http://www.google.co.il/logos/il_backtoschool07.gif

The well-known David Hetfield just said to me that the phrase means "Shalom (Hello in hebrew) 1st Grade".

Well, since when do you need a protractor in 1st grade?

You do in Ireland.

in some parts of austria too! (in carinthia, where i live, next week)

to be sure: for you, 1st grade = what age?

In Bavaria in Germany in 9 days

Tom: not only 1st grade :p (11st grade)

1st grade = ~6 years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Austria

When I was 6, I used protractors only as a frisbees...
well, I'm 20 and it still frisbees for me :-D

In my country the 1st grade is around six years too, and we didn't use a protractor till 3rd grade. But when kids enter school, they are so excited and they bring with them whatever they find (say... scientific calculators). I miss a bit all that excitement... The next year I'll start university, I'll see then what I feel :P

Well, i wasn't that clear Tom. I forgot to mention that Hello 1st grade (or welcome to first grade) is a phrase in hebrew, which is taken from a well known song.

So when a 6 year old kid walks in to first grade, the first words he will hear are: Shalom Kita Alef. (= Hello first grade)

I started 1st grade (back in China) about two months before my 7th b'day. (school starts on 9/1 and my bday's on 10/31). I think I started using protractors in third grade, mostly as an weapon! }:-)

School started August 29th this year. Err.

Ha Ha!
Here in France, in few days (maybe today?) it's "la rentrée", that is to say "back to school". For all pupils.

But *my* back to school is.... October 1st :-)

*My* back to school is....

NEVER! :D

Even though i miss it already... :/

:P

Just graduated from university here last year and I already miss school. Funny how you hate it while you are there and miss it once you are gone.