First School Day - September 3

September 1 traditionally is the first school day in Latvia. So the phrase "The first of September" is often used with meaning "First school day". That is why we say that we had September 1 today even though it is 3rd already.

There are 71 schoolchildren in Stelpe School this year.

The opening ceremony took place in a freshly remodeled hall. Remodeling was possible due to the hard work of head teacher Dagmāra Venclova together with the local government of Vecumnieki. The hall is now beautiful, and the acoustics are incredibly good.

Another specific thing was the celebration by the staff of my wife Sandra's 50th anniversary. She got a lot of flowers from her colleagues and students, and heard a lot of appreciative words. When the official part was over, we had a little party in her classroom.

Liana Symonenko (Лиана Симоненко), volunteer worker from Ukraina, sang "Крылатые качели" (The Winged Swings) together with her fellow volunteers from different countries.

Valdis Rusiņš is a member of Vecumnieki Municipality board where he often supports the cause of Stelpe School. Apart of that, he supports the school privately giving funds for a number of needs. After being thanked by head teacher Dagmāra Venclova, Valdis Rusiņš was given the floor.

Sandra Neliusa being greeted by head teacher Dagmāra Venclova

Big and small lined up to greet teacher Sandra Neliusa with flowers

 

  Those who begin the school today - with their teachers Iveta Grantiņa (left) and Ilze Lukša

 Teachers, students and guests

 Sandra Neliusa and head teacher Dagmāra Venclova

 Schoolgirls' quartet

 Class 8 - the one where the class teacher is Sandra