In Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, despite the ongoing threat of war with the front only 40 kilometers away, schoolchildren joyfully celebrated the traditional first day of school following a dawn air raid alarm. Due to the ban on large gatherings in the city, only students in their first and last years were permitted to participate in the parade as the city is frequently targeted by Russian artillery and missiles. The school remains unnamed for security reasons.
Dressed in traditional embroidered Ukrainian shirts and clutching roses, the children stood hand in hand in pairs during the ceremony, symbolizing unity and hope for Ukraine’s future amidst the adversity of war. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, the event served as a beacon of positivity for the community.
Out of the 800 students at the school, approximately 300 had fled to safety abroad or to other regions within Ukraine due to the war. To comply with safety measures, the school adopted a hybrid learning approach, with students attending in-person classes on a rotating basis and conducting online lessons. This was necessary because the recently renovated bomb shelter could only accommodate around 250 individuals. Zaporizhzhia faces frequent air raid alerts.
The school’s bomb shelter, situated 75 meters away from the main building, was equipped to provide a secure space for students during air raid alarms. Younger students attend classes in person daily, utilizing a designated classroom located just above the basement rooms, while the rest of the school operates primarily in the main building.
Following Sunday’s ceremony, which proceeded without incident, Olha Komarova-Lesko, mother of an 11th grader and a 6th grader, expressed optimism for the upcoming school year, considering it the best possible solution given the circumstances. She recalled the event as a moment of joy and excitement reminiscent of times before the war.
