Because of forthcoming Olympics, Sochi starts school year today

Today, Sochi pupils have started their classes – this early beginning of the school year has to do with the upcoming Winter Olympic Games; however, the traditional "First Ring" will sound for the first-year pupils on September 2, said the Department of Education and Sciences of the Sochi City Administration.

Let us remind you that the 22nd Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi on February 7-23, 2014, and the 11th Winter Paralympic Games – on March 7-16.

"In the wake of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Education and Sciences of the Krasnodar Territory has defined the terms of the functioning of educational institutions of Sochi in the 2013-2014 school year. Thus, pupils of forms 2-11 (12) will go to school on August 26, 2013; pupils of form 1 will do it on September 2, 2013," said the above Department of Education and Sciences.

All the schools will mark the "First Ring" on September 2 with the advent of first-year pupils. During the 2013-2014 school year, the city will stick to the traditional schooling process.

The autumn break for schoolchildren will last for four days – on November 1-4, 2013; the winter holidays will last for eight days – from December 31 to January 7; then pupils will have their additional winter vacations for 14 days – on February 7-29, 2014; and the spring break will last for 10 days – on March 7-16.