School opening days

“Every year at the end of autumn, when the leaves on the street fall heavily and there are silver clouds in the sky, my heart is filled with fond memories of the first day of school. How can I forget those pure feelings that bloom in my heart like fresh flowers smiling in the clear sky.” Sentences in the article I go to school by writer Thanh Tinh like strings of love, connecting me back to old memories, when I was a child - the first day of school.

I am an eighth grader this year, having attended the opening ceremony eight times, but the first opening day of first grade still leaves me with unforgettable emotions.

The day before the opening day, I was both anxious and excited, looking forward to the next day. That was probably the feeling of most other first graders like me. Actually, at that time, I was still young, I didn't feel much about the opening day of school and just thought it was the first day of school, but seeing the care and busyness of adults, I somehow realized that it was a very important day. My mother had prepared everything I needed: books, school supplies, etc. I neatly packed everything in my small bag. I still remember when I took my new uniform out of the closet, looked at it for a long time, then hung it up carefully. Everything was ready for the first day of school! After finishing everything, I quickly went to bed so I could wake up early the next morning. Usually, sleep comes easily to me, but that day was different. A series of emotions came, and then many imaginary thoughts about tomorrow kept appearing in my head. It was exciting but also nerve-wracking. Then, without knowing when, I fell asleep…

The next morning, I followed my parents to school. It was indeed a different day for the first day of school! Everyone was dressed neatly! The students wore their newest, most beautiful uniforms. The male students wore shirts and trousers tucked in, looking very formal. The female students wore flowing white ao dai. It was September - late autumn, with occasional gusts of wind, bringing a chill. After the showers the night before, the sky was clear blue, without a cloud. Warm rays of sunlight filtered through the cool green canopy. Flocks of birds happily hopped from branch to branch. Usually, I passed by Duc Tri School at this time, and the school seemed to still be sleeping. But today, the school seemed to have changed into a new outfit, bright and colorful. As soon as I arrived at the school, what caught my eye was the large, wide-open white iron gate, as if it was welcoming me into a "wonderful world"! The schoolyard was packed with people. The older siblings were all excited, running and playing happily. The first graders were shyly playing around with their parents, not wanting to leave even a step. Needless to say, I was the same, standing in the middle of the big school, I suddenly felt so small. Seeing me looking scared, my mother advised me to be happy and try to get to know everyone. Although I tried my best, my heart was still beating fast. Suddenly, there was a burst of crying behind me. I also buried my face in my mother and choked up, tears welling up. But for some reason, I bravely wiped my tears and stood up straight. At the same time, a teacher walked towards me. I looked at her in confusion, then she gently spoke: “Parents give childrenahbigpi. This isold classa child.” Her warm, sweet voice made me forget my fear. She smiled, took my hand and led me into the classroom.

A moment later, the parents and students were settled, the opening ceremony officially began. The team leader's voice rang out loud and clear. “Doubtsmoothaho flag…Ch"Oh". The noisy school suddenly became quiet, everyone's face was solemn. Each verse of the "National Anthem" and "Team Anthem" resounded as majestically as each word of the lyrics. Then Principal Le Nga spoke about her feelings, sincere advice and read the letter from the President to the students on the first day of school. Everyone listened attentively and realized their duties, responsibilities and obligations. A fifth grade student represented the whole school to read the promise. At that time, I was still just a first grader, but I still felt the strong urge to try hard in studying to become a good child, a good student, a good grandchild of Uncle Ho. After that, the Principal went to the school drum placed neatly on the stage and beat the drum for a long time. The sound of the school drum echoed far and wide, marking the beginning of a new school year. The performances were carefully prepared by the older students. Singing and playing music resound in the joy of the school festival...

The opening ceremony passed in the joy of the students. Each class lined up to return to their classrooms, returning the schoolyard to its familiar quiet atmosphere. My first lessons began, each letter A, O, each spelling word, each first stroke written on the page. And so… I became a first grader.

That first Opening Ceremony left beautiful memories, deeply engraved in my subconscious, so that every time I remember it, my heart is filled with emotions about my youth. Now, I am an eighth grader, more mature and enough to understand all the hearts that teachers and the school have for us. Although in the extremely difficult conditions of the Covid 19 epidemic, students cannot go to school. But the teachers still organized a solemn Online Opening Ceremony for us. I wonder how many people "got" to experience this Opening Ceremony, and I was one of those "honored" people! That day, I still put on my uniform, wore a bright red scarf on my shoulder, sat upright in front of the computer screen, and attended the special Opening Ceremony. I still remember every word in the opening speech of the Principal: "Stop going to school but not stop studying. Teachers and students meet each other through online lectures,”. A very special opening ceremony. I felt endless gratitude. Teachers – the ones who always care and worry about us. My friends and I must try to study and practice well to repay the kindness that teachers have given us.

Each Opening Ceremony is an unforgettable memory. After the ceremonies, the sky is always blue, the sun is always golden. Birds are chirping in the trees. In the classrooms, the sound of lectures resounds. Duc Tri's teachers and students are enthusiastically preparing for a new harvest.

Dang Le Hanh Nguyen (Class 8/3)