Starting Grade One is always an exciting experience at GAIS. The traditional Grade One commencement ceremony took place on Tuesday morning with all of the students in the Elementary School participating and eager to welcome their new friends. There was also a large crowd of happy parents and relatives on hand to witness this important moment and see the joy in the faces of their children.

Again this year we were pleased to have a team of fire fighters from our local Menlo Park station with us to give out the Schultüte. Each first grader was introduced into the community, given a welcome card and a flower by a friend in Grade 2, and welcomed with two songs. Thanks to our music teacher Anneliese Messner for preparing the music and our Grade 2 teachers, Janet Roitsch and Barbara Bensen, for preparing their students.

Following an exciting picture taking session in front of the fire truck, the students were lead to their new classes by Grade 1 teachers Luise Genzinger and Claudia Gruber.

We all wish our Grade 1 students a wonderful year of friendship, learning and discovery.