 |
An example of the schultute-they're as
big as the first graders! |
Today was the first day of school for grades 2-4 at CSK! Since 5th grade is not part of the bilingual program, they are going to start tomorrow, and 1st grade had their special ceremony today. In Germany, kindergarten is not part of regular school, and so first grade is the first year that the children are at our school. There was a ceremony today, welcoming the first graders to school, called Einschulungsfest. They got to dress up and received a large cardboard cone filled with school supplies from their family called a schultute (school-bag). Needless to say, it's a pretty big deal. While third grade was not able to attend, we did watch part of the ceremony from our classroom windows!
I have to say that the first day went pretty well! Rachel (she teaches 2nd grade) and I walked from our apartment down to the main street to meet CB (she teaches 4th grade) who graciously has offered to drive us. We got there early, and had time to piddle around a little bit before staff devotions. I love that our school is bilingual, because not only do we use both languages in class, we use them in staff meetings and devotions. We prayed together in both German and English, and it was beautiful.
I have 18 students, 9 German speakers and 9 English speakers, 10 boys and 8 girls. Hanna, my partner teacher, and I spent the day playing introduction games, reading stories in both English and German, going over procedures, and getting to know our students a little bit. I have to say that I have a very sweet and feisty class, and I cannot wait to get to know them better. God has placed me here for a reason, and I am so glad that He did!
