September 1 -- First Bell

Russia has a great 1st day of school tradition called First Bell. The smallest first grader and the strongest 11th grader parade around the school ringing in the new school year. All the parents and grandparents of the first graders are present.

The school prepares a special program for the first graders and welcomes them to their new school.
The students all bring flowers for their teacher -- the boquets are so big, you can barely see the kids faces!

This is Christian's first grad class.
The girls all wear fancy dresses and HUGE white bows in their hair. The boys all wear suits and ties.
Christian is still friends with a few of the children from his class.