End of School Fun Day

The school year in Japan is on a completely different schedule compared to the U.S. The end of the school year is almost here, with the 3rd graders in Junior High Schools (JHS) around the country gearing up to graduate next Tuesday.

This week, the 3rd graders (American 9th Graders) sat for the public high school Admission test on Tuesday and Wednesday. So, at my Favorite school, we had a reward party the whole day for them.

It began at 8:45 with a ceremony, it is Japan you know where ceremonies are a HUGE staple. The ni-nen-seis (2nd graders/American 8th graders) put on the party for the 3rd graders. So, they gave announcements and speeches during the opening ceremony. After that, we all walked to the top of the biggest mountain on Erabu. It's called 大山（おおやま/ooyama). Which means "Big Mountain" in Japanese. But, it's pretty small. So, it only took about 30 minutes to walk up to the top. Once there, we had a beautiful view of the island. I took some pictures: (on the way)

We got there and played Frisbee-style dodgeball. Pretty fun!

Afterwards, there was another ceremony put on by the 2nd graders. They gave out gag gifts to the 3rd graders and talked about how they would miss them once they started high school. Pretty emotional stuff!

Afterwards, we all headed outside to enjoy the sun (with a little chill in the air, thanks to the wind) and ate our bentos (home-made lunches...). I headed off to eat with the teachers. I try and grab whatever opportunity I can to hang out with the teachers. I love the teachers at this school -- we are always laughing at some joke or other. Joking in another language is seriously hard, because you never know if your type of humour is going to work out or not. But, with these teachers we just mesh. So, it's great.

After lunch, we headed back down the mountain. Again, beautiful pictures!!

And then, the students had class vs. class sports off. The girls played volleyball and the boys played soccer. I would guess that volleyball and soccer ... well, and baseball, are the top sports in Japan.

Days like this make me want to stay another year. And, you know, I think if I were at this school more than once a week. Maybe the decision to stay another year or not would have been different. But, for now, I'm happy with my decision!

I hope the nip in the air leaves before the parents arrive. When you don't feel the breeze its warm enough to go sunning. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!!

~Steph

P.S. T-8 days!!!!

P.S.S. NO SPELLING MISTAKES. Though, grammar is probably another issue. :(