Congratulations to our three little guys finishing their first week at
the Beijing International Bilingual Academy! We recently shared the graduation ceremony that we had for Gong, Shu, and Yang,
and now we get to share a little bit about how their first few days went at
BIBA.
On their first day, the boys headed to school proudly wearing the
school bags they'd received at their Little Flower Graduation. They experienced
that familiar combination of nervousness and excitement one gets when faced
with the prospect of attending a new school, meeting new people, and making new
friends. What would their classmates and teachers be like?
Maria, their Little Flower teacher, and Group Educational Foster Care
Manager Ruth accompanied the boys to BIBA for their first day.
They went through those big front gates excitedly, greeting a few
friendly teachers along the way.
Their teachers welcomed
them and introduced them to the rest of their class.
At the Little Flower Early Education Center, Yang was always at the
center of attention. He's a very outgoing kid, brimming with self-confidence.
On that first day, though, while things were still taking a little getting used
to, Yang stayed close to Maria, who was there to help the boys acclimate to
their new surroundings. We're sure that with enough support and encouraging
words, Yang will be back to his old self in no time.
In English class, as expected, the boys found it a bit difficult to
follow the class. Though they do know some English, their level is a bit behind
their new classmate's. But they're all very diligent boys, and make progress
each day. Eventually, their hard work will help them fill in that gap!
On the Thursday of that first week was their first opportunity to go on
an outing with their classes, which was a very happy occasion. It was a
sports outing that included tag and ball games. Our three boys loved it! The
other kids helped Shu and Gong with their wheelchairs. They were just part of
the team!
Of course, questions from their inquisitive classmates are inevitable.
Kids are naturally curious!
"Are you an orphan?" one classmate asked Gong.
Gong turned to this new classmate and said, "Well, I was an
orphan, but not anymore. I have a family now."
Gong, who is part of Chunmiao Little Flower's Group Educational Foster
Care program, is of course talking about his foster parents and siblings in
Little Flower GEFH #2. Here's a recent photo of Gong with his foster mom, big
sister Mao, and little brother Yi:
It just makes everyone here at Little Flower so proud to be able to
provide loving homes and supportive families for these kids with special needs.
Overall, the boys' attendance at BIBA seems to be working well thus
far. The teachers are working to integrate them as much as possible into
classes and to bring them up to speed on some of the things they need to work
on.
We're keen to see how the cooperation develops and progresses over the
next weeks.
Congratulations to Gong, Shu, and Yang on making it through your first
week at international school!