the children adapted to music class. They clapped along with the beat and sang simple melodies with confidence. Some even took the initiative to invite their classmates to move and dance along with them.”

Parent Voices

Parents also shared some of the lovely changes they noticed in their children after coming home from school each day. Emily’s mom shared, “She really loves her new school life and her new teachers. She comes home excited every day and happily shares all kinds of fun stories from school.” Lucas’s mom said, “We’re so happy that he has already made many new friends. We’re also looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things he will learn and experience in his new school life.”

07 | CELEBRATING OUR FIRST WEEK

We Did It!

Five days, countless “firsts.” The most wonderful surprise of the first week was seeing how quickly our children grew.

On Orientation Day, many of our first graders still needed help from teachers and parents. By Friday, they were already organizing their belongings independently, finding their way around campus, becoming familiar with school routines, and even helping their friends.

The proud declaration of every first grader — “I can do it myself!”— could be heard more and more often around campus. Independence does not happen overnight. It grows through every attempt, every practice, and every chance to make a mistake and try again. For the new first graders, this week was only the beginning.

To celebrate this special milestone, Grade 1 teachers held a “First Week of School Celebration” ceremony on Monday of the second week. Students and teachers gathered together to celebrate their first week of school. Our hosts, Mr. D and Mr. Knowles, recognized the children’s efforts and progress, and each student took the stage to confidently share what they had learned, the new skills they had developed, the friends they had made, and the progress they had achieved. The celebration ended with teachers presenting each child with a certificate, recognizing their courage, effort, and growth during their very first week of school.

08 | THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

Ready for the Journey Ahead

One week ago, our Grade 1 students walked through the school doors at the beginning of something completely new.

Today, those doors feel a little more familiar. The classrooms feel a little more like home. Their classmates feel a little more like friends. And our students stand a little taller because they know:

I belong here.
I can learn here.
I can take care of myself here.
I can help others here.
I can grow here.

There will be challenges, discoveries, questions, achievements, friendships, and many wonderful “firsts” still ahead. And through it all, we look forward to working together with our families to help every child become a curious learner, a kind friend, a responsible community member, and a confident young person.

Grade 1, your journey has begun.

You belong here.

You are ready.

You will grow here.

Welcome to SHSID Hongkou！

(Written by Becky Yang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu, Rachel Wu

Reviewed by Dan Zhu, Shiyu Wu, Christian Saroza)