There was nervous excitement around the school as the teachers welcomed the incoming first year students. First year boys try to look confident in their oversized uniforms with their mothers in tow. The girls try to hide their nervousness with small giggles and quiet smiles. Parents looked proudly nervous for their kids. Even the teachers, for all their smiles, were actually apprehensive. The splash of flowers in almost every corner in the school must have provided silent comfort and joy to these bundles of nerves.
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| flowers near my desk |
When I came to school in the morning, two first year teachers were busy preparing gorgeous and vibrant flowers. I talked with them while they carefully designed and set the flowers in their vases. I can't help but express my appreciation. One of the teachers said that Japanese use flowers to express important events such as the first school day in Japan. In fact, the cherry blossoms is a signal of coming back to school. It is a sign of spring. Along with the setting of flowers, a formal ceremony was prepared to usher in the incoming first graders.
(For more on School Life in Japan, click here)
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| Welcome Sign for the First Graders |
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| one of the flower vases in one of the classrooms |
Before the actual ceremony, the new students were led to their classrooms by the senior students. With the Japanese keenness on order, all students already have their books waiting on their desks. They also have student numbers assigned. To welcome the students, pictures of cherry blossoms are drawn on the board with a message.
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| Senior students welcoming a first grader |
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| welcome message peppered with cheery blossom cut outs |
In the classroom, the class teacher waited for all the students. When all the students arrived, the class teacher did some introductions, checked the attendance and talked about some system in the school.
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| Class teacher discussing the school system to expectant first graders |
At around 1:30, all students fell in line outside the school gym. Class by class, the parents and teachers welcomed the new students with their class teacher.
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| New shoes for the new school year |
The ceremony itself was formally opened by the vice-principal. Then the principal, the PTA president and the student leader gave their welcome speeches. The first year teachers were also introduced. There's also a symbolic passing of books from the principal to a representative of the first year students. After all the rituals, the first year students were led back to their classrooms. It got my interest how the students bow during the opening ceremony. Just before leaving the hall, the class teacher and the students bow facing the stage where the school's flag and Japan's flag are displayed. I remembered how the students bowed during the closing ceremony. They bowed facing the people.
(More on Japanese customs, here)
After some more discussions in the classroom, the first year students are ushered out back to their parents marking the end of the opening ceremony. Just like how spring symbolizes a new beginning, I believe these students are excited to begin their life in Junior High School. Gambatte!
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| Bright flowers on the sidewalk near my school |
