On September 1, primary and secondary schools in Shenzhen officially kicked off the fall semester. To welcome students back, schools prepared different gifts and activities as surprises on the first school day in the new semester. Luohu Future School in Luohu District held a “passing through checkpoints” game to train students’ independent thinking, bravery and courage. At 7 a.m., students were greeted with cards of different colors which led them to their classes. At the entrance, students were invited to take a photo at a themed welcome board, and then the photos were developed and posted on a “smiley wall.” The Nanshan Experimental Education Group Yuanding School in Nanshan District hosted an opening ceremony of the new school year on September 1, at which students and faculty members gave red-themed singing and dancing performances. The school also surprised students with special “red packets” which included lollipops, seedlings, book marks, wish cards and masks. According to the school, lollipops symbolize “greatness” as the Chinese word for “lollipops” is “棒棒糖” and “棒” means “being great”; seedlings stand for “hope and growth”; the bookmarks covered with paintings of national heroes serve as a reminder to salute our heroes; the wish cards give students new hope for a new school year; and masks are a must during the pandemic and represent health and safety. At Bao’an Middle School (Group) Foreign Languages School in Bao’an District, head teachers prepared bouquets of sunflowers for students. Teacher Zhong Ling said, “Sunflowers are a metaphor for excellent academic performance, so we wish our students every success in their study and growth.” The Senior High School campus of the Shenzhen Bao’an Middle School (Group) in Bao’an had a full range of pandemic prevention and control measures ready to provide students with a safe environment. Temperature checks, alcohol hand sanitizers and medical trash bins were all available on the campus. The school also sent greetings to two students who were not able to return to Shenzhen due to the pandemic and helped them to catch up with the classes. (Yang Mei) | 